Ukraine protesters urge Zelenskyy keep defence chief

Protesters gathered in Kyiv on Thursday to denounce Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after six months in the post.

Zelenskyy shook up his wartime government, drawing thousands into the streets Thursday across Ukraine to protest the ouster of his youthful defense minister - seen as an innovator of the country's successful drone technology but who clashed with the traditional military establishment.

The personnel overhaul, which included replacing his prime minister, could become a test of Zelenskyy's political authority as Ukraine's fight against Russia's full-scale invasion approaches 4½ years. Zelenskyy has remained in office under martial law because wartime elections are prohibited but has periodically reshuffled his government.

In making the changes, Zelenskyy cited friction between outgoing Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine's armed forces.

"These people, among other things, made Zelenskyy the president. I hope that Zelenskyy will hear them again, and draw conclusions and change his decision," 38-year-old Kyiv resident Oleksii Filipas said of the protesters.

25-year-old Kyiv resident Valentyn Larin skipped work to spend the whole day at the protest.

"I'm exhausted by those feelings in my back, in my legs that are shaking, my head feels a little bit numb, but it's nothing compared to what we will face tomorrow and after tomorrow and years after," Larin said.

Larin said he planned to also attend the protest on Friday.

The moves threw Ukraine's military leadership into an unwelcome crisis at a time when its actions against Russia are starting to bear fruit and as Moscow has unleashed unrelenting aerial attacks. Two people were killed and five others were wounded, including a child, when Russian missiles hit the capital of Kyiv overnight, Ukraine's Emergency Service said.