Amid grinding war, protesting Ukrainians still want their voices and values heard at home

The defense minister’s firing was the catalyst, but polling suggests Ukrainians are rallying around a broader fight for freedoms and against corruption.

By: Sarah Wilson Sokhey, University of Colorado Boulder; Gerard Toal, Virginia Tech, and John O’Loughlin, University of Colorado Boulder, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 20, 2026

Words: 1,133

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Sarah Wilson Sokhey, University of Colorado Boulder; Gerard Toal, Virginia Tech, and John O’Loughlin, University of Colorado Boulder

Ukraine is experiencing its largest domestic protests since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The spark to the unrest was the summary dismissal on July 15, 2026, of the country’s youthful defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, appointed just six months ago.

Fedorov, seen as charismatic and tech savvy, was already viewed by some as a …

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