The city of Kyiv gives “working remotely” a new meaning after today’s controversial Cabinet of Ministers shuffle. More than 1,000 people protested in Kyiv against the dismissal of the Defense Minister
Marianna's knowledge is super impressive. Hope she stays safe and continues reporting the facts so people outside of Ukraine can understand the internal politics impacting the war.
Although it’s never good to have uncertainty or strife in a government, it is a hallmark of democracy. Good on Ukraine to remind the world (and their neighbour) about what that means.
Interesting, thank you! We hear NOTHING about news out of Ukraine here in the United States---mostly because our "president" is an insane chaos factory who sucks up all the attention at all times. No room for anything but him him him him.
With so much domestic noise, it’s definitely a challenge to keep international issues in the spotlight, which is exactly why we want to keep our readers informed!
This reminded me of the importance of concurrent activity. Denys is quite the productive guy! He worked remotely, attended a protest, charged people’s devices, gave out water, and gave an interview.
👍 Great reporting & love that Ukrainian spirit to keep working but still attend the protest ! I have attended many protests both against govt policy & stop-work pickets against an employer - the former was out of work time and the latter was designed to NOT be present at my job (although we did also do a bit of a "be present at work for the customers but don't wear the employer branded uniform" as part of the ongoing industrial action 😜) These days technology does give more freedom & more options for coverage eg livestreaming & social media etc plus there are a lot of portable power batteries in Ukraine to utilise because of power disruptions 🤔
As I've said before, I'm not qualfied to know what is behind the decision re Federov - what he has been saying publicly since stepping down gives a flavour of dysfunction that could be destabilising to the overall defence of Ukraine but none of US are in a position to know who is most at fault (if " fault" is the right word?). Easy (as some are doing) to blame the old guard standing in the way of the new innovative leader, but there is also the lessons of longer experience to be taken into account which should not be thrown aside lightly. I await some clarity from independent sources other than someone adept at social media to promote himself as Federov has been doing up until now 🙄
Thanks for your comment!In your view, is there a way these two approaches could have coexisted, or was a split probably inevitable given the current war effort?
Of course they COULD coexist... That they DIDN'T is the biggest disappointment. I see a lot of praise for "what Fedorov has achieved" but the base he built on was the "old guard" stopping a far superior military in terms of sheer manpower & weapons long enough for this new tech to be effectively developed & deployed. A deep understanding of Russian military tactics & decision making, & indeed individuals & their weaknesses, had often been credited with Ukrainian military successes to date - both this +new innovations are needed IMHO 💙💛
I agree. When the CEO of Rheinmetall made belittling comments about Ukraine’s drone innovations I cringed. The criticism and backlash of those comments are well deserved. But that doesn’t mean I also think that tanks and ground troops are now useless. The old school and new school need to work together. Sometimes when there are 2 big egos unwilling to compromise one must go or bigger disfunction will follow. I don’t know if this was the right decision or not. Time will tell.
It is. But the protesters say that losing the war by appointing someone with a controversial background to the most vital ministry in wartime is even more dangerous.
From my geographical position, far far away from the battlefield on the West Coast of the US with only news reports to inform me, I nevertheless think that President Zelensky ought to reinstate Fedorov and fire Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi. This would be a forward looking move, create unity with the people, and reward those who have utilized the technological advances (drones) that have given Ukraine its recent advantages.
Whatever happened to Zelensky’s transparency? Does he not feel that Ukrainian citizens deserve an explanation on why Fedorov was replaced? Silence isn’t going to work. Zelensky talks to the people every evening and now we have silence on this?
It’ll be so nice when this war is over to have an election.
You've captured exactly why so many people are protesting right now. Do you think the lack of a direct explanation from the President is doing more damage to public trust than the decision itself?
Very hard to say. As long as they don’t lose Fedorov completely they should be OK. President Zelensky still wants him on the team. Hopefully, Fedorov sticks around and contributes his ideas to help the military.
Fedorov himself said he asked the President to fire Syrski - maybe he forced a choice between long term proven success of years to date & the guy who thinks he is more important because HIS results are more flashy?
It could be. It’s not an easy decision for President Zelensky. As long as he is open and transparent about it the people will accept it. As long as he keeps Fedorov around as part of the team that’s very important too.
Aren’t these reporters amazing?
Courage! Perhaps Zelensky will reverse this decision as happened before. Keep at it!
If this decision stands, what do you think should be the top priority for the new leadership to ensure the momentum Fedorov built isn't lost?
Marianna's knowledge is super impressive. Hope she stays safe and continues reporting the facts so people outside of Ukraine can understand the internal politics impacting the war.
Thank you so much!!!
Although it’s never good to have uncertainty or strife in a government, it is a hallmark of democracy. Good on Ukraine to remind the world (and their neighbour) about what that means.
Interesting, thank you! We hear NOTHING about news out of Ukraine here in the United States---mostly because our "president" is an insane chaos factory who sucks up all the attention at all times. No room for anything but him him him him.
With so much domestic noise, it’s definitely a challenge to keep international issues in the spotlight, which is exactly why we want to keep our readers informed!
Exactly why I subscribe.
"Domestic noise" is a polite way to describe the situation.....
This reminded me of the importance of concurrent activity. Denys is quite the productive guy! He worked remotely, attended a protest, charged people’s devices, gave out water, and gave an interview.
He is really good at multi tasking!
Walked many a picket line in my days.
👍 Great reporting & love that Ukrainian spirit to keep working but still attend the protest ! I have attended many protests both against govt policy & stop-work pickets against an employer - the former was out of work time and the latter was designed to NOT be present at my job (although we did also do a bit of a "be present at work for the customers but don't wear the employer branded uniform" as part of the ongoing industrial action 😜) These days technology does give more freedom & more options for coverage eg livestreaming & social media etc plus there are a lot of portable power batteries in Ukraine to utilise because of power disruptions 🤔
As I've said before, I'm not qualfied to know what is behind the decision re Federov - what he has been saying publicly since stepping down gives a flavour of dysfunction that could be destabilising to the overall defence of Ukraine but none of US are in a position to know who is most at fault (if " fault" is the right word?). Easy (as some are doing) to blame the old guard standing in the way of the new innovative leader, but there is also the lessons of longer experience to be taken into account which should not be thrown aside lightly. I await some clarity from independent sources other than someone adept at social media to promote himself as Federov has been doing up until now 🙄
Thanks for your comment!In your view, is there a way these two approaches could have coexisted, or was a split probably inevitable given the current war effort?
Of course they COULD coexist... That they DIDN'T is the biggest disappointment. I see a lot of praise for "what Fedorov has achieved" but the base he built on was the "old guard" stopping a far superior military in terms of sheer manpower & weapons long enough for this new tech to be effectively developed & deployed. A deep understanding of Russian military tactics & decision making, & indeed individuals & their weaknesses, had often been credited with Ukrainian military successes to date - both this +new innovations are needed IMHO 💙💛
I agree. When the CEO of Rheinmetall made belittling comments about Ukraine’s drone innovations I cringed. The criticism and backlash of those comments are well deserved. But that doesn’t mean I also think that tanks and ground troops are now useless. The old school and new school need to work together. Sometimes when there are 2 big egos unwilling to compromise one must go or bigger disfunction will follow. I don’t know if this was the right decision or not. Time will tell.
Gathering in crowds is risky in wartime, adding gravity to the protest.
It is. But the protesters say that losing the war by appointing someone with a controversial background to the most vital ministry in wartime is even more dangerous.
Imagine if you had our President. Our appointed Secretary of Defense’s highest level of war experience was as a platoon commander.
From my geographical position, far far away from the battlefield on the West Coast of the US with only news reports to inform me, I nevertheless think that President Zelensky ought to reinstate Fedorov and fire Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi. This would be a forward looking move, create unity with the people, and reward those who have utilized the technological advances (drones) that have given Ukraine its recent advantages.
Tim do you think more people will turn out in the coming days? I do hope so (from afar in London)
Right now, outside the president’s office, I estimate about 1,000 people, and still growing.
I think these things begin to pick up a momentum of their own. It will become more clear tomorrow whether this has staying power!
Yesterday it was already a few thousand people there, which is already more than on Thursday. The protest will continue tonight again.
Whatever happened to Zelensky’s transparency? Does he not feel that Ukrainian citizens deserve an explanation on why Fedorov was replaced? Silence isn’t going to work. Zelensky talks to the people every evening and now we have silence on this?
It’ll be so nice when this war is over to have an election.
You've captured exactly why so many people are protesting right now. Do you think the lack of a direct explanation from the President is doing more damage to public trust than the decision itself?
Very hard to say. As long as they don’t lose Fedorov completely they should be OK. President Zelensky still wants him on the team. Hopefully, Fedorov sticks around and contributes his ideas to help the military.
Fedorov himself said he asked the President to fire Syrski - maybe he forced a choice between long term proven success of years to date & the guy who thinks he is more important because HIS results are more flashy?
It could be. It’s not an easy decision for President Zelensky. As long as he is open and transparent about it the people will accept it. As long as he keeps Fedorov around as part of the team that’s very important too.