"The minister — a veteran, not Kim": the government's personnel decision sparked protest

During rallies in support of former Ukrainian Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov, some protesters also began to speak out against the appointment of the former head of the Mykolaiv OVA Vitalii Kim as Minister for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine.

In Kyiv, participants in the rally chanted:

“A veteran, not Kim”, – report

Similar sentiments were also recorded in Mykolaiv. On one of the posters participants wrote:

“Minister — a veteran, not Kim”.

Protests against the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov have continued in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for several days. Protesters criticize the government’s personnel decisions and also demand changes in military leadership and the defense management system.

Vitalii Kim was appointed Minister for Veterans Affairs on 16 July 2026 during the formation of the new Cabinet of Ministers. The relevant decision was supported by 264 members of parliament. After taking the oath, he officially began performing the duties of the head of the ministry.

Earlier we wrote:

• “In my soul and heart I will always remain a Mykolaiv native”: Vitalii Kim said goodbye to his post as head of the OVA
• Rada approved the government: Kim — Minister for Veterans, Vyhovsky — Interior Minister; both from the Mykolaiv region, 264 votes in favor
• Lies, chaos and “the man with a baton”: Fedorov accused Syrskyi of splitting Ukraine
• The Ministry of Defense and the General Staff “were fighting each other”: Zelensky sacrificed Fedorov
• “Good evening, we’re from the ministry”: Vitalii Kim is being brought from the Mykolaiv region to the Cabinet