Zelensky tries to fix crisis over removal of defence minister and counts the cost

Ukraine replaced its top military and political defence personnel in the past week even as its armed forces arguably achieved their best performance in three years.

It took the crowds outside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office less than one week to get the leader to reverse a recent decision.

The way it was resolved demonstrates the strength of Ukrainian society and its deep commitment to democratic mechanisms that are unthinkable in Russia, where Vladimir Putin's centralization of power and silencing of dissent continue to expand.

People in Kyiv and other cities took to the streets on 24 July for a ninth consecutive day of protests against Mykhailo Fedorov's dismissal from the post of defence minister.