Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, was dismissed as Ukrainian defense minister in mid-July by President Zelenskyy over a reported feud with Oleksandr Syrskyi, according to CBS News. The move triggered thousands of protests in Ukraine, followed by Syrskyi's removal about a week later and renewed demonstrations near the presidential office in Kyiv. Ukraine also conducted a strike on a Russian space agency facility in Samara during this period.