The firing of Ukraine's defense minister has sparked widespread protests in Kiev and other cities across the country, as demonstrators demand the reinstatement of the ousted official.
According to sources, the move by the government was seen as a blow to efforts to make procurement procedures in the defense sector more transparent, a push led by the recently fired defense minister.
A senior Ukrainian defense official stated that the defense chief's "theory of victory is simply to hold out as long as you can and mobilize more people," raising questions about the effectiveness of the current military strategy.
Ukrainian President Zelensky is reportedly consulting with military commanders over the weekend, as he considers replacing the current defense minister with a new leader.
The ousted defense minister has earned a reputation for tolerating heavy casualties, earning him the nickname "the Butcher" among some critics, who question his ability to lead the country's military efforts effectively.
