Accessibility links Skip to main content Keyboard shortcuts for audio player Open Navigation Menu --> Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Close Navigation Menu Home News Expand/collapse submenu for News National World Politics Business Health Science Climate Race Culture Expand/collapse submenu for Culture Books Movies Television Pop Culture Food Art & Design Performing Arts Life Kit Gaming Music Expand/collapse submenu for Music Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions Podcasts & Shows Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows Daily Morning Edition Weekend Edition Saturday Weekend Edition Sunday All Things Considered Up First Here & Now NPR Politics Podcast Featured Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics Protests continue in Ukraine over defense minister's firing Protests over President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's dismissal of the country's defense minister coincide with a fresh wave of Russian strikes across Ukraine. Europe Protests continue in Ukraine over defense minister's firing July 20, 20264:42 AM ET Heard on Morning Edition Joanna Kakissis Protests continue in Ukraine over defense minister's firing Listen · 2:44 2:44 Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed "> <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5899777/nx-s1-9855071" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript Protests over President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's dismissal of the country's defense minister coincide with a fresh wave of Russian strikes across Ukraine. Sponsor Message Transcript
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
In Ukraine, people continue to protest over the firing of the country's tech-focused defense minister. It's happening as Russia launched its third major attack on Ukraine's capital in about a month. Ukraine responded this morning with long-range drones fired at Moscow. NPR's Joanna Kakissis has this report from Kyiv, which includes the sounds of war.
(SOUNDBITE OF MISSILE STRIKES)
JOANNA KAKISSIS, BYLINE: Russia launched more than 40 ballistic missiles at Ukraine - mostly targeting Kyiv - early Sunday morning. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address that the Kremlin is betting on ballistic missiles to regain momentum.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: (Non-English language spoken).
KAKISSIS: "They prepared this attack for several days," Zelenskyy said. "They piled up the missiles, and of course, the danger remains even now." Ukraine's military has developed technology to take down drones, but it relies on anti-ballistic interceptors supplied by Western allies to destroy missiles.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ZELENSKYY: (Non-English language spoken).
KAKISSIS: "It is important to speed up supplies from our European allies and the United States," Zelenskyy said. "Results are needed every day." The Kremlin says the Russian ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities are in response to Ukraine's strikes on Russia. Ukraine has used its own long-range drones to successfully target Russian oil and gas facilities, causing fuel shortages. The drones have also hit logistics centers, including Russia's largest online retailer. Ukraine has also used mid-range drones to strike Russian assets in occupied parts of Ukraine.
UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: (Chanting in non-English language).
KAKISSIS: These drone campaigns have coincided with the tenure of Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister. He has pushed for using technology to turn the tide in Russia's war on Ukraine. Protests have raged since last week when Zelenskyy removed Fedorov from the defense post.
MILA TEMCHENKO: (Singing in non-English language).
KAKISSIS: Mila Temchenko (ph) held handmade cardboard signs in support of Fedorov as she and other protesters sang the national anthem outside Zelenskyy's office.
TEMCHENKO: (Non-English language spoken).
KAKISSIS: "With Fedorov, we finally had hope for victory," Timchenko says, "and now, they are taking this hope away. We won't win with old approaches and methods." Fedorov clashed frequently with Ukraine's old-school military chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Zelenskyy says he's met with both men in recent days and has taken the protests to heart. He says he will make more decisions this week.
Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.
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