Amidst mass protest rallies in support of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a new scandal has erupted in Ukrainian society. According to information circulating on social media, military personnel who openly support the retired minister risk facing repression from the command.
Searching for a Soldier: The Story of Dmytro Koziatynskyi
The incident began when Alina Mykhailova, the head of the medical service of the "Wolves of Da Vinci" battalion and a Kyiv City Council deputy, announced a phone call from the command of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Forces (UAS). Officials from the agency were inquiring about the whereabouts of Dmytro Koziatynskyi — a soldier who actively urges his colleagues to join the protests.
Mykhailova clarified the situation, pointing out the impropriety of the request. According to her, Koziatynskyi is a combat medic who resigned from the army a year ago. Consequently, he has no connection to the active Armed Forces, and the request for his location lacks legal grounds.
Risks to Career and Rank
The situation surrounding Koziatynskyi has exposed a deeper problem. According to Mykhailova, for active military personnel, supporting protests can be fatal. Participation in rallies threatens not only a reprimand or a "preventive talk" but also the loss of position, rank, and future career prospects.
Ukrainian President's Advisor Dmytro Lytvyn, in a comment to journalists, called such attempts at pressure a "stupid attempt to control something excessively." He emphasized that those interested in Koziatynskyi's fate could have approached him directly, as he is open to dialogue.
Reaction of the UAS Command
The scandal did not go unnoticed by the leadership of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Forces. Commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi took personal control of the situation, promising to find out who exactly initiated the request regarding the former serviceman.
Preliminary information suggests that the sensation was inflated unjustifiably and was not the result of actual pressure. Brovdi noted that UAS soldiers are people who will not tolerate pressure and remain silent. He also emphasized that repression against servicemen is not tolerated within the UAS structure.
Context of the Protests
Rallies against the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov have been continuing for the second day in various cities across Ukraine. The main reason for his dismissal was disagreements with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi. On July 16, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Yevhen Khmara as the Acting Minister of Defense, which became the trigger for the start of the rallies.
