---
title: "Sadovy in Lviv: why the mayor stood in support of Fedorov and what this means for the system"
description: "Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy personally attended an event in support of the dismissed Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov. 🏛️ The city head explained his position: it is not about politics, but about preserving technological teams that are critical for defense. 🛡️"
date: 2026-07-18T15:33:11.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sadovy-in-lviv-support-for-fedorov-analysis
tags: [andrey-sadovy, mikhail-fedorov, lviv, ukraine-defense, military-state]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Sadovy in Lviv: why the mayor stood in support of Fedorov and what this means for the system

![Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovoy at a rally supporting Minister Olexiy Fedorov with placards](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/18/sadovyj-vo-lvove-podderzhka-fedorova-analiz/sadovyj-vo-lvove-podderzhka-fedorova-analiz-1.webp)

In Rynok Square in Lviv, in front of the town hall, an event unfolded that goes beyond the usual city agenda. City Mayor Andriy Sadovy personally attended a peaceful gathering organized in support of the dismissed Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov. The mayor's presence, confirmed by verified photographs on social media, became a signal requiring detailed analysis in the context of current personnel policy and the legal regime of martial law.

### The Mayor's Position: Between Support and Distancing

Andriy Sadovy did not come to the event alone but accompanied by his wife, Kateryna Kit-Sadova. However, his role in the event was specific. The official published a statement in which he clearly outlined his boundaries. He refrained from a direct legal assessment of the legitimacy of decisions made by central authorities, pointing out a lack of argumentation in the ongoing reshuffles.

The key moment was his public distancing from the political podium. The phrase "I won't step onto the stage" became a kind of manifesto: Sadovy refused to speak into a microphone to minimize the risks of his presence being interpreted as a tool for political positioning. Nevertheless, the very fact of his presence within the boundaries of the event was recorded and became part of the public sphere.

### The Personnel Issue and Technological Sovereignty

The focus of Sadovy's statement was not so much on Fedorov's personality as on institutional efficiency. The mayor emphasized the risks associated with the loss of specialized experts. According to his position, the key goal of the support is to prevent chaotic rotation of teams that provide technological support for the defense sector.

Special emphasis was placed on the link between the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ministry of Defense. Sadovy stressed that it was precisely these ministries, working in tandem, that created a unique technological framework for the needs of the army. The severance of this link, according to the head of Lviv, poses a threat to the efficiency of the entire system.

### Atmosphere in Rynok Square and the Legal Context

The gathering in Rynok Square took place in a peaceful format. Among the participants, representatives of volunteer organizations, the IT industry, and unmanned system operators were observed. People used visual symbolism and placards to express support for maintaining the technological course of the defense department.

The situation was controlled by units of the National Police of Ukraine. No procedural violations or use of physical force were recorded. This highlights that the event took place within the legal framework, despite the strict directives regulating mass gatherings under martial law.

### Central Reaction and Strategic Balance

At the time of preparing the material, no official comments had been received from the Office of the President of Ukraine or the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine regarding the statements of regional leaders. Previously, relevant ministries had repeatedly emphasized that any personnel changes in the security sector are conducted exclusively within the powers of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

According to the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law", the conduct of events is regulated by military-civil administrations. Local self-government bodies, including the Lviv City Council, act strictly within the limits of competence defined by the Constitution. Thus, Sadovy's presence became a complex balance between the right to express an opinion and compliance with the strict rules of wartime.