Thousands of Ukrainians gathered in Kyiv for a second consecutive day to protest the sudden removal of popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
The demonstrations took place outside the presidential office after Fedorov was not reappointed in a surprise government reshuffle.
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The move has exposed a troubling flaw in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's leadership and startled senior European officials, just as Kyiv appeared to be gaining advantages in its war with Russia.
Clash of Military Strategies
Fedorov's removal stemmed from clashes with conventional military chief of staff Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Guardian senior international correspondent Peter Beaumont noted that the conflict between the two men and their ideas about how to fight the war was inevitable.
On one side was Syrskyi, an older, old-school general micromanaging a bruising war of attrition against a more numerous foe.
On the other was Fedorov, with his tech-driven, more improvisational approach that appeared in recent months to be showing dividends.
Zelenskyy defended his decision, stating he was forced to choose between sides when what he wants most is unity.
Repairing Ties with Poland
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy took steps to repair a rift with key ally Poland over his decision in May to name a Ukrainian army unit in honour of second world war fighters who killed Poles.
He pledged to expand investigations into those killings by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and open intelligence files, stating improved ties were critical in view of Poland's help.
