Protests in Ukraine unlikely to change regime, expert believes

MOSCOW, August 23. /TASS/. The "cardboard Maidan" sparked by the resignation of Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov could be used as a formal pretext for a regime change if the West issues such an order, Alexander Dudchak, a leading researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries and an expert with the Other Ukraine movement, told TASS. He called these protests "masked protests. A mobilized group of low-cost protesters who can be incited to protest for anything, as long as there is an order." "Can they lead to a change of regime? A change of regime is unlikely. Can they help replace Zelensky? If an order is given to replace Zelensky, they can be used as a formal pretext. They can be used to say that the people are protesting and need to be supported." On July 14, Fyodorov was ousted from the post of the defense minister. Zelensky explained this by citing a conflict between Fyodorov and Alexander Syrsky, who held the post of commander-in-chief. Ukrainian politicians and media linked the resignation to the fact that Zelensky eliminated a rival in the person of Fyodorov, who is supported by liberal Western circles. On July 16, mass rallies began in Ukraine, demanding that Fyodorov be reinstated and Syrsky be dismissed. Zelensky agreed to the latter on the sixth day of the protests; on July 22, Mikhail Drapaty became a new commander-in-chief. However, the protesters still demand that Fyodorov be reinstated.