Protests have broken out in several Ukrainian cities against President Volodymyr Zelensky’s surprise dismissal of popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

A crowd of people, mostly young people, gathered in kyiv, holding signs that read “Hands off Fedorov” and “Stop sabotaging the victory!” and shouting “Shame!”

Zelensky has not yet explained his decision, which is causing great unrest among commentators and the military, as well as among sectors of civil society.

Fedorov, 35, was only appointed in January, but is credited with energizing the ministry, spearheading an anti-corruption campaign and using data to analyze and try to improve front-line performance.

MPs were due to vote on Thursday on the proposed replacement as defense minister, Ihor Klymenko, who currently heads the Interior Ministry.

As part of Zelensky’s reshuffle, parliament approved the appointment of state oil and gas chief Serhiy Koretsky as prime minister, after Yuliia Svyrydenko resigned earlier this week.

There were rumors that Mykhailo Fedorov’s dismissal was related to tensions between him and commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

At a news conference on Thursday, Fedorov all but confirmed it, saying he had suggested to Zelensky that Syrskyi and General Staff Chief Andrii Hnatov should be replaced.

“When the president said he did not plan to replace Syrskyi, I… said I would learn to work with him,” Fedorov said. But “all the initiatives we proposed were blocked,” he added.

“Instead of finding a way to defeat Russia asymmetrically – which is the job of the commander in chief – he has found a way to divide our country,” Fedorov said of Syrskiy.

Fedorov also revealed that Zelensky offered him to stay on his team as an advisor, but he refused.

He was not looking to antagonize the president, he explained, saying he was “confident” that Zelensky “listens to the Ukrainian people, knows what to do and the situation will be resolved 100%.”

“I don’t think he has chosen a side yet in the Syrskyi matter. I spoke to him today and told him that I am acting according to my conscience,” he said.