Protesters have gathered in downtown Kyiv after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy moved to dismiss his defence minister as parliament convenes to appoint a new prime minister as part of a major government reshuffle.
The shake-up could become a test of Zelenskiy's political authority as Ukraine's fight against Russia's full-scale invasion approaches four-and-a-half years.
Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose technological expertise is credited in part with a significant improvement in Ukraine's military performance in recent months against Russia's bigger army, was expected to leave the government after just six months in the post.
Before he became defence minister in January, 35-year-old Fedorov was the head of Ukraine's digital transformation policies and seen as a moderniser.
He won public popularity by spearheading Ukraine's speedy development and deployment of drone technology and introducing several successful e-government platforms.
He also promised sweeping military reforms, saying after he took over that the military had faced about 200,000 troop desertions and draft-dodging by about two million people.
Zelenskiy did not formally announce Fedorov's departure.
However, Fedorov listed his achievements in office in social media posts late Wednesday, after days of unconfirmed Ukrainian media reports that he was on his way out.
Zelenskiy also nominated Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi to take over as prime minister, parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said in a social media post late on Wednesday.
Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Koretskyi was the most appropriate candidate for the government's priority of preparing Ukraine for another difficult winter.
He cited the Naftogaz chief's experience in the energy sector.