France, July 21 -- Hundreds of demonstrators gathered again in central Kyiv on Monday to demand the return of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov and the removal of Ukraine's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky.

The crowds were smaller than during the weekend, following another wave of Russian attacks, but protesters said they intended to continue until the government responded to their demands.

"You can ask everyone here - we will not leave," said Anastasiia Starodubtseva, 25. "We will stay until something changes."

The demonstrations began spontaneously on Thursday after Fedorov, a popular and tech-focused minister associated with efforts to modernise Ukraine's armed forces, was removed from his post.

They have since grown int...