Zelensky thanks Starmer for supporting Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked Sir Keir Starmer for his “unwavering support” to Ukraine on the Prime Minister’s final visit to Kyiv before leaving office.
“I thank Keir and the United Kingdom for their unwavering respect for our warriors, for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend Ukraine and all of Europe,” he said.
“It is important to always remember the heroism of all our people who stood up for Ukraine.
“Eternal gratitude to every man and woman who defended Ukraine against Russian aggression.”
Daniel Keane16 July 2026 13:00
Ukraine parliament approves energy executive Koretskyi as new PM
Ukraine’s parliament voted on Thursday to appoint energy executive Sergii Koretskyi as prime minister, the third since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Koretskyi, previously CEO of the state energy giant Naftogaz, was praised by lawmakers as a capable and efficient manager. He received 289 votes in favour.
Addressing parliament before the vote, Koretskyi said that Ukraine’s defence, economic stability and integration into the European Union were his key priorities.
Daniel Keane16 July 2026 12:31
Pictured: Starmer and Zelensky lay wreath for fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv 
(AFP/Getty)
Daniel Keane16 July 2026 12:00
Ukraine’s sacked defence minister declines offer to become adviser to Zelensky
Ukraine’s former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on Thursday he had declined an offer from President Volodymyr Zelensky to become his adviser.
Fedorov, whose dismissal sparked rare wartime protests, told reporters he had a dispute with Ukraine’s army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, accusing him of blocking the defence ministry’s initiatives.
Daniel Keane16 July 2026 11:30
Watch: Outrage in Ukraine as Zelensky sacks defense minister after six months Outrage in Ukraine as Zelensky sacks defense minister after six months
Daniel Keane16 July 2026 10:58
Ukraine’s outgoing defence minister says test conducted on ballistic missile
Ukraine’s outgoing defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, said on Wednesday that the country’s military had tested a ballistic missile developed by the defence ministry.
“Symbolically, on the day the government was dismissed, a ballistic missile developed under the Ministry of Defence was successfully tested,” Fedorov wrote on Telegram.
“We fundamentally revised the technical requirements and achieved maximum accuracy. We reduced the cost by 30 per cent. Ukraine will enter a new league.”
Shweta Sharma16 July 2026 10:00
Russia says it hits military targets in Kyiv, Ukrainian ports
Russia’s defence ministry claimed on Thursday it hit military and industrial facilities in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, as Ukraine reported large-scale strikes.
Both Moscow and Kyiv have been stepping up their attacks on key economic targets, with Ukrainian forces hitting Russian energy infrastructure, including oil tankers, while Russia has intensified its attacks on Black Sea ports in recent weeks.
Ukrainian officials said Russian ballistic missiles struck at least two districts in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early on Thursday, triggering fires and killing two people.
A firefighter works at a compound of a warehouse damaged during Russian missile strikes, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv (Reuters)
Russia’s defence ministry said it hit Ukrainian military and industrial facilities in Kyiv involved in the production and storage of medium- and long-range drones.
It also said it targeted infrastructure facilities at the ports of Odesa and Pivdennyi, which are used to receive, store and handle military cargoes and fuel supplies.
A maritime vessel and a high-speed boat belonging to the Ukrainian armed forces were also struck while en route to ports in the Odesa region, the Russian defence ministry said.
Shweta Sharma16 July 2026 09:30
Russian energy firms seek more Indian gasoline as Ukrainian strikes hit refineries: report
Russian energy companies have approached Indian refiners for additional gasoline supplies after Ukrainian strikes knocked out a significant share of Russia’s refining capacity, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The requests mark an unusual reversal in the energy trade relationship between the two countries. India has become the largest buyer of Russian seaborne crude oil since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but Russia is now seeking refined fuel from Indian suppliers as it grapples with its worst gasoline shortage.
According to one source cited by Reuters, at least one cargo of Indian gasoline has already been shipped to Russia, with more deliveries expected. The source said nearly 40 per cent of Russia’s refining capacity is unlikely to return to operation for at least two months, provided there are no further Ukrainian attacks.
Reuters reported that Rosneft, Gazprom Neft and Lukoil are among the companies that have contacted Indian counterparts, including both private and state-owned refiners. Any supplies would likely be routed through commodity traders if agreements are reached.
However, sources at three Indian state-run refiners told Reuters they had been approached by Russian companies but did not have surplus gasoline available for export.
Earlier this month, Indian oil minister Hardeep Singh Puri said Indian companies were not directly selling fuel to Russia, although he acknowledged it was possible that Russian buyers were obtaining Indian-origin fuel through international traders.
Shweta Sharma16 July 2026 09:00
Trump hopeful that Putin could end Ukraine war soon
Donald Trump said he still believes that Vladimir Putin is ready to make a deal to end the war in Ukraine soon, despite indications Russia is likely to escalate.
“I think he’s ready to make a deal,” Trump said in a Fox News interview, taped on Tuesday, when asked about his conversations with Putin.
Three sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters that Putin is rejecting calls to negotiate peace with Kyiv and was likely to escalate the conflict, now in its fifth year.
Trump had promised to have a deal to the war, now in its fifth year, on the first day of his presidency in January 2025.
Shweta Sharma16 July 2026 08:30
Fires break out across Kyiv after Russian ballistic missile attack
Multiple fires broke out across Kyiv after Russian ballistic missiles struck the Ukrainian capital early on Thursday, killing two people and injuring six others, officials said.
Ukraine’s emergency services said the strikes ignited fires in two storage buildings and several parked trucks in one district, where two people were killed.
Firefighters work at a compound of a private enterprise damaged during Russian missile strikes, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv (Reuters)
Another fire erupted in a one-storey warehouse in Kyiv’s Svyatoshynskyi district, west of the city centre. Emergency responders said five people were injured in the two fire incidents.
The overnight barrage marked the sixth ballistic missile attack on Kyiv this month, as Russia intensifies its long-range strikes against Ukraine.
Elsewhere, the Black Sea port city of Odesa also came under attack, with local officials saying an educational facility was damaged.
Firefighters work at a compound of a private enterprise damaged during Russian missile strikes, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv (Reuters)
Shweta Sharma16 July 2026 08:00