Zelensky says he is still considering defence minister replacement
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday he was still considering his candidate to replace Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose dismissal sparked rare wartime protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Zelensky said that outgoing Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko was only one of the candidates under discussion, adding he would look into the matter again and that no official proposals had been submitted to parliament yet.
Daniel Keane16 July 2026 15:00
Who is Ukraine’s sacked defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov?
Rare wartime protests erupted in cities across Ukraine on Thursday, following the dismissal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov just six months after his appointment.
Fedorov, 35, is the last remaining minister to have held positions in all of Zelensky’s governments, with the tech-savvy reformer remaining close to the president since his election in 2019.
Parliament is now set to vote on his replacement by Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, with it unclear as to whether Fedorov will be given another government job.
Read our full story below.
Daniel Keane16 July 2026 14:00
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