Protests have erupted in Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov after just six months in the role, following a dispute between the reformer and Kyiv's top general.
Fedorov had sought to reshape Ukraine’s army into a more efficient fighting force and was credited with implementing positive reforms during his short stint in office.
The 35-year-old tech expert fell out publicly with the head of Ukraine’s armed forces General Oleksandr Syrskyi, whom he accused of stirring up intrigue, blocking his initiatives and sabotaging his work. He could be replaced by Ukraine’s current interior minister, Ihor Klymenko.
Hundreds of people took to the streets in the capital Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities to demand Fedorov be reappointed.
The crisis came as Sir Keir Starmer said the UK’s “cast-iron” support of Ukraine would “always endure” on his final visit to the country as Prime Minister.
The outgoing Labour leader arrived in Kyiv on Thursday morning, where he met Volodymyr Zelensky. The PM, along with Zelensky, laid a wreath to commemorate Ukraine’s war dead.
Read MorePutin is a ‘cornered rat’ – here’s why that’s bad news for Ukraine – and us
Starmer says UK’s ‘cast-iron’ support for Ukraine will ‘always endure’
France sends message to Putin as Europe showcases military strength at Bastille Day
Putin ‘will never make peace in Ukraine’ – Here’s the reason why
Key Points
- Russia pounds Kyiv with ballistic missiles in overnight attacks
- At least two killed in latest wave of missile attacks in Kyiv
- Britain sends first Sheffield-forged artillery barrels to Ukraine
- Russian attacks kill 14 people across Ukraine
- Russia says chief engineer at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant killed near station by drone
Kyiv strikes six Russian tankers overnight
17:00 , Daniel KeaneUkraine's military struck six Russian tankers and two tugboats in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov overnight, the military's General Staff said on Thursday.
The tankers are being used to transport Russian oil and petroleum products in circumvention of international sanctions, as well as to transport fuel for Moscow's military, the General Staff said on Telegram.
Putin ‘will never make peace in Ukraine’ – Here’s the reason why
16:00 , Sam KileyDespite four grinding years and Ukraine now successfully smashing Russia’s energy infrastructure, Vladimir Putin has no interest in trying to end the war for one key reason, Bill Browder tells Sam Kiley on the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast.
Putin ‘will never make peace in Ukraine’ – Here’s the reason why
Zelensky says he is still considering defence minister replacement
15:00 , Daniel KeaneUkraine'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.
Who is Ukraine’s sacked defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov?
14:00 , Daniel KeaneRare 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.
Who is Ukraine’s sacked defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov?
Zelensky thanks Starmer for supporting Ukraine
13:00 , Daniel KeanePresident 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.”
Ukraine parliament approves energy executive Koretskyi as new PM
12:31 , Daniel KeaneUkraine'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.
Pictured: Starmer and Zelensky lay wreath for fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv
12:00 , Daniel Keane
Ukraine's sacked defence minister declines offer to become adviser to Zelensky
11:30 , Daniel KeaneUkraine'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.
Watch: Outrage in Ukraine as Zelensky sacks defense minister after six months
10:58 , Daniel KeaneUkraine's outgoing defence minister says test conducted on ballistic missile
10:00 , Shweta SharmaUkraine'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."
Russia says it hits military targets in Kyiv, Ukrainian ports
09:30 , Shweta SharmaRussia'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.
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.
Russian energy firms seek more Indian gasoline as Ukrainian strikes hit refineries: report
09:00 , Shweta SharmaRussian 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.
Trump hopeful that Putin could end Ukraine war soon
08:30 , Shweta SharmaDonald 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.
Fires break out across Kyiv after Russian ballistic missile attack
08:00 , Shweta SharmaMultiple 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.
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.
Ukraine says it struck two Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers in Black Sea
07:48 , Shweta SharmaUkraine's Security Service (SBU) said it had struck two Russian "shadow fleet" tankers in the Black Sea using naval drones, in what it described as the latest attack targeting vessels linked to Moscow's oil exports.
More details are awaited.
Starmer arrives in Kyiv
07:33 , Shweta SharmaKeir Starmer, the outgoing Labour leader, arrived in Kyiv to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, a high-security trip before he leaves office.
He is expected to assure Mr Zelensky that Britain’s commitment to backing Ukraine will continue after he is succeeded by Andy Burnham.
Sir Keir said: “Throughout this conflict, I have seen the incredible fortitude of the Ukrainian people and the iron will of a nation that refuses to be cowed.
“Their stand has not only defended its own freedom, it has preserved the security of Europe.
“When I became Prime Minister, I knew the UK must not simply stand with Ukraine in the moment, but help build the foundations of its long-term security and success.
“That’s why we put the UK at the centre of a stronger Europe – investing more money into defence, leading the way in the war fighting technologies of the future and doing everything we can to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position.
“And we have brought others with us on that journey. As we showed at the G7 and Nato summits, in recent weeks, the UK and its allies are absolutely united against Russian aggression.
“I am so proud of what Britain has contributed. That work will continue, and our cast-iron support for Ukraine will always endure.
“Not just for them and for European security, but for families in Britain who have felt the cost of this war through rising prices.”
Ukraine expects to be able to make Patriot missiles by year-end, Zelensky says
07:30 , Shweta SharmaUkraine expects to have the technical capability to produce missiles for US-made Patriot air defence systems by the end of this year, president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday.
Zelensky also told reporters that Ukraine has a prospective launcher and missile for the developing European anti-ballistic project Freyja, and hopes its tests will be successful.
Russia says foreign troops deployed to Ukraine would be 'legitimate military targets'
07:00 , Shweta SharmaRussia has warned that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine under a post-war security arrangement would be considered "legitimate military targets", rejecting plans discussed by Kyiv's Western allies.
The warning came after members of the so-called "coalition of the willing" met in Paris this week and reaffirmed their intention to deploy a multinational force to Ukraine following any ceasefire or peace agreement. The proposed mission is intended to reassure Kyiv and help rebuild its armed forces after the fighting ends.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow viewed such a deployment as an unacceptable escalation.
"The deployment of any military contingents from countries of the so-called ’coalition of the willing’ to Ukraine is unacceptable to our country," she told reporters.
“I repeat: this would amount, de facto, to foreign intervention and an escalation of threats to Russia’s security. We would regard such units as legitimate military targets.“
Starmer says UK’s ‘cast-iron’ support for Ukraine will ‘always endure’
06:30 , Shweta SharmaSir Keir Starmer has affirmed the UK’s "cast-iron" support for Ukraine will "always endure", during his final visit to the country as Prime Minister.
The outgoing Labour leader is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday, a high-security trip before he leaves office.
He is expected to assure Mr Zelensky that Britain’s commitment to backing Ukraine will continue after he is succeeded by Andy Burnham.
Starmer says UK’s ‘cast-iron’ support for Ukraine will ‘always endure’
At least two killed in latest wave of missile attacks in Kyiv
06:09 , Shweta SharmaAt least two people have been killed and six others injured after Russia launched an overnight ballistic missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, officials said.
Explosions rocked the city shortly before 1am local time as Russia fired at least eight ballistic missiles towards the capital, according to Ukraine's Air Force.
Kyiv City Military Administration chief Tymur Tkachenko said the city was under ballistic missile attack.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were killed and six wounded, including a 16-year-old boy. At least three of the injured were taken to hospital.
Klitschko said warehouses and other non-residential buildings were damaged in the strikes. Rescue operations were continuing and officials warned the full extent of the damage and casualties was not yet known.
Air raid alerts were also issued across other parts of Ukraine, including regions far from the front line, as the Air Force warned of waves of Russian Shahed drones targeting multiple cities. Explosions were also reported in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv during drone strikes.
Russian attacks kill 14 people across Ukraine
05:44 , Shweta SharmaRussian attacks across Ukraine killed at least 14 people overnight and on Wednesday, according to local officials, with the Black Sea port city of Odesa suffering one of the deadliest strikes.
Three people were killed in what regional governor Oleh Kiper described as a "massive" Russian drone and missile attack on Odesa, marking the fifth consecutive day the region has come under fire. Kiper said a Russian missile struck a multi-storey residential building, killing and injuring civilians.
Writing on Telegram, he accused Moscow of deliberately targeting the civilian population. He added that a non-residential building and a gas pipeline were also damaged in the attack.
Russia's defence ministry acknowledged the strike on Odesa, saying it had intentionally targeted port infrastructure "used for the unloading of petroleum, oil, and lubricants".
Elsewhere, three people were killed in the north-eastern city of Sumy and another three in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. A further five deaths were reported across three other south-eastern regions, bringing the nationwide death toll to at least 14.
Ukraine, meanwhile, said its drones struck 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea overnight, including 17 oil tankers.
The latest attacks came as Ukraine underwent a major government reshuffle, with both the prime minister and defence minister stepping down.
In pictures: Russia's overnight Kyiv attack with ballistic missiles
05:00 , Shweta Sharma
Britain sends first Sheffield-forged artillery barrels to Ukraine
04:57 , Shweta SharmaArtillery barrels forged in Sheffield, Britain, are now being delivered to Ukraine's military under a £61m defence contract aimed at boosting Kyiv's battlefield capabilities.
State-owned steelmaker Sheffield Forgemasters has shipped the first four of a planned 150 artillery barrels, marking the first time in nearly two decades that forged artillery barrels have been produced in the UK.
The barrels are being manufactured by Sheffield Forgemasters in partnership with a nearby BAE Systems artillery factory that opened in Sheffield last year.
Under the agreement, the two companies will produce both 105mm and 155mm artillery barrels for Ukraine's armed forces. Artillery barrels gradually wear out after sustained use and must be replaced regularly.
Sheffield is currently producing around eight barrels a month, with the initial shipment expected to help Ukraine test its own manufacturing capabilities.
0The programme comes as Britain and its European allies seek to expand domestic weapons production in response to the war in Ukraine.
Sheffield Forgemasters was nationalised in 2021, with the Ministry of Defence saying the acquisition was necessary to safeguard "critical" UK defence programmes.
Russia pounded Kyiv with ballistic missiles in overnight attacks
04:30 , Shweta SharmaRussia struck the Ukrainian capital with ballistic missiles in an overnight attack on Thursday.
Explosions rocked Kyiv shortly before 1am local time with Ukraine’s air force reporting at least eight ballistic missile launches from Russia towards Kyiv.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, also said that Russian forces were attacking Kyiv with ballistic missiles.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko, writing on Telegram, said a storage area was struck in a suburb in the west of the city and debris hit the ground in an area on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River. He said fires broke out in both areas.
Aerial alerts were also sounded in other parts of Ukraine, including in regions far from the front line, such as Vinnytsia Oblast.
The air force also warned of waves of Russian Shahed-type drones attacks in various cities.
The full extent of damage and casualties is not yet clear.
Zelensky backs Naftogaz chief Sergii Koretskyi as new prime minister
04:09 , Shweta SharmaPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has endorsed the head of state-owned energy company Naftogaz, Sergii Koretskyi, to become Ukraine's next prime minister, saying the country needs leadership focused on preparing for the coming winter as the war with Russia continues.
Speaking to reporters in Kyiv on Wednesday, Zelensky said Koretskyi was the "most prepared candidate" for the role after consultations, citing energy security as the government's top priority.
"The priorities are clear – preparing for winter," Zelensky said. "Therefore, following all the consultations, Sergii Koretskyi is surely the most prepared candidate for the post of prime minister of Ukraine."
The nomination comes after parliament accepted the resignation of prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Tuesday, just a year after she took office. Her departure triggered the resignation of the entire government, with lawmakers expected to vote on Koretskyi's appointment on Thursday.
Zelensky has offered little public explanation for the reshuffle beyond saying he wants to refresh the country's leadership.
The changes are expected to extend beyond the premiership.
Lawmakers said Zelensky also plans to replace defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a move that has prompted criticism from some politicians and commentators who argue it could undermine Ukraine's war effort at a critical stage of the conflict, as Kyiv intensifies strikes on Russia's oil industry while trying to slow Moscow's advances along the front line.
With Zelensky's Servant of the People party holding a parliamentary majority, Koretskyi's appointment is widely expected to be approved.
Russian missiles hit two Kyiv districts
03:52 , Shweta SharmaRussian missiles struck at least two districts in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Thursday, triggering fires before an all-clear was declared, officials said.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko, writing on Telegram, said a storage area was struck in a suburb in the west of the city and debris hit the ground in an area on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River. He said fires broke out in both areas.
Eyewitnesses heard a series of explosions in the city.
The air alert was lifted after about an hour.
Trump hopeful that Putin could end Ukraine war soon
Thursday 16 July 2026 00:00 , James ReynoldsDonald 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.
World of Trouble: Putin ‘will never make peace in Ukraine’ – Here’s the reason why
Wednesday 15 July 2026 23:00 , James ReynoldsDespite four grinding years and Ukraine now successfully smashing Russia’s energy infrastructure, Vladimir Putin has no interest in trying to end the war for one key reason, Bill Browder tells Sam Kiley on the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast:
Putin ‘will never make peace in Ukraine’ – Here’s the reason why
Recap: Zelensky praises collaboration with EU at summit
Wednesday 15 July 2026 22:01 , James ReynoldsVolodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that he was working on Ukraine’s EU accession in talks with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv.
The EU and Ukraine laid the groundwork for a major defense agreement on drones, Zelensky said, adding that they now expect financial support from the EU on their anti-ballistic-missile programme.
Glad to welcome European Commission President @vonderleyen to Kyiv. Today, on Ukrainian Statehood Day, we are quite rightly devoting considerable attention to our relations with the European Union.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 15, 2026
We are working to open clusters in Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations. We are… pic.twitter.com/szqwsycR92
Recap: Russia strikes Odesa as both sides step up battle over Black Sea
Wednesday 15 July 2026 21:00 , James ReynoldsRussia and Ukraine stepped up their battle over the Black Sea and key trade routes on Wednesday, with Moscow killing three people in an attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa and Kyiv's drone forces striking Russian shipping.
Odesa region Governor Oleh Kiper said that a "massive" Russian drone and missile attack on the southern region continued for a fifth day, with civilian, industrial and port infrastructure coming under attack.
Three people were killed and at least three more injured after a Russian missile strike on a seven-storey residential building in Odesa, Ukrainian authorities said.
Russia in recent days has stepped up attacks on Ukraine's deepwater Black Sea ports in the Greater Odesa area, which handle much of the country's grain and other cargo and are vital to its wartime economy.
While Ukraine has expanded its campaign to disrupt logistics for Russia's forces in areas Moscow occupies in southern Ukraine and to isolate Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Ukrainian drones hit 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea overnight, Kyiv's top drone forces commander said on Wednesday.
"Now Black Sea," Robert Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces said on Telegram, adding that 116 vessels have been struck in the Sea of Azov this month.
How Russia is risking nuclear catastrophe with attempts to syphon power from Ukraine’s biggest plant
Wednesday 15 July 2026 20:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEurope’s biggest nuclear reactor has become a battlefield in Ukraine’s defence against Russian invaders as they risk a catastrophic meltdown in its efforts to connect it to Moscow’s national grid.
Speaking to The Independent’s Sam Kiley in October, Mykhailo Shuster, nuclear expert and former director of procurement at Energoatom – Ukraine’s nuclear power agency - explained how Russia is risking nuclear catastrophe with attempts to syphon power from the plant.
You can read the full piece below:
How Russia risks nuclear catastrophe with attempts to syphon Zaporizhzhia power
Why is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant so important in the Ukraine war?
Wednesday 15 July 2026 20:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is a key asset in Russia’s war with Ukraine.
It is Europe’s largest nuclear reactor, and was captured by Russian troops early in the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It has remained a dangerous potential flashpoint for a nuclear disaster ever since.
Fighting and bombardments by both sides of the complex and the power station itself, which has been entirely occupied by Russian forces who base troops in its buildings, have forced the “cold shutdown” of the reactors.
This means that its nuclear material is not used to generate power but needs to be constantly cooled.
On Friday, the Kremlin on Friday accused Ukraine of escalating what it called "terror" actions against the power station.
Russia says chief engineer at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant killed near station by drone
Wednesday 15 July 2026 19:36 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe chief engineer at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been killed by a Ukrainian drone near the station, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom said on Wednesday.
Alexei Likhachev said in a statement that a Ukrainian drone had struck a service car between the plant's site and the town of Enerhodar, killing the engineer, Alexander Yakovlev, and the driver.
The Kremlin on Friday accused Ukraine of escalating what it called "terror" actions against the power station, which Russia seized as part of its military advance into Ukrainian territory in 2022.
