The Kyiv Independent news desk

Key developments on July 17: * Cabinet appoints Yvhen Khmara as acting defense minister after day of uncertainty * Ukraine strikes oil refinery in Russia's Yaroslavl Oblast, vessels in Black, Azov seas, among other targets, General Staff says * Ukrainian drones strike 12 Russian 'shadow fleet' vessels in Black Sea as Crimea comes under large-scale attack * Russian Tu-95 bomber suffered 'critical damage' in strike on Engels air base, Zelensky says * Ukrainian drone units strike over 1 milli

Ukrainians gathered in Kyiv and other cities on July 17 for a second straight day to protest President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov while retaining Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. The renewed demonstrations came after Zelensky said following the first day of protests on July 16 that he "understands, hears, and responds" to public concerns. Protesters argue, however, that he has ignored calls to reverse the dismissal. The dispute became a majo

The number includes 1,370 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Key developments on July 16: * Ukraine's Omega special forces say drone strike hit Russian Su-24 bomber in occupied Crimea * Rallies in Kyiv, other cities against Defense Minister Fedorov's dismissal * Zelensky says he appoints acting SBU chief Yevhen Khmara acting defense minister * Ukrainian parliament appoints new Cabinet, delays decision on defense minister * Ukrainian parliament appoints Koretskyi as prime minister * UK's Starmer announces $340 million for Gripen jets for Ukraine dur

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs) has not specified how many civilians and military personnel were among the 501 repatriated bodies.

The number includes 1,340 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect recent developments. Key developments on July 15: * Zelensky dismisses Defense Minister Fedorov * Lockheed Martin supports granting Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles, official says * Total blackout in Kerch, Crimea after Ukrainian drone attack * Russian Mi-28 helicopter downed by Ukrainian drone, Madyar claims * Russian election results unlikely to affect escalation of war but could fuel mobilization, Zelensky says * Russia

"The election results will have no impact on this escalation, because the results will be known before the election," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would announce new initiatives to integrate the Ukrainian and European defense industries.

The number includes 1,470 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Key developments on July 14: * 'Revenge is inevitable' — Ukraine sinks Russian border guard ship involved in 2018 Kerch Strait attack * June deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since April 2022, U.N. says * Ukraine hits 2 Russian oil refineries, 11 vessels in strike spanning hundreds of miles * Head of Ukraine's state-run defense giant steps down week after deadly Vyshneve depot blast * Russian attacks kill 7, injure 78 across Ukraine over past day as Kyiv comes under another ballisti

The news follows a major controversy at Ukroboronprom, centered around a deadly explosion at one of its ammunition depots during a Russian attack on the Kyiv suburb of Vyshneve on July 6.

The number includes 1,120 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Key developments on July 13: * Zelensky eyes replacing Defense Minister Fedorov, source says * Ukraine says drones struck 15 more Russian vessels as Sea of Azov campaign reaches 105 ships total * Commander of Ukraine's 155th brigade detained in kidnapping, murder case * Russian strike on cargo ship in Odesa kills 5, including foreign crew members, injures 10 * Russian drone crashes in Moldova, attacks across Ukraine injure at least 57 President Volodymyr Zelensky is considering replacing

The number includes 1,600 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.