Protesters took to the streets again on July 18 with two demands: reinstate ousted Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and fire Commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

"These individuals are often promised employment opportunities, only to discover upon arrival that they are being forced into active combat," Botswana's International Relations Ministry said on July 18.

In late June, Russian soldier Alexander Lunin took to Instagram an emotional appeal addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin in which he threatened to organize a military coup. "The army will turn its weapons against the Kremlin," he said. In the video, which was watched 10 million times, the soldier turned blogger demanded a meeting with the Russian president to discuss what he claimed was systemic mistreatment of soldiers in the Russian army. Unsurprisingly, Lunin was detained soon aft

The acting heads of Ukraine's National Police and Security Service (SBU), who were appointed late on July 17, have been embroiled in controversy. President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Oleksandr Poklad, former senior deputy of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), as acting head in a decree issued July 17, as the Cabinet of Ministers tapped Maksym Tsutskiridze as temporary head of Ukraine's National Police. Poklad was appointed after President Zelensky reassigned his predecessor to the Defense Min

NATO is facing its deepest identity crisis since the end of the Cold War. U.S. President Donald Trump's erratic relationship with Europe threatens to tear the alliance apart, and there are fears that the increasingly bellicose Russia may soon test the alliance's eastern frontier. The fast-paced military evolution of the Russia-Ukraine war also threatens NATO's long-maintained technological edge. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, an Italian admiral who has served as the chair of the NATO Military Committe

The latest attack on oil infrastructure in Russia's capital region comes exactly one month after Ukrainian forces launched their largest-ever drone attack on Moscow, striking the Moscow Oil Refinery on June 18.

Ukrainian forces struck 13 more Russian vessels over the past day, Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, said on July 18.

Russian forces launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, two Oniks anti-ship missiles, three Kh-59/69 guided missiles, and 90 long-range drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said.

The number includes 1,420 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

FIFA is set to disburse proceeds from the World Cup to a number of Russian football clubs owned by internationally sanctioned entities, including Russian oil and gas companies, an investigation by outlet Follow the Money published on July 18 found.

Ukrainian drones targeted the town of Kotovsk in Russia's Tambov Oblast overnight on July 18, resulting in a fire at a Russian online retailer's warehouse, monitoring channels reported.

One person was killed, and eight others were injured, including two children, after Russian munitions struck a passenger car in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kharkiv Oblast on July 17.

"I cannot stand idly by with my knowledge, as only the enemy benefits from that. The President is giving me the opportunity and authority to strengthen our defense capabilities at the highest level as an Advisor," Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Oleksandr Poklad, former senior deputy of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), as acting head in a decree issued July 17, as the Cabinet of Ministers tapped Maksym Tsutskiridze as temporary head of Ukraine's National Police.

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

A former combat medic and one of the lead figures in this week's protests against the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister believes people "close to (Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr) Syrskyi" are "trying to intimidate me in order to stop the protests," he told the Kyiv Independent on July 17. Dmytro Koziatynskyi, who formerly served in the Da Vinci Wolves battalion, urged people to take to the streets on July 16 to "show the president that we are against constant reshuffles in the gov

The Kyiv Independent’s Kateryna Denisova and Kateryna Hodunova speak with military analyst Mykola Bielieskov and opposition lawmaker Inna Sovsun about the conflict between Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, why Zelensky sided with Syrskyi, and what the shake-up could mean for Ukraine’s military, domestic politics, and war against Russia.

Ukraine struck two tankers, including a gas carrier, as well as a tugboat in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov overnight on July 17.

According to the report, Oleksiy Sukhachov’s brother Oleksandr has bought 143 apartments at a price far below their market value, with an apartment being valued at the price of a smartphone. The construction of the apartment buildings involved has been investigated by Oleksiy Sukhachov’s State Investigation Bureau, raising questions about a potential conflict of interest.

Ukrainian forces are using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to strike around 90% of Russian targets, according to the Defense Ministry.

Two of Ukraine's most important wartime ministries had been thrown into legal limbo following President Volodymyr Zelensky's government reshuffle, leaving the country without confirmed political leadership at both the Foreign and Defense ministries. After parliament approved the new Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi on July 16, both Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov automatically lost their posts under Ukrainian law. The usual procedure would

"The more Moscow attacks civilians, the more sanctions must be imposed," said the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas when she first suggested the new measures.

Ahead of its annual spectacle of military ostentation — noticeably scaled down this year—  Russia's Defense Ministry issued two statements on May 4, 2026: one declaring a unilateral ceasefire for May 8 and 9 and presenting the announcement as evidence of restraint and humanitarian intent; the other warning that Ukraine risked a "massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv" should it disrupt Victory Day events. Only from a Western perspective did the two statements appear contradictory. To seas

A former adviser to dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has accused Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi of covering up friendly-fire incidents and the deliberate weakening of some Ukrainian brigades in the face of Russian assaults. Sternenko's livestream comes two days after Fedorov's dismissal as defense minister, a move that caused a seismic political shock in Ukraine. It also comes a day after Fedorov himself held a press conference and admitted he pushed for Syrskyi to be replaced,

"We are increasing the price Russia pays for its aggression against our country and our people," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X.

Ihor Klymenko is expected to replace Rustem Umerov, who has served as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council for the past year.

The Kyiv Independent's biggest membership drive yet hit its goal, we launched a program to help other Ukrainian newsrooms diversify revenue, and our journalists appeared in The Bulwark, FAZ, RTVE, and more.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has swapped the roles of the two men overseeing Ukraine's relations with the EU.

The bill's supporters are now focused on securing floor time for a vote.

Russian forces launched a Kh-31P anti-radiation missile, seven Kh-59/69 guided missiles, and 130 Shahed-type attack drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said.

Among those gathered in Kyiv on July 16 to protest the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov were members of Ukraine's military voicing fears that the controversial decision could seriously hinder the country's war effort. "People who are actually trying to bring our victory closer keep getting removed or replaced," Serhii, a 43-year-old veteran protesting alongside active-duty soldiers, told the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision a day earlier to dismiss Fedoro