Two of Ukraine's most important wartime ministries have 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

"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

Nine dry cargo ships, one oil tanker, one gas carrier, and one tugboat were hit in the Black Sea during the attack, Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, said.

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

Russia launched a missile strike on the southern city of Odesa on the evening of July 16, killing two people and injuring at least eight others, including children, local officials reported.

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on July 16 that authorities have launched a large-scale official investigation into former Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto's close relations with Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 16 dismissed Tymur Tkachenko as head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, according to a decree published on the President's Office website.

On July 10 this year, Russian authorities designated Nadezhdin as a “foreign agent,” effectively preventing him from running in any future elections.

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

"It's demoralizing," former soldier Bohdan said as he stood amid thousands of others in Kyiv on July 16 protesting outside the President's Office against the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. "People had hope that reforms were coming, that things were finally changing for the better. They were already beginning to happen. Now it feels like everything is going back to the way it was," the 29-year-old told the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision a day earlier

Khmara previously led the agency's Alpha Special Operations Center, which has played a key role in Ukraine's long-range strike campaign against Russia. He has largely stayed out of the public eye.

The Ukrainian authorities said that a HUR employee had been charged with murdering Anastasia Berezovska, a suspect in the murder attempt on Iermolaiev. The employee has also been investigated as a suspect in the attempted assassination of Iermolaiev, they said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to oust popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after just six months on the job could prove to be his most harmful decision of the war in recent years.

The Cabinet's appointment was marred by controversy over the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was widely seen as highly effective, with Zelensky's decision to fire him triggering nationwide protests on July 16.

The Su-24M is a modernized version of Sukhoi Su-24, Soviet-designed supersonic frontline bomber that Russia uses to carry out strike missions against Ukraine.

What was widely praised just months ago as one of President Volodymyr Zelensky's strongest personnel decisions may now be remembered as one of his most significant missteps.

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.

Editor's note: Denys Maslov was appointed justice minister on July 16. There are three things to know about lawmaker Denys Maslov. He chairs parliament's legal policy committee, responsible for overhauling Ukraine's courts. He is widely expected to become the country's next justice minister. And he insists Ukraine's judicial reform is on track. Maslov, who sources say could move from parliament to the cabinet as part of this week's government reshuffle, faces mounting pressure from the Europ

President Volodymyr Zelensky's dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov has sparked a wave of criticism from lawmakers, soldiers, veterans, and civil society figures, who argue Ukraine is losing one of its most effective wartime officials without a clear explanation.

In June, Kyiv signed a deal with Sweden to purchase 16 Gripen E fighter jets, with deliveries to begin as early as 2029.

The Russian government has been increasingly restricting access to social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram and instead pushing Russian users to the app Max, the development of which was supervised by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

Recently dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov wrote that he had "submitted an application through an EU loan to purchase PAC-3 missiles," which an EU official has confirmed to the Kyiv Independent.

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said he suggested "drastic personnel decisions," which involved replacing both Syrskyi and General Staff Chief Andrii Hnatov, both of whom are criticized by younger soldiers and commanders for their top-down, Soviet-era command culture.

Koretskyi's Cabinet is expected to be appointed later on July 16.

According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the two vessels hit were the tankers Louise 1 and Banda.

Colonel Pavlo Yelizarov warned in his resignation letter that the dismissal would cause more casualties and destruction in Ukraine from Russian missile and drone attacks.