Four years of existential war against Russia have produced a military technology model in Ukraine few traditional procurement systems could replicate. Brave1, Ukraine's state-backed defense tech platform, currently connects more than 2,500 companies and over 5,000 products, and Ukraine no longer needs to prove that it can turn battlefield problems into fielded capabilities at speed. Today's challenge, though, is preserving the incentives that let it adapt faster than the threats it faces. This

Key developments on July 23 * Fedorov turns down Zelensky's offers, seeks return only as defense minister * 'New ideas' needed to reach Ukraine-Russia peace deal, Rubio says after talks with Lavrov in the Philippines * Zelensky says dismissed generals Syrskyi, Hnatov will remain to advise new army command * Russian Su-57 fighter jet reportedly crashes during training flight in Moscow Oblast * Ukrainian drones strike oil refinery, pumping station, explosions seen near 'Russia's Amazon' logi

Ireland announced 125 million euros in new aid for Ukraine during Prime Minister Micheal Martin's visit to Kyiv, as he said a government review found no definitive evidence linking a Russian-owned Irish refinery to Moscow's weapons industry.

Speaking during a press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Zelensky said that newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi would rely on the experience of his predecessors.

"I'm grateful to the president for all the options offered. However, today there are only three positions in the country that, alongside the troops on the battlefield, actually shape the course of the war: the President of Ukraine, the defense minister, and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Mykhailo Fedorov said.

The Kyiv Independent's Martin Fornusek speaks with Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of the NATO Military Committee, at the 2026 NATO Summit about the lessons NATO is drawing from the war in Ukraine and how the alliance is preparing for the future of warfare.

The regional prosecutor's office said Russia attacked the city with KAB guided aerial bombs but did not disclose how many were used.

The aircraft went down during takeoff in a remote area, but caused no damage as the pilot reportedly ejected, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that ending Russia's war would require new proposals, arguing that previous ideas had been unacceptable to Ukraine and would likely be even less acceptable now.

In an overnight attack across Ukraine, Russian troops launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile, five guided Kh-59/69 missiles, and 168 drones, the Air Force said.

The figure includes 1,460 personnel losses recorded over the past day.

"The negotiations on this package have been challenging, but we found agreement on the remaining issues while maintaining EU unity as we have in the previous 20 packages," an EU diplomat told journalists.

Ukraine's military launched drone attacks on various Russian regions overnight on July 23, striking an oil refinery and logistics infrastructure, Russian Telegram media channels reported, citing local residents.

According to Suspilne, Zelensky received an invite to attend Graham's funeral, which is set to take place at the Washington National Cathedral on July 28.

"No country has the right to starve the world," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on July 22. "Global pressure can stop Russian terror."

The P1-SUN JetKiller is designed to hunt and destroy Russia's jet-powered Shahed-type drones. Skyfall says the interceptor will enter serial production in August 2026.

President Volodymyr Zelensky held "a good and important conversation" with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on July 22.

The Kyiv Independent asked people on the streets of Kyiv how they assess the military leadership shakeup, what changes they expect under Drapatyi's command, and whether they believe Fedorov should continue shaping Ukraine's defense policy.

This week's letters come from readers reflecting on the dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. An American military veteran argues the decision may harm the country's reform movement, and a British scholar urges Ukrainians to preserve military reforms while avoiding divisions that could benefit Russia. Got an opinion on anything you've read in the Kyiv Independent? Send it to letters@kyivindependent.com — your letter may appear in our Letters section. As Ukraine’s Crimea campai

Key developments on July 22: * Ukraine protests to continue despite Syrskyi's firing as organizers demand Fedorov's return * Warehouses of Russia's largest online retailer Wildberries burn as Ukraine strikes Krasnodar, Stavropol regions * 13 more Russian shadow fleet vessels struck in Azov Sea and Black Sea over last 2 days, Ukraine says * Trump's NATO envoy arrives in Kyiv for talks on Patriot missiles, drone deal Ukrainians will gather for another protest in Kyiv on July 24 to demand the

Blackouts were reported throughout occupied Crimea, and massive fires broke out in several southern Russian cities amid Ukrainian strikes on retail logistics facilities overnight on July 22, according to monitoring channels.

Mykhailo Drapatyi's appointment was met with celebration among Ukrainian military personnel and protesters, while Russian social media users contrasted Ukraine's political system with Russia's and warned about the new commander-in-chief, describing him as someone who "hates (Russian soldiers) and hates them consistently."

"Every illicit voyage helps sustain Russia's war machine. We are matching our sanctions with actions at sea," the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas tweeted.

"We had a good talk — first and foremost on how to protect Ukrainian skies with more Patriot interceptor supplies through PURL," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Ukraine and Moldova have demonstrated strong progress and dedication, and we believe the EU should continue advancing their negotiations without unnecessary delays," Lithuania's EU representation told the Kyiv Independent.

The Ukrainian government's resignation last week has become something of an annual ritual. Each iteration is presented as a fresh start, yet together they point to a far more significant problem — a persistent crisis of governance. Before founding a civil society organization focused on defense sector reform, I served as a government official in Ukraine. During my time in government, I learned firsthand how difficult it can be to pursue a real change from within the system. When I initiated re

The comment comes a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Drapatyi's appointment as he faced pressure from mass protests in Kyiv and across the country to dismiss former Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Editor's note: The full names of some service members quoted in this story have not been disclosed for security reasons. Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi took over as Ukraine's commander-in-chief on July 21 after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Oleksandr Syrskyi, elevating one of the military's most battle-tested commanders to its top post. "Drapatyi commands tremendous respect within the Ukrainian military — something that is extremely difficult to earn," Artem Kariakin, a soldier of th

According to the poll, 72% of the respondents did not support Fedorov’s dismissal, 5% backed it, and 17% said they were indifferent.

Russian troops launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile, three guided Kh-59/69 missiles, and 216 drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said. It reported downing three guided Kh-59/69 missiles and 204 of the drones in the north, center, south, and east of the country.

Russia's chief diplomat said he believes Washington has not yet rejected proposals made at last year's summit in Anchorage between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.

The EU is set to tie billions of euros in financial support to Kyiv's ability to complete the so-called Kachka-Kos plan for rule-of-law reforms, after months of inertia in Ukraine's parliament and a recent government reshuffle interpreted by some as another attempt to avoid making those changes. President Volodymyr Zelensky decided on July 12 to reshuffle the country's government, a controversial move that has led to consecutive days of protests over the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo F