Opinion

Russian President Putin during a visit to Zhukovsky, Moscow Oblast, Russia, on June 24, 2026.

Ceasefire as camouflage — How Russia weaponizes negotiations against Ukraine

by Nicholas ChkhaidzeJuly 17, 2026

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

Editorial: By sacking Fedorov, Zelensky risks turning tide of war back in Russia's favor

by The Kyiv IndependentJuly 16, 2026

President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels, Belgium, on June 18, 2026.

The prime minister is gone. Long live the president

by Yaroslav YurchyshynJuly 15, 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, on June 22, 2026.

Mr. Putin, where is the gas?

by Liubov TsybulskaJuly 14, 2026

Olena Zelenska on what 5 years of First Ladies and Gentlemen Summit taught us about soft power

by Olena ZelenskaJuly 13, 2026

The Ankara NATO Summit — A reality check on words and deeds

by Nadiia KovalJuly 11, 2026

A plume of black smoke rises over the port of Saint Petersburg, Russia, following a Ukrainian drone attack on June 3, 2026.

Will Ukraine's 'long-range sanctions' decide the war?

by Lesia BidochkoJuly 10, 2026

A bride and groom kiss during their wedding in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on May 18, 2024.

How Ukraine lets citizens marry and divorce online

by Valeriia KovalJuly 9, 2026

NewsLetters

News Feed

Saturday, July 18

05:25 AM

Moscow Oblast oil depot, warehouse reportedly set ablaze as Kyiv launches hundreds of drones towards Russian capital

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.

03:01 AM

Ukrainian drones reportedly attack Russia's Tambov Oblast, online retailer's warehouse set ablaze

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.

Four air defense missiles light up orange under the night sky

02:18 AM

Russian munition strike on civilian vehicle kills 1, injures 8 others, including 2 children

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.

Firefighters extinguish a burning car on the side of a road

12:26 AM

Fedorov ally declines new defense ministry position, named presidential advisor on defense technologies

"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.

A protestor holds up a sign reading "I choose DIGITILIZATION over SOVIETization"

Friday, July 17

10:48 PM

Zelensky appoints Poklad as acting head of Ukraine's Security Service as cabinet assigns temporary National Police chief

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.

09:19 PM

Ukraine war latest: Cabinet appoints acting SBU chief as acting defense minister after day of uncertainty

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

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Politics

'Utterly baffling': Ukrainians outraged, call for protest after Zelensky ousts Fedorov

This is a developing story and is being updated. President Volodymyr Zelensky's dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister has drawn a wave of criticism from soldiers, veterans, and civil society figures, who argue Ukraine is losing one of its most effective wartime officials without an adequate explanation. Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a war veteran who was a leading organizer of last summer's mass protests against a law curbing the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies, called fo

Politics

Editors' Picks

President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, France, on July 13, 2026.

Opinion

Ceasefire as camouflage — How Russia weaponizes negotiations against Ukraine

Editorial: By sacking Fedorov, Zelensky risks turning tide of war back in Russia's favor

The prime minister is gone. Long live the president

Mr. Putin, where is the gas?

Olena Zelenska on what 5 years of First Ladies and Gentlemen Summit taught us about soft power

The Ankara NATO Summit — A reality check on words and deeds

Will Ukraine's 'long-range sanctions' decide the war?

How Ukraine lets citizens marry and divorce online

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NewsLetters

News Feed

Moscow Oblast oil depot, warehouse reportedly set ablaze as Kyiv launches hundreds of drones towards Russian capital

Ukrainian drones reportedly attack Russia's Tambov Oblast, online retailer's warehouse set ablaze

Russian munition strike on civilian vehicle kills 1, injures 8 others, including 2 children

Fedorov ally declines new defense ministry position, named presidential advisor on defense technologies

Zelensky appoints Poklad as acting head of Ukraine's Security Service as cabinet assigns temporary National Police chief

Ukraine war latest: Cabinet appoints acting SBU chief as acting defense minister after day of uncertainty

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'Utterly baffling': Ukrainians outraged, call for protest after Zelensky ousts Fedorov

Zelensky dismisses Defense Minister Fedorov, deepening turmoil in Ukraine's military leadership

Ukraine's Omega special forces say drone strike hit Russian Su-24 bomber in occupied Crimea

Russia's Engels air base reportedly struck in Ukrainian drone attack

Ukraine's Air Force Deputy Commander announces resignation over Fedorov's dismissal

Editors' Picks

How Zelensky turned one of his biggest victories into one of his biggest blunders

Zelensky dismisses Defense Minister Fedorov, deepening turmoil in Ukraine's military leadership

Ukraine's pornography ban fuels corruption. Legalization could boost war funding

What's behind Zelensky's surprise government reshuffle?