Breaking news and comprehensive coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war, including military updates, diplomatic efforts, humanitarian crisis, and global impact.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is weighing the dismissal of commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky after thousands protested, chanting 'Syrsky out!' The President's Office is seriously considering the move if protests continue, following the government's resignation on July 14.
Ukrainian drone attacks on July 18 killed nine people and wounded over 60 across Russia, targeting warehouses and an oil depot. The strikes included a logistics center in Kotovsk, Tambov, where seven were killed and 25 injured, and an oil depot. President Zelensky said the strikes were retaliation for Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Russians have added 1.56 trillion roubles to circulation since January 2025, the biggest rise outside the pandemic, as mobile internet shutdowns to counter Ukrainian drone attacks disrupt card payments. The cash shift strains the wartime economy by complicating tax collection amid a widening budget deficit.
Ukraine operates under an interim defense minister after President Zelenskyy's reshuffle, which dismissed Mykhailo Fedorov. Maj. Gen. Yevhen Khmara has been asked to take over, pending parliamentary approval. Thousands protested the dismissal, which exposed a split between the military's old guard and young innovators.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed reformist Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on July 12, 2026, after a conflict with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, siding with Syrskyi. The move triggered protests in Kyiv and other cities, reflecting a generational struggle between technology-driven reformers and an older military establishment.
Ukraine's top general has become a target of protesters' anger amid a defense leadership shakeup. The protests follow President Zelenskyy's firing of the popular defense minister.
Protests continued for a third day in Kyiv and other cities on July 18, with demonstrators demanding the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and the firing of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. The protests follow Zelensky's dismissal of Fedorov on July 15 and the appointment of Yevhen Khmara as acting defense minister, which has raised corruption concerns.
EU ministers approved sanctions on Irina Kharisova and five ABS Electro group companies for building guidance systems for Russian missiles and drones used in strikes on Kyiv. The sanctions target drone and energy sectors, responding to recent attacks that killed dozens.
This commentary profiles Ukrainian rocket designer Denys Shtilerman, arguing that his controversial past and successful drone production have made him a key figure in Ukraine's defense against Russia. It contends that his ambitions to help Europe build an independent missile shield reflect a broader distrust of US reliability as an ally.
This commentary highlights Ukraine's development of a low-cost cruise missile using open-source hobby drone hardware, arguing that the shrinking gap between military and consumer electronics enables smaller countries to produce powerful weapons. It suggests this trend may democratize high-tech warfare.