Ukraine lawmakers approve Koretskyi as new PM amid protests
Deutsche Welle · LC · trust 45/100
It is President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's second Cabinet shakeup in a year. He faces criticism for dismissing reformist Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Follow DW for more.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HCFO The sacking of Ukraine's popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, only six months after his appointment, prompted rare wartime protests Image: Thomas Peter/REUTERS Advertisement Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know Ukraine appoints Naftogaz chief Koretskyi as prime minister Ukrainians protest ousting of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov as part of a government shakeup Ukraine hits six Russian tankers in Black Sea, Sea of Azov, Kyiv says
Here are some of the key developments in Russia's war in Ukraine on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
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07/16/2026 July 16, 2026 Zelenskyy appoints Khmara acting defense minister President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Yevhenii Khmara, the acting head of Ukraine's security service (SBU), as acting defense minister and asked parliament to approve him in the position.
In a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy said the SBU Security Service had distinguished itself in staging long-range strikes on Russia and that this would be an asset in performing the duties of defense minister.
"I have assigned Yevhenii Khmara to perform the duties of minister, continue reforming the defense sector, and ensure Ukraine achieves all the results we have spoken about," Zelenskyy wrote.
The Ukrainian president added that he would ask parliament to approve his selection.
Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainians took to the streets to protest Zelenskyy's ouster of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
07/16/2026 July 16, 2026 Ukraine receives 501 more war dead bodies from Russia Ukraine and Russia have carried out another exchange of bodies of fallen soldiers.
Ukraine says it has received the bodies of 501 troops, while Russian media report that Moscow recovered the remains of 31 of its soldiers.
Since the start of 2025, Ukraine says it has brought back nearly 21000 bodies, compared with just over 600 returned to Russia.
The exchange comes as the war, now in its fourth year since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, continues with both sides keeping official casualty figures secret.
07/16/2026 July 16, 2026 UK pledges €300 million to help Ukraine buy 16 Gripen fighter jets The package includes pilot and engineer training, simulators, spare parts and other equipment needed to operate the Gripen aircraft Image: Johan Nilsson/TT/IMAGO The United Kingdom will provide €300 million ($345 million) to help Ukraine acquire 16 Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
He made the announcement during his final trip to Kyiv before leaving office.
The funding follows a deal Ukraine signed last month with manufacturer Saab to purchase the aircraft in an agreement worth about $2.5 billion.
When asked whether he was disappointed that he would not see an end to the conflict before leaving No. 10, Starmer told reporters, "This isn't about me, it's about a country, Ukraine, that has faced an aggressor for now in the fifth year."
"Britain has always been, and remains, with Ukraine, and we value this immensely," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine awarded Starmer its "Order of Freedom" honor.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham appears set to become the UK's fifth prime minister since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2025.
07/16/2026 July 16, 2026 Zelenskyy calls for unity after defense minister ouster Dmytro Hubenko Editor Fedorov (seen in the photo) alleged Syrskyi issued an ultimatum demanding his dismissal Image: Danylo Antoniuk/Ukrinform/IMAGO President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for "unity" within Ukraine's military leadership as he faced criticism over the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had clashed with the head of the armed forces Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Rare protests broke out in Ukraine after Fedorov's removal, as a long-running dispute between the reform-minded minister and the commander-in-chief spilled into the open.
"A president in wartime should not have to choose in such a situation, honestly," the AFP news agency reported Zelenskyy as saying. "I would very much like unity."
In a scathing attack on the military chief, Fedorov accused Syrskyi of blocking ministry initiatives and refusing to address problems directly.
"Instead of working out how to defeat Russia, he has figured out how to split the country," Fedorov said.
Analysts said Zelenskyy appeared to side with his trusted military commander over the defense minister at a critical stage of the war.
07/16/2026 July 16, 2026 Russia, Ukraine target shipping lanes Russia and Ukraine are intensifying attacks on shipping in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, a key corridor for global grain exports, pushing wheat prices higher.
Ukraine says it has struck at least 11 Russian vessels, while Moscow reports hitting a Ukrainian boat and maritime targets near the Odesa region.
Kyiv's drone forces say recent strikes targeted oil tankers, cargo ships, and tugboats, bringing the number of vessels hit this month to nearly 150.
Ukraine is expanding its campaign from the Sea of Azov into the Black Sea, aiming to disrupt Russian military logistics and isolate Crimea.
Russia, meanwhile, is stepping up strikes on Ukrainian ports and infrastructure in Odesa, which are critical to the country's wartime economy.
07/16/2026 July 16, 2026 Turkey renews offer to host Ukraine-Russia talks Fidan said Turkey did not want to see the Ukraine war spread further into the Black Sea, during a visit to Kyiv to promote mediation efforts Image: Mustafa Hatipoglu/Anadolu Agency/IMAGO Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has made a renewed offer to host talks between Ukraine and Russia…
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