The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A girl stands near a damaged residential building in Odesa on July 22, 2026 following a Russian drone attack. According to city authorities, three people were injured and one was killed as a result of the strike. (Viacheslav Onyshchenko/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Ukrainian drones strike oil refinery, explosions seen near ‘Russia’s Amazon’ logistics hub, locals say. 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.
Ukraine protests to continue despite Syrskyi’s firing as organizers demand Fedorov’s return. “We still gotta bring back Fedorov,” protest organizer and veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi wrote.
Zaluzhnyi breaks silence, says new commander-in-chief faces ‘incredibly difficult job.’ 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.
13 more Russian shadow fleet vessels struck in Azov Sea and Black Sea over last 2 days, Ukraine says. The 13 vessels that were struck over July 21-22 included 10 dry cargo ships, two tugboats, and a tanker, according to Brovdi.
Zelensky considering visit to Washington next week for Graham funeral, talks with Trump, media reports. 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.
Trump’s NATO envoy arrives in Kyiv for talks on Patriot missiles, drone deal. “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.
Zelensky holds call with Trump team amid frozen Ukraine-Russia peace talks. President Volodymyr Zelensky held “a good and important conversation” with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on July 22.
‘He hates us’ — Russians are furious about Ukraine’s new Commander-in-Chief Drapatyi. 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.”
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Despite change in military leadership, protesters continue calls to reinstate former Defense Minister Fedorov
Ukrainians will gather for another protest in Kyiv on July 24 to demand the return of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, organizers announced on July 21.
Photo: Mykhaylo Palinchak/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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We asked Ukrainian soldiers what they think about Drapatyi, their new commander-in-chief
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.
Image: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office / AP
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Zelensky can kick Kachka out of Ukraine, but not his reforms
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.
Image: Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Human cost of war
Russian attacks kill 11, injure 54 across Ukraine, as daytime drone attack hits apartment building in Odesa. 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.
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International response
Russia’s Lavrov says he’ll meet Rubio in Manila on July 23, discuss Ukraine. 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.
EU breaks for summer with no accession news for Kyiv. 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.
EU launches mission to board Russian shadow fleet ships in Indian Ocean. “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.
‘Russia is holding global food security hostage’ — Ukraine calls emergency UN session as Moscow bombs Black Sea ports. “No country has the right to starve the world,” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on July 22. “Global pressure can stop Russian terror.”
Opinions and insights
More than a reshuffle — What Ukraine’s new government reveals about power
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, Olena Tregub writes.
Image: Roman Pashkovskiy / Mykhailo Fedorov’s team
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Letters to the editor: ‘Choosing politics over victory’ and other reactions to Defense Minister Fedorov dismissal
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.
Image: Roman Pashkovskiy / Mykhailo Fedorov’s team
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Ukrainians react to Zelensky’s military leadership shakeup
In other news
Fedorov’s trust rating soars by 30% amid protests, surpasses Zelensky’s, poll shows. According to the poll, 72% of the respondents did not support Fedorov’s dismissal, 5% backed it, and 17% said they were indifferent.
Ukrainian defense firm Skyfall unveils new ‘JetKiller’ interceptor drone. 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.
Meet the collection inspired by Kyiv’s embroidery
Two collaborations, one enduring Ukrainian tradition. Created so you can carry a piece of Kyiv with you, wherever you go.
Explore the collection
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