Ukraine lawmakers to elect new government amid defence chief row

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Published July 16, 2026last updated July 16, 2026It 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.

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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

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Kyiv

Here are some of the key developments in Russia's war in Ukraine on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

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Skip next section IN DEPTH: Why is Zelenskyy reshuffling Ukraine's government? July 16, 2026

IN DEPTH: Why is Zelenskyy reshuffling Ukraine's government?

Lilia Rzheutska

Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has resigned, prompting a Cabinet reshuffle led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. What comes next?

Find out more about what's behind Zelenskyy's latest government rejig in this report.

https://p.dw.com/p/5HCnC

Skip next section Protests in Kyiv over exclusion of popular defense minister from new government July 16, 2026

Protests in Kyiv over exclusion of popular defense minister from new government

In Kyiv,  hundreds of protesters rallied as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy moved to dismiss his defense minister as part of a government reshuffle.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed on X ​late Wednesday that his tenure was ending after only six months.

He has been credited with cutting bureaucracy, boosting drone warfare and pursuing a data-driven strategy to exhaust Russian forces.

Fedorov previously led Ukraine's digital transformation efforts and gained public support for modernizing government services and advancing battlefield technology.

Zelenskyy has not formally confirmed the dismissal.

The current interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, is set to replace Fedorov, Ukrainian lawmakers said on Wednesday.

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Skip next section Zelenskyy's pick, Koretskyi, approved as Ukraine's prime minister July 16, 2026

Zelenskyy's pick, Koretskyi, approved as Ukraine's prime minister

Ukraine's lawmakers voted Thursday to appoint President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's nominee, Sergii Koretskyi, the chair of state energy company Naftogaz, as prime minister.

Koretskyi replaces Yulia Svyrydenko, who resigned this week as Zelenskyy seeks to make "necessary changes to the Ukrainian government."

Zelenskyy said Koretskyi was the most appropriate candidate for the government's priority of preparing Ukraine for another difficult winter, citing the Naftogaz chief's experience in the energy sector.

https://p.dw.com/p/5HCSD

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage July 16, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Ukraine's parliament will vote on a new wartime government, the second such overhaul under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a year.

The reshuffle includes the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, which has already sparked protests on the streets of Kyiv this morning.

Recent opinion polls show Ukrainians still have faith in Zelenskyy's wartime leadership, but the protests suggest that that support has its limits.

Last July, Zelenskyy responded to mass demonstrations against his stripping of anti-corruption agencies of their independence by reversing course, and he could take similar action this time should the protests grow.

In this blog, we will track these developments closely.

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