Ukraine reshuffles cabinet and appoints interim defense minister amid protests
Ukraine approved multiple ministerial appointments, named a former Naftogaz chief as prime minister, and installed an interim defense minister after Mykhailo Fedorov’s dismissal, which sparked protests in several cities.
Ukraine’s parliament confirmed a series of cabinet changes on July 16, including the endorsement of former Naftogaz CEO Serhiy Koretsky as prime minister, replacing Yulia Svyrydenko. The legislature also reappointed First Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko, and approved new ministers for internal affairs, economy, digital transformation, veterans affairs, communities and internally displaced persons, and reconstruction, infrastructure and transport.
President Volodymyr Zelensky named former acting head of the Security Service Yevheny Khmara as interim defense minister, succeeding Mykhailo Fedorov, whose removal has led to demonstrations in at least 18 Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Lviv and Kharkiv. > "I rejected the president’s offer to become a presidential adviser or to remain on his team in another capacity," Fedorov said, underscoring the tension surrounding his dismissal.
The reshuffle follows a wave of resignations from defence-related advisers, including drone and electronic-warfare expert Serhiy Beskrestnov, former defence minister adviser Serhii Sternenko, and Air Force Deputy Commander Colonel Pavlo Yelizarov, all citing Fedorov’s ouster.
Separately, Ukrainian forces reported intensified drone strikes against Russian logistics in the Azov-Black Sea region, disrupting fuel shipments to occupied Crimea and targeting maritime supply routes. Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Captain 2nd Rank Dmytro Pletenchuk said the operations have paralyzed Russian fuel shipping and threatened key seaports such as Novorossiysk.
Russia is reportedly seeking additional gasoline supplies from Indian refiners after Ukraine’s long-range strikes reduced Russian refining capacity. Reuters cited sources indicating at least one cargo of Indian gasoline has already been transferred to Russia, with further shipments expected.
In Poland, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz warned that Russian aircraft were observed conducting surveillance near NATO air-defence exercises in the Baltic, prompting the scrambling of Polish fighters and interception of two Russian Su-30SM2 jets.
Overall, the personnel changes in Kyiv’s government come amid heightened military activity on both land and sea, as Ukraine expands its strike campaign against Russian supply lines while Russia contends with logistical challenges and growing domestic dissent.