- 1340 KWIA
- 3 Tanks
- 2 AFVs
- 66 Artillery systems
- 1801 UAVs
- 12 UGVs
- 420 Vehicles and Fuel tanks
Glory to Ukraine!
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Russian losses
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“Russia’s Engels air base reportedly struck in Ukrainian drone attack”
https://kyivindependent.com/russias-engels-air-base-reportedly-struck-in-ukrainian-drone-attack/
👏👏👏
Hope they got some big birds this time too.
The Ukrainian capital Kyiv is under attack, says Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram. Several explosions were heard shortly after midnight, according to a journalist at AFP. Russia is attacking the capital with ballistic missiles, Reuters writes. According to the mayor, several buildings have been hit, including a warehouse in the western part of the city. The public service company Suspilne reports that Kharkiv has also been attacked.
https://omni.se/a/V65wK6
The Russians’ pressure in Pokrovsk fell from very strong to strong, but increased in more northern sectors for an approximately equal total offensive pressure along the front. The Ukrainian unlocalized pressure increased and is clearly back above 100 again.
At first, it looked like the General Staff had merged Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole and I thought it had to do with the counteroffensive in Oleksandrivka confirmed by the AFU the other day. Sometimes front sections disappear from reporting as the front line shifts. But it turned out that Facebook’s automatic translation from Ukrainian to English missed an entire front section, one of the largest, Huliaipole. Often it has worked fairly well when I compared with DeepL, but I will stop relying on Facebook’s translation going forward.
N Slobozhansky 10💥↗️
S Slobozhansky 15💥↗️
Kupyansk 5
Lyman 12💥↘️
Slovyansk 22💥
Kramatorsk 4
Kostjantynivka 30💥💥↗️
Pokrovsk 38💥💥↘️
Oleksandrivskij 4
Huliaipole 18💥
Orikhivsk 5
Prydniprovskij 0
Localized 163
Unlocalized 116↗️
Total 279↗️
Ratio unloc/loc 0.7↗️
Different translation. FB’s translation misses an entire front section.
Facebook at 08:00
Operational information as of 08:00 on 16.07.2026 regarding the Russian invasion
Glory to Ukraine!
The 1604th day of large-scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine has begun.
In total, 279 combat engagements were recorded during the past day.
Yesterday, the enemy launched one missile strike, used four missiles, carried out 88 air strikes, and dropped 295 guided aerial bombs. In addition, it used 9,922 kamikaze drones and carried out 3,148 shellings of settlements and positions of our troops, including 42 – from multirole systems.
Over the past day, the aviation, missile forces, and artillery of the Defense Forces hit one command post, eight areas of manpower concentration, four UAV control points, and two other important enemy objects.
In the North-Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, 10 combat engagements occurred with the enemy over the past day, the aggressor launched two air strikes, dropped six aerial bombs, and carried out 61 shellings of positions of our troops and settlements.
In the South-Slobozhansky direction, the enemy attacked the positions of our units 15 times in the area of Starytsia, Artilne, and towards the settlements of Izbytske, Graf, Lyman, Vilcha, Symynivka, Kolodyazne, Kutkivka, Shev’yakivka, Khatne, and Ambarnye.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy carried out five attacks in the direction of Kupiansk, Novoplatonivka, and Kurylivka.
In the Lyman direction, the enemy attempted to break through our defense 12 times, attacking towards the settlements of Lyman, Drobysheve, Ozerne, as well as in the areas of Novoselivka and Yampil.
In the Sloviansk direction, the enemy stormed 22 times towards the settlements of Kriva Luka, Ray-Oleksandrivka, as well as in the areas of Riznykivka and Zakytne.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian invaders carried out four attacks in the area of Nikiforivka and Chasovoye Yar.
In the Kostyantynivka direction, the enemy carried out 30 attacks in the areas of Kostyantynivka, Illinivka, Ivanopillya, Sofiivka, as well as in the direction of Vilyny, Toretsk and Kucherevo Yar.
In the Pokrovsk direction, our defenders stopped 38 attacks by the aggressor in the areas of Dorozhne, Novooleksandrivka, Sukhetske, Rodynske, Hryshyne, Udachne, Novosergivka, as well as in the direction of Bilitsky, Shevchenko and Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, the occupiers carried out 18 attacks in the direction of the settlements of Hirke, Tsvitkovye, Vozdvyzhivka, Verkhnya Tersa, Dobropillya and Charyvne.
In the Orivkhiv direction, our defenders stopped five attempts by the enemy to advance in the areas of Plavnyv, Bilohirya and Malikh Shcherbakiv.
In the Pridneprovsk direction, the enemy did not carry out any offensive actions in the past day.
No signs of the enemy’s offensive groups have been found on the Volyn and Polissian fronts.
Ukrainian defenders continue to systematically destroy the enemy, putting up effective resistance on all fronts.
In total, the Russian invaders lost 1,340 people over the past day. Three tanks, two armored combat vehicles, 66 artillery systems, 12 ground robotic complexes, 1,801 drones, and 420 units of enemy automotive equipment were also neutralized.
Join the Defense Forces! Together we will win! Glory to Ukraine!
DeepL at 08:00
Operational update as of 08:00 on 16 July 2026 regarding the Russian invasion
Glory to Ukraine!
The 1,604th day of the Russian Federation’s large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine has begun.
In total, 279 combat engagements were recorded over the past 24 hours.
Yesterday, the enemy launched one missile strike, firing four missiles, and carried out 88 air strikes, dropping 295 guided bombs. In addition, it deployed 9,922 kamikaze drones and carried out 3,148 shelling attacks on populated areas and our troops’ positions, including 42 using multiple launch rocket systems.
Over the past 24 hours, the Defence Forces’ air force, missile forces and artillery struck one command post, eight areas where enemy personnel were concentrated, four UAV command posts and two other key enemy targets.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors over the past day, there were 10 clashes with the enemy; the aggressor carried out two air strikes, dropped six aerial bombs and carried out 61 shelling attacks on our troops’ positions and populated areas.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy attacked the positions of our units 15 times in the area of Starytsia and Artilne, and in the direction of the settlements of Izbytske, Hrafske, Lyman, Vilcha, Symynivka, Kolodyazne, Kutkivka, Shev’yakivka, Khatne and Ambarne.
In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy carried out five attacks in the direction of Kupiansk, Novoplatonivka and Kurylivka.
On the Lyman sector, the enemy attempted to breach our defences 12 times, attacking towards the settlements of Lyman, Drobysheve and Ozerne, as well as in the areas of Novoselivka and Yampil.
In the Sloviansk sector, the enemy launched 22 assaults towards the settlements of Kryva Luka and Rai-Oleksandrivka, as well as in the areas of Riznykivka and Zakytne.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian invaders carried out four attacks in the area of Nykyforivka and Chasovyi Yar.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out 30 attacks in the areas around the settlements of Kostiantynivka, Illinivka, Ivanopillia and Sofiivka, as well as in the direction of Vilne, Toretsk and Kuchero-Yar.
In the Pokrovsk sector, our defenders repelled 38 assaults by the aggressor in the areas around the settlements of Dorozhne, Novooleksandrivka, Sukhetske, Rodynske, Hryshyne, Udachne and Novosergiivka, as well as in the direction of Bilytske, Shevchenko and Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the enemy launched four attacks in the directions of Vorone, Kalynivske and Ternove.
In the Huliaipole sector, the occupiers carried out 18 attacks in the direction of the settlements of Hirke, Tsvitkove, Vozdvyzhivka, Verkhnia Tersa, Dobropillia and Charivne.
In the Orikhiv sector, our defenders repelled five enemy attempts to advance in the area of Plavni, Bilohirya and Mali Shcherbaky.
In the Dnipro sector, the enemy did not carry out any offensive operations over the past 24 hours.
In the Volyn and Polissya sectors, no signs of the enemy forming offensive groups have been detected.
Ukrainian defenders continue to systematically destroy the enemy and are putting up effective resistance across all sections of the front.
In total, the Russian invaders suffered 1,340 casualties over the past day. Three tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, 66 artillery systems, 12 ground-based robotic systems, 1,801 unmanned aerial vehicles and 420 enemy vehicles were also neutralised.
Join the Defence Forces! Together we will prevail! Glory to Ukraine!
👍
Significant increase from RU in recent weeks.
Thought they would run out of gas, listened too much to the optimists 😐
Already 30 here on the east coast. I’m taking the opportunity to enjoy it now, on Sunday it will peak at a steady 15.
Oh, already today — a little short on time for SpaceX to move Earth’s population to Mars.
Yes, watch out, it seems like it will be a few days at a time up to a week 😀
Too bad about Fedorov.
Sometimes it comes to the surface, No.1 reason I usually cite that Europe should not wait and see.
UA is very chaotic with power struggles pulling in the same direction, if it collapses it can happen quickly and they are RU’s top priority to break apart.
I believe that a ceasefire immediately causes the factions to stop pulling in the same direction but that is just my guess of course.
Brodi can’t be touched, I hope, he recently received a medal 😀
Apparently, Fedorov did not give contracts to established companies but went with bids and procurement – great anger.
Zelensky is already somewhat biased from before, so you can rest assured that everyone will jump on this free ride to fuel public opinion.
What is the point of splitting the country and especially going after a president who cannot be voted out until peace returns? I understand that it is Ryzh’s wet dream, but internally within the country?
I’m sorry, but I can’t access external links. Please provide the text you want translated, and I’ll be happy to help.
My take: don’t worry/don’t even care. It is internal, just like in any other country. It is not particularly strange either: normally a country has elections regularly and Ukraine is far beyond that. This means, among other things, that tensions between political groups have time to arise. Normally such tensions are cleared in election rounds. But give me a single government formation in Sweden in the last 20 years where no minister has been replaced.
👍
”Bizarre” and “the biggest mistake Zelenskyy has made.” This is how the Ukrainian president’s decision to fire Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov – the brain behind Ukraine’s drone warfare – is described. On Thursday, demonstrators flocked to the streets of Kyiv.
Photo by Hanna Österberg
Hanna Österberg
Published 13:32
Updated 13:38
Thousands, mostly young Ukrainians, have gathered on the streets of Kyiv to protest against Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s unexpected dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on Wednesday.
The demonstrations outside the presidential palace coincide with a visit from the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Many describe the decision as “bizarre,” reports The Guardian’s correspondent. The signs read messages such as “for what?”, “bring back Fedorov,” and “out with Syrskyi.”
Represented young Ukraine
According to the demonstrators, the minister was open and transparent. He represented young Ukraine (Fedorov is 35 years old) and was seen by many as a future leader. His critics, however, have called his ideas fanciful and naive.
Mykhailo Fedorov has confirmed to local journalists that he had a dispute with Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, who has a more conservative style. It reportedly concerned the innovation aspect of the war strategy – Fedorov’s area of expertise. Many describe the conflicts as the decisive reason for his dismissal.
Fedorov was seen by many as the future Ukrainian leader.
Fedorov was seen by many as the future Ukrainian leader. Photo: Danylo Antoniuk/AP
The president is said not to have given a reason for the dismissal.
“This is the biggest mistake Zelenskyy has made during his entire presidency,” says Oleksandr, a Ukrainian soldier, to the BBC.
Fedorov is also believed to have upset defense contractors and companies Ukraine has contracts with after urging soldiers to buy their own weapons on the site Bravel, which has been called “the Amazon of weapons.”
The New York Times describes him as the brain behind the warfare with drones and rockets. He “gamified” the drone strategy, used data for analysis, and has long been Zelenskyy’s main sounding board when it comes to technology. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy wants to be the only star.
Seen as a threat to Zelenskyy
Undoubtedly, he was thus seen as a threat to Zelenskyy, according to the newspaper.
Volodymyr Ariev, a member of the opposition party, says he intended to vote for Fedorov and that Fedorov has been sidelined by “corrupt men who want to keep their defense contracts.”
Mykhailo Fedorov had only held his post for six months and was the youngest minister in the Ukrainian cabinet.
Zelenskyy receives Starmer while protests rage in the streets.
Zelenskyy receives Starmer while protests rage in the streets. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/AP
On Thursday, he was reportedly offered a position as Zelenskyy’s advisor after the high-profile dismissal – an offer Fedorov declined, according to The Guardian.
“It has been a great honor to serve the Ukrainian people,” writes Mykhailo Fedorov on social media, reviewing what the Ministry of Defense has accomplished and what remains to be done.
Pavlo Yelizarov, a well-known commander within the drone unit, resigned in protest after the dismissal. He calls the decision to fire Fedorov “a great evil for the country’s ability to defend itself.”
Ukraine’s parliament is expected to vote through a new government on Thursday.
https://www.svd.se/a/9p81eq/tusentals-protesterar-i-kiev-efter-petningen-av-mychajlo-fedorov
SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA
The fuel crisis is putting Russia under heavy pressure
Russia is still benefiting from higher oil prices. At the same time, Ukrainian attacks have taken out large parts of the country’s refineries. The fuel shortage may force expensive imports.
“Russia is under pressure now,” says Henrik Wachtmeister, expert on the Russian oil market.
Published: July 16, 2026, 15:41
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JP
Jenny Petersson
Text
Cars queue at a gas station in Moscow at the end of June.
Cars queue at a gas station in Moscow at the end of June. Photo: Pavel Bednyakov /AP/TT
EU member states are extending the price cap on Russian oil, which is $44.10 per barrel, until July 23. But if the countries, which are currently negotiating a new sanctions package, do not agree on freezing the cap by then, it will likely be raised. The cap is to be recalculated every six months based on the current world market price, unless otherwise decided.
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“But there are divided opinions on how significant the price cap is today since Russia sells most of its crude oil using the shadow fleet, outside the price cap,” says Henrik Wachtmeister, researcher at UI and Uppsala University and expert on the Russian energy market.
Russia is thus already benefiting from the rising oil price again following the new fighting in the Middle East.
THE EU PRICE CAP
The EU’s price cap on Russian crude oil is set at $44.10 per barrel. The sanctions mean that companies, such as shipping companies, are not allowed to cooperate with Russia if the oil is sold for more than that. Russia is then forced to use the so-called shadow fleet, which involves higher costs and risks.
The level was set in February. It is to be recalculated every six months unless the countries agree otherwise. According to the model, the price cap should be 15 percent below the average price for Ural oil over the previous 22 weeks.
There are similar models for oil products.
Oil products such as gasoline and diesel are sold to a greater extent via sanction-compliant tankers. There are also price caps for them, which will also be adjusted upwards. On paper, this would strengthen export revenues.
But right now, gasoline queues are long in Russia. Production at Russian refineries is dropping after repeated Ukrainian attacks that have taken out capacity. The level is the lowest in 21 years, Bloomberg writes, citing an analysis from EA Analytics.
A temporary ban on diesel exports has been introduced.
“Ukraine has carried out drone attacks for quite some time, but the Russians have managed to repair and the effects have not been too severe. But that tug-of-war has reached some kind of turning point recently,” says Henrik Wachtmeister.
“Some estimates indicate that they can now only cover 65 percent of domestic demand. Then we have a national shortage situation. Previously, these attacks have been more local logistical problems when there was a shortage in a certain area. Now it is a national volume problem.”
Crude oil processing was on average 3.91 million barrels per day just under two weeks into July. This is the lowest level since 2005 and more than 1.4 million barrels lower compared to the same period last year, according to EA Analytics.
“A higher oil price is positive for Russia,” says Henrik Wachtmeister.
“A higher oil price is positive for Russia,” says Henrik Wachtmeister. Photo: Swedish Institute of International Affairs (Press image)
Henrik Wachtmeister notes that there are now several moving factors whose combined effects can pull in different directions.
“A higher oil price is positive for Russia, unless the drone campaign becomes so effective that Russia has to import fuel at high prices. Then it becomes partly negative.”
He assesses that the fuel situation is putting heavy pressure on Russia, also politically.
“Russians have a large domestic oil consumption. Prices are subsidized, so they are used to low prices. These price increases and shortages hit that social contract. It becomes tangible for everyone that this war has consequences.”
But exactly what this may lead to is difficult to assess.
“They are good at absorbing difficulties, and so far it has been a fairly gradual deterioration. But with a national fuel shortage, the deterioration becomes more drastic,” he says.
He points out that discontent is simmering in several areas. There is talk of some kind of mobilization to maintain the flow of personnel to Ukraine. Censorship has increased. Inflation is rising.
“The cumulative effect can be strong.”
https://www.di.se/mobil/nyheter/branslekrisen-pressar-ryssland-hart/
I can only agree even though I use slightly stronger language.
https://omni.se/a/9p8wGp
Karin Karlsbro (L) comments on Weissbach’s move to Moskoviets KHL.
What a damn loser.
https://x.com/KarinKarlsbro/status/2077768355767812462
Nice to see politicians who have the ability to speak. (And this completely without irony, sometimes you have to call a spade a spade).
Response regarding the Feodorov comments above
In most wars, there are government changes and resignations when things start to heat up.
I was watching WW2 and 5-6 governments in Europe collapsed in sheer terror before Germany had even attacked them.
Ukraine has several plans to act on – internally within the country, externally towards the West, and then against the enemy.
We in the West have probably moved past accusing Ukraine, but if their routes to us disappear, our support will likely vanish quite quickly – this is priority one for Russia.
A guy like Fedorov managed to open new doors and create opportunities that few have done before him.
He is also behind Brodi and others’ increased drone warfare that we all rejoice over – without him, it would have been significantly less.
He got Musk to shut down Starlink for the Russians.
He is also behind several of the agreements with Europe and getting the drone weapon widely distributed within the organization.
This is at the expense of traditional arms purchases, and since established giants have not received the contracts on a turnkey basis and then bring in subcontractors (whatever this is called in manufacturing), they have had to stand on the sidelines and watch billions go to others.
Fedorov has prioritized completely correctly and it also makes a difference on the battlefield and in the war – the whole country has seen this and just as we begin to sense a dawn, the Ukrainians have also done so.
Fedorov is certainly also a political threat to Zelensky in the long run as his journey developed.
—
Internally in Ukraine, the country is tired of the war but more tired of the Russians, they are a mosaic that somewhat pulls in the same direction and as long as the war continues there is some kind of truce. They want to try to come out victorious from this and the right man in the right place according to them is important. Sirsky is not liked at all but Fedorov was very popular.
—
Towards Russia – the number of assassination attempts on all prominent figures is certainly +20 per person by now besides all campaigns to smear them and create friction. Every little opportunity for friction is maximally exploited by the Russians and if an extremely popular FM is removed because he has demonstrably dared to tackle corruption and Soviet bureaucracy in the country, it is a godsend for them.
There has also been talk about elections this fall and Zalizhny intends to run.
Just because it is war does not mean ambitious people do not want their chance for a career.
—
When citizens see that those in power do not do what is best for the country but have some hidden agenda, they get angry, in Ukraine it is full war so if broad layers of the population get angry it can affect the war.
There is no one who says that Fedorov has not been fantastic as defense minister, but there is also nothing that speaks against the fact that there is plenty of talent in Ukraine. Nor is there anything that points to any fault in Zelensky’s compass. He has successfully navigated Ukraine through a long war both domestically and in foreign policy. One must give him that. Otherwise, all the credit Zelensky has received, as recently as in connection with the NATO meeting in Istanbul, is only empty words. You don’t have to like everything he does, but there is no reason to question his competence to make decisions regarding how the country should be governed. I hardly believe there are any political motives behind Zelensky’s decisions.
Storbritannien invests 300 million euros, around 3.3 billion kronor, to contribute to Swedish Gripen E planes for Ukraine, the country’s government writes in a press release. The production of components in the United Kingdom is expected to create 5,000 highly qualified jobs at more than 50 companies in the country.
– Today’s investment will help advanced Gripen planes enter Ukrainian airspace, strengthen the country’s defense capability, and at the same time support thousands of qualified jobs here at home, says Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the press release.
The funding will contribute to 16 Gripen E planes in Ukraine by 2029 at the latest.
https://omni.se/a/y5xw02
God save the King 🙂
I think there is a hell of a fuss about ministerial changes all around. A comment and a post from Gregg, below, see his FB.
Comment. Ukraine has not had elections like other countries due to the situation. After a while, settlements arise within the political grouping, which is natural, and also an explanation for why we see ministerial changes in every government formation regardless of whether it is a change of power or not. Yes, draw the conclusion of what happens when elections are absent.
Now Gregg’s comment, link last:
”Here is an article in your tone and style.
# Zelensky chose the general – and sends a clear signal that the war is entering a new phase
President Volodymyr Zelensky has now announced that he has tasked Yevheniy Khmara with temporarily managing the work of the Ministry of Defense and that, after the necessary legal procedures have been completed, he will submit his name to the Verkhovna Rada as the new defense minister. The parliament is expected to convene as early as August 18 to address the matter.
This is much more than an ordinary ministerial change. It is a clear signal of the direction the Ukrainian warfare is now taking.
After several years of war, the balance between the political leadership and the military profession has become increasingly important. The Ministry of Defense is no longer just an administrative authority that procures equipment and allocates budget funds. The ministry has become a central part of Ukraine’s ability to quickly translate technical innovations, industrial production, and international support into actual combat power at the front.
If Zelensky now chooses a person with a military background, it also means that he is sending a signal that operational reality will have an even greater influence over the Ministry of Defense’s work. This can contribute to shorter decision-making paths, better coordination between the general staff and the department, and an increased focus on the soldiers’ concrete needs rather than administrative processes.
### The legal situation
However, there is an important legal aspect here.
According to Ukraine’s constitution, ministers are appointed by the Verkhovna Rada upon the president’s proposal in the case of the defense minister and foreign minister. Therefore, the president cannot permanently appoint a defense minister on his own; parliamentary approval is required.
If the intended minister is an active officer, the military service status must also be handled before the appointment can be fully implemented. Ukraine, like most European democracies and NATO countries, is based on the principle of civilian democratic control over the armed forces. This does not mean that a person with military experience is prevented from becoming a minister, but the active military position must normally be ended or suspended before the person assumes office as a civilian member of the government.
It is likely that this is exactly what Zelensky refers to when he talks about the “necessary legal procedures” that must first be carried out. These include both the formal handling of the military service, the president’s nomination, and finally the Verkhovna Rada’s vote.
### A crossroads for Ukraine’s defense
The interesting thing is therefore not only who becomes minister, but why the choice is made right now.
In recent months, Ukraine has carried out extensive organizational changes within the armed forces. Drone warfare is developing at a rapid pace, long-range attacks on Russian logistics have become a central part of the strategy, and the entire defense industry is undergoing a rapid transformation.
In such a situation, the defense minister is not just an administrator. He becomes the person who must make politics, industry, international support, and military reality function as a coherent system.
If the parliament on August 18 approves Zelensky’s proposal, Ukraine will not only get a new defense minister. The country can at the same time take another step towards an even closer integration between the political leadership and the military profession – something that can have great significance for how the war develops during the autumn.
When I consider all the pros and cons, I come to the conclusion that the general is the right man in the right place and at the right time. A person with experience from the armed forces is needed to take the development one step further.
SLAVA UKRAINI”
The second blog goes hard and doomsplays Ukraine for ministerial changes.
Not particularly smart. Besides, he was wrong about Iran too, so no reason to be surprised.
Gregg again:
“
Evening update
Zelensky chose the general – and sends a clear signal that the war is entering a new phase
President Volodymyr Zelensky has now announced that he has tasked Yevheniy Khmara with temporarily managing the work of the Ministry of Defense and that, after the necessary legal procedures have been completed, he will submit his name to the Verkhovna Rada as the new Minister of Defense. The parliament is expected to convene as early as August 18 to address the matter.
This is far more than a regular ministerial change. It is a clear signal about the direction the Ukrainian conduct of war is now taking.
After several years of war, the balance between the political leadership and the military profession has become increasingly important. The Ministry of Defense is no longer just an administrative authority that procures equipment and allocates budget funds. The ministry has become a central part of Ukraine’s ability to quickly convert technical innovations, industrial production, and international support into actual combat power at the front.
If Zelensky now chooses a person with a military background, it also means he is sending a signal that operational reality will have an even greater influence over the Ministry of Defense’s work. This can contribute to shorter decision-making paths, better coordination between the General Staff and the ministry, and an increased focus on the soldiers’ concrete needs rather than administrative processes.
The legal situation
However, there is an important legal aspect here.
According to Ukraine’s constitution, ministers are appointed by the Verkhovna Rada upon proposals from the president when it comes to the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Therefore, the president cannot appoint a Minister of Defense permanently by himself; parliamentary approval is required.
If the intended minister is an active officer, the military service status must also be handled before the appointment can be fully carried out. Ukraine, like most European democracies and NATO countries, is based on the principle of civilian democratic control over the armed forces. This does not mean that a person with military experience is prevented from becoming a minister, but the active military position must normally be ended or suspended before the person assumes office as a civilian member of the government.
It is likely that this is exactly what Zelensky refers to when he talks about the “necessary legal procedures” that must first be completed. These include both the formal handling of the military service, the president’s nomination, and finally the Verkhovna Rada’s vote.
A crossroads for Ukraine’s defense
The interesting thing is therefore not only who becomes minister, but why the choice is made right now.
In recent months, Ukraine has carried out extensive organizational changes within the armed forces. Drone warfare is developing at a rapid pace, long-range attacks on Russian logistics have become a central part of the strategy, and the entire defense industry is undergoing a rapid transformation.
In such a situation, the Minister of Defense is not just an administrator. He becomes the person who must get politics, industry, international support, and military reality to function as a coherent system.
If the parliament approves Zelensky’s proposal on August 18, Ukraine will not only get a new Minister of Defense. The country can simultaneously take another step toward an even closer integration between the political leadership and the military profession – something that could have great significance for how the war develops during the autumn.
When I weigh all the pros and cons, I come to the conclusion that the general is the right man in the right place at the right time. A person with experience from the armed forces is needed to take the development one step further.
SLAVA UKRAINI”
Hope that Gregg is right and that Zelensky has chosen correctly.
No one is allowed to express any form of criticism, otherwise they immediately become a tool of the Kremlin, unless it comes directly from the blog general.
Nice that I have detoxed from it. Haven’t been there since I joined here. Big thanks to Johan and MXT and the rest of you here for helping keep my blood pressure at a reasonable level.
+1
Well, you do wonder a bit why just now, when things seem to be going well for Ukraine, and Fedorov seems to have been popular.
One can only hope it doesn’t affect the conduct of the war, but the risk is probably that it does.
By the way, quite dangerous with large protests in Kiev. If the Russians knew where and when, they would certainly become targets for ballistic missiles.
CB500four: Maybe that’s exactly what it does if you believe Gregg: influences the waging of war.
ALL dn:
“Things are getting worse and worse for Russia in the war. An important reason is the poor quality of the soldiers. In a drone war where the enemy is all-seeing, foot soldiers must know exactly what they are doing to have a chance to survive. The Ukrainian soldiers have not always been well-trained either, but Ukraine is learning from its mistakes and is now purposefully investing in well-trained infantrymen.”
https://www.dn.se/varlden/anna-lena-lauren-skrupelfria-rekryteringen-ar-bade-putinregimens-sjal-och-dess-stotesten/
👍
It has probably been quite clear for the past 100 years that the Russian military has been uneducated and outdated.
They rely on brutality and quantity, internal violence, and barrier troops. It worked somewhat during WW1, worse during WW2, and even worse now.
Previously, it might have been possible to motivate the soldiers with free passes to loot, rape, and take slaves, but now that no-man’s land is 50 km deep, few come home with spoils of war, and few come home at all.
The pay for the soldiers has increased, but a large part is paid to the officers as a bribe to avoid having to die on the first day on the “job.” They also try to deceive unaware foreigners who have come to Russia to work in the factories whose workers have become sunflower fertilizer in Ukraine; they receive no significant training and are only there as cannon fodder and bullet catchers.
Russia’s army is Russia’s greatest enemy; it indiscriminately drains the country of workers and resources and produces invalids, alcoholics, and brutalized psychopaths who hinder development for about a decade after the war is over.
WW2 was a defensive war, and in that sense, the soldiers were more motivated, but the Russians still used violence at all levels from Stalin downward; without this massive internal violence, they probably would have driven out the Germans earlier. Now the poor soldier sent out into the ruins of Stalingrad without weapons had enemies on both sides.
At the same time, it was not the case that a lot of Spetznaz were deployed at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Which is not associated with inferiority. Many of these apparently went down during the air landing at Hostomel Airport.
Paul Warburg
**We have received significantly more information about why Fedorov had to leave his post. This information is very valuable for understanding what happened.
It is entirely possible to still feel great frustration about this. I am truly sorry to see Fedorov leave his role.
But Fedorov’s own account of the events should definitely help to ease the most far-reaching concerns.
1. Fedorov confirmed that he was forced to leave due to deep disagreements with Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Syrskyj. These conflicts had obviously developed into an actual dispute and a lack of unity within the military leadership.
2. To preserve cohesion, Zelensky felt compelled to choose between Fedorov and Syrskyj. He chose to keep Syrskyj. Nothing indicates that this was an easy decision. Considering the subsequent reactions, we can almost be certain that it was not.
3. Fedorov was not simply dismissed. He was offered the role of Prime Minister, which he declined. Afterwards, he was also offered an advisory role, which he also refused. This contradicts the theory that Zelensky simply wanted to get rid of Fedorov, or that Fedorov was removed due to corruption. Zelensky wanted to retain Fedorov’s competence and talent, but in another area of the government where the risk of internal conflicts would be lower.
This is a classic situation that occurs all the time, both in governments and organizations. A young reformer comes into conflict with the established leadership, forcing the leadership to make difficult decisions.
It is still entirely possible to disagree with what has happened.
But there is simply no evidence that Fedorov’s dismissal had anything to do with “corrupt elites getting rid of the reformer to continue making money.” That is the narrative I have seen spread everywhere, without any substantial evidence presented to support it.
In summary, I believe Ukraine will get through this and that the country will do well. Fedorov was a very important person in a very important position. I am sorry to see him leave. But Ukraine is much bigger than any one individual.
If you want more details, I created a video on the subject yesterday.
http://youtube.com/post/UgkxYuJ1D143-L-InsIal1LIL90Dx-ZXnihl?si=IQ8kcDrxJbDCWHyl
👍👍
Sirsky has the nickname the butcher from Bakhmut, and that does not refer to the Russians, and he has had to carry a hard-to-shake reputation that he assists the Russians in wiping out his own army.
His Skalya brigade is a pure penal battalion that performs miracles by sacrificing its own.
When the corps were established, everything started to work because the corps commanders received increased mandates to make decisions.
Sirsky is not particularly popular.
—
After Fedorov’s resignation, there has been a flood of resignations from popular commanders in all possible places in the organization.
Even before that, experienced troop commanders began resigning in pure protest against Sirsky.
If the country had been able to choose, they would have rejected Sirsky, so Zelensky should probably clarify why he chose to reject Fedorov.
Now Fedorov accomplished his miracles as Minister of Defense, and if he had become Prime Minister or advisor, he would have been hamstrung.
It will be exciting to see how this develops; probably he will join forces with Zalizhny ahead of the upcoming elections?
Read an article that the Russian army in Ukraine has become a veritable mafia organization that is completely criminal and ruthless.
They have built up the entire structure at all levels and are self-sufficient.
Russia forced to move air defense – nuclear submarine shipyard without defense
An 18-year-old Ukrainian man in Poland is suspected of carrying out sabotage for the Russian intelligence service, with the aim of worsening relations between Poland and Ukraine. This is reported by the BBC.
He is charged on 47 counts, including vandalism against a monument commemorating the tens of thousands of Polish victims of the Volhynia massacre carried out by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army during World War II.
He is also said to have recruited others for similar missions and paid them with cryptocurrency registered in Russia and China.
According to the indictment, the man’s motive was financial, not ideological. He now faces life imprisonment.
https://omni.se/a/JO7ea8
Fredrik Fahlman:
He turned the war around – that’s why he’s being fired
Fredrik Fahlman
Mychajlo Fedorov and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels in June.
Mychajlo Fedorov and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels in June. Photo: Virginia Mayo/AP
With one signature, Zelenskyy is now considered to have ousted what many see as the most effective minister – and lowered confidence in his own Commander-in-Chief. In Ukraine, frustration is growing over the president seeming to care more about his election campaign than the ongoing war.
Fredrik Fahlman
Published 22:12
KIEV “Ukraine is not Russia!”
About a thousand Kiev residents chant in unison. In a way, the statement forms the entire basis of the offensive war that Ukraine has bloodily defended itself against for four years, where their future existence as a nation is at stake.
But according to the Ukrainians I meet here, it is not Putin’s imperialist dreams they are protesting – at least not this time.
Ivan, a student in his twenties, says they are instead here to show their dissatisfaction with the Soviet legacy they believe still remains in the state apparatus.
For half a year, a power struggle has been ongoing in the top echelons of Ukrainian politics. In one corner: Oleksandr Syrskyj, the Commander-in-Chief who was trained in the Soviet Union’s artillery troops after education at Moscow’s military academy.
He has been praised for bold operations, such as the successful offensive in the Kharkiv region and the Ukrainian advance into Russian Kursk, but is also notorious for a stubbornness that accepts high losses. In military circles, he has earned the nickname “The Butcher of Bakhmut.”
In the other corner stands Mychajlo Fedorov. He is 35 years old but already a political veteran. In 2019, he was behind Zelenskyy’s digital election campaign and then became Minister of Digital Transformation. For his reforms, he earned the nickname “tech-bro” and was likened to Ukraine’s Elon Musk. In January, he took over as Minister of Defense.
Ivanna is one of thousands of Ukrainians protesting the decision to fire Fedorov.
Ivanna is one of thousands of Ukrainians protesting the decision to fire Fedorov. Photo: Fredrik Fahlman
The two have had different views on how the war should be fought and won. Syrskyj has wanted a traditional military approach and has said that Ukraine must return to the offensive. Critics say he is far too Soviet-influenced and has too much top-down control.
Fedorov, on the other hand, has advocated asymmetric warfare, focusing on drones and AI. He has instead been criticized for lacking a military background and relying too much on new technology.
I have lived in Ukraine for just over two years. About once a month, I make a shorter or longer trip in the country, often to the front lines in the south or east. Over time, my contact list on my phone has filled with more soldiers than I can count.
In December, the mood at the front was hardly positive. Russia had record-high losses, but they were slowly gnawing away more Ukrainian territory. Unlike the enemy, Ukraine had problems filling the ranks and paying its soldiers. They also lacked opportunities to strike Russian logistics behind the front and began to face an acute shortage of air defense.
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Thousands of Ukrainians protested in Kiev on Thursday. Photo: Fredrik Fahlman
Fast forward three months and the situation was the opposite. Now Ukraine was taking back more territory than it lost. Attacks on Russian oil facilities mean that more than a third of the Russian population now has difficulty refueling their cars.
Ukrainian and international analysts attribute much of the successes to Fedorov. After two weeks on the job, he convinced Elon Musk to shut down Starlink for the Russian army. A targeted effort against medium-range drones solved Ukraine’s “donut problem.” He is also seen as one of the brains behind Ukraine’s Gripen deal.
And he was tough on corruption. In Ukraine, it is still considered widespread within the military and their procurement.
Popularity numbers soared, and the soldiers loved him. Everything was going in the right direction – and yet he was fired.
That is why thousands of Ukrainians have gathered in protest against the decision outside the presidential administration building. Here are men, women, students, pensioners, soldiers, and civilians. Fedorov’s popularity went straight through the entire Ukrainian society.
Ivan, the twenty-year-old student, believes that is also the reason he had to go.
Ivan says he has completely lost confidence in the country’s Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyj.
Ivan says he has completely lost confidence in the country’s Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyj. Photo: Fredrik Fahlman
Zelenskyy has for some time been rumored not to want anyone to steal too much time in the spotlight. The reason is said to be that he wants to ensure winning the next hypothetical election after the war. It is a rumor that cannot be confirmed.
However, it is often mentioned in connection with the president previously firing his first Commander-in-Chief, Valeriy Zaluzhnyy, despite what many consider a spotless record during the early stages of the war. Zaluzhnyy later became the only person in the country to have more trust in polls than the president himself.
The question is how much that helps. The Ukrainians I meet here, as well as the soldiers I keep in contact with, all agree: Confidence in Zelenskyy has taken a hit.
But when I ask about Syrskyj, the Commander-in-Chief who won the power struggle, other words are used. Ivan asks how much he is allowed to swear.
– I hate him so damn much. That man has destroyed so much for our country. It’s unbelievable.
https://www.svd.se/a/M7dGyr/han-vande-kriget-darfor-sparkas-han
Of course, you want to know the details, especially me who is curious about such things. Most of what emerges seems reasonable, that a young innovator ends up in conflict with an older person who wants to do things traditionally… then the boss chooses the “safe” option… all reasonable so far. But there remains one doubtful thing that makes me curious because it seems unreasonable. That Zelenskiy is said to have offered Fedorov the prime minister position…..hmmm hmmm