Ukrainian four-star general; commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces
Ukraine has removed a reform-minded defence minister six months into his term, prompting protests and questions about military leadership. Zelenskyy vows unity as political shake-ups continue amid ongoing war.
Ukraine has completed over 22,000 unmanned missions in three months, using ground robots and drones to capture enemy positions without infantry or casualties. President Zelensky has announced that Russian troops surrendered to robotic forces in a battlefield first. Ukraine plans to contract 25,000 new ground robots in 2026 to perform frontline logistics and combat roles, boosting its defense capabilities.
Oil shipments from Russia have surged in 2026, making Moscow Syria’s dominant crude supplier after Assad’s fall. The move underscores Damascus’s economic constraints and Moscow’s growing influence in a country with two Russian bases, while Western sanctions continue to complicate global supply chains.
Ukraine has extended its long-range drone and missile operations, striking a Tuapse refinery and other targets behind Russian lines. Kyiv says range has more than doubled since 2022, enabling hits on oil installations and plants supporting Moscow’s war effort. Drones are prompting evacuations near Black Sea sites as Russia reports drone interceptions and civilian casualties on both sides.
Russian forces are pushing toward Kostiantynivka in Ukraine's Donetsk region while Ukrainian forces defend a fortress belt around the city. Drones and artillery strikes have damaged civilian targets, including in Odesa, as both sides report ongoing combat and contested control around the outskirts.
Ukraine has gained about 116 square kilometres of front-line territory in several sectors, while Russian advances have slowed to a crawl in early 2026. The Institute for the Study of War notes Kyiv’s counter-offensives and Moscow’s use of infiltration tactics to project gains that are not fully controlled.
Ukraine has warned that Russia has drawn up five offensive scenarios toward Chernihiv and Kyiv. Kyiv is increasing northern forces and pressing Belarus diplomatically as it prepares for potential cross-border activity.
Ukraine is deploying mid-range drone strikes to hit Russian warehouses, transport hubs and command posts up to 120–150 kilometers from the front, a shift that is changing logistics and front-line dynamics. Kyiv says these capabilities are expanding rapidly, with political leaders stressing intensified use this year.
GCHQ chief Anne Keast-Butler has said that Russia’s casualties in Ukraine have reached what Western intelligence calls a near half‑million figure, with Moscow’s losses overwhelming Kyiv’s and the war continuing into its fourth year. She warns Russia is targeting Europe’s critical infrastructure and that cyber and hybrid threats are intensifying.
Ukrainian forces have retaken territory along the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts, with May gains marking a shift in momentum. Kyiv cites drone strikes and rear-area pressure as key factors, while Russia faces intensified counterattacks and logistical disruptions. International diplomacy continues, with calls for ceasefire talks and humanitarian safeguards.
Russia has launched a large-scale missile and drone attack targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions. Kyiv reports casualties and fires, while Kyiv officials say air defenses are at work as Russia claims to strike military and energy facilities. The strike follows Ukraine's reported hits on Russian targets and signals a new phase in the war.
Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine’s Odesa region have intensified, targeting port infrastructure and civilian areas. Officials report casualties and damage to residential and industrial sites. Ukraine has counterstrikes against Russian vessels, while European leaders visit Kyiv to discuss defence ties.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has carried out a surprise cabinet reshuffle that has removed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and nominated Serhii Koretskyi as prime minister. The move has prompted nationwide protests, resignations in the military, and has led Zelenskyy to name SBU chief Yevhen Khmara as acting defence minister while parliament prepares confirmation votes.
Labour has confirmed Andy Burnham as the new party leader and upcoming prime minister after an uncontested leadership contest. Starmer has stepped down, with Burnham expected to form a government and announce a cabinet in the coming days. UK-Ukrainian support continues as Burnham readies for office.
Protests erupt across Ukraine as President Zelensky removes Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, citing a government overhaul. Fedorov accuses Commander-in-Chief Syrsky of blocking reforms; Zelensky says unity requires change. Syrsky acknowledges past successes but signals ongoing strategic shifts amid a rapidly evolving war.
Kyiv has been hit by a major Russian missile strike involving Iskander-M and Zircon missiles. Reports say at least one person has died and multiple others are injured as several districts are damaged. Kyiv’s defenses have downed the majority of missiles and drones, but air-defense shortages persist.