Alive with Clive

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“A decision regarding Syrskyi’s leadership is expected in the coming days as President Volodymyr Zelensky holds meetings with top military officials.” ~ @kyivindependent_official 🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . [The caption for the video about the protests posted after this post appears here in place of the first three paragraphs of the caption for this post at @kyivindependent_official.]

For the fifth day, Ukrainians ... gathered in widespread demonstrations calling for the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and the reinstatement of Mykhailo Fedorov as Defense Minister.

A decision regarding Syrskyi’s leadership is expected in the coming days as President Volodymyr Zelensky holds meetings with top military officials.

Organizers state that protests will pause for three days but warning that demonstrations will resume indefinitely if their demands remain unmet by Friday.

Fedorov was offered another role focused on military technology and on overseeing the ministry’s modernization, but according to two people familiar with the matter, he is only willing to return as defense minister.

Read more at the link in bio.

Photo: Marianna Kotyk/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

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Today’s update on developments in Ukraine, once again presented via a screenshot — at 2.30 pm Eastern time on Sunday, July 19 — from the page on @instagram of Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky. 🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦

#Repost #zelenskyy_official

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Screenshot captured from the @instagram page of Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, at 12.55 am Eastern time on Sunday, July 19. 🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦

#Repost zelenskyy_official

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“The targets hit include air defense systems, electronic warfare systems, UAVs, ground-based robotic systems, vehicles, armored equipment, and command posts[, and since] the start of 2026, Ukrainian UAV attacks have killed or seriously wounded 193,500 Russian soldiers.” ~ @kyivindependent_official 🇺🇦👏💙💛🙏🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . Ukrainian drone units have struck more than 1 million verified targets since the start of 2026, the Defense Ministry said on July 17.

In the fifth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the nature of warfare has changed significantly, with drones becoming a central component of both Ukrainian and Russian military operations. Their use now extends beyond the front line to deep- and mid-range strikes hundreds of kilometers from the battlefield.

Ukrainian forces are using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to strike around 90% of Russian targets, according to the Defense Ministry.

The targets hit include air defense systems, electronic warfare systems, UAVs, ground-based robotic systems, vehicles, armored equipment, and command posts.

Russian forces have also suffered significant personnel losses from Ukrainian drone strikes. Since the start of 2026, Ukrainian UAV attacks have killed or seriously wounded 193,500 Russian soldiers, according to the ministry.

Since January, the number of Russian targets hit each month has nearly doubled. Ukrainian forces carried out 105,800 successful strikes in January, while the figure rose to 200,218 in June, the ministry said.

The ministry said Ukraine's Defense Procurement Agency (DOT) awarded contracts worth Hr 333.6 billion ($7.5 billion) for UAVs in the first half of 2026, twice the amount allocated during the same period last year. First-person-view (FPV) drones accounted for the largest share among the various types of UAVs contracted.

Photo: Maks Muravsky; Alfons Cabrera / Getty Images.

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“Thousands of people gathered in downtown Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on July 16 to demand that parliament reappoint Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister following his dismissal.” ~ @kyivindependent_official. Swipe left to read the content in the carousel for this post at @kyivindependent_official 🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . For the first time since autumn 2022, Ukraine has turned the tide of Russia’s war in its favor, from the front line to strategic depth.

In what could prove to be his most harmful decision of the war in recent years, President Volodymyr Zelensky has just chosen to dismiss Mykhailo Fedorov — the man who has been the driving force of this change in fortunes.

After months of conflict between Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi — who pushes a diametrically opposed strategic worldview and leadership culture — Zelensky has sided with Syrskyi.

Read the full editorial at the link in bio.

Photos: Danylo Antoniuk/Anadolu via Getty Images; Ukrainian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images; Syrskyi/Telegram

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The commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces reported that the Russian Mi-28 helicopter “was hit in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast by soldiers from Ukraine’s 427th separate unmanned systems regiment.” ~ @kyivindependent_official 🇺🇦👏💙💛🙏🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . A Ukrainian drone downed a Russian Mi-28 helicopter on July 15, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, said.

The aircraft was hit in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast by soldiers from Ukraine’s 427th separate unmanned systems regiment, he added in a post on social media.

A video accompanying the post shows footage from a drone as it pursues the helicopter before the video feed cuts out. Madyar claimed a successful hit caused the aircraft to fall “to the ground.”

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the report.

Cases of drones taking out helicopters were unheard of just two years ago with the first ever recorded case happening on Aug. 6, 2024, when a Ukrainian drone reportedly downed another Russian Mi-28 in what was described as a “historic feat.”

A similar but unconfirmed claim appeared on July 31, 2024. Forbes wrote at the time that, according to Russian military bloggers, a Ukrainian drone successfully destroyed Russia’s Mi-8 transport helicopter in the sky near occupied Donetsk.

Photo: Pavel Pavlov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images (illustrative purposes only).

Video: Robert “Madyar” Brovdi / Telegram.

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“During the naval drone campaign in the Sea of Azov, Ukrainian operators have struck 116 vessels over the past nine days. Overnight on 14 July alone, they hit 11 more vessels: five tankers, five cargo ships, and one tugboat.” ~ @ukraine.ua 🇺🇦👏💙💛🙏🇺🇦

#Repost @ukraine.ua with @use.repost_ . . . 116 Russian vessels hit in just nine days so far 💪

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces continue to target one of the foundations of Russia’s war machine – the same maritime logistics that help finance and sustain Russia’s aggression.

During the naval drone campaign in the Sea of Azov, Ukrainian operators have struck 116 vessels over the past nine days. Overnight on 14 July alone, they hit 11 more vessels: five tankers, five cargo ships, and one tugboat.

Despite international sanctions, Russia continues to use its so-called shadow fleet and supporting logistics vessels to export oil, generating revenue for its war against Ukraine.

The campaign aims to systematically disrupt these logistics. By disabling tankers, cargo ships and support vessels, Ukraine is making it harder for Russia to export oil and petroleum products, transport supplies by sea, and deliver fuel to its occupying forces in temporarily occupied Crimea.

Every disrupted vessel weakens one of the key logistical and financial pillars of Russia’s war.

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“Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. are joining Kyiv in an effort to ‘build a shared anti-ballistic missile capacity for Europe,’ the French presidency said in a press release.” ~ @kyivindependent_official 🇺🇦👏💙💛🙏🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . Ukraine and nine European partner countries agreed to establish the Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition to bolster Europe’s missile defense capabilities, the Elysee Palace announced on July 13.

Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. are joining Kyiv in an effort to “build a shared anti-ballistic missile capacity for Europe,” the French presidency said in a press release.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the coalition would support Ukraine in developing its Freya air defense project.

Designed by the Ukrainian company Fire Point, Freya is intended to serve as a more affordable equivalent to the U.S.-made Patriot in its ability to effectively intercept Russian ballistic missiles.

“Strong and sufficient anti-ballistic capabilities are essential to bringing Russia’s war against Ukraine to an end,” Zelensky said on X.

The president stressed that Freya is not meant to replace existing European air defense capabilities, but should be seen as a “way to supplement our defense, create a strong shield over the entirety of Europe, and do all of this faster and at a lower cost.”

Photo: Tom Nicholson / POOL / AFP via Getty Images.

10h

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Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced on social media that Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, “will now take on a new role leading cooperation with Ukraine’s key partners.” ~ @kyivindependent_official 🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, stepped down from her position on July 12 as President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a government reshuffle as Kyiv shifts its political strategy.

Svyrydenko, who replaced former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in July 2025, will now take on a new role leading cooperation with Ukraine’s key partners, Zelensky announced on social media.

Zelensky also announced that there will be changes in the leadership of Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies, although he did not specify which ones.

Read more at the link in bio.

Photo: Andrii Nesterenko / AFP via Getty Images

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“According to [Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces], Ukrainian drones hit 21 tankers, four tugboats, two dry cargo vessels, and one specialized vessel, recording 73 successful strikes during the overnight operation.” ~ @kyivindependent_official 🇺🇦👏💙💛🙏🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . Ukrainian drones struck 21 Russian tankers and seven other vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight on July 11, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, said.

According to Brovdi, Ukrainian drones hit 21 tankers, four tugboats, two dry cargo vessels, and one specialized vessel, recording 73 successful strikes during the overnight operation.

“The shadow tanker fleet is noticeably shrinking,” Brovdi wrote on Telegram. “It appears traffic through the Kerch Strait has been stopped.”

The General Staff said the tankers are used “to transport oil and petroleum products while circumventing international sanctions, providing funds to finance the armed aggression against Ukraine.”

The military added that the tugboats, dry cargo vessels, and the specialized vessel support Russia’s military logistics, cargo transportation, and port infrastructure.

“The extent of the damage and the results of the strikes are being clarified,” the General Staff said.

Photo: Robert “Madyar” Brovdi / Telegram; Maxar / Getty Images.

16h

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“From the battlefield to the Black Sea, from air defence to long-range strikes, Ukrainian drone capabilities are reshaping modern warfare.” ~ @ukraine.ua 🇺🇦👏💙💛🙏🇺🇦

#Repost @ukraine.ua with @use.repost_ . . . From the battlefield to the Black Sea, from air defence to long-range strikes, Ukrainian drone capabilities are reshaping modern warfare.

💬 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “Ukraine belongs in NATO because NATO with Ukraine is the Alliance for the future. The Alliance of today must be up to the challenges of the modern world. With Ukraine, with the strength of our defence industry and, most importantly, the resilience and experience of our people.”

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Earlier this week: “The leaders of NATO’s 32 member countries pledged 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in defense aid to Ukraine and committed to delivering the same in 2027, according to conclusions from the alliance’s July 8 summit.” ~ @kyivindependent_official 🇺🇦👏💙💛🙏🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . The leaders of NATO’s 32 member countries pledged 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in defense aid to Ukraine and committed to delivering the same in 2027, according to conclusions from the alliance’s July 8 summit.

The financial pledges are essential for Ukraine, which the Kyiv Independent previously reported was facing an almost 20 billion-euro hole ($22.5 billion) in its 2026 defense budget, even after accounting for extensive EU support.

“For 2026, Allies pledge 70 billion euros in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine and affirm their sovereign commitments to sustaining at least equivalent levels in 2027,” reads the joint declaration produced by NATO at the end of their annual meeting, this time held in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

“To this end, we welcome the European Union’s decision to provide multi-year funding to Ukraine through the Ukraine Support Loan,” reads the declaration.

But not all of the pledged total is expected to be new money. An EU and a NATO diplomat told the Kyiv Independent ahead of the summit that allies would consider the 28.3 billion euros ($32.3 billion) scheduled to be given by Brussels to Kyiv for its defense needs this year as part of the NATO pledge, even though it was agreed in April.

Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images.

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“[Ukraine’s campaign of 'long-range sanctions'] has led to a major fuel crisis in Russia, which has seen Russian motorists facing daylong queues for fuel and the suspension of exports of gasoline and jet fuel.” For more details in the carousel, swipe left on this image at @kyivindependent_official. 🇺🇦👏💙💛🙏🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . Ukraine’s campaign against the Russian oil industry — described euphemistically by President Volodymyr Zelensky as “Ukrainian long-range sanctions” — has seen almost every major oil refinery across the country targeted by Ukraine’s long-range drones.

The campaign has led to a major fuel crisis in Russia, which has seen Russian motorists facing daylong queues for fuel and the suspension of exports of gasoline and jet fuel.

Read more at the link in bio.

Photos: Igor Ivanko / AFP / Getty Images; Rostislav Netisov / Anadolu / Getty Images; Contributor / Getty Images; avriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images

12h

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“The reported Ukrainian drone strikes on a convoy of Russian tankers come as Ukraine ramps up its long-range attacks across the Russian-occupied territories and inside Russia in recent weeks, inflicting a domestic fuel supply crisis on Russia.” ~ @kyivindependent_official 🇺🇦👏💙💛🙏🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . Ukrainian long-range drone strikes hit eight Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Sea of Azov, Ukraine’s top drone warfare commander, Robert Brovdi, better known by his callsign “Madyar,” said on July 7.

Claiming that the overnight aerial naval battle reached “industrial-scale results,” Brovdi reported that the Ukrainian drones also hit a dry cargo ship and a ferry, alongside a convoy of eight fuel tankers. He claimed that the fuel tankers were “badly damaged and on fire.”

“The shadow fleet is leaving the area,” Brovdi said in his Telegram post. “The battle for fuel for Crimea in the Sea of Azov continues.”

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify Brovdi’s claim. Moscow had not commented at the publication time.

The reported Ukrainian drone strikes on a convoy of Russian tankers come as Ukraine ramps up its long-range attacks across the Russian-occupied territories and inside Russia in recent weeks, inflicting a domestic fuel supply crisis on Russia.

Photo: Robert “Madyar” Brovdi / Telegram.

19h

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“In the past seven days, Russia has killed at least 93 people across Ukraine.... Over 500 people were injured by Russian missiles and drones. Many had to be rescued from the rubble.... Russia deliberately chooses missile and drone terror against civilians.” ~ @mfa_ukraine 🇺🇦💔😢💙💛😢❤️‍🩹🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . Russia launched a massive combined attack using dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones overnight on July 6, killing at least 14 people and injuring 60 others, including five children. The strikes directly targeted Kyiv and the surrounding region for the second time in four days, partially destroying a multi-story apartment block in the Podilskyi district and hitting residential buildings across three other districts.

Responding to the attack, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that while air defenses successfully intercepted many drones and cruise missiles, they remain unable to stop ballistic missiles due to a critical shortage of Patriot interceptor systems. Zelensky urged U.S. and European allies ahead of the upcoming NATO summit to make “strong decisions,” warning that delayed defense aid only encourages Russia to keep hitting residential areas.

Read the latest updates at the link in bio.

Photo: Ukraine’s State Emergency Service / Telegram; Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images.

Video: Ukraine’s State Emergency Service / Telegram.

20h

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Ukrainian forces hit several more Russian targets in occupied Ukraine and Crimea over the past 48 hours. 🇺🇦👏💙💛🙏🇺🇦

#Repost @kyivindependent_official with @use.repost_ . . . Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces struck an airfield, ammunition depots, and bridges across occupied Ukraine overnight on July 5.

Separately, Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, said Kyiv had hit 16 power stations across Crimea over the past 48 hours, causing blackouts across the occupied peninsula.

Ukraine regularly strikes military infrastructure deep within Russia and occupied territories in an effort to diminish Moscow’s ability to continue waging its war. Kyiv has stepped up attacks in recent months, with a particular focus on Russian logistics and energy infrastructure.

Ukraine’s general staff said on July 5 that it struck the Hvardiiske airfield in Crimea, two bridges used for logistics in Donetsk Oblast, and ammunition depots in occupied areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson Oblasts.

“Hvardiiske airfield is one of the key military airfields of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula,” Ukraine’s general staff wrote on Telegram.

“It is used for basing operational-tactical and naval aircraft, ensuring combat sorties, logistics, and technical maintenance of aviation equipment,” they added.

Photo: Exilenova Plus/Telegram.

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“The belief that freedom is not granted, but secured through courage and determination, resonates deeply with Ukrainians today as we defend our country against Russia’s aggression.” ~ @ukraine.ua 🇺🇦🎇🗽💙💛👏🙏🇺🇸

#Repost @ukraine.ua with @use.repost_ . . . 🇺🇦🇺🇸 Sincere congratulations to the Government and people of the United States, as well as our colleagues at @statedept, on the 250th anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America.

The belief that freedom is not granted, but secured through courage and determination, resonates deeply with Ukrainians today as we defend our country against Russia’s aggression.

Ukraine highly values its strategic partnership with the United States. We are deeply grateful for the steadfast American support that has helped our nation defend its independence and save countless lives. Continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine and sustained pressure on Russia remain essential to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.

We look forward to building an even stronger partnership for the benefit of our nations and the security of the transatlantic community.

Happy Independence Day, America! 🇺🇸🇺🇦

20h