Spy chief named Ukraine's new defence minister amid Fedorov sacking fallout & 12 Russian shadow fleet ships hit in single day

Day 1,603.

Today, as Ukraine reels from the dismissal of its popular Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, we examine the speculation surrounding his sudden departure, and reveal details of his new successor. We also bring you the latest on Ukraine’s extraordinary campaign in the naval theatre, where more than 100 Russian vessels have been struck in little over a week, before our regular segment on the occupied territories. Finally, with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – one of Ukraine’s strongest international supporters – leaving office on Monday, we assess what his successor, Andy Burnham, will mean for the war.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dr Jade McGlynn (Centre for Statecraft and National Security, King’s College London)

Lilian Fawcett (Senior Producer on Ukraine: The Latest)

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Jade’s Project – ‘TOT Insights’ (Ukraine’s Temporarily Occupied Territories):

https://totinsights.org/

Ukraine turns Sea of Azov into graveyard for Russian ships (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/17/ukraine-turns-sea-of-azov-into-graveyard-for-russian-ships/

The sacking that turned Ukrainians against Zelensky (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/16/protests-erupt-zelensky-fires-defence-minister-fedorov/

Why Zelensky has fired the man beating Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/16/why-zelensky-fired-mykhailo-fedorov/

Starmer tells Zelensky: You have Britain’s ‘cast-iron’ support (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/07/16/keir-starmer-heads-to-ukraine-volodymyr-zelensky-burnham/

Russia Strips Arctic Air Defenses As Ukraine War Strains Military (Radio Liberty):

https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-air-defense-removal-arctic-satellite-photos-ukraine-war/33803628.html

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Spy chief named Ukraine's new defence minister amid Fedorov sacking fallout • 12 Russian shadow fleet ships hit in single day

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