Ten killed in Russia-Ukraine as protests continue over Kyiv defence revamp

What Happened

Russian drone strikes on Mykolaiv port infrastructure on Friday damaged three foreign-registered vessels, killing two Ukrainians on board, according to local prosecutors. In Kherson, a Russian drone attack killed a woman and injured six, and in Odesa, a Russian attack killed a man, local officials said. Russia's Ministry of Defence claimed its forces hit 24 vessels used by the Ukrainian military over the past week. Ukraine's drone forces commander Robert Brovdi said Ukraine struck 12 Russian vessels in the Black Sea, identifying two as Russian tankers, while Ukraine's military reported striking a Russian oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region. Domestic protests continued for a second day over President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Protesters gathered outside Zelenskyy’s office in Kyiv and in other cities, demanding Fedorov’s reinstatement. Fedorov, forced to resign, criticised military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and questioned Ukraine’s ability to defeat Russia under his command. Zelenskyy appointed Yevgeniy Khmara, head of the SBU, as acting defence minister and tapped former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko to chair the defence and security council.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The port attacks underscore the persistent threat to civilian maritime trade and global grain supplies, with both sides intensifying naval strikes in the Black Sea. The internal political turmoil over the defence minister's ousting reveals growing fractures within Ukraine’s security leadership, potentially impacting wartime unity and strategic decision-making at a critical phase of the conflict.

Watch For

Monitor whether protests force Zelenskyy to reconsider Fedorov’s removal or lead to broader public dissent. Watch for further attacks on port infrastructure and commercial shipping, which could disrupt grain exports and draw international response. Observe if the new defence leadership alters Ukraine’s military strategy or intensifies drone and missile campaigns against Russian naval and energy assets.