Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv early on August 20, killing at least 3 people and wounding 20, according to local authorities. The strike occurred as Ukraine's parliament approved Yevhenii Khmara as the new defense minister, amid political unrest following the dismissal of his predecessor.

Aug 20, 2026

World

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Calls for Wartime Elections

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's former defense minister, has called for wartime elections, directly challenging President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. In a video address, he argued that democracy must not be held hostage by Russia and called for a legal, safe mechanism to restore elections. The call marks the most significant internal challenge to Zelenskyy's leadership since the war began.

Aug 19, 2026