Russian escalation hits Kyiv civilians as internal doubts over Fedorov’s ousting deepen

Russian ballistic missile strikes hammered Kyiv and its surrounding region early on Sunday, 2026, killing at least one civilian and wounding 13 others in the capital (with two more injured nearby). The assault underscores Moscow’s willingness to target urban areas even as Ukraine confronts growing domestic questions about its defence leadership following the controversial removal of Mykhailo Fedorov as Defence Minister.

Explosions reverberated across multiple districts overnight, igniting fires in a dormitory, an apartment building, and a supermarket. Non-residential structures, warehouses, parked cars, and office buildings sustained heavy damage. Ukraine’s Air Force had warned of an incoming ballistic missile threat, and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko detailed the widespread fires and destruction via Telegram.

The strikes also damaged the Lukianivska metro station and once again hit the Azerbaijan Embassy, shattering windows and cracking ceilings—a repeated target since the full-scale invasion began. Emergency services established aid points for residents in affected areas such as Solomianskyi.

Kyiv residents recount terror under fire

Interviews conducted by Suspilne with survivors in Shevchenkivskyi and Solomianskyi districts paint a picture of raw fear and narrow escapes.

Mykola, who had endured occupation before relocating to Kyiv, described the chaos:

“We hid behind a building that got hit. … It was so loud, exploding, tearing apart. In all the war, I lived a year in occupation, I didn’t hear anything like this there. I just managed to say goodbye to life.”

Maksym sheltered in the metro station as successive blasts hit nearby. Yelyzaveta learned her family’s long-running bakery-café business—already rebuilt after a prior strike—had been completely destroyed for the second time. Oleksandr reported his balcony torn off, windows shattered, and cars burned, adding bitterly that “Uncle Putin did his thing… he already freed it.” Other residents spoke of blown-out windows, falling balcony doors, smoke-filled corridors, and families scrambling for safety.

Protests over Fedorov’s dismissal enter fourth day

The timing of Russia’s intensified attacks coincides with mounting public frustration inside Ukraine. Peaceful protests against the ousting of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov continued for a fourth day on Sunday, spreading across Kyiv and regional centers. Demonstrators demand his reinstatement and, frequently, the removal of Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

In Kyiv, thousands gathered with chants of “Fedorov to the Ministry of Defense,” “Syrskyi out,” “No vacations during war,” and “Fight with drones, not blood.” Hundreds turned out in Odesa, Lutsk, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, and other cities. Many observed moments of silence for fallen soldiers; the rallies have remained non-violent.

Zelenskyy seeks to steady course with military consultations

According to Suspilne, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to the converging pressures by holding detailed briefings with frontline commanders, including Mykhailo Drapatyi, Volodymyr Horbatiuk, and Oleh Apostol. He announced that “key conversations” would take place the following day to reassess strategy, stressing the importance of active Ukrainian operations capable of forcing Russia toward a dignified peace with security guarantees for Ukraine.

“Ukraine must achieve its goals, and it will,” Zelenskyy affirmed.

Caption: People inspect the site of a Russian missile strike near a street market in Kyiv, Ukraine, 19 July 2026, amid the Russian invasion. At least one person was killed and 15 others were injured in a large-scale overnight Russian attack on Kyiv, according to the Ukrainian State Emergency Service (SES). Russia used at least 38 missiles of various types in the attack, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO