Ukraine's PM Steps Down As Zelenskyy Announces Latest Reshuffle Amid Raging War

Last Updated:July 12, 2026, 23:27 IST

Ukraine PM Yulia Svyrydenko resigns amid cabinet reshuffle as Zelenskyy signaled a new role for her; Russia and Ukraine continue reciprocal strikes on critical infrastructure.

Yulia Svyrydenko, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, resigned on Sunday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new changes in his government and said he had offered her another significant role. Zelenskyy said Ukraine was “shifting its political approach" as he prepared what would be the fourth major cabinet overhaul since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

This major reshuffle in Zelenskyy’s government comes amid continuing war with Russia. Earlier, authorities in Russia said a Ukrainian strike in its southwest killed one person and left three others wounded. Russian media reported that a major oil refinery was the intended target.

Russia’s Defence Ministry also claimed it had struck the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk in Ukraine’s Odesa region. Ukrainian officials have not yet responded to that claim.

War-Time Government

Zelenskyy has stayed in office under martial law, as elections are not allowed during wartime. He has periodically reorganised his cabinet to, apparently, inject fresh energy into his administration.

Svyrydenko, a former economy minister, became prime minister in July 2025 at the age of 39. She had played a key role in securing a minerals deal between Ukraine and the United States, seen as linking US interests to Ukraine’s security.

What Did The Outgoing PM Say

In a post on social media, Svyrydenko said she was “proud to have had the honour of leading the government during one of the most challenging periods in Ukraine’s modern history". She added that she had discussed “next steps" with Zelenskyy but did not provide further details.

“I remain ready to serve the Ukrainian state and fulfil every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position, protecting our national interests and advancing a just peace," she said. Her statement underscored her willingness to continue in public service.

Announcing her exit, Zelenskyy said he had offered her the opportunity to head “a new, important area" in Ukraine’s ties with a key global partner. He said each major foreign policy priority would be assigned to an experienced individual capable of delivering on decisions taken at the leadership level.

He also said there would be changes in the senior ranks of Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies. Later, he met top officials including Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

In Russia, Samara region Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said a child was among those injured in the attack. He added that houses, apartment blocks and an unspecified “industrial site" were damaged.

Russian media reported that the target was the Syzran Oil Refinery, owned by Rosneft and located about 800 kilometres east of the border. Images circulated online appeared to show thick black smoke rising above the facility.

The refinery has been repeatedly targeted by Kyiv’s forces. In the Rostov region, Governor Yuri Slyusar said a tanker was hit in a drone strike in the Azov-Black Sea maritime canal but was empty, posing no risk of an oil spill.

Ukraine’s drone attacks on refineries and other infrastructure in Russia have caused fuel shortages and rationing in some regions. Motorists have reportedly waited for hours to refuel their vehicles.

Moscow has responded by intensifying strikes on Kyiv and other cities, highlighting Ukraine’s exposure to ballistic missile attacks. Zelenskyy has described the strikes on Russia’s energy facilities as part of Kyiv’s campaign of “long-range sanctions" in response to Moscow’s refusal to end its four-year invasion.

Overall, Sunday’s developments indicated both a renewed political reshuffle in Kyiv and continued strikes by both sides on war-linked infrastructure.

News world Ukraine's PM Steps Down As Zelenskyy Announces Latest Reshuffle Amid Raging War

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