It’s Wednesday, Aug. 19

Today is a day filled with political actions in Kyiv – and not necessarily the good kind.

The Verkhovna Rada voted to approve Zelensky’s picks for the defense and foreign minister posts – Syhiba has officially returned to his post, while Khamara became Ukraine’s fifth defense minister since 2022. But just hours ahead of the votes, Fedorov came out calling for wartime elections, an idea that had been hailed as a no-no by wide consensus.

Coincidentally, Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies also announced a new operation called “Forrest Gump,” implicating sitting and former lawmakers, as well as top officials at the Presidential Office. Deputy Head Iryna Mudra was sacked soon after the announcement, and more details are likely to follow on what it was about.

In world news, Iran is said to be eyeing attacks on US bases in Europe if things go out of hand, and NATO is reportedly drawing up a three-step plan in case of a Baltic invasion by Russia. Couple that with Lavrov’s new threats against the UK over drone supplies, and the clock appears to be creeping ever closer to midnight.

By Leo Chiu

Your Ideas, Your Voice

Join us on Telegram!

Follow our coverage of the war 24/7 at @Kyivpost_official.

View

Ukraine War Updates

Russians Lured Into War With Wildberries, Ozon Warehouse Security Jobs

Around 2,000 warehouse security ads appeared on Avito, but recruiters were offering applicants military contracts instead of civilian jobs.

Other war-related updates:

For the Record

“Democracy cannot be a hostage to Russia.”

– Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov calling for wartime elections in a surprise video address the night before the parliament voted for his successor