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Ukraine fights under an interim defense chief after Zelenskyy's contested government shake-up
By Illia Novikov, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 17, 2026
· 4 min read
Ukraine fought Russia’s more than 4-year-old invasion under an interim defense minister Friday, a day after a government reshuffle exposed a deep split between the military’s old guard and young innovators over how to fight the war.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s major shake-up of his government ...
Key takeaway It tested Zelenskyy's authority and was an unwelcome difficulty after Ukraine in recent months gained traction in the war.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's own community of Ukrainian Americans is likely watching the developments in Ukraine with great interest and concern. The city's strong military presence and connection to the defense industry may also draw attention to the role of innovative technologies, such as drones, in modern warfare. As Ukraine's new interim defense chief, Maj. Gen. Yevhen Khmara, takes the reins, San Antonians may be wondering how this shake-up will impact the global balance of power and the city's own economic ties to the defense sector. The fact that Ukrainian law requires the defense minister to be a civilian may also raise questions about the role of military leaders in government and how this compares to the US system. As the situation unfolds, San Antonio's residents with ties to Ukraine will be looking for updates on how this government reshuffle affects the war effort and the country's future.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Ukraine fought Russia’s more than 4-year-old invasion under an interim defense minister Friday, a day after a government reshuffle exposed a deep split between the military’s old guard and young innovators over how to fight the war.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s major shake-up of his government ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Illia Novikov, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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