# Ukraine war briefing: Russian soldiers ‘survive no more than 30 minutes on the battlefield’ > Source: > Published: 2026-07-17 06:40:53+00:00 # Ukraine war briefing: Russian soldiers ‘survive no more than 30 minutes on the battlefield’ - President [Volodymyr Zelensky](/topic/volodymyr-zelensky)dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after six months, following a public dispute with General Oleksandr Syrskyi, which led to protests in Ukrainian cities. - Zelensky is appointing Yevhenii Khmara, acting head of [Ukraine](/topic/ukraine)'s SBU domestic security service, as acting Defence Minister, highlighting his “experience with technological combat operations”. - Sir Keir Starmer, on his final visit to Kyiv as Prime Minister, reaffirmed the UK's unwavering support for [Ukraine](/topic/ukraine)and pledged €300m (£254m) to help acquire 16 Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets. - CIA chief John Ratcliffe said that Russian recruits on the Ukrainian [battlefield](/topic/battlefield)have an average life expectancy of 20 to 30 minutes, attributing this high attrition rate to AI-powered drones. - Russian and Ukrainian attacks on civilian areas in towns and cities killed at least 13 people yesterday, local officials said.