Zelenskyy Eyes US Envoy Change, Informs Trump; Russia Captures More Ukrainian Territory

Last Updated:July 07, 2025, 18:06 IST

On Saturday, Zelenskyy had called his recent conversation with Trump as the “best and most productive” they’ve had

US President Donald Trump with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (AP file photo)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had discussed replacing Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, during a phone call with US President Donald Trump last week, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Among those reportedly being considered for the key diplomatic post are Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Energy Minister German Galushchenko, source familiar with the matter told the publication.

On Saturday, Zelenskyy had called his recent conversation with Trump as the “best and most productive" they’ve had, adding that the two leaders also touched on several other important topics.

The reported reshuffle comes as Ukraine faces growing pressure on the battlefield, with Russia claiming its first territorial gain in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, a psychological blow to Kyiv after months of slow Russian advances.

Russia Captures More Ukrainian Territory

On Monday, Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had captured the village of Dachne, marking what would be its first confirmed foothold in the strategic industrial region. Ukrainian officials, however, have denied losing control of any territory in Dnipropetrovsk.

Ukraine’s military said its forces had “repelled" attacks in the region, including fighting “in the vicinity" of Dachne.

Dnipropetrovsk, home to critical mining and industrial infrastructure, is not one of the five regions Moscow claims to have annexed — Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea — but has come under increasingly frequent missile and drone strikes.

Russia launched a large-scale air attack overnight before announcing the claimed advance, targeting military recruitment centres across Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force said 101 drones and four missiles were launched, with 75 drones successfully intercepted.

At least four people were killed and dozens injured in strikes across the country, including in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia. In Kharkiv, civilians were seen evacuating damaged homes and sheltering in basements with pets, according to AFP.

Zelenskyy reiterated the need for strengthened air defences and urged Western partners to deliver promised military aid in full. “Air defence remains the top priority for protecting lives," he wrote on social media.

Meanwhile, Russia also claimed to have shot down 91 Ukrainian drones overnight, including eight in the Moscow region and others near the border.

(With inputs from agencies)

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News world Zelenskyy Eyes US Envoy Change, Informs Trump; Russia Captures More Ukrainian Territory