MOSCOW/KYIV, July 16 (Reuters) - Ukraine and Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Thursday on vessels in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, stepping up hostilities in a zone vital for grain exports that have triggered a rise in global wheat prices.

Protesters have gathered in downtown Kyiv after Volodymyr Zelenskyy sacked his defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, and the country's parliament convened to appoint a new prime minister.

The removal of Ukraine’s popular defense minister despite recent military successes has sparked rare protests in Kyiv and an unprecedented public split over the conduct of the war against Russia.

Rare wartime protests erupted in cities across Ukraine on Thursday, following the dismissal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov just six months after his appointment.

The deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force and some lawmakers were quick to submit their own resignations Thursday in protest of Fodorov's ouster.

Kyiv — Ukraine's Parliament accepted Yulia Svyrydenko's resignation as prime minister on Tuesday following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to overhaul the country's top leadership.

President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision on July 12 to reshuffle the government came as a surprise to many — both on the streets and in the halls of parliament.

Russia's ⁠defence ⁠ministry said on ⁠Thursday it hit military and industrial ​facilities in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, as ‌well as infrastructure at ‌ports in Odesa and Pivdennyi and ⁠a ⁠maritime vessel.

Russia's defence ministry said on Thursday it hit military and industrial facilities ​in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, ‌as well as infrastructure at ports in Odesa and Pivdennyi and a maritime vessel...