Russian attacks across Ukrainian regions killed at least two civilians and injured at least 23 over the past day, regional authorities reported on May 21.

Moscow’s forces launch air strikes, drone attacks, and artillery strikes against Ukrainian towns and villages on a daily basis, regularly inflicting civilian casualties.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 63 Russian attack drones and decoy drones overnight, the Air Force reported. Twenty-two were shot down, while 41 were neutralized by electronic warfare systems, according to the statement.

A civilian was injured during a Russian attack against Myrnohrad in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

Russian forces attacked the city of Kharkiv and six towns and villages in Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Six people were injured, including three women wounded during a Russian attack on Kupiansk.

Ten people were injured during Russian strikes in Kherson Oblast, said the regional governor, Oleksandr Prokudin.

Two people — a 30-year-old man and his 13-year-old son — were injured during a Russian drone attack against the Boryspil district in Kyiv Oblast, Governor Mykola Kalashnyk said.

Russian attacks against Sumy Oblast killed two civilians and injured five, the regional military administration said. The two fatalities were reported following a Russian drone strike and an air strike against the Yunakiv community.

‘No one saw surrender as an option’ – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity

Warning: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes. A bullet fired by a Russian sniper hit Azov Brigade member Artem Dubyna in the head and passed through his neck. “He’s dead,” crackled the message over the radio to his comrades. But Dubyna’s heart was still beating. Evacuating his unconscious body

The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

As a result of a Russian strike during training exercises at a military shooting range in Sumy Oblast, six Ukrainian servicemen were killed and more than ten were injured. This…

Source

Russian air defenses intercepted over 150 Ukrainian drones in a massive attack overnight on May 21, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed, with multiple sources reporting attacks on industrial targets.

Explosions were reported in the Tula, Ryazan, and Oryol oblasts, as Ukrainain official Andrii Kovalenko claimed that facilities of the Russian military-industrial complex were attacked by “unknown drones” in Oryol Oblast.

The region’s governor, Andrey Klychkov, claimed that the attack resulted in no damage or casualties. Fifty-three Ukrainian drones were downed over the region overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said on its Telegram channel.

The apparent target of the attack was a semiconductor plant in the town of Bolkhov, independent news channel Astra reported. Ukrainian Telegram channel Supernova+ shared what it claimed to be footage of the burning and damaged facility.

Russian officials did not comment on a possible attack against the plant, which has been sanctioned by the U.S. since last year over its role in the Russian military-industrial complex.

Temporary flight restrictions were introduced at the Yaroslavl, Kostroma, and Kaluga airports.

The Ukrainian military has not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified.

Ukraine regularly launches drone attacks against Russian military and industrial facilities in the rear to undermine Moscow’s ability to wage its all-out war.

‘No one saw surrender as an option’ – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity

Warning: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes. A bullet fired by a Russian sniper hit Azov Brigade member Artem Dubyna in the head and passed through his neck. “He’s dead,” crackled the message over the radio to his comrades. But Dubyna’s heart was still beating. Evacuating his unconscious body

The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

Pope Leo XIV expressed his willingness to host the next round of talks in the Vatican to bring the end of Russia’s war in Ukraine closer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on May 20, according to the Italian government’s website.

Following the election of the new pope, several of Ukraine’s partners, including the United States, suggested that the Vatican could become a neutral platform for further peace talks.

President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that Kyiv is exploring the possibility of a meeting with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the U.S., and the EU in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland.

“Finding in the Holy Father confirmation of the readiness to host the next talks between the parties in the Vatican, the prime minister expressed deep gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his unceasing commitment to peace,” the Italian government’s statement read.

The latest talks between Ukraine and Russia were held in Istanbul on May 16, marking the first direct negotiations between the parties since 2022. The talks lasted less than two hours without reaching a breakthrough.

Ukraine had proposed an immediate ceasefire and an all-for-all prisoner exchange. In turn, Russia once again issued sweeping demands, including Ukraine’s adoption of neutral status, dropping claims for war reparations from Moscow, and the recognition of its loss of Crimea and four partially occupied eastern regions.

After being elected, Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has pledged to personally “make every effort so that this peace may prevail."

In his first Sunday address on May 11, the pope called for an “authentic and lasting peace” in Ukraine, adding that he carries in his heart the “suffering of the beloved people of Ukraine."

Previously, while serving as the bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, Leo XIV spoke out against Russia’s continued war against Ukraine.

‘Trump doesn’t know how to deal with gangsters’ — US lets Ukraine down, once again

In what is now a semi-regular occurrence, the workings of U.S.-led global diplomacy has cast a dark shadow over Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on May 19 in the latest attempt to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine. The call came

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Editor’s note: The story is being updated.

A Russian missile strike against a shooting range in Sumy Oblast on May 20 killed six service members and injured 10, Ukraine’s National Guard said.

“An official investigation into the tragedy is underway,” the National Guard said in a statement.

The National Guard’s command has established protocols and issued directives for responding to air strike threats and avoiding unnecessary concentration of personnel, the unit noted.

“The commander of the unit has been suspended, and the necessary information has been passed to law enforcement agencies,” the statement read.

Russia has lost 976,780 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on May 21.

The number includes 980 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 10,835 tanks, 22,569 armored fighting vehicles, 49,169 vehicles and fuel tanks, 28,090 artillery systems, 1,388 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,167 air defense systems, 372 airplanes, 336 helicopters, 36,692 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

‘Trump doesn’t know how to deal with gangsters’ — US lets Ukraine down, once again

In what is now a semi-regular occurrence, the workings of U.S.-led global diplomacy has cast a dark shadow over Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on May 19 in the latest attempt to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine. The call came

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Various European leaders are calling on the European Union to implement harsher sanctions against Russia in the upcoming 18th sanctions package.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on May 20, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said that harsher sanctions must be imposed as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to reject a 30-day ceasefire proposal.

“Deception, disruption, distraction, and delay, and the whole point of it is to avoid sanctions,” Budrys said, in a likely reference to Putin’s phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump that yielded no commitments to a ceasefire. “We Europeans have to stop this vicious cycle and the instrument to stop it is to impose new sanctions."

Budrys' comments come following the EU’s adoption of the 17th package of sanctions against Russia on May 20, primarily targeting its shadow fleet of oil tankers.

Budrys further called on the EU to target Russia’s energy, liquid natural gas (LNG), oil, and nuclear fuel exports as well as financial institutions.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on May 19 on X that the next package of restrictions is “already in motion."

President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed similar points in his evening address on May 20, stating that the next sanctions package “is already being prepared."

Zelensky further called for the EU to to apply additional sanctions on “Russian oil, the tanker fleet, all their energy infrastructure that finances the war, all their banks, all financial schemes, and Russia’s military industry."

“A new European sanctions package — the 17th — is already in place. This is a step in the right direction, and there should be as many sanctioning steps as necessary for Russia to become interested in peace and to feel the full price of its aggression and desire to prolong the war,” Zelensky said.

Ukraine’s European allies are tightening sanctions against Russia as Moscow refuses to cease fire. Despite Russia’s refusal, no new U.S. sanctions have been imposed so far, with Trump saying that implementing sanctions “could also make it much worse,” following the phone call with Putin.

Several media outlets reported on May 20 on European leaders' frustrations the lack of U.S. sanctions against Russia, with a senior European official telling the New York Times (NYT) that Trump “never seemed invested in joining sanctions on Russia,” the publication wrote.

NYT further reported, citing a White House official, that Trump refuses to impose sanctions on Russia as it may hinder future business and trade opportunities with Moscow.

Trump refusing to adopt sanctions against Russia as it would affect business opportunities with Moscow, NYT reports

Speaking to the New York Times on the condition of anonymity, a White House official familiar with the call, said that imposing sanctions could impede Trump’s goal of “maximizing economic opportunities for Americans,” the publication wrote.

The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat

U.S. President Donald Trump refuses to impose sanctions on Russia as it may hinder future business and trade opportunities with Moscow, the New York Times (NYT) reported on May 20, citing a White House official.

Following a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 19, Trump refused to adopt additional sanctions on Moscow, despite Putin again rejecting a 30-day ceasefire.

“I think there’s a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse,” Trump said, referring to implementing additional sanctions. “But there could be a time where that’s going to happen,” he added.

In a post on Truth Social following the call, Trump wrote that peace deal would be a “tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED."

“Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its country,” he added.

Speaking to NYT on the condition of anonymity, a White House official familiar with the call, said that imposing sanctions could impede Trump’s goal of “maximizing economic opportunities for Americans,” the publication wrote.

Trump on May 8 said the U.S. would join partners in imposing “further sanctions” if Russia does not agree to an unconditional ceasefire. Despite numerous threats, Trump has never followed through on imposing additional sanctions against Russia.

European leaders have urged the U.S. to impose additional sanctions on Russia to pressure it toward a ceasefire, with EU leaders threatening and subsequently adopting additional sanctions in response to Russia’s ceasefire rejections.

On May 20 Axios reported that European leaders reportedly seemed “surprised” that Trump was “relatively content” with what he heard from Putin, following a call with European leaders after Trump’s conversation with Putin.

When asked about potential sanctions against Russia, the U.S. president said he did not think it was a good idea, adding that he believes Putin wants a deal.

A senior European official familiar with closed-door discussion voiced European allies frustration with the lack of U.S. sanctions, telling NYT that Trump “never seemed invested in joining sanctions on Russia,” the publication wrote. Several other officials said that they did not expect Trump to implement additional sanctions in the immediate future.

Despite violating multiple short-term truces, Trump nonetheless has said Russia and Ukraine will be able to “do big business” with the United States if they secure a peace deal.

Frustrated by a lack of progress, Trump has also repeatedly threatened to “back away” from negotiations.

“I tell you, big egos involved, but I think something’s going to happen. And if it doesn’t, I just back away, and they’re going to have to keep going,” Trump said following his phone call with Putin.

Trump says he will not impose new sanctions on Russia

“Because I think there’s a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse,” Trump told reporters from the Oval Office on May 19.

The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert

The European Union is preparing to provide Radio Free Europe with a contract valued at 5.5 million euros ($6.2 million) in “emergency funding” to support the ongoing work of the media organization amid the Trump administration’s funding cuts.

The funding, announced by the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas, will serve as “short-term, emergency funding designed for the safety net for the independent journalism,” Kallas said, and will be administered through the European Endowment for Democracy.

The announcement comes in response to cuts imposed to U.S.-backed media organizations by U.S. President Donald Trump.

On March 15, Trump signed an executive order slashing funding to seven government agencies, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The agency soon after issued a notice terminating a congressionally approved grant for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), freezing around $75 million already allocated for the 2025 fiscal year.

Following Trump’s order, EU foreign minister expressed grave concerns about the situation with RFE/RL’s funding, with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski confirming that the EU is considering options to help the media after the U.S. funding cutoff.

“We are at the stage of brainstorming, but clearly, these are worthy institutions whose mission should continue,” Sikorski added.

Addressing reports that the EU may establish permanent funding for RFE/RL, Kallas said EU country must “come in to find solutions for the long-term financing."

“If we look at the total amount of funding that they have for operating all across the globe, then it is clear that Europe cannot step in with all this funding that is necessary. Our focus should be really to help Radio Free Europe to work and function in those countries that are in our neighbourhood,” Kallas told reporters in Brussels. “Like I said, it is the short-term financing."

The media organization, established during the Cold War to challenge Soviet influence, operates as an independent media corporation funded by U.S. congressional appropriations through USAGM.

On May 7, following a legal challenge brought upon by RFE/RL, a U.S. court of appeals ruled on  USAGM must release $12 million in funding previously approved by Congress, marking a significant victory for the media organization.

RFE/RL’s broadcasts have long been a target of Kremlin ire. The outlet provides critical coverage of authoritarian governments, human rights abuses, and Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

Trump administration considers deporting nearly 200,000 Ukrainians using foreign aid funds, WP reports

During Joe Biden’s presidency, Ukrainians and Haitians were granted temporary protection, allowing them to stay in the U.S. if they could not return to their home country.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

The European Union plans to lift economic sanctions on Syria, the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on May 20.

After a meeting with the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council, Kaja Kallas announced that the EU, with regard to Syria, “agreed to lift all economic sanctions while maintaining those related to Assad’s regime and human rights violations."

Kallas noted that the decision to lift sanctions is “reversible and conditional… on progress,” while recognizing that “there can be no peace without the path to economic recovery."

“We all need a stable Syria,” Kallas added. “Is everything ideal there? No, it is not. It is very clear. But I think we need to give the Syrian people a chance."

Following the ouster of Russian-backed dictator Bashar al-Assad in a rebel offensive in December 2024, Syria’s new leader – President Ahmed al-Sharaa – has sought to reverse the country’s geopolitical isolation and years of crippling international sanctions.

Earlier this month, al-Sharaa reportedly offered the United States a deal that would give American companies access to Syria’s natural wealth, reminiscent of the minerals agreement Washington recently signed with Ukraine.

Writing on X, Kallas also expressed the EU’s desire to help rebuild Syria after more than a decade of war.

“We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria,” Kallas said. “The EU has always stood by Syrians throughout the last 14 years - and will keep doing so."

Trump says he trusts Putin, won’t sanction Russia, prepared to ‘back away’ from Ukraine peace talks

U.S. President Donald Trump, in separate statements, told reporters on May 19 that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, will not sanction Russia, but will abandon Ukraine peace efforts if progress is not made.

The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn

Polish prosecutors have indicted a man charged with allegedly planning to assist Russian foreign intelligence in a possible assassination attempt on President Volodymyr Zelensky, authorities announced on May 20.

The person charged, identified as Pawel K., was arrested on April 17, 2024 in Poland following a joint investigation by Polish and Ukrainian authorities. He faces up to eight years in prison, according to a press release from Poland’s National Prosecutor’s Office.

According to investigators, Paweł K. expressed willingness to work for Russian military intelligence and established contact with Russian citizens directly involved in the war in Ukraine.

His tasks included collecting and providing information on security at the Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland, authorities said.

The press release also said that Pawel K.’s activities “were to help, among other things, in planning by the Russian special services a possible assassination attempt on the life of… the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky."

Poland, a staunch ally of Ukraine and key transit point for Western military aid to Ukraine, says it has become a major target for Russian espionage and destabilization efforts, including arson attacks and cyberattacks.

Most recently, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk blamed Russian hackers for cyberattacks ahead of Poland’s presidential elections on May 18. In September 2024, the Polish government also accused Moscow and its ally Belarus of waging a “de facto cyberwar” on Poland.

Alongside its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has been accused of hybrid warfare, espionage, and sabotage across Europe.

EU approves 17th package of Russia sanctions, targets shadow fleet

“New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions on Russia are in the works,” Kaja Kallas said on X.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Washington, D.C. — In a rare display of bipartisan unity, a group of U.S. senators has introduced a resolution calling for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, urging that no peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine be finalized until all minors are safely repatriated.

The resolution condemns what it describes as Russia’s systematic abduction, forced transfer, and illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. It states that “Russia’s abduction and Russification of Ukrainian children demonstrate Russia’s intent to erase the Ukrainian nation and identity."

The effort is being led by a group of six senators, including Republicans Charles E. Grassley, Roger Wicker, Joni Ernst, and Rick Scott, and Democrats Amy Klobuchar and John Fetterman. The resolution underscores that the invasion of Ukraine has increased the vulnerability of children to multiple threats, noting that the “invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has significantly increased the risks of children being exposed to human trafficking and exploitation, child labor, sexual violence, hunger, injury, trauma, deprivation of education and shelter, and death."

According to Ukrainian authorities, as of April 16, more than 19,500 children have been confirmed as unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred to Russia, Belarus, or areas of Ukraine under Russian occupation. So far, only 1,274 have been returned to Ukrainian-controlled territories.

Because of Russia, my child understood fear early

My daughter is just over a year old. She’s learning to walk, says a few words in both Ukrainian and English, and because of Russia’s war, she already has an acute understanding of what it means to be afraid. The first time she reacted to the air raid

The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan

The resolution frames the abduction of children as a violation of international humanitarian law and the Genocide Convention, citing Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article II(e) of the Genocide Convention, which prohibits the forcible transfer of children from one group to another.

The U.S. State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report has also documented Russia’s recruitment of child soldiers and described the country as a global epicenter for state-sponsored human trafficking.

Razom for Ukraine, a U.S.-based nonprofit supporting Ukraine, has endorsed the resolution.

The organization stated, “This is an important step in President Donald Trump’s March 19 promise to ensure Ukrainian children abducted by Russia are returned to their families. By kidnapping over 19,546 children from Ukraine, Russia is simultaneously erasing these children’s identities as Ukrainians while holding them hostage. The United States must say clearly that children are not bargaining chips and must be returned immediately."

Ambassador John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, said that “Ukraine’s kidnapped kids are counting on Congress and President Trump to insist that Moscow free them. Full stop."

“According to available data, Russia has abducted more than 19,400 Ukrainian children since 2022 — an outrageous crime. Freeing Ukraine’s children should be a prerequisite to any negotiations, and I thank President Trump for expressing his desire to help free Ukraine’s children."

Mykola Kuleba, CEO and founder of Save Ukraine and former ombudsman for children in Ukraine, emphasized the urgency of returning the children. “As a nonprofit leader working to rescue and reunite these children with their families, I’m grateful for every voice raised on their behalf. We deeply appreciate leaders urging action to ensure that these children are safely returned with urgency,” he said.

The resolution also references earlier remarks by former President Donald Trump, who has claimed he could persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to release the abducted children. “President Trump promised…to help make sure those children were returned home,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and then-National Security Advisor Mike Waltz at the time.

In 2022, Putin signed a decree that made it easier for Russian families to adopt Ukrainian children. The Russian government revised its adoption laws to fast-track the placement of abducted children with Russian families, often after stripping them of their names, language, and national identity.

The State Department’s Conflict Observatory reports that at least 35,000 children have been affected by these forced transfers. Researchers say the data is vital to Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to locate and repatriate abducted children.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for their roles in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. The United States has also sanctioned at least 32 individuals and three Russian entities for their involvement in these abductions and related human rights violations.

The bipartisan resolution signals that both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are united in condemning Russia’s actions and in demanding the immediate return of Ukraine’s children.

As Russia trains abducted children for war, Ukraine fights uphill battle to bring them home

Around the world, abducting a child is a serious crime punishable by years behind bars. But when the kidnapper is Russia, justice remains a distant hope. So does the child’s return home. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has identified over 19,500 children who have been

The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

Key developments on May 20:

• ‘Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war’ — Zelensky says after Putin-Trump call
• EU approves 17th package of Russia sanctions, targets shadow fleet
• Rubio says US, NATO seek more Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine
• Kyiv to receive 400,000 more shells from Czech initiative, Ukraine’s PM says
• Trump administration considers deporting nearly 200,000 Ukrainians using foreign aid funds, WP reports

Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 20, reacting to a recent call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky’s statement follows his call with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, during which the Ukrainian leader told his counterpart about his May 19 phone call with Trump, as well as the latter’s talks with Putin.

“It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation,” Zelensky said on X. “We are working with our partners to pressure the Russians to change their behavior."

Zelensky thanked the partners who continue to impose sanctions on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine and stressed that the war should end at the negotiating table.

“Clear and realistic proposals must be on the table. Ukraine is ready for any effective negotiation format. And if Russia continues to put forward unrealistic conditions and undermine possible results, there must be harsh consequences,” Zelensky said.

Axios reported on May 20 that Zelensky had to remind Trump that negotiations with Russia are already underway after Trump announced to EU leaders the Kremlin’s readiness for talks, citing sources present at the call.

The exchange reportedly took place during a phone call involving Trump, Zelensky, and the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, Finland, and the European Commission.

It followed Trump’s earlier call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the Russian leader provided vague assurances about peace efforts but again rejected a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Trump told the leaders that Putin agreed to start direct negotiations on a ceasefire immediately, which led to a few seconds of “puzzled silence” during the call, Axios' source said.

Zelensky then reminded Trump that Putin had previously agreed to this, and the first round of direct talks had already taken place on May 16 in Istanbul, marking the first direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow since 2022. Trump did not directly respond, the sources said.

The Ukrainian president and other leaders also pointed out to Trump that it had been his idea to start the peace talks with an immediate 30-day ceasefire, according to Axios.

Participants on the call reportedly seemed “surprised” that Trump was “relatively content” with what he heard from Putin. Even though the Kremlin’s position has not changed, Trump presented this as a new development in the negotiation process.

‘Trump doesn’t know how to deal with gangsters’ — US lets Ukraine down, once again

In what is now a semi-regular occurrence, the workings of U.S.-led global diplomacy has cast a dark shadow over Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on May 19 in the latest attempt to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine. The call came

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

EU approves 17th package of Russia sanctions, targets shadow fleet

The EU has formally approved its 17th package of sanctions imposed on Russia over aggression in Ukraine, including measures against almost 200 shadow fleet vessels, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on May 20.

“New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions on Russia are in the works,” Kallas said on X.

The step comes as the U.S. signals disinterest in imposing additional sanctions against Russia, even as Moscow refuses Western-backed ceasefire proposals.

The 17th package was supported by EU ambassadors last week, but has since then been criticized as weak and watered down.

The new sanctions target members of Russia’s military and political elite and foreign entities in China or the United Arab Emirates, accused of helping the Kremlin evade already-imposed measures.

The EU will also sanction more than 20 entities and individuals disseminating disinformation, and 20 judges and prosecutors involved in legal cases against Russian opposition, specifically Vladimir Kara-Murza and late Alexei Navalny.

The package also targets components vital to Russia’s defense industry, namely chemicals, materials, and dual-use goods.

The EU has threatened Russia with additional sanctions unless President Vladimir Putin commits to a ceasefire and agrees to seriously engage in peace efforts. President Volodymyr Zelensky also announced that a new “strong EU sanctions package” is underway.

While European leaders have proclaimed that additional sanctions are coordinated with Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump, who held a phone call with Putin on May 19, said he does not intend to impose new measures on Moscow to avoid disrupting peace efforts.

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Rubio says US, NATO seek more Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine

The United States is working with NATO partners to locate additional Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on May 20 during Senate testimony on the State Department's budget.

Ukraine has consistently warned that its current air defense capacity is insufficient to counter the scale of Russia's intensified missile and drone attacks.

"The U.S. is looking for Patriot batteries to be able to transfer from other NATO nations into Ukrainian hands," Rubio told lawmakers, adding that no country is willing to give up these systems, and the U.S. cannot produce them quickly enough.

Kyiv has requested more Patriots to shield cities and critical infrastructure.

In an April 13 interview with CBS News, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to buy 10 U.S.-made Patriot systems for $15 billion.

"We will find the money and pay for everything," he said.

Despite Kyiv's appeals, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the request, accusing Zelensky of "always looking to purchase missiles" and falsely blaming Ukraine for provoking the war.

The Patriot is a high-precision, U.S.-made surface-to-air missile platform capable of intercepting aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats. Zelensky has repeatedly said Ukraine needs at least seven more systems to defend its most at-risk regions.

The New York Times reported on May 4, citing unnamed U.S. officials, that a Patriot system currently based in Israel will be transferred to Ukraine following refurbishment. Western allies are also reportedly reviewing whether to reallocate systems from Germany or Greece.

Kyiv currently operates eight Patriot systems, though only six are functional, with two undergoing repairs, according to the publication.

Ukraine accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire back in March.

Moscow has continued its large-scale drone and missile strikes, including the largest drone assault of the war on May 18, when 273 drones entered Ukrainian airspace.

‘No one saw surrender as an option’ – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity

Warning: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes. A bullet fired by a Russian sniper hit Azov Brigade member Artem Dubyna in the head and passed through his neck. “He’s dead,” crackled the message over the radio to his comrades. But Dubyna’s heart was still beating. Evacuating his unconscious body

The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

Kyiv to receive 400,000 more shells from Czech initiative, Ukraine's PM says

Ukraine will receive 400,000 additional artillery shells in 2025 through the Czech-led munitions initiative, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on May 20 on Telegram.

The initiative, supported by contributions from Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and other nations, has significantly enhanced Ukraine's artillery capabilities. Launched in 2024, it has become a vital supplement to the country's firepower amid shell shortages.

Following a meeting with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Shmyhal said Ukraine received around 1.5 million artillery shells of various calibers through the initiative in 2024.

He announced that Czechia has increased its annual aid allocation to Ukraine to over $43 million. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Prague has provided $900 million in military assistance to Kyiv.

Fiala and Shmyhal also discussed expanding cooperation on weapons production, economic support, and humanitarian assistance.

"We will strengthen the integration of the Ukrainian and Czech defense industries," Shmyhal wrote. "In addition, we agreed to cooperate in training Ukrainian pilots of F-16 airplanes."

Czechia has played a leading role within the EU in rallying military support for Ukraine and has hosted hundreds of thousands of refugees since the start of the war.

The country's opposition party, ANO, has threatened to suspend the munitions initiative if it wins parliamentary elections in October 2025.

ANO deputy leader Karel Havlicek made the remarks in January, raising concerns about the future of one of Ukraine's most reliable arms pipelines.

As Russia’s fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up

Editor’s Note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. Every year, as the way war is fought constantly evolves on the battlefields of Ukraine, the visuals of the fighting on the ground that

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

Trump administration considers deporting nearly 200,000 Ukrainians using foreign aid funds, WP reports

Washington plans to spend about $250 million of foreign aid funds to repatriate people from active conflict zones, including about 200,000 Ukrainians and 500,000 Haitians, the Washington Post reported on May 20, citing the draft internal documents the newspaper obtained.

During Joe Biden's presidency, Ukrainians and Haitians were granted temporary protection, allowing them to stay in the U.S. if they could not return to their home country.

With the Trump administration coming to office, the U.S. has tightened its immigration policy. U.S. President Donald Trump previously pledged to impose harsher legislation on migrants and launch the "largest deportation program in U.S. history," aimed at removing 15 to 20 million migrants from the country.

According to the draft internal documents, the proposal was prepared after the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement on May 5. The statement read that those immigrants who voluntarily leave the U.S. for their home countries would be eligible for $1,000 in assistance.

Besides Ukrainians and Haitians, the draft documents also mention Afghans, Palestinians, Libyans, Sudanese, Syrians, and Yemenis, who could become other targets of the deportation program, the WP reported.

Tricia McLaughlin, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, verified the documents' authenticity, but described them as "outdated." McLaughlin added that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has not made a "final" decision on temporary protected status for Haiti or Ukraine.

According to the draft documents reviewed by the newspaper, the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) will fund the voluntary resettlement program using funds allocated by Congress for charter flights or commercial airfare.

The State Department has acknowledged that it is working with the Department of Homeland Security to provide "travel support and financial incentives" to encourage migrants to leave the country voluntarily.

The Trump administration's proposal has been criticized, including by former government officials who called it inhumane and counter to long-held U.S. ideals, the WP reported.

According to the plan's opponents, the Trump administration is forcing asylum seekers to return to countries where they are "at risk of being killed." They also questioned whether the plan constitutes an abuse of foreign aid funds intended primarily to support refugees and their resettlement.

In late January, Washington suspended acceptance of applications from Ukrainians for asylum under the Uniting for Ukraine program. This program allowed for two years of asylum in the U.S., as well as the right to work, study, and have health insurance, among other benefits.

There are about 200,000 Ukrainian refugees in the U.S., according to the United Nations.

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The first volunteer unit of the National Guard, the battalion named in honor of Hero of Ukraine Major General Serhiy Kulchitskyi, is currently undergoing reorganization. In March 2025, the battalion…

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After a two-hour call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia reiterated its refusal for a full ceasefire in the war in Ukraine while the U.S. once again failed to respond with any significant pressure.

For observers across Europe, watching the way the negotiations have been unfolding was an unpleasant reminder that the U.S. can no longer be relied on as a partner — but it was not a surprising revelation.

“Chewing the same gum which has lost its taste is not the best experience,” Mykola Bielieskov, Research fellow at Ukraine’s National Institute for Strategic Studies, told the Kyiv Independent.

Frederic Petit, a French National Assembly deputy, was similarly underwhelmed by the information shared about the call.

“It gives nothing, because of all the contradicting signals that are coming from the Kremlin and also a few of them are coming from the Trump administration,” he told the Kyiv Independent.

“For example, about the business deal that (they) could do together — does it mean, Mr. President, that you will shift the sanctions or not?"

The phone call, which took place on May 19 after a conversation between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky, was followed by another call between Trump and other European leaders, including the Ukrainian president.

According to Zelensky, during his phone call with Trump, he advocated for a ceasefire, for the opportunity to express views on a potential memorandum that will be negotiated between the U.S. and Russia, and for decisions about Ukraine not to be made without his country’s inclusion.

But Russia did not back down from its maximalist demands during the call, according to statements from officials. It has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine hand over more territory than Russia currently controls — a non-starter for Ukraine and a condition that has been a roadblock in negotiations.

‘Imitating negotiations’

Throughout the peace process that began when Trump took office in January, Trump has repeatedly put heavy pressure on Ukraine to make concessions to Russia, while refusing to apply similar tactics to Russia.

As information about the discussions reached experts across Europe, it was yet another of many reminders since Trump’s election that Europe will need to be more self-reliant.

“Russia is prepared for a prolonged war and is currently not thinking about peace,” Eitvydas Bajarunas, ambassador at Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry and visiting fellow at the Center for Europe Policy Analysis (CEPA), told the Kyiv Independent.

“Clearly, Russia would prefer a short pause to catch its breath, and ideally, to see some sanctions lifted. At the same time, Putin doesn’t want to discourage Trump, so he will continue to respond positively to Trump’s requests to consider ending hostilities — though only by imitating negotiations."

Bajarunas also noted that negotiations for peace in Ukraine have fallen in priority for Washington.

Having failed to deliver on a campaign promise to end the war within 100 days, Trump again threatened on May 19 to abandon efforts to end the war if progress was not made towards a peace deal.

"In this context, I see only one solution. Europe must take responsibility and lead the way — impose sanctions on Russia, supply weapons to Ukraine, and offer a concrete peace plan," Bajarunas said.

"Time to wake up. It’s now or never," he added.

The subsequent phone call with European leaders was one positive sign, said Yohann Michel, a senior research fellow at the defense research institute IESD in Lyon.

"This time, he's calling the Europeans and we might actually have the Europeans at the table," Michel said. "Instead of having bilateral or trilateral talks somewhere where we are out of the room and out of the situation, we might actually be able to participate directly."

Yet Michel also added that Trump’s stance has shifted frequently and previous positive signals have been sometimes short-lived.

"My first reaction was to think, okay, there we go again. Trump had a different conversation with someone else. Therefore, he will now completely change his representation and understanding of the issue."

'Everyone is playing their part in this charade'

Europe has repeatedly called for ramped-up support to Ukraine as the new U.S. administration has signaled its unwillingness to continue providing aid to Kyiv.

"While discussions about European-led peacekeeping or security assistance are still in early stages — and would be complicated without U.S. backing — the UK and its allies are beginning to think seriously about what a more self-reliant European response might look like," said Ievgeniia Kopytsia, a legal expert and visiting research fellow at the University of Oxford.

The day after Trump and Putin spoke, the EU approved its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, including measures against Russia’s "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, which the country uses to break embargoes and sustain its economy.

"More sanctions on Russia are in the works," top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas said on X, announcing the package.

But for many, Europe’s measures fall short of the moment.

"Trump is constantly surprising everyone by how he manages to help Putin justify continuing his aggression. And everyone (Ukrainians and Europeans) is playing their part in this charade," Gabrielius Landsbergis, former Lithuanian Foreign Minister, told the Kyiv Independent.

"Europe can do more, but is choosing to hope for either Putin or Trump to change their minds."

One step Europe could take would be to quickly unfreeze Russian assets that have been seized and transfer the money to Ukraine, Evelyn Farkas, executive director of the McCain Institute, told the Kyiv Independent.

"They can ramp up their production of drones. That's not the only thing they need, of course. They need training. Europeans could come in and train again, especially if more air defense is provided."

"But there is not a sufficient sense of urgency," she said. "It's bad enough that the United States doesn't understand that we're on war footing. But the fact that the Europeans don't understand that is really distressing."

Dementiy Bilyi, a 56-year-old political scientist and local historian, has watched Europe’s response from Kherson, a city which remained under Russian occupation for 256 days from February to November 2022 before it was liberated during the Kherson counteroffensive.

Bilyi is trying to keep in touch with people on the Russian-occupied left bank of Kherson Oblast, who keep him informed about the information space in the area, which the Kremlin dominates.

"Many Russian Telegram channels are created in the occupied part of the Kherson region. They often try to spread the narrative that Russia will come back here," he said.

"People are tired; they need support. They need to hear words of support from our European partners and allies. This helps them not to lose hope."

‘Trump doesn’t know how to deal with gangsters’ — US lets Ukraine down, once again

In what is now a semi-regular occurrence, the workings of U.S.-led global diplomacy has cast a dark shadow over Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on May 19 in the latest attempt to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine. The call came

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

George Simion, leader of Romania’s far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), announced on May 20 that he will appeal the results of the May 18 presidential election, despite conceding defeat to pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan.

Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, secured 53.6% of the vote in the runoff, defeating Simion’s 46.4%, according to Romania’s electoral authority.

The result signals a rejection of Simion’s anti-Ukraine, nationalist platform and comes amid renewed scrutiny of foreign influence in Romanian politics.

“I officially ask the Constitutional Court to annul the Romanian presidential elections for the same reasons the December elections were annulled: external interferences by state and non-state actors,” Simion wrote on X.

Simion cited a post from Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who claimed a “Western European government” asked the company to restrict “conservative voices in Romania."

“The testimony of the founder of Telegram… is revealing. I demand his testimony before the elections are recognized as valid,” Simion said, also accusing Moldova of facilitating “electoral tourism” that unfairly benefited his opponent.

Romania’s previous presidential election, held in November 2024, was annulled by the Constitutional Court following evidence of foreign manipulation, including pro-Russian disinformation campaigns.

That vote was won by populist candidate Calin Georgescu, who openly promoted conspiracy theories and described Ukraine as a “fictional state."

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Simion has faced criticism throughout the campaign for pro-Kremlin rhetoric and repeated calls for Ukraine to compensate Romania for its aid.

During a May 8 debate, he argued, "Ukraine needs us, we don't need Ukraine," and labeled the donation of a Patriot missile system to Kyiv as "national treason."

In contrast, Dan has pledged to continue Romania's support for Ukraine, strengthen ties with the EU, and uphold democratic institutions. Following the vote, President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Dan in a call on May 19.

"We respect Romania and the choice of the Romanian people. This is a country on which much depends when it comes to security issues," Zelensky posted on X. "It is important that support for Ukraine continues."

Bucharest has played a critical role in Ukraine's defense, signing a bilateral security pact with Kyiv, facilitating grain exports, and providing key air defense systems.    

Zelensky invited Dan to Ukraine for talks, noting the "nearest opportunities for us to meet."

The Center for Local Politics (CPL), a domestic Romanian organization aligned with Georgescu's campaign, said it had launched legal procedures to contest the election.

Romania’s new president faces daunting challenges after surprise victory over far-right upstart

There was a wave of euphoria and relief across Europe following the election of pro-European liberal Nicusor Dan as Romania’s new president. “For Ukraine — as a neighbour and friend — it is important to have Romania as a reliable partner. And we are confident we will,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky

The Kyiv IndependentPaula Erizanu

Bloomberg reported that Russia aims to capture four Ukrainian regions by the end of the year. Speaking with the Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne, Ukrainian Armed Forces reserve colonel and military expert Serhiy Hrabskiy expressed skepticism about Russia's ability to achieve this plan within the stated timeline.

On May 19, Bloomberg reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin believes he has the upper hand on the front lines and thinks he can fully capture four Ukrainian regions by the year's end. Consequently, he is reportedly in no hurry to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine.

"Putin is confident that his forces can break through Ukrainian defenses by the end of the year and fully control the regions he claims. This belief suggests that the Russian leader will not rush into an agreement and is unlikely to make any substantial concessions to Trump during their conversation," the report stated.

Military expert Hrabskiy believes the Russian Armed Forces might find it impossible to meet these objectives in the allocated timeframe. "Bloomberg can publish whatever it wants, but there is a reality to consider, which indicates such a plan is unachievable for the Russian military. Despite their artillery advantage, they cannot penetrate our defenses, and at their current pace, it might take them up to ten years," Hrabskiy explained.

He highlighted the need to consider two main factors for Russia's plans to succeed: the availability of forces and resources, and the presence of opposing forces. Nonetheless, the expert predicts that Russia will continue exerting effort in its attacks, depleting its manpower and equipment.

"Our task is to strengthen our defense, hold our ground, and make the enemy's objectives unattainable," Hrabskiy emphasized.

In what is now a semi-regular occurrence, the workings of U.S.-led global diplomacy has cast a dark shadow over Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on May 19 in the latest attempt to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine. The call came just days after a U.S.-backed but largely inconclusive negotiation between Kyiv and Moscow, where Russia sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated sweeping territorial demands.

Following the call, Trump told reporters that he trusts Putin, will not sanction Russia, but will abandon Ukraine peace efforts if progress is not made.

In a follow-up call between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky, the latter had to remind his U.S. counterpart that negotiations with Russia are already underway and that Moscow has been stalling all efforts to impose a ceasefire.

“It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation," Zelensky later wrote on X.

Yet the tone coming from the White House after the call suggested that at least to one man, it wasn’t that obvious at all.

“Nothing good is expected,” Yelyzaveta Yasko, a lawmaker from the governing Servant of the People party, told the Kyiv Independent when asked for her initial reaction to the phone conversations.

The results of the Trump, Putin call

Despite the U.S. president claiming “it went very well,” that “some progress was made,” and that the “tone and spirit of the conversation was excellent,” Ukraine and its European allies were stunned by the outcome of Trump’s call with Putin.

Trump also claimed that Putin had agreed to “immediately start negotiations towards a ceasefire,” seemingly forgetting that he himself has been demanding one since March 11, and that direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are already underway.

According to Axios, when Trump told Zelesnky and other European leaders about the results of the call, he was met with a stunned silence.

Once this had passed, Zelensky had to gently remind Trump that it had been his idea all along to start the peace talks with an immediate 30-day ceasefire.

In addition, Russia once again refused to agree to the ceasefire, instead saying it was prepared to negotiate a "memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty."

Neither Trump nor Putin discussed a deadline for a ceasefire, and the U.S. president once again threatened to walk away if Ukraine and Russia could not negotiate a peace between themselves, effectively giving Putin free rein to continue waging war against Ukraine.

In Kyiv, the news was met with a now familiar mix of resignation, disappointment, and increasing unease over Trump's continuing appeasement of Putin's position.

"The main conclusion of the latest phone conversation between Trump and Putin is that Trump doesn't know how to deal with real gangsters," Andrii Osadchuk, a lawmaker from the Holos faction, told the Kyiv Independent.

"Putin has humiliated him in public several times in a row, and the U.S. president doesn't want to recognize that and doesn't know what to do."

Of particular concern is the idea that future negotiations should be conducted solely between Russia and Ukraine, without a mediator, and that Trump appears to perceive his attempts at brokering a peace as bearing fruit, despite Russia not having budged from the demands it set way back in 2022.

"The fact that Americans believe that peace can be achieved through direct conversations is a dangerous sign," Inna Sovsun, a lawmaker from the Holos faction, told the Kyiv Independent.

"The Russians are only willing to negotiate and compromise if there is some pressure on them that they feel."

Any hopes of the U.S. placing its first real pressure on the Kremlin since Trump took office was swiftly quashed by the U.S. president — immediately after the call he told reporters at the White House that he will not impose further sanctions against Russia "because there's a chance" of progress towards a ceasefire.

The view from Ukraine, however, is very different.

"Ukraine, through years of dealing with Russia, has learned one very clear lesson: Putin constantly lies," Halyna Yanchenko, a lawmaker from the Servant of the People party, told the Kyiv Independent.

"Today, he continues to use the same tactic — trying to blind Donald Trump, stall for time, and use any pause to seize even more Ukrainian territory," she added.

Russia's demands

Underpinning the intense feeling of frustration in Ukraine is a fact that appears obvious to almost everyone except Trump — that after 119 days, Putin has not made a single concession that suggests he is truly interested in peace.

"This phone call hasn't changed anything at all," Oleksandr Merezhko, a Ukrainian lawmaker and chair of the parliament's foreign affairs committee, told the Kyiv Independent.

"Putin continues to insist on his ultimatums and maximalist demands, and keeps rejecting ceasefire proposals."

At the May 15 Istanbul talks, Russia sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated maximalist demands, including that Ukraine accept the loss of occupied Crimea and four oblasts in their entirety despite Russia not fully controlling any of them.

Attacks against civilians have only escalated since Trump took office, and on May 18, Russia carried out its largest drone attack since the start of its full-scale invasion.

'One big deal'

Trump, the author of "The Art of the Deal," once again trumpeted his alleged negotiating skills when telling reporters on May 19 about his call with Putin.

"My whole life is like deals — one big deal," he said.

In the context of his failed peace process in Ukraine so far, the claim rang hollow.

"The stance of the EU and the U.S. was to step up pressure on Russia if it rejects a ceasefire," Olena Halushka, a board member at the Anti-Corruption Action Centre (AntAC), told the Kyiv Independent.

"It rejected it, so now it's time to act — step up sanctions and military aid, and confiscate frozen Russian assets. Russia doesn't want peace, it wants Ukraine," she added.

On May 20, the EU kept up its side of the bargain, formally approving its 17th package of sanctions imposed on Russia over aggression in Ukraine, including measures against almost 200 shadow fleet vessels.

To date, Trump has not taken a single concrete action to place any pressure on the Kremlin.

The cost of failed negotiations

While phone calls, negotiations, and Truth Social posts play out on the global stage, those with perhaps the most at stake — Ukrainians living under Russian occupation — watch on.

"I am worried that as a result of the negotiations, Crimea may be left under Russian control," a woman currently living in occupied Crimea, whose name is being withheld for security reasons, told the Kyiv Independent on May 19.

She is an activist with the Yellow Ribbon resistance movement, fighting back against Russian occupation because she wants the "world to see that Ukrainians here have not surrendered."

"I will continue to resist even if Crimea remains under Russian rule, because Crimea was and is Ukraine, regardless of political decisions," she added.

As Russia’s fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up

Editor’s Note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. Every year, as the way war is fought constantly evolves on the battlefields of Ukraine, the visuals of the fighting on the ground that

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

My daughter is just over a year old. She’s learning to walk, says a few words in both Ukrainian and English, and because of Russia’s war, she already has an acute understanding of what it means to be afraid.

The first time she reacted to the air raid siren, she was playing in her crib while I tidied up the room. She’d never paid attention to it before, so I didn’t expect anything to happen when it started. But that time, she cried out, “Mama!” with her arms outstretched, eyes wide, on the verge of tears.

As I always say, we’re “lucky” compared to so many others. For the past three years, Chernivtsi Oblast has been mostly spared from Russian missile and drone strikes. I can’t imagine what it’s like for mothers in cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, or Kherson — trying not only to keep their children physically safe, but also to safeguard them against lifelong psychological trauma.

Yet, every time I have to calm her as her breathing quickens in a panic at the sound of the air raid siren, I can’t help but wish there were a magic switch to make Russia disappear.

I start to worry that this war will drag on so long that my daughter will grow old enough to remember it — that war will become part of her learned experience, part of what shapes her. And when I think about that, I’m still stunned that there are people in this world who can harm children without regret.

Maybe it’s naive, but I can’t understand how anyone who’s been blessed with a child could still choose to bring harm to others. How can they greet their own children at the end of the day knowing they’re responsible for missile and drone strikes that have killed children, orphaned them, and left them permanently disabled? How can they take tens of thousands of children from their families, send them to the farthest corners of Russia for “adoption,” and be deranged enough to think they are saving them?

As an American living for many years in Ukraine, I’m also deeply saddened that the plight of Ukrainian children hasn’t resonated more with American policymakers — especially the right wing. Republicans in particular tend to stoke moral panic over issues like human trafficking. Well, here is one of the most blatant examples of it in recent memory: over 19,500 children have been officially identified as missing by the Ukrainian government, with only around 1,300 returned home from Russian-controlled territory.

The actual number of Ukrainian children forcibly taken by Russia is likely much higher, and there is a very real and heartbreaking possibility that not all of them will be found if not all the necessary resources are put into guaranteeing their return.

Russia is exploiting the vulnerability of many of the Ukrainian children in their custody, manipulating impressionable young minds to militarize them and instil hatred for their homeland. They are training Ukrainian children to become the Russian soldiers of tomorrow, ultimately viewing them as expendable tools in their campaign of terror.

Generally speaking, misfortune befalls anyone who belongs in the margins of Russian society. From the accounts of older Ukrainian children who understood what was happening to them and did everything they could to escape, we know they are being subjected to various forms of abuse.

What Russia is doing to Ukraine’s stolen children is not just a political matter — it is an issue of the greatest moral urgency. That’s why His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, in his first Sunday address since becoming leader of the Holy See, called for the return of these children to their homeland.

Ukraine’s greatest natural resource isn’t minerals found underground — it’s found in classrooms, playgrounds, and family kitchens. It’s the children. They are the living thread connecting Ukraine’s past to its future, the ones who will carry forward the language, the history, the cultural traditions. No monument or archive can safeguard Ukraine’s identity the way its children can.

That’s why even losses on a smaller scale than the daily death and destruction matter, too.

When a Ukrainian child whose family fled as refugees begins to feel more at home in the language or identity of their host country, something precious is at risk of being lost forever. The tragedy of war isn’t only measured in lives lost or cities destroyed — it’s in this quiet erosion of cultural identity too. Because without its children, Ukraine as a nation — not just a place on a map — cannot survive.

It will fall to these young Ukrainians, including my own daughter, to one day rebuild what has been shattered by Russia’s war. They will be the ones who decide whether Ukraine becomes a vibrant, prosperous, and secure nation — one strong enough to ensure such a horrific war never happens again. But that future is only possible if Ukraine’s children are given the chance to return home, to thrive, and to dream in a peaceful country. It can’t happen if their parents see that it’s too dangerous to return home, they’re trapped alone in Russian-controlled territory, or they're dead.

Since the start of the full-scale war in 2022, I’ve often wondered about the true definition of evil. The closest answer I’ve found since becoming a mother is this: it’s those who deliberately harm and destroy the lives of innocent children.

Coming of Age Amidst War

The Kyiv Independent

Hungarian intelligence services have uncovered two alleged Ukrainian “spies,” Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote on the social media platform X on May 20.

The new allegations escalate a diplomatic row sparked by mutual espionage accusations between Kyiv and Budapest.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) claimed on May 9 that it had exposed a Hungarian espionage network in western Ukraine, detaining two agents. In response, Hungary expelled two Ukrainian diplomats, a move met with reciprocal expulsions by Kyiv.

Kovacs said that Hungary’s Fidesz party identified the individuals as Roland Tseber and Istvan Hollo.

Citing the parliamentary group leader Mate Kocsis, he claimed Tseber was “an illegal officer of Ukrainian intelligence” who built ties with opposition figures to influence Hungary’s position on Russia’s war.

Kocsis also claimed Hollo was a Ukrainian national under investigation for seeking classified Hungarian information on energy and military policy.

“This activity fits a classic influence operation aiming to discredit Hungary internationally and pressure the government to shift its Ukraine policy,” Kocsis said.

Ukraine hasn’t commented on the latest allegations.

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On May 13, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Ukraine of meddling in Hungary's internal affairs and colluding with an opposition party.

"The Hungarian opposition party took an active part in the special operation of the Ukrainian secret service. Such a thing has never happened in our memory," Orban said, likely referring to the Tisza party led by opposition figure Peter Magyar.

Magyar, who visited Kyiv in July 2024 and raised humanitarian aid for Ukraine, has positioned his party in opposition to Orban's policies and vowed to reset Hungary's relations with the West.

Orban, widely regarded as the EU's most pro-Russian leader, has repeatedly opposed military aid for Ukraine and warned that Ukraine's EU membership would "destroy" Hungary.

The espionage dispute comes amid Hungary's increasing political isolation within the EU due to its position on Russia's ongoing full-scale war, now in its third year.

‘No one saw surrender as an option’ – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity

Warning: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes. A bullet fired by a Russian sniper hit Azov Brigade member Artem Dubyna in the head and passed through his neck. “He’s dead,” crackled the message over the radio to his comrades. But Dubyna’s heart was still beating. Evacuating his unconscious body

The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko