Russian President Vladimir Putin is “fundamentally in favor” of meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on May 30, according to Russian state news …
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Spies, Lies, and Algorithms
Amy B. Zegart
- Russia reports 2nd consecutive day of Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow, building damaged on the outskirts
- Rubio, Lavrov discuss next round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul
- 'No one has seen it yet' — Zelensky slams Russia for stalling on …
Ukraine
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USA
Putin in favor of meeting Zelensky, Trump if progress is made in peace talks, Kremlin says
Ukraine
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All territory will revert to Ukraine, predicts US diplomat
The Kyiv Independent’s Chris York sits down with Michael Carpenter, former U.S. Ambassador to OSCE and senior director for Europe at the National Security Council, to discuss the current lagging U.S. military support for Ukraine amid the ongoing …
Ukraine
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Explosions in Vladivostok part of Ukrainian operation damaging base of elite Russian unit, source claims
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) was behind explosions near Desantnaya Bay in Russia’s Vladivostok on May 30, which reportedly damaged military personnel and equipment, a source in HUR told the Kyiv Independent.
According to the …
Ukraine
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Ukraine's memorandum proposes ceasefire across land, air, and sea, NYT reports
Ukraine’s proposed memorandum to Russia includes provisions for a ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea, to be monitored by international partners, the New York Times (NYT) reported on May 30, citing an unnamed senior Ukrainian official.
Ukraine …
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Russia ‘testing’ Europe’s capacity to help Ukraine by intensifying air attacks
As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes countrywide, all eyes are on Europe’s capacity to continue supporting Ukraine, with the future of U.S. military aid growing ever more uncertain.
Ukraine should have enough air defense missiles despite …
Ukraine
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War’s unseen isolation: A Ukrainian officer’s story of survival and hope
A lot depends on the circumstances under which you try to define or feel your own loneliness.
Let me begin with my biography — my recent story. I joined the army in the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, as an officer in the Armed …
Ukraine
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USA
Ukraine ready for 2nd round of Istanbul talks but seeks Russian draft memo in advance, Yermak says
Ukraine is ready to attend the second round of peace talks with the Russian delegation in Istanbul on June 2, but seeks to receive a draft of Russia’s proposed ceasefire memorandum before the meeting, said Presidential Office Chief of Staff Andriy …
"Shaheds" against trolleybuses in Kharkiv: Zelenskyy shows aftermath of the strike #shrots
Ukraine
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FAKE: The NSDC demands that Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube block 500 Russian artists
Verification within Meta’s Third-Party Fact-Checking Program
Pro-Russian blogger Diana Panchenko spread information claiming that the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) demands that Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube block 500 …
Ukraine
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From the Frontlines of the Soul: Valerii Reads His Poem of a Mother’s Goodbye
The hardest thing in war is when a mother sees off her son.
These lines were born after witnessing countless heartbreaking moments of separation.
As she says goodbye, the mother …
Ukraine
Russia
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PHOTOFAKE: A boy graduated from school in 2023, and in 2025 joined the military and died
Verification within Meta’s Third-Party Fact-Checking Program
Russian channels are spreading a photo showing two framed pictures of the same boy on a table: in the first, he’s wearing a “Class of 2023” graduation ribbon; in the second, he’s in …
Ukraine
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Over 89,000 Russian targets struck in May using drones, Ukraine's commander claims
Ukrainian soldiers hit and destroyed in May more than 89,000 Russian targets using drones of various types, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on May 30.
Syrskyi did not specify which targets were hit. Throughout Russia’s all-out war, …
Ukraine
Russia
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Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 7, injure 39 over past day
Russian attacks against Ukraine killed seven people and injured 39 others over the past day, regional authorities said on May 30.
Ukrainian forces downed 26 out of the 90 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the …
Ukraine
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USA
NATO expansion 'fair' concern for Putin, Kellogg says
NATO’s eastward expansion is a “fair” concern for Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Keith Kellogg said in an interview with ABC News on May 29.
As one of the conditions for ending the …
Ukraine
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General Staff: Russia has lost 986,080 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost around 986,080 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 30.
The number includes 1,140 casualties Russian forces suffered just …
Ukraine
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USA
Officials from US, UK, France, Germany to attend Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Kellogg says
Security advisors from the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany will attend planned peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on June 2, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said in an interview with ABC News on May …
Ukraine
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'He was kidnapped' — Georgian opposition leader detained as ruling party continues crackdown on dissent
Leader of the Georgian opposition party “Coalition for Change,” Nika Melia, was detained by authorities on May 29, NewsGeorgia reported, citing Melia’s associates.
Melia is being investigated for refusing to testify before a …
Ukraine
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9 injured in Kharkiv amid Russian drone attack
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Nine were injured in Kharkiv overnight on May 30 amid a Russian drone attack on the city, local authorities reported.
“Specialized services are heading to the scene of the …
Ukraine
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Russians complain border regions uninhabitable as Kremlin pushes for buffer zone, Ukraine's military intelligence says
Residents in Russian regions along the Ukrainian border complain the area is increasingly uninhabitable due to the government’s actions amid Moscow’s attempt to establish a “buffer zone,” according to a call intercepted by …
Ukraine
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USA
Trump hopes next Russia-Ukraine talks will 'move ball forward,' White House says as Moscow further delays peace memo
U.S. President Donald Trump hopes that the forthcoming peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will “move the ball forward” on his efforts to broker a peace deal, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on May 29.
Moscow …
Russia
Ready to nuke? Russia modernizes nuclear shafts #shorts
Ukraine
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North Korea sent Russia at least 100 ballistic missiles last year, monitors find
Russia and North Korea have engaged in “unlawful military cooperation,” including arms transfers of up to 9 million shells and “at least 100 ballistic missiles” in 2024, according to a report by the Multilateral Sanctions …
Ukraine
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The Kyiv Independent wins Ukrainian journalism award for exposing Russian soldiers’ sexual violence
The Kyiv Independent’s investigative documentary, “He Came Back,” which exposes sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, has won the 2025 Ukrainian journalism award, “Honor of the Profession."
The winners …
