The European Union is weighing a proposal to disconnect more than 20 Russian banks from SWIFT, the global financial messaging network, as part of its upcoming 18th sanctions package against Moscow, Bloomberg reported on May 24, citing undisclosed …
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Spies, Lies, and Algorithms
Amy B. Zegart
- Ukraine, Russia hold largest prisoner swap since start of Russia’s war
- Ukraine confirms strike on Russian factory making parts for Iskander ballistic missiles, glide bombs
- Russian military helicopter crashes in Oryol …
Ukraine
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EU mulls cutting over 20 Russian banks from SWIFT, banning Nord Stream in new sanctions, Bloomberg reports
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Ukraine denies Russian presence in Sumy Oblast border village, media reports
Claims that Russian troops have entered the village of Yunakivka in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy Oblast are false, Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne reported on May 24, citing the Ukrainian Kursk military command.
Earlier, …
Ukraine
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13 killed, 51 receive medical care after Russian strikes on Ukraine over past day
Russian forces killed at least 13 civilians during attacks against Ukraine over the past 24 hours, regional authorities reported on the morning of May 24. At least 51 people required medical attention.
Russia carried out massive attacks against …
Russia
NIGHT SHOOTING AT KYIV: Russians attacked with Shaheds and ballistics #shorts
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'Shoot them on the spot' — Ukraine's military intel records over 150 cases of Russia executing POWs
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) has documented more than 150 cases of Ukrainian soldiers being summarily executed after surrendering to Russian forces, the agency said on May 24.
The agency noted that this figure includes those …
Ukraine
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UK probes possible Russian involvement in arson attacks targeting PM Starmer, FT reports
British security officials are investigating potential Russian involvement in a series of arson attacks on properties linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Financial Times reported on May 23, citing senior U.K. government sources.
Three …
Ukraine
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Russian chemical plant, missile parts manufacturer targeted in alleged Ukrainian drone strike
A Russian factory in Lipetsk Oblast making missile parts and a chemical plant in Tula Oblast were targeted by drones overnight on May 24, independent news channel Astra reported.
The Energia facility, which lies in the Lipetsk Oblast city of Yelets, …
Ukraine
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General Staff: Russia has lost 979,830 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost around 979,830 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 24.
The number includes 1,130 casualties Russian forces suffered just …
Ukraine
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Pentagon may downgrade Ukraine-focused office amid policy restructure, media reports
The Pentagon may soon downgrade the office responsible for overseeing U.S. military policy toward Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, three former U.S. defense officials and two European officials told Defense News.
As part of a broader policy …
Ukraine
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USA
Russia’s top exporters slash rail shipments amid economic slowdown, Reuters reports
Major Russian exporters are cutting back shipments of metals and oil products by rail, signaling weakening demand and a slowdown in the country’s war-driven economy.
A document seen by Reuters reveals that firms such as Rusal and Gazpromneft intend …
Ukraine
Russia
FT: UK counterterrorism police investigate Russian involvement in Starmer arson attacks
On 24 May 2025, British counterterrorism officials began investigating whether Russia orchestrated a series of three arson attacks on properties connected to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The attacks included arson at Starmer’s north …
Ukraine
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EU to sanction Nord Stream 2 pipeline as Russia rejects Ukraine ceasefire, Bloomberg reports
The EU is close to restricting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in a new round of sanctions as Russia refuses a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on May 23.
“It is a political move, aimed at cementing the EU’s plan to phase out …
Ukraine
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Explosions reported in Kyiv amid Russian drone attack
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Explosions were heard in Kyiv overnight on May 24 amid a Russian drone attack, a Kyiv Independent journalist on the ground reported at 12:42 a.m.
“Air defense is …
Ukraine
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Russian jets violate Finnish airspace, defense ministry says
Two Russian military aircraft are suspected of violating Finland’s airspace, the country’s defense ministry reported on May 23.
“We take the suspected territorial violation seriously and an investigation is underway,” Finnish …
USA
Exclusive! Kurt Volker on Trump's vision for ending the war #shorts
Kurt Volker: The US security is under THREAT — the world is CHANGING forever | Wrap-up Analytics
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Ukraine would like Trump to attend potential Zelensky-Putin meeting, Sybiha says
Ukraine would like U.S. President Donald Trump to be present at a potential meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrinform reported on May 23, citing Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
"(W)e are also …
Ukraine
The Day of the Marine Corps of Ukraine
On the Day of the Marine Corps of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with service members and their families, presented the nation’s highest state awards, and bestowed combat flags, Ribbons…
Ukraine
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EU to restore quotas on Ukrainian farm imports in June, Bloomberg reports
The European Union has agreed to reintroduce import quotas on several Ukrainian agricultural products starting June 6, Bloomberg reported on May 23.
The move marks a significant shift in EU trade policy toward Kyiv, as bloc members seek to balance …
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Ukraine, US officially launch joint Reconstruction Investment Fund
Ukraine and the United States have officially launched a joint Reconstruction Investment Fund as part of their minerals agreement, Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced on May 23.
“The last step was a diplomatic note from the United …
Russia
Russia’s military machine shaken! Drones strike the “Energia” plant #shorts
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Controversial ex-official Portnov visited Ukraine days before being killed in Madrid, news outlet reports
Andriy Portnov, a former top official in ex-President Viktor Yanukovych’s administration, visited Ukraine just days before he was shot dead in Madrid on May 21, the news outlet Ukrainska Pravda reported on May 23, citing unnamed sources. …
Ukraine
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Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, Russia hold largest prisoner swap since start of Russia's war
Key developments on May 23:
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🔥Russian AIRFIELDS are on fire 🔥 Ukraine's DRONES are hitting the very HEART of Russia | NEWS PULSE
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Chaos to coordination: the evolution of POW swaps in the Russia-Ukraine war
The nature, size, and political significance of prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia have evolved significantly over the three and a half years of the full-scale war, accelerating sharply in recent weeks.
While ceasefire and peace …