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Spies, Lies, and Algorithms
Amy B. Zegart
Russia
🔴Is MERZ a Nazi? 🔴 Kremlin PROPAGANDA distorts REALITY again!
Ukraine
Russia
Central Russia grapples with widespread mobile internet outage amid drone attack
On May 21, massive mobile internet outages are being reported across Central Russia, affecting areas including Moscow and the surrounding region. According to monitoring services Downdetector and Sboi.rf, major telecom operators like MTS, T2, …
Ukraine
Russia
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Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 26
Editor’s note: This is issue 26 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukraine Reforms Tracker” covering events from May 12–May 18, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, …
Ukraine
Russia
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Russia intercepts drone attack on Moscow, prompting flight disruptions and emergency response
Russian air defenses intercepted a drone attack on Moscow on May 21, according to the city’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin and state-controlled media, prompting temporary air traffic disruptions at major airports.
As of 5 p.m. local time, Sobyanin claimed …
Ukraine
Russia
Ukrainian drones strike key Russian semiconductor plant supplying defense industry
In the early hours of Wednesday, May 21, the city of Bolkhov in Russia's Oryol region witnessed tremendous explosions and a fire near a semiconductor plant. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed an assault by ten Ukrainian drones …
Ukraine
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USA
Historian Timothy Ash on the 'new West' after 'Trump shock'
With the fading U.S. global leadership under Donald Trump, Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, and growing populism at home, Europe faces a stark choice: step up or fall into irrelevance. Speaking with the Kyiv Independent on May 16, British …
Ukraine
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Poland intercepts Russian sanctions-evading ship near critical Baltic power cable, Tusk says
A Russian vessel under international sanctions made “suspicious” maneuvers near a key undersea power cable connecting Poland and Sweden before being forced to retreat following a military intervention, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk …
Ukraine
Russia
Russian missile strike hits Ukrainian training ground: command ignored air raid warnings
Military personnel at a base housing a training ground in the Sumy region stated that command intentionally ignored air raid warnings.
A Russian missile strike on a training facility in Shostka, Sumy region, resulted in the deaths of six servicemen …
Russia
RUSSIA maintains its posture of INTIMIDATION, but PUTIN'S threats have failed to materialize
Ukraine
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USA
Almost 50,000 draft-age men detained trying to illegally cross border since 2022, Border Guard says
Around 49,000 draft-age men have been detained at border areas and checkpoints while trying to illegally cross Ukraine’s border since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border …
Ukraine
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Dan opposes Romanian peacekeepers in Ukraine but affirms pro-Kyiv course
Romania should continue supporting Ukraine, but without taking part in a potential peacekeeping force, Romanian President-elect Nicusor Dan said in an interview with Politico published on May 21.
“First, to have a big operational support on …
Ukraine
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USA
EU officially agrees on 150-billion-euro defense fund
The EU has reached an agreement to launch a common defense fund of 150 billion euros ($170 billion) called SAFE, the Council of the EU announced on May 21.
“The more we invest in equipping our armies, the better we will deter those who wish us …
Ukraine
Russia
Putin makes landmark visit to Kursk region after Russian Defense Ministry declares area secure
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk region for the first time since the Russian Defense Ministry announced it was free from the Ukrainian armed forces, the Kremlin press service reported on Wednesday, May 21. The Kremlin clarified that …
Ukraine
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Fire breaks out at thermal power plant in Kyiv Oblast, 2 dead
A fire broke out at one of the facilities at the Bila Tserkva Thermal Power Plant, killing at least two people, the State Emergency Service reported on May 21.
The fire was reported around 1 p.m. local time, breaking out at one of the plant’s …
Ukraine
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Russia massing troops near Kharkiv Oblast ahead of possible attack, military warns
Russia may be preparing to launch new attacks in the Kharkiv sector, as indicated by the buildup of its forces near the Ukrainian border, Andrii Pomahaibus, the chief of staff of Ukraine’s 13th National Guard Khartiia Brigade, said on May 21. …
Ukraine
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Ukrainian citizen becomes third person charged over arson attacks on UK Prime Minister's property
A Ukrainian citizen has been charged following a series of arson attacks on property linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Times reported on May 21.
Petro Pochynok, 34, charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, is …
Ukraine
Russia
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Controversial Ukrainian ex-politician Portnov shot dead, source says
Editor’s note: This is a developing story.
Andriy Portnov, a former top official in Ukraine’s ex-President Viktor Yanukovych’s administration, was shot dead by unidentified attackers outside the American School in Madrid, Reuters reported …
Ukraine
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USA
US opposes joint G7 statement on further support for Ukraine, Politico reports
The U.S. objected to the inclusion of clauses on “further support” for Ukraine in a joint statement during the meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers in Canada, Politico reported on May 21, citing two undisclosed officials. …
Ukraine
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USA
US Senate to vote on new Russia sanctions unless peace efforts progress soon, Senator Graham says
The U.S. Senate is ready to vote on a bill on sanctions against Russia if peace talks over the war in Ukraine do not progress soon, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on May 20, as Voice of America journalist Tetiana Vorozhko reported.
The U.S.-mediated …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
Putin visits Kursk Oblast for first time since Moscow claimed its recapture
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Kursk Oblast, the Kremlin said on May 21, marking his first known visit since Moscow declared it had retaken the Russian border region from Ukrainian forces.
Russia claimed on April 26 that it had completed its …
Ukraine
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2 killed, 23 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day
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 …
Ukraine
Russia
The enemy hits a training ground in Sumy Oblast
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…
Ukraine
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Russian semiconductor plant targeted in alleged massive Ukrainian drone attack
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, …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
Pope Leo willing to host Ukraine peace talks in Vatican, Italy's Meloni says
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. …
Ukraine
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6 service members killed, 10 injured in Russian missile strike in Sumy Oblast, National Guard says
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 …