President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on May 18, following the pontiff’s inauguration mass, according to Vatican News.
According to Sky News, the Ukrainian president is also scheduled to have a private meeting with …
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Spies, Lies, and Algorithms
Amy B. Zegart
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BREAKING: Zelensky meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican, scheduled to have private talks
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2 killed, 23 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day
At least two people were killed and 23 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, regional officials reported on May 18, as Moscow launched its largest single drone strike since the start of the full-scale invasion.
According to …
Ukraine
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‘Everything is translation’ — 13th Book Arsenal festival in Kyiv to bridge gaps between language and war
The 13th Book Arsenal festival, one of Ukraine’s premier interdisciplinary cultural events attracting voices from across the country and around the globe, will take place in Kyiv from May 29 to June 1.
Over the course of four days, the festival offers …
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Poland, Romania presidential elections held amid Russian interference, far-right surge — what you need to know
Poland and Romania — key NATO allies bordering Ukraine — are holding presidential elections on May 18, with both votes unfolding under the shadow of Russian interference and rising far-right influence.
The simultaneous elections are being closely …
Ukraine
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Russian tank losses in Ukraine — Syrski claims 1,159 'hit' since start of year
Ukraine’s armed forces have “hit” 1,159 Russian tanks since the beginning of 2025, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on May 17.
"Ukrainian soldiers continue to destroy the enemy and his equipment," he said in a post …
The enthronement of the new Pope Leo XIV: the pontiff appeared before the faithful #shorts
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Russia launches record 273-drone attack on Ukraine ahead of planned Trump-Putin call
Russia carried out its largest single drone attack since the start of its full-scale invasion, launching 273 drones overnight on May 18, Ukraine’s Air Force reported.
The attack comes just two days after Ukraine and Russia held their first …
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General Staff: Russia has lost 973,730 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost 973,730 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 18.
The number includes 1,130 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the …
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Russian drone strike in Kyiv Oblast kills 1, injures 3
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
An overnight Russian drone strike in Kyiv Oblast killed one person and injured three more, Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, reported on May 18.
As …
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Russia kills 1, injures 8 people in Donetsk Oblast
The Russian military attacked Donetsk Oblast on May 17, killing one person and injuring an additional eight.
This was reported by the Governor of Donetsk Oblast, Vadym Filashkin, on Telegram.
The drone strike occurred in the morning and impacted the …
Ukraine
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Ukraine takes 9th place in Eurovision 2025
Performing their song “Bird of Pray,” Ukrainian band Ziferblat took ninth place at the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on May 17 in Basel, Switzerland.
This year’s winner was Austrian singer JJ with the song “Wasted …
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USA
Canadian PM Carney reaffirms support for Ukraine in first meeting with Zelensky
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed his country’s “steadfast and unwavering support” for Ukraine in a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, which took place on May 17 in Rome.
This was the first meeting between …
Idiotic Orders and Losses: Magura Commander Resigns
Battalion commander of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade “Magura,” Oleksandr Shyrshyn, has submitted a resignation letter. The officer accused the command of assigning “idiotic tasks” and causing unjustified personnel losses….
Ukraine
France and Germany tighten their military cooperation with Ukraine #shorts
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Battalion commander of the 47th brigade submits resignation report, slams military leadership over 'stupid tasks'
Oleksandr Shyrshyn, battalion commander of the 47 Separate Mechanized Brigade, has submitted his resignation, sharply criticizing Ukraine’s military leadership for what he described as senseless orders and unnecessary casualties.
“I have never …
Russia
Pressure on Putin is growing! The European Union and NATO react to the Istanbul talks
Zelenskyy met with Carney for the first time in Italy! #shorts
Ukraine
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Russian forces turn to motorcycles amid equipment shortages in Ukraine
Russian troops are increasingly using motorcycles and light vehicles for assaults as they try to make up for a shortage of armored vehicles.
As early as spring 2024, it became apparent that Russian forces were frequently utilizing motorcycles to …
Ukraine
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USA
Rubio says Vatican could host peace talks, praises Holy See’s role in Ukraine war
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on May 17 that the Vatican could serve as a venue for future peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Speaking to reporters in Rome ahead of his meeting with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Vatican’s point man on …
Ukraine
Russia
Kremlin threatens to launch Oreshnik, while Ukraine wins in Kursk | Front News
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Russian troops adapt new tactics with smaller infantry units in Southern Ukraine offensive
Russian forces have changed their offensive tactics in southern Ukraine, as stated by the South Defense Forces spokesperson, Vladyslav Voloshyn. He spoke to Channel 24 about the new approach, which involves smaller infantry units instead of the …
Ukraine
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USA
Trump to talk to Putin on May 19 in push to end 'bloodbath'
U.S. President Donald Trump said he will be speaking, by telephone, to President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Monday, at 10 a.m.
Trump’s comments come as peace talks in Istanbul on May 16 ended with no breakthrough, and Russia once again issued …
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Ukraine’s Security Service begins preparations for 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap with Russia
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has launched preparatory steps for a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia involving 1,000 detainees from each side, the agency announced on May 17.
The Joint Coordination Center for the Search and Release of …
Ukraine
Russia
USA
Kremlin: potential Zelensky-Putin meeting hinges on several preconditions
A potential meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin could take place, but under specific conditions, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced.
According to Russian state media, Peskov emphasized …
Ukraine
Russia
Russian drone attack on bus in Sumy region leaves 9 dead
On the morning of May 17, Russia attacked a public bus in the Sumy region. The Sumy Regional Military Administration reported that the strike resulted in the deaths of nine people and injuries to seven others. According to the head of the Sumy …