Reading
Spies, Lies, and Algorithms
Amy B. Zegart
Russia
“They never said it was a war” — Confession of a captured Russian soldier
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
USA
5 things Putin conveniently left out of his Victory Day speech in Moscow
Amid much pomp, military machinery, and the threat of Ukrainian drone strikes, Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered his annual speech to mark his country’s Victory Day parade.
The Kremlin’s celebrations, which mark the Soviet …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
EU to provide Ukraine with over 1 million shells over 2025, allocate over $2 billion for military aid from Russian frozen assets
The European Union has pledged to supply over 1.35 million rounds in 2025 and plans to allocate nearly 1.9 billion euro ($2.1 billion) from Russian frozen assets in military support for Ukraine, Ukrainian officials announced on May 9.
The news comes …
Ukraine
Russia
UK announces largest sanctions ever against Russia's 'shadow fleet'
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to impose punitive measures on about 100 ships from Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," used to circumvent Western sanctions and the oil embargo. This announcement, outlined on the British …
Russia
An absolute record! More than 500 drones attacked Russia #shorts
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
USA
'I don't think Putin will agree to a peace agreement ever' — Volker on peace talks between Ukraine, Russia
Kurt Volker, a former U.S. special representative for Ukraine, does not believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin will ever agree to a negotiated peace deal, he said during an open discussion on May 9 at the American University Kyiv, attended by …
Ukraine
Russia
Putin draws parallel between Ukraine war and WWII, criticizes Western role during Victory Day parade
During the traditional Victory Day military parade on Moscow's Red Square, Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn a controversial comparison between the ongoing war against Ukraine and the Soviet Union's fight against Nazi Germany from 1941 to …
Ukraine
Russia
Ukrainian regions endure attacks despite Putin's ceasefire declaration
Several regional authorities in Ukraine have reported continued Russian strikes and attacks on the night of Thursday, May 9, despite the three-day "ceasefire" announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The head of the Dnipropetrovsk Military …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Russian regime’s legitimacy rests on the manipulation of history
World War II was a bloodbath of unspeakable proportions, planned and executed by totalitarian powers. It brought the catastrophe of the Holocaust. It also led to the division of Europe and loss of freedom of many nations in Europe, including my own. …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Hungary allegedly expels two 'spies' working under diplomatic cover at Ukraine's embassy, Hungarian FM says
Hungary has allegedly expelled two “spies” working under diplomatic cover at Ukraine’s embassy in Budapest, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on May 9 on Facebook.
Szijjarto’s announcement came after …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
European ministers approve special tribunal to prosecute Russia's aggression against Ukraine
European foreign ministers approved the creation of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine during a meeting in Lviv on May 9.
The tribunal, which will operate under the auspices of the Council of Europe, aims to prosecute …
Zelenskyy on Europe Day: The continent must not be broken again! #shorts
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
2 killed, 12 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine despite declared 'ceasefire'
At least two people were killed and 12 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, regional officials reported on May 9, despite Moscow’s announced Victory Day truce.
Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Russia erects Stalin monument in occupied Melitopol to mark Victory Day
The Communist Party of Russia unveiled a monument to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in occupied Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, on May 8 to commemorate Victory Day in World War II, the party announced.
The statue carries a plaque that reads: “To …
Russia
Drones undermine Putin's image! It's loud near Moscow - the aggressor is getting what he deserves
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
“To believe Russia is to disrespect yourself.” Military in Kharkiv Oblast on Russia once again violating ceasefire they declared
UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, May 9 — On May 8, a supposed three-day ceasefire announced by Vladimir Putin, Russian President, began. Gwara Media talked to several brigades stationed on the Kharkiv and Kupiansk axes to find out how Russia violated its …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
EU diplomats honor fallen soldiers in Lviv, pledge more Ukraine support
EU foreign ministers and foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas honored fallen Ukrainian soldiers during a visit to Lviv on May 9, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported on Telegram.
The visit coincided with Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, an …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
USA
US court orders release of $12M RFE/RL funding after Trump administration freeze
A U.S. court of appeals ruled on May 7 that the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) must release $12 million in funding previously approved by Congress for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the media organization reported.
The ruling marks a …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Ukraine detains Hungarian spy network in westernmost Zakarpattia Oblast, SBU reports
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast, detaining two agents accused of espionage against the Ukrainian state, the agency announced on May 9.
According …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Romanian far-right leader Simion demands Ukraine repay aid, opposes further support
George Simion, leader of Romania’s far-right AUR party and frontrunner in the country’s presidential race, called on Ukraine to compensate Bucharest for its military and humanitarian aid, Romanian broadcaster Digi24 reported on May 8. …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
General Staff: Russia has lost 963,270 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost 963,270 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 9.
The number includes 1,300 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
USA
'Friends of steel' — Xi, Putin vow to strengthen cooperation ahead of Victory Day celebrations, slam US leadership
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed their countries' relationship on May 8, vowing to increase cooperation in all areas, including military ties.
In a joint statement released during Xi’s visit to Moscow amid …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
USA
Turkey, China may serve as potential peace talk 'mediator' if US pulls out, Polish FM says
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8 that he believed either Turkey or China would serve as a capable “mediator” if the United States pulls out of negotiations to end the war.
Speaking to reporters following an EU …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
USA
US ready to 'walk away' if Russia negotiates in bad faith, Vance says
The United States will be ready to “walk away” from the negotiating table if it does not see Russia making progress in negotiation to end the war, U.S. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on May 8.
“What would bother me is if we …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Fico arrives in Moscow ahead of Victory Day celebrations, talks with Putin, world leaders
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico arrived in Moscow on May 9 to celebrate Victory Day, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Slovak and Russian press agencies reported that Fico was accompanied by other …