According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to Ukraine.
Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.
The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, a senior cardinal announced on May 8 to crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News.
George Simion, leader of Romania's far-right AUR party, who won the first round of the presidential election with nearly 40% of the vote, reiterated that if elected, he would oppose any further assistance to Ukraine and shift Romania’s focus inward.
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.
"There is Turkey, which maintains channels of communication. And then, above all, there is the People's Republic of China, which, more than anyone else, has the means to make (Russian President Vladimir) Putin come to the negotiating table and soften his demands," Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8.
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.
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.
US President Donald Trump on May 8 called for a "30-day unconditional ceasefire" between Ukraine and Russia. Writing on Truth Social, Trump expressed his hope for "an acceptable ceasefire," with both countries "held accountable for respecting the sanctity of... direct negotiations."
President Volodymyr Zelensky had a "constructive" phone call with United States President Donald Trump on May 8, discussing the war, continued pressure on Russia, and a potential ceasefire.
The survey, conducted between April 24 and May 4, shows that 56.9% of respondents would not be willing to compromise on either territorial integrity or Ukraine’s pro-Western direction in any potential talks with Moscow.
The aftermath of one of the Russian attacks on Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast on June 15-16, 2023. (Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko/Telegram)
Russian attacks against Ukraine killed two civilians and wounded 16 more over the past 24 hours, according to regional authorities.
Russia targeted eight Ukrainian oblasts — Donetsk, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk and Luhansk.
Russian forces struck Kherson Oblast 54 times using artillery, mortars, drones, aviation, Grad MLRS, and missiles, the regional administration wrote on June 16. The attacks reportedly killed two people in the region and injured two more.
Russian attacks wounded 10 civilians in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast, reported Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko. Russia hit at least 11 regional settlements, damaging 13 houses, the building of a cultural institution, two administrative buildings, and an infrastructure facility, said Kyrylenko.
The aftermath of one of the Russian attacks on Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast on June 15-16, 2023. (Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko/Telegram)
The aftermath of one of the Russian attacks on Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast on June 15-16, 2023. (Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko/Telegram)
The aftermath of one of the Russian attacks on Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast on June 15-16, 2023. (Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko/Telegram)
Overnight and early on June 16, Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast was targeted nine times, resulting in damages to people's homes and critical infrastructure, according to the regional administration. There were no casualties.
Earlier on June 15, Russian troops attacked seven communities in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast, wounding three teenagers, one of whom has been hospitalized.
Russia's military struck Zaporizhzhia Oblast's Orikhiv in the morning of June 17, injuring a 55-year-old resident, the regional authorities wrote on Facebook. They reported receiving 24 reports about damages to civilians' property after Russia hit a total of 14 settlements in the region.
Russian troops hit three districts in Kharkiv Oblast, damaging a residential building and two outbuildings in the village of Lyptsi, as well as two residential buildings, a railway station, and an outbuilding in Kupiansk. No casualties were reported, according to the regional governor.
Dinara Khalilova is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, where she has previously worked as a news editor. In the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News’ team in Ukraine. Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master’s degree in media and communication from the U.K.’s Bournemouth University.
Alexander Khrebet
