The sanctions appear to be in response to Russia's rejection of a 30-day ceasefire that the U.K., alongside Ukraine, France, Germany, and Poland, demanded during a visit to Kyiv on May 10.
"We now know for sure that the great fire of the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw was caused by arson ordered by the Russian special services," Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X. "Some of the perpetrators have already been detained, all the others are identified and searched for."
The publications' latest report covers the period of February 24, 2022 to May 8, 2025. Since it was last updated at the end of April, 2,857 additional Russian military personnel have been confirmed killed.
Hungary cancelled a meeting planned for May 12 with a Ukrainian delegation on the rights of national minorities, Hungary's Deputy Foreign Minister said on May 11, amid a deepening spying scandal between the two countries.
Three were injured in Russia's Kursk Oblast when the town of Rylsk was allegedly struck by a missile attack on May 11, local governor Alexander Khinshtein claimed.
This week, the world watched in anticipation for Russia’s Victory Day parade after President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that he could not guarantee the safety of those attending. Meanwhile, the European Union moves one step forward to banning Russian gas from the European continent. It is also revealed this week that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has fallen out of step with the White House.
"(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin... doesn't want to have a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the bloodbath. Ukraine should agree to this, immediately," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to to Antalya, Turkey, for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting from May 14–16, where he is expected to address the war in Ukraine and push for stronger Allied defense commitments.
The Kremlin said the leaders held a detailed discussion about the Russian initiative and Erdogan expressed full support, reiterating Turkey’s readiness to provide a venue and assist in organizing the negotiations.
Newly appointed U.K. Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris (left) hands over his credentials to Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis on Sept. 11, 2023. (Photo by Ukraine's Foreign Ministry)
Newly appointed U.K. Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris has officially started his duty, handing over copies of his credentials to the Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis.
This was reported by the British Embassy in Kyiv on X (formerly Twitter) on Sept. 11.
The previous ambassador, Dame Melinda Simmons, completed her four-year term on Sept. 1. Before leaving, Simmons recorded a video address to Ukrainians, thanking her supporters.
"Great Britain is with you all the way. Before victory and after it," she said.
On his appointment, Harris said he's "delighted to be returning to Ukraine to lead our Embassy's vital work in supporting the Ukrainian government and people as they defend their country and our common values."
"The U.K.'s relationship with Ukraine has never been stronger, and we will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes," the new ambassador added.
Harris had worked in Ukraine in 2003-2008 as Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General.
In 2010-2014, he was the U.K. ambassador to Romania and spent the following three years as Deputy Head of Mission in Moscow. For the last five years, Harris served as Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
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.
Anna Myroniuk
