Governor: Electricity restored for almost 90% of consumers in Kherson

7:08 PM

Slovak PM Fico undergoes 2nd surgery, still in serious condition following assassination attempt.

The Dennik N media outlet reported that none of the doctors personally attending to Fico have spoken publicly.

6:52 PM

Governor: Ukraine rescues 4 children from Russian-held territory of Kherson Oblast.

The evacuated children are three brothers and a sister, aged from two to 12, according to Oleksandr Prokudin.

6:35 PM

EU suspends 4 more Russian propaganda outlets.

Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta were recognized as such that spread and supported Russian propaganda and the war against Ukraine.

5:43 PM

Washington Post: Ukrainian troops' Starlink connection suffered systemic failure amid Russian offensive.

The drone feeds that soldiers relied on to keep track of Russian movements "completely disappeared," a Ukrainian soldier told the Washington Post.

5:39 PM

Belarus weekly

Belarus Weekly: Kyiv considers granting citizenship to foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine

4:56 PM

At least 5 injured in missile attack on Odesa.

The extent of the damage is currently unknown, Suspilne wrote.

4:35 PM

Hungary vetoes Council of Europe resolution supporting Ukraine's peace formula.

In a post on Facebook, Peter Szijjarto said that "other plans" had been proposed by others but were not being considered by the Council, and the exclusion of Russia from the body meant peace negotiations could not work. The minister did not specify which other plans he was referring to.

4:01 PM

Updated: Russian attack on Kharkiv kills 2, injures 25.

Russia struck the city of Kharkiv twice with aerial bombs on May 17, killing two and injuring 25 people, local authorities reported.

3:52 PM

Zelensky signs law allowing some convicts to serve in military.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 17 signed into law a bill permitting citizens convicted under certain charges to serve in the military.

3:46 PM

Zelensky signs law amendments increasing fines for draft evaders.

According to the new legislation, fines for violating the rules of the military register can range from Hr 3,400 ($86) to 5,100 ($130), and for repeated violations, from Hr 17,000 ($430) to 25,500 ($646).

3:21 PM

Ukrainian drones hit military facilities in Russia, Crimea overnight.

Ukrainian drones attacked several military facilities in Russia and in occupied Crimea overnight of May 17, Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing unnamed sources in special services. The operation was reportedly carried out by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

3:17 PM

Putin claims Russia has 'no plans to capture Kharkiv as of today.'

Russia has no plans to capture Kharkiv "as of today" and is attacking Kharkiv Oblast in order to create a so-called buffer zone in the oblast to prevent shelling in Belgorod, President Vladimir Putin claimed on May 17.

2:27 PM

PM Shmyhal: Ukraine allocates $38 million to restore 2 power plants destroyed by Russia.

The government allocated more than Hr 1.5 billion ($38 million) to restore the Zmiiv thermal power plant (TPP) in Kharkiv Oblast and the Trypillia TPP in Kyiv Oblast destroyed by Russian attacks, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on May 17.

1:15 PM

Syrskyi: Russia expanding attacks in Kharkiv Oblast, 'tough battles ahead.'

Syrski's comments came a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists Russian troops were able to advance as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep during their offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, but the front in the region has been stabilized.

12:12 PM

Media: Ukrainian coal businessman Kropachov detained.

Ukrainian businessman Vitaliy Kropachov is the owner of the Ukrdoninvest Group of companies with assets in the coal industry, machine-building, construction, transportation, and media.

11:48 AM

Zelensky: No reports of artillery shortages for first time in full-scale war.

Over the winter months, Ukraine's armed forces suffered a "critical" shortage of artillery shells, in large part due to delays in U.S. military aid.

11:29 AM

Zelensky: Russia's Kharkiv Oblast offensive advances as far as 10 km, halted by 1st defense line.

Russian troops were able to advance as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep in some areas during their offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, but the front in the region has been stabilized, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on May 16.

11:06 AM

Police: Russia using civilians in Vovchansk as human shields.

Serhii Bolvinov, the head of the investigative department of the police of the Kharkiv Oblast, said on air on Suspilne that up to 40 civilians, most of them elderly, had been taken captive when trying to escape Russian shelling.

10:34 AM

Pentagon: Washington has not changed position on Ukrainian strikes in Russia with US arms.

Washington has not changed its position on potential Ukrainian strikes with U.S.-supplied weapons on Russian territory, even after Russia had launched its offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said at a press briefing on May 16.

10:11 AM

Belbek airfield strikes destroyed 3 Russian planes, satellite images suggest.

Satellite images obtained by RFE/RL and The New York Times suggested two MiG-31s and one Su-27 were damaged if not totally destroyed.

9:26 AM

Air Force: Ukraine downs all 20 Russian drones overnight.

Russian Shahed-type drones were intercepted over Kharkiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts, Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said.

9:15 AM

Russia claims over 100 downed drones amid reports of massive attack on port, oil facilities.

If confirmed, it would be the largest drone attack by Ukraine throughout the entire war. A previous attack in March saw the Kremlin claiming to have downed 65 drones.

8:46 AM

Russia claims fire at oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai after drone attack.

A fire broke out at an oil refinery in the town of Tuapse in Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on May 17 after a drone attack, the regional operational headquarters claimed.

8:23 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 489,870 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

Russia has lost 489,870 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 17.

7:18 AM

Drone strike causes fire at Belgorod Oblast gas station.

Ukrainian forces attacked multiple settlements in Belgorod Oblast on May 16-17, damaging a gas station and killing two people, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed.