Javelin anti-tank missiles arrive from Estonia to Ukraine.

6:57 PM

Video

With Ukraine’s Peaky Blinders chasing Russian soldiers near Pokrovsk.

The Kyiv Independent's Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko spent a day with one of Ukraine's most effective drone units, "Peaky Blinders." As Russian forces continue to push across the front line, Peaky Blinders are tasked with stopping Russian assaults near the embattled city of Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast.

4:34 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 6:42 pm)

Russia, Ukraine agree on 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange in Istanbul, Umerov says.

"We know the date, but we're not going to say it yet," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.

4:56 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 6:16 pm)

'Time to increase the pressure' — Zelensky, European leaders speak with Trump following Istanbul peace talks.

The conversation took place shortly after the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, which ended with little progress beyond an agreement on prisoner exchange.

6:04 PM

Ukraine, Russia agree to hold follow-up meeting after Istanbul peace talks, Turkish FM says.

"Parties have agreed in principle to come together again," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.

11:32 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 5:54 pm)

When did the war in Ukraine start? A timeline of Russia's aggression

Russia's war against Ukraine began immediately following the end of the EuroMaidan Revolution in February 2014, when Russia swiftly moved to annex and occupy Crimea

3:33 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 5:43 pm)

Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul end, Moscow demands Kyiv withdraw from 4 regions, no ceasefire agreement.

Some of Russia's demands include the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from their own territory as a condition for a ceasefire, an unnamed Ukrainian source told Sky News.

2:09 AM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 5:21 pm)

Up to 640,000 Russian troops fighting against Ukraine, Syrskyi says.

Vadym Skibitskyi, the deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), reported in March that Russia had deployed 620,000 soldiers to fight in Ukraine, a rise from his previous estimate of nearly 580,000 in November 2024.

2:59 PM

Putin appoints general who led Mariupol assault as new Russian Ground Forces Commander.

Under Andrey Mordvichev’s command, Russian troops carried out the destruction of civilian infrastructure and committed atrocities against both civilians and the Ukrainian military, Ukraine has said.

2:40 PM

European summit in Albania to focus on tougher sanctions against Russia, Politico reports.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the next set of EU sanctions will target Nord Stream, more "shadow fleet" listings, a lower oil price cap, and new measures targeting Russian and third-country banks aiding the war effort, according to the Kyiv Independent reporter.

10:51 AM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 1:40 pm)

Ukraine holds meeting with US, Turkey ahead of peace talks with Russia.

Later in the day, the Ukrainian delegation is set to meet Russian officials for the first direct negotiations since 2022, with Turkish representatives also to be present. Separate meetings between the Russian and U.S. officials are expected.

1:37 PM

Peace Talks

BREAKING: Ukraine, Russia start peace talks in Turkey for first time since 2022

The meeting marks the first direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow since 2022.

1:25 PM

Ukraine reportedly accuses Russia of undermining peace talks with last-minute demands.

Ukraine has blamed Russia for undermining the expected peace talks in Istanbul by demanding a one-on-one meeting, excluding Turkish or U.S. officials, at the last minute, Sky News and the Guardian reported on May 16.

1:21 PM

Ukraine brings back bodies of 909 fallen soldiers.

The bodies of soldiers were recovered from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts as well as from morgues in Russia.

12:59 PM

Trump says he's returning to US, expects to meet Putin 'as soon as we can set it up.'

"I think it’s time for us to just do it," U.S. Presidnet Donald Trump said in Abu Dhabi, adding that the meeting between the two would happen "as soon as we can set it up."

7:17 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 12:27 pm)

Eastern Europe

Romania heads to historic presidential runoff as pro and anti-Ukraine candidate are neck-and-neck

12:04 PM

NATO set to agree on 5% GDP defense spending, Rubio says.

"We are headed for a summit in six weeks in which virtually every member of NATO will be at or above 2%, but more importantly, many of them will be over 4% and all will have agreed on a goal of reaching 5% over the next decade," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

10:40 AM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 11:34 am)

Ukrainian delegates meet Kellogg, French, German, UK advisors before Istanbul talks.

Presidential Office Chief Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with French, German, U.K., and the U.S. officials in Istanbul on May 16, Suspilne reported, citing sources in the Ukrainian delegation.

10:04 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 11:09 am)

Peace Talks

'It's a mess' — after all the hype, Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul descend into name-calling shambles

Istanbul — it’s where Asia meets Europe, but as we now know, not where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

9:24 AM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 11:08 am)

Russian attacks kill 3, injure 15 in Ukraine over past day.

The attacks took place as Russian and Ukrainian delegates are set to meet in Istanbul in what would be the first direct negotiations between the two parties since 2022.

9:51 AM

Ukraine, Russia, Turkey to hold trilateral peace talks after midday, media reports.

Ukrainian, Russian, and Turkish officials will hold a trilateral discussion in Istanbul on May 16 at 12:30 p.m. local time as part of peace efforts, Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported, citing Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.

9:29 AM

Zelensky arrives in Albania for European Political Community summit.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Albania on May 16 to attend the summit of the European Political Community, presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov said, according to the state news channel Freedom TV.

6:54 AM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 9:10 am)

Explosions heard in Kyiv amid Russian drone attack as Ukraine-Russia peace talks loom.

Explosions were heard in Kyiv amid a Russian drone attack on the capital in the early hours of May 16, as Ukraine and Russia are set to begin peace talks later in the day.

9:05 AM

Explosions rock occupied Crimea as drone attack reportedly sets Russian ammo depot on fire.

A fire broke out at an ammunition depot in the village of Perevalne in Russian-occupied Crimea following a series of explosions during a drone attack on the morning of May 16, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported, citing local residents.

8:08 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 971,690 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,100 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

8:06 AM

Ukraine 'lost contact' with F-16 during combat, pilot ejected, Air Force says.

The Air Force "lost contact" with an F-16 jet during a mission to repel a Russian aerial attack overnight on May 16 following an emergency situation on board, the Air Force reported.