Russia says explosions at ammunition depot in Crimea occurred ‘due to sabotage’

9:35 PM  (Updated:  May 15, 2025 12:56 pm)

Updated: NATO reportedly not inviting Zelensky to The Hague summit to appease Trump.

If confirmed, the decision would mark the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion that President Volodymyr Zelensky is absent, either physically or virtually, from a NATO summit.

12:11 PM

Zelensky arrives in Turkey, decries Russia's 'sham' delegation ahead of potential peace talks.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to hold talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15.

12:09 PM

Kremlin rules out Putin's visit to Turkey for talks with Zelensky.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not visit Istanbul for a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 15, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

11:51 AM

'Slap in the face' — Estonia blasts Russia's low-level peace delegation in Istanbul.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to send junior aides for peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul is like a "slap in the face," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on May 15.

11:13 AM

Ukraine plans to discuss only ceasefire with Russia at Istanbul talks, media reports.

When asked by the Kyiv Independent, a source close to the Presidential Office did not confirm whether Ukraine would still hold the talks if Putin does not join.

10:45 AM

Trump says he might join Russia-Ukraine peace talks on May 16 if progress is made.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he might still go to the potential Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations in Istanbul on May 16 if there is progress toward a deal, the BBC reported.

8:08 AM  (Updated:  May 15, 2025 10:37 am)

Russian delegation arrives in Istanbul ahead of potential Ukraine peace talks but Putin not expected to join.

A plane with the Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul for planned peace talks with Ukraine, pro-state news agency Interfax reported on May 15, citing sources in aviation services.

2:01 AM  (Updated:  May 15, 2025 10:26 am)

Putin rejects ceasefire, calls on Ukraine to begin direct talks in Istanbul next week as Victory Day 'truce' ends.

"Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions," Putin claimed in an address marking the end of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire. He invited Ukraine to begin talks in Istanbul on May 15.

9:50 AM

As potential peace talks in Turkey loom, Russia kills 5 civilians, injures 29 in Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces downed 62 out of the 100 Shahed-type attack drones and other drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.

9:31 AM

Pro-Ukraine partisans sabotage railway track near Russia's Smolensk.

The operation was carried out in Russia's Smolensk Oblast, a western region bordering Belarus, to disrupt arms and equipment shipments to Russian forces stationed at Ukraine's northeastern border.

9:08 AM

Ukraine-Russia peace efforts could see progress within 2 weeks, NATO chief says.

"I think there is this window of opportunity this week, but also in the next 10 days, two weeks, to really bring the whole issue of Ukraine to a better place," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.

8:08 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 970,590 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,220 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

12:12 AM  (Updated:  May 15, 2025 7:43 am)

Putin won’t attend peace talks in Turkey, Kremlin says.

The Kremlin unveiled its delegation for Ukraine-Russia peace talks in a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 14. Putin was not on the list of delegates, nor were any other top-ranking Russian officials.

6:43 AM

Zelensky names formerly imprisoned Crimean Tatar activist as Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey.

Nariman Dzhelial, deputy chair of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, was released in a prisoner exchange with Russia on June 28, 2024.

5:35 AM

Ukrainian actor Maksym Nelipa killed in action.

Ukrainian actor and TV presenter Maksym Nelipa was killed in action on May 12, his friends and family reported on May 14. The details of his death have not been disclosed.

5:05 AM

Drone attacks in 2025 shut down Russian airports record number of times since start of full-scale war.

From January to May 10, 2025, Russian airports suspended operations 217 times — more closures than in 2023 and 2024 combined.

4:09 AM

US, Europe urge Zelensky to commit to Istanbul peace talks whether or not Putin shows up, WP reports.

European and U.S. officials, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, reportedly convinced Zelensky that attending the peace talks would reflect positively on Kyiv, diplomats told the Washington Post.

2:08 AM

Rubio arrives in Turkey ahead of Ukraine-Russia peace talks, meets with FM Sybiha.

"We discussed in detail the logic of further steps and shared our approaches... It is critical that Russia reciprocate Ukraine's constructive steps. So far, it has not. Moscow must understand that rejecting peace comes at a cost," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

1:01 AM

Trump will skip Ukraine-Russia peace talks as Putin evades negotiations, US official says.

U.S. President Donald Trump will not attend Ukraine-Russia peace talks to be held on May 15, an unnamed U.S. official said.

11:29 PM

Ukraine's next steps will be based on who Russia sends to peace talks, Zelensky says.

"I am waiting to see who will come from Russia, and then I will decide which steps Ukraine should take. So far, the signals from them in the media are unconvincing," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

10:56 PM

War

From spy rings to arson — Russia's sabotage across Europe continues unpunished

3:45 PM  (Updated:  May 14, 2025 10:29 pm)

3 killed, 9 injured in a Russian missile strike on city of Sumy.

The air raid was announced at around 2:30 p.m. local time, while the explosion sounded around 2:50 p.m. The number of victims killed rose to three, Sumy Oblast Governor Oleh Hryhorov reported at 8:42 p.m.

10:00 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Trump says he's unsure whether Putin will attend Ukraine peace talks in Turkey as Kremlin stays silent

9:35 PM

War

‘A war with a clear right and wrong’ – why foreigners keep fighting for Ukraine amid growing uncertainty

8:29 PM

Poland detects foreign-funded election ads amid fears of Russian interference.

The disclosure follows a warning from Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski, who on May 6 said Moscow was carrying out an "unprecedented" interference campaign.