Nord Stream 2

1:49 PM  (Updated:  May 24, 2025 2:29 pm)

BREAKING: Ukraine brings home 307 POWs in 2nd phase of major prisoner swap with Russia.

Ukraine has secured the release of 307 Ukrainians from Russian captivity in the second phase of its largest prisoner exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 24.

1:45 PM

Russia 'hasn't faced enough pressure' —Ukrainian, foreign diplomats react to overnight attack on Kyiv.

"Russia's continued aggression has a simple explanation: it hasn't faced enough pressure to stop. The power to change that lies with us," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said.

1:27 PM

War analysis

Russia pushes forward in Donetsk Oblast, threatening Ukrainian pocket around Toretsk

12:44 PM

EU mulls cutting over 20 Russian banks from SWIFT, banning Nord Stream in new sanctions, Bloomberg reports.

The new measures under consideration would also include lowering the Group of Seven oil price cap on Russian crude exports from $60 to around $45 per barrel.

12:53 AM  (Updated:  May 24, 2025 12:23 pm)

Russia hits Kyiv with drones, missiles hours after largest prisoner exchange kicks off.

Multiple people were injured as multiple waves of explosions rocked Kyiv overnight on May 24 during a massive Russian drone and missile attack.

11:52 AM

Ukraine denies Russian presence in Sumy Oblast border village, media reports.

Earlier, Russia's state-run news agency TASS claimed that Russian forces had entered Yunakivka, a village near the Russian border in Sumy Oblast.

11:38 AM

13 killed, 51 receive medical care after Russian strikes on Ukraine over past day.

Russian attacks killed at least 13 civilians during attacks against Ukraine over the past day, regional authorities reported. At least 51 people required medical attention.

10:56 AM

'Shoot them on the spot' — Ukraine's military intel records over 150 cases of Russia executing POWs.

The agency noted that this figure includes those cases recorded by HUR, suggesting the actual total may be higher.

10:36 AM

UK probes possible Russian involvement in arson attacks targeting PM Starmer, FT reports.

Two Ukrainian nationals, Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok, and a Romanian national, Stanislav Carpiuc, have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

10:23 AM

Russian chemical plant, missile parts manufacturer targeted in alleged Ukrainian drone strike.

The Energia facility, which lies in the Lipetsk Oblast city of Yelets, was attacked for the second night in a row, with residents reporting at least five explosions overnight, Astra reported.

9:24 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 979,830 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,130 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:10 AM

Pentagon may downgrade Ukraine-focused office amid policy restructure, media reports.

As part of a broader policy realignment, this office would be merged into the Pentagon's Europe and NATO office, reducing its prominence despite its critical role since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

4:56 AM

Russia’s top exporters slash rail shipments amid economic slowdown, Reuters reports.

A document seen by Reuters reveals that firms such as Rusal and Gazpromneft intend to reduce the volumes they plan to move by rail in 2025, prompting Russian Railways to slash spending by an additional 32.5 billion rubles ($408 million).

2:48 AM

EU to sanction Nord Stream 2 pipeline as Russia rejects Ukraine ceasefire, Bloomberg reports.

The EU is close to restricting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in a new round of sanctions as Russia refuses a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine, Bloomberg reported.

5:03 PM  (Updated:  May 24, 2025 1:45 am)

Prisoner exchange

'It’s okay, Mom, I’m home' — Ukraine, Russia hold largest prisoner swap of the war

12:38 AM

Russian jets violate Finnish airspace, defense ministry says.

Two Russian military aircraft are suspected of violating Finland's airspace, the country's defense ministry reported on May 23.

11:39 PM

Ukraine would like Trump to attend potential Zelensky-Putin meeting, Sybiha says.

Ukraine would like U.S. President Donald Trump to be present at a potential meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told journalists.

11:07 PM

EU to restore quotas on Ukrainian farm imports in June, Bloomberg reports.

The move marks a significant shift in EU trade policy toward Kyiv, as bloc members seek to balance wartime support for Ukraine with growing domestic unrest from European farmers.

11:01 PM

Ukraine, US officially launch joint Reconstruction Investment Fund.

"The last step was a diplomatic note from the United States, which I personally received this morning. The Fund is officially launched," Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on May 23.

10:25 PM

Controversial ex-official Portnov visited Ukraine days before being killed in Madrid, news outlet reports.

According to three Ukrainian Pravda's interlocutors with knowledge of Portnov's movements — including sources in law enforcement and his inner circle — he was in Ukraine on May 17-18 and reportedly met with top law enforcement officials.

10:10 PM

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, Russia hold largest prisoner swap since start of Russia's war.

9:57 PM

Opinion

Chaos to coordination: The evolution of POW swaps in the Russia-Ukraine war

9:36 PM

Zelensky slams Russia's delay on peace memorandum as 'mockery of the whole world.'

"We need a ceasefire. We need diplomatic steps toward real peace. And it's definitely time to put more pressure on Russia," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

8:39 PM

Opinion

Ukraine must look beyond the EU for its agricultural future

8:33 PM

Polish jets intercept Russian bomber over Baltic Sea after 'dangerous' maneuvers.

According to Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Russian aircraft posed a threat to regional airspace safety.