Ukraine's Defense Ministry: Russia has recruited more than 1,000 Syrian mercenaries to fight in Ukraine.

7:52 PM

Rubio says Vatican could host peace talks, praises Holy See’s role in Ukraine war.

Asked whether the Vatican could act as a peace broker, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he "wouldn’t call it broker, but it’s certainly — I think it’s a place that both sides would be comfortable going."

6:20 PM

Trump to talk to Putin on May 19 in push to end 'bloodbath.'

"Hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war — a war that should have never happened — will end. God bless us all!!!" U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social.

5:42 PM

Ukraine’s Security Service begins preparations for 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap with Russia.

The planned exchange follows an agreement reached between Ukrainian and Russian delegations during talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025.

4:39 PM

Defense tech

How Russia's Shaheds are getting more dangerous — and what Ukraine is doing about it

4:17 PM

Lavrov, Rubio discuss results of Istanbul peace talks, Russian media reports.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reportedly welcomed what he described as a “constructive” role by Washington in encouraging Kyiv to accept President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to resume peace talks in Istanbul.

3:57 PM

EU prepares sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet, German FM says.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany and its allies are responding to hybrid threats in the Baltic region with increased patrols and renewed pressure on Russia's covert shipping operations.

3:08 PM

Russia sentences Australian fighting for Ukraine to 13 years in prison in sham trial.

The so-called Supreme Court of the Russian-controlled Luhansk Oblast found Jenkins guilty under Russian criminal law for participating in armed conflict as a mercenary.

2:50 PM

1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange likely to take place next week, Ukraine intelligence chief says.

A major prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia involving around 1,000 POWs from each side is expected to take place next week, Ukraine's military intelligence chief said on air on May 17, following an agreement reached in Istanbul.

1:46 PM

Putin signs decree easing Russian citizenship process for residents of occupied Abkhazia, South Ossetia.

According to the decree, all adult "citizens" of Abkhazia and South Ossetia who held that status as of Aug. 26, 2008, the day Russia recognized the territories as "independent," are now eligible to apply for Russian citizenship through an expedited process.

12:59 PM

Russian strikes kill at least 13, injure over 30 across Ukraine in past 24 hours.

Russian forces launched a massive drone assault across Ukraine overnight, using 62 drones including Shahed-type attack UAVs and decoy drones from Russia and occupied Crimea.

12:24 PM

Moscow questions Kyiv's authority, says Ukraine's choice of signatory key to any peace deal.

"For Russia, the most important and principal matter when signing documents between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations is the identity of the person authorized to sign on behalf of Ukraine," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

10:13 AM  (Updated:  May 17, 2025 12:18 pm)

Russian drone strike on civilian bus in Sumy kills 9, injures 7.

Russia launched a drone strike on Sumy Oblast in the early morning of May 17, killing nine people and injuring four more. The drone targeted a shuttle bus that was transporting civilians near the city of Bilopillia at 6:17 a.m. local time.

11:35 AM

Ukrainian drones strike Russian ammunition depot in occupied Crimea, source says.

The depot, located near a key highway between Simferopol and Alushta, reportedly housed military equipment, ammunition, and fuel storage facilities. Local residents reportedly described thick smoke over the military compound.

10:00 AM

Polish PM Tusk blames Russian hackers for cyberattacks ahead of presidential election.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the cyberattacks hit the website of his Civic Platform party, as well as those of its coalition partners, the Left and the Polish People’s Party (PSL).

9:17 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 972,600 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

The number includes 910 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

6:20 AM

Russian economic growth slowing down, Rosstat reports.

Russia's economy is experiencing a sharp slowdown in growth, according to a report released by the governmental statistics agency Rosstat on May 16. GDP only grew by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2025 – a notable decline from 4.5% growth in the previous quarter and 5.4% in the same period last year.

2:44 AM

'This is turkey time' — Trump vows sanctions on Moscow if peace talks fail, says Putin is 'tired' of war.

"Honestly, I will (impose sanctions), if we're not gonna make a deal," Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier in an interview published on May 16. "This would be crushing for Russia because they're having a hard time now with the economy."

12:54 AM

As Russia sticks to hardline demands during peace talks, Europe frustrated with Trump’s swerves, Bloomberg reports.

European officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they remain unsure of U.S. President Donald Trump's next move and fear that his unpredictable stance could undercut momentum toward a unified Western response.

11:40 PM

US to begin talks on troop reductions in Europe later this year, America’s NATO envoy says.

"It’s more than 30 years of U.S. desire (to reduce troops in Europe), President Trump just said, enough, this is going to happen and it’s going to happen now," U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said.

9:57 PM

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

9:55 PM

Opinion

5 lies Europe tells itself about Russia’s criminal war

9:51 PM

Trump & Russia

'Putin is laughing at Trump' — Ukraine in disbelief as Russia makes a mockery of US-led ceasefire attempts.

"In Putin’s eyes, all the leaders of the Western world are weaklings and suckers," Ukrainian infantryman "Mamai," told the Kyiv Independent.

9:46 PM

Syria reportedly ends currency printing deal with Russia, eyes UAE, Germany for new banknotes.

As sanctions against Syria ease, the new leadership is seeking deeper ties with Arab and Western countries, ending its reliance on Moscow.

8:28 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 9:23 pm)

War analysis

'It's all a farce' — Ukrainian soldiers react to peace talks in Istanbul

3:33 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 9:21 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.