Ukrainian forces liberate Poltavka, Malynivka.

3:46 AM

Over half of Azov fighters returned to Ukraine, official says.

The confirmed statistic, which includes multiple units who fought to defend the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol, comes amid social media outcry criticizing Ukrainian authorities for failing to return certain captives, including Azov fighters, during the war's largest 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange

5:18 PM  (Updated:  May 29, 2025 3:12 am)

Germany pledges 5 billion euros in new aid to Ukraine, no Taurus missiles announced.

The agreement includes direct German investments in Ukraine's defense industry and a broader treaty between Kyiv and German arms manufacturers.

1:55 AM

UN commission says Russian drone attacks against Kherson amount to crimes against humanity.

From July 2024, nearly 150 civilians have been killed and hundreds more wounded in drone strikes on Kherson city and 16 surrounding localities, according to the United Nation's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.

12:10 AM

Trump holds off on sanctions to push Ukraine-Russia peace efforts.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on May 28 that he has not yet imposed new sanctions on Russia because he believes a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine may be within reach.

10:26 PM

Ukraine sends ceasefire memo, urges Russia to respond ahead of June 2 peace talks, Umerov says.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on May 28 that Kyiv is still awaiting the Russian side’s proposed ceasefire memorandum, which was expected following peace talks in Turkey earlier this month.

10:01 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Moscow proposes next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2 in Istanbul

7:40 PM  (Updated:  May 28, 2025 9:51 pm)

Moscow proposes next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2 in Istanbul.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the talks would be a continuation of negotiations launched in Istanbul on May 16.

9:45 PM

Turkey, Belgium to join drone coalition for Ukraine.

With the addition of Belgium and Turkey, the Drone Coalition will grow to 20 member states.

8:43 PM

11 more Ukrainian Children rescued from Russian-occupied territories, Yermak's advisor says.

Among those rescued is a young girl whose mother and brother, both defenders of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, spent more than three years in Russian captivity.

3:49 AM  (Updated:  May 28, 2025 8:37 pm)

Ukrainian drones hit Russian cruise missile factory, SBU source says, in one of largest reported strikes of full-scale war.

Dozens of Ukrainian drones were shot down by Russian air defenses as they approached Moscow, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin claimed on May 28.

8:35 PM

'We'll know in two weeks' if Putin serious about ending war, Trump says.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he disapproved of Russia's recent missile attacks on Ukrainian cities during ongoing diplomatic efforts. "That's no good. We're not going to allow it," he said.

7:09 PM

EU announces new Black Sea security strategy to counter Russian threats, top diplomat says.

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas proposed creating a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, envisioned as an early warning and monitoring system that would enhance situational awareness and protect key infrastructure.

6:52 PM

Russia proposed new date and location for peace talks with Ukraine, Medinsky says.

Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky claimed he personally called Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to suggest holding a meeting "in the coming days" to exchange draft memoranda outlining conditions for a potential ceasefire.

6:30 PM

NASA astronaut on Russian colleagues backing war against Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent’s Kollen Post sits down with retired U.S. astronaut Col. Terry W. Virts to discuss his time aboard the International Space Station alongside Russian colleagues in 2014–2015, during Russia’s annexation of Crimea and invasion of Ukraine's eastern regions.

10:22 PM  (Updated:  May 28, 2025 6:22 pm)

Taurus missiles

If Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem

5:53 PM

Ukrainian Security Service charges captured Russian soldier with executing POWs.

According to the SBU, the soldier, a rifleman with Russia's 40th Separate Marine Brigade, participated in the point-blank shooting of two detained Ukrainian servicemen on Jan. 9 near Kursk.

5:41 PM

Balkans

‘A serious crisis’ — pro-Russian leader in Bosnia threatening peace in the Balkans

6:49 PM  (Updated:  May 28, 2025 4:03 pm)

Business

Despite Russia’s claims, sanctions are working — Ukraine just needs Trump to impose more

Ukraine’s allies have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia and its supporters over the full-scale war, but experts say there’s room for more.

3:40 PM

Germany to do 'everything' to prevent Nord Stream 2 restart, Merz says.

The German government will "do everything to ensure that Nord Stream 2 cannot be put back into operation," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28.

3:18 PM

Zelensky confirms his participation in G7 summit in June.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Zelensky in March to attend the summit, shortly after he took office.

2:58 PM

Germany to help finance Ukrainian-made long-range systems.

Germany and Ukraine will sign a memorandum on the joint purchase of "long-range fires" manufactured by Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on May 28.

2:23 PM

Russia to 'strongly' feel Western sanctions impact by mid-2026, Zelensky says.

President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes that in June 2026, there will be no more war in Ukraine, but Russia will still feel the pressure of sanctions.

2:17 PM

Lithuania demands Belarus compensate $227 million for migrant crisis.

The demand comes after Lithuania instituted legal proceedings against Belarus in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on May 19.

2:04 PM

Putin-Zelensky meeting possible after 'specific agreements,' Russia says.

"Our position on the fundamental possibility of such a meeting has not changed," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

1:29 PM

Ban on NATO's eastward expansion, easing sanctions — Reuters lists Putin's Ukraine peace demands.

One senior Russian source told Reuters that Putin is ready for a peace agreement, but "not at any price."