Politico: US might shift air defense systems from Middle East to Ukraine

11:10 AM

As Russian casualties surge, Kremlin's new defense minister says he wants 'minimal losses.'

According to Ukraine's figures, Moscow lost the most number of soldiers in a single day since the start of the full-scale invasion – 1,740 – on May 12.

11:01 AM

Energy Ministry warns of blackouts due to 'significant' power shortage.

Russian attacks and cold weather have caused a "significant capacity deficit" in Ukraine's power system, leading to blackouts and energy restrictions for consumers across the country, the Energy Ministry reported on May 15.

10:17 AM

CNN: Zelensky cancels Spain, Portugal visits due to battlefield situation.

President Volodymyr Zelensky had been due to make the trip in the coming days, partly in order to sign a bilateral security agreement with Spain, the El Pais newspaper reported on May 13.

9:47 AM

Ukraine asks US to lift ban on using American arms to strike at Russian territory.

Ukrainian lawmakers are trying to convince Washington to allow Kyiv to strike at Russian territory with U.S.-supplied weapons, saying the ban prevented them from attacking Russian troops amassing near Kharkiv Oblast, Politico reported on May 14.

9:45 AM

Governor reports 25 civilian casualties, near 8,000 evacuations amid Russian assault on Kharkiv Oblast.

Almost 8,000 civilians have been evacuated amid Russia's offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast, which has killed at least one civilian and injured 24 others over the past day, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on May 15.

9:35 AM

Source: Ukraine's military intelligence drones strike oil depot in Russia's Rostov region.

Drones from Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) attacked an oil base in the Rostov region of Russia overnight, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on May 15.

8:30 AM

Bloomberg: US considers sending additional Patriot battery to Ukraine, sources say.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is working to supply Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense battery to help the country repel Russian aerial attacks, Bloomberg reported on May 15, citing undisclosed sources.

8:19 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 486,940 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,510 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:19 AM

Russian official: Drones strike oil depot in Rostov Oblast.

Two drones struck an oil refinery in Russia's Rostov Oblast the morning of May 15, causing explosions at the facility, Governor Vasily Golubev claimed.

6:45 AM

Reuters: France, Netherlands want EU to sanction financial institutions that help Russian army.

The proposed sanctions would prohibit anyone in the EU from doing business with any financial institution that helps the Russian military purchase dual-use goods and technologies.

5:46 AM

Eurovision fines Ukrainian delegation over T-shirts supporting Azovstal defenders.

According to Alyona Alyona, the Ukrainian delegation chose to defy Eurovision's ban on political messaging by wearing shirts calling for the release of imprisoned Azovstal defenders, the soldiers who defended Ukraine's last stronghold in occupied Mariupol.

4:18 AM

Russian proxy reports strike on Sevastopol, media claim fire near military airfield.

Explosions were heard in the city and fires are still burning near the Belbek military airfield after an alleged missile attack against occupied Crimea on May 15.

3:35 AM

Reuters: France to deliver additional air defense missiles, military aid shortly.

France will deliver an unspecified number of air defense missiles, as well as additional military aid, over the coming days and weeks, Reuters reported on May 14.

1:34 AM

Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast injure 1 person.

Russian forces attacked 13 communities in Sumy Oblast on May 14, injuring one person, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.

12:58 AM

White House: If 'foreign agents' bill passes, US will be compelled to 'reassess' relationship with Georgia.

If Tbilisi's proposed foreign agents bill is ultimately approved by Georgia's parliament, the U.S. would be compelled "to fundamentally reassess" its relationship with Georgia, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on May 14.

12:08 AM

Latvia to allocate additional $11 million for Czech-led initiative to buy artillery shells for Ukraine.

Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said additional funds would allow the allies to buy over 3,000 rounds of 155 mm shells.

12:00 AM

War update

Ukraine war latest: 30,000 Russian troops involved in Kharkiv Oblast offensive, Ukrainian official says

11:44 PM

Putin signs decree officially appointing Belousov as new Russian defense minister.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed on May 12 that Andrei Belousov, a former aide and Russia's economy minister from 2012-2013, should replace Sergei Shoigu as defense minister in a surprise reshuffle of Russia's security and defense apparatus.

11:27 PM

Ukraine introduces emergency power cuts throughout country amid 'significant' shortage.

Ukraine's state-owned energy operator Ukrenergo said it had to introduce additional restrictions due to the damage from the recent Russian strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and the increase in electricity consumption after the temperature drop.

11:12 PM

Russian air strikes on Kharkiv injure 21 people, including 3 children.

Russian forces attacked Kharkiv with the UMPB D-30 type of bombs, according to the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office.

10:50 PM

Field report

48 hours in Kharkiv, Ukraine's most-bombed major city

10:17 PM

Blinken sings, plays guitar with local band in Kyiv.

Videos circulated on Instagram showed U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken singing and playing guitar along with other musicians onstage.

9:39 PM

Two volunteers in Vovchansk reported as missing, allegedly shot by Russian troops.

Serhii Bolvinov, the head of the investigative department of the regional police, wrote on Facebook that preliminary information indicates that the two could have been shot by the Russian military.

8:22 PM

Blinken emphasizes long-term US security commitment to Ukraine in visit to Kyiv.

"If Russia or anyone else were to attack Ukraine, we will work with Ukraine immediately at the highest levels to coordinate how to help you beat back the threat," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

7:10 PM

Poll: 50% of Ukrainians in Poland, Germany, Czechia, say they are 'less likely to return' to Ukraine.

The poll found that 66% of respondents said they were "completely" or "rather satisfied" with their lives in the countries.