The legislation enables the Russian president to order troop deployments abroad to "protect" Russian citizens facing arrest, detention, trial, or other perceived persecution by foreign nations and international courts.

Foreign citizens, including diplomats, were encouraged to leave the city, while Ukrainian civilians were called upon to stay away from "military and administrative infrastructure of the Zelensky regime."

Over four years into an all-out war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Kyiv in an official capacity on May 25. In the weeks prior to the visit, Zelensky has been increasingly vocal regarding a deeper involvement of Alexander Lukashenko's Belarus in Russia's war against Ukraine. According to Zelensky, Russia is plotting major attacks on both Ukraine and NATO utilizing Belarusian territory, and plans to deploy additional si

This weekly update from the Kyiv Independent aims to shed light on the situation facing Ukrainians living under Russian occupation and the ever-tightening control of information imposed by the Kremlin. Key news as of May 25: * Azov Corps drones strike Russian logistics near Mariupol, while diesel shortage reported * Ukraine denies Russian claim that drone strike killed civilians in occupied Luhansk Oblast * Ukraine, Russia agree on 'technical terms' for evacuation of 6,000 civilians from oc

The visit follows a devastating Russian aerial attack overnight on May 24 that primarily targeted Kyiv and the surrounding region.

In the first year following Russia's war against Ukraine, a significant number of Russian citizens left the Russian Federation. Georgia, particularly the cities of Tbilisi and Batumi, became a key destination for many of them. Their arrival was not marginal or gradual. Within a short period, tens of thousands of Russian citizens relocated to Georgia, while thousands registered businesses and purchased property. In 2023 alone, Russian citizens registered around 13,000 legal entities in Georgia.

Russia said it would appeal to the International Court of Justice over alleged discrimination against Russian minorities in the Baltic states. Estonia called the move a part of Moscow's disinformation campaign, according to a statement for the Kyiv Independent.

Metropolitan Hilarion's car was stopped by Czech police officers on May 24. During the subsequent search, "four small containers with a white substance were found in the trunk," according to Hilarion's Telegram channel.

"I am grateful to the medical workers treating and supporting our people. I thank everyone involved in recovery efforts, all emergency and public services," Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The reburial ceremony of Andrii Melnyk and his wife, Sofiia, was attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior political and cultural figures.

In Sumy Oblast, a Russian drone strike on a civilian car killed a 24-year-old man in the Krasnopillia community.

"This is reckless Russian interference, but the RAF is well prepared to deal with this activity," a U.K. defense source told the Kyiv Independent.

The number includes 1,020 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

"Our people disabled several communication towers that ensured coordination between air defense units in the area and damaged a transformer substation that supplied power to some military and communication facilities," the Atesh group claimed.

"If you ask, it's probably something that can't be answered negatively," Finnish President Alexander Stubb said.

The news comes on the heels of the U.K.'s surprise easing of Russian oil sanctions, dealing a further blow to London's image as one of Ukraine's most steadfast partners.

The conversation marks the first recorded direct contact between Macron and Lukashenko since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Russian forces launched a large-scale missile attack on Kyiv overnight on May 24, officials reported.

Key developments on May 23-24: * 'Damage in every district of Kyiv' — Massive Russian ballistic missile, drone attack kills 4, injures 100 * Russia launched Oreshnik missile at Kyiv Oblast in overnight attack, Zelensky confirms * Ukraine strikes major Russian oil pumping station supplying Moscow Oblast, SBU says * Russian drone hits Sumy funeral procession in ‘cynical’ attack, killing 1, injuring 14 Russian forces launched a large-scale combined missile and drone attack overnight on May 24

The Vtorovo oil pumping and dispatching station in Russia's Vladimir Oblast is a strategic infrastructure hub that supplies fuel to the Moscow region and its major airports.

"They're really insane. It's important that this doesn't go unpunished for Russia," Zelensky said.

"The residential complex where the Ambassador of Albania to Ukraine resides was struck, putting his life at serious risk," Ferit Hoxha, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, posted on X.

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines Russia’s growing recruitment of fighters from African countries — and the tactics used to lure vulnerable people into military service.

"We had just opened the coffee shop yesterday," Yevhen Prusak, 35-year-old co-owner of Hogo coffee shop, told the Kyiv Independent at the scene.

The number includes 1110 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Oleksandr Usyk retained his heavyweight title with a late-round victory over Rico Verhoeven on May 24.

Civilian casualties were reported in Odesa and Kharkiv oblasts while drones targeted Kyiv after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia was preparing a broader assault across Ukraine.

Citing Ukrainian and Western intelligence reports, Zelensky said Russia appeared to be preparing an Oreshnik missile strike on Ukraine.

According to the Sumy Oblast Military Administration, the drone struck the procession while commemorations marking Ukraine's Day of Heroes were taking place across the city.

The comments come after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed creating an interim "associate" form of EU membership for Ukraine and other candidate countries while they wait for full accession to the bloc.

A 69-year-old cyclist was hit by an FPV drone in the village of Kostyrka. He was one of 20 people injured in overnight Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast that also damaged a church and eight homes.

The number includes 950 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.G