Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 25, in which Lavrov told Rubio that Moscow would begin strikes on "decision-making centers" and urged the U.S. to "ensure the evacuation of their diplomatic personnel," according to a Russian Foreign Ministry readout.

In one of the most devastating attacks on Kyiv since the start of the full-scale war, Russia’s missiles and drones targeted some of the city’s most treasured cultural landmarks. The National Art Museum, the Chornobyl Museum, the National Philharmonic, the Ukrainian National Academy of Music, the Kyiv Opera Theater, the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library, the Ukrainian House, and a number of other cultural institutions all reported varying levels of damage after the May 24 assault. The Foreign Mi

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."

Key developments on May 25: * Russia announces plans for new mass attacks on Kyiv, including strikes on 'decision-making centers' * UK defense secretary's plane hit by suspected Russian GPS jamming * After huge Russian missile, Oreshnik strike, Kyiv cleanup operation continues for second day * Putin signs law authorizing use of military force to 'protect Russian citizens' abroad Russia's Foreign Ministry has announced plans for a new round of mass long-range strikes on Kyiv, including on U

A century ago, on May 25, 1926, an otherwise ordinary afternoon in Paris’ bohemian Latin Quarter was disrupted by a barrage of gunshots, leaving one of Ukraine’s famous military leaders dead in the street. “I emptied my revolver,” Samuel “Scholem” Schwartzbard, the Jewish-Ukrainian man who killed Symon Petliura, told the court, as quoted by Time magazine in 1927. “A policeman came up quietly and said: ‘Is that enough?’ I answered: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘Then give me your revolver.’ I gave him the re

The facility, located around 60 kilometers from Ukraine's northern border, was an important link in the supply of fuel to the Russian military, the General Staff said on social media.

As Ukraine expands its long-range drone campaign deep inside Russia, Moscow appears to have found a way to turn some of those attacks into a problem for Kyiv. Russia has begun jamming Ukrainian drones and redirecting them toward neighboring NATO countries, particularly the Baltic states and Finland, creating a growing security and political challenge for some of Ukraine's closest allies. Several Baltic officials and public figures who spoke to the Kyiv Independent warned that if the incidents

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

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.

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

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.