Exclusives
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Russia maintains military presence in post-Assad Syria – but Damascus now holds leverage. Satellite imagery shows renewed Russian cargo activity in Tartus as Damascus renegotiates the terms of Moscow’s long-standing military presence. |
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Russia fast-tracks citizenship for Moldova’s occupied Transnistria – a familiar playbook returns. Russia has eased citizenship rules for residents of the Moldovan breakaway region Transnistria, reviving a policy approach previously used in other contested regions. |
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Don’t sign what Bosnia signed, a Bosnian journalist tells Ukraine. At Lviv Media Forum 2026, Bosnian journalist Harun Karčić told Ukrainians what 30 years of a flawed peace deal bought his country. The 28-point plan currently on the table has a different shape—but the same trap. |
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Mendel told Tucker Carlson many tales about Zelenskyy. All blame the country being invaded. Most of what former Ukrainian press secretary Iuliia Mendel told Tucker Carlson about events after 2021 is secondhand. The facts tell a different story. |
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Ukraine wants the playbook of the German newsroom Russia banned. USAID is gone. The alternative was built by readers giving 20 euros each. |
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A Russian tank division rolls toward Pokrovsk, adding major manpower to Russia’s eastern push. Can the Ukrainian 7th Rapid Reaction Corps kill enough Russian reinforcements to halt an offensive toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk? |
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Russians published footage of a drone striking a UN convoy in Kherson. UN say they “don’t know” who did it.. Kherson has faced sustained FPV drone attacks on civilian and humanitarian movements from Russian-held territory across the Dnipro River. |
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Weaponizing the Westerlies: Ukrainian balloons sow havoc over Russia. Aerostats grow more instrumental in Ukrainian strikes, intel gathering, and making Russia waste its air defenses. |
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Russia hits Taiwan too—and three democracies are comparing notes on public media. Ukraine builds. Georgia dismantles. Taiwan defends. Notes from a packed hall at Lviv Media Forum, 15 May 2026. |
| Ukraine’s $50,000 suicide drones can now skip the suicide part. There's a tendency for single-use Ukrainian drones to become reusable. Now the Fire Point FP-1/2 has joined the reusable club. |
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Ukrainian supply robots are blocking Russia’s plan to starve Kostiantynivka. Ukraine's growing legion of resupply robots can prolong the defense of Konstyantynivka. But human soldiers are still necessary. |
Military
Russia's Nevinnomyssk Azot chemical plant reported on fire after overnight explosions – at least 6th attack on the site. Regional authorities say air defenses were active, while online footage suggests damage at a facility central to Russia's chemical production chain.
Ukraine strikes Russian Caspian Fleet base deep inside Russia, home to missile-capable ships used in Kalibr strikes – General Staff. Kyiv reports damage to a major Russian refinery and naval vessels in the Caspian Sea base of Kaspiysk, alongside strikes on logistics and weapons storage sites.
Two more Russian air defense systems gone, along with a naval plane and helicopter. Drone forces destroyed a Tor-M2 in Luhansk Oblast and a Pantsir-S1 in Crimea, struck a ship in Berdiansk, destroyed the Be-200 amphibious aircraft and Ka-27 chopper in Russia's Yeysk.
Ukrainian flag flies again over Odradne, six months after Russia overran the village. The 129th Brigade's storm units pushed Russian forces out of fortified positions, treelines, and strongpoints in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast.
Moscow's fuel supplier under fire: Ukrainian drones strike Rosneft's Ryazan refinery. The plant supplies all grades of gasoline, diesel, and jet kerosene to regions around the Russian capital. Vacuum distillation units were on fire after the overnight strike.
Ukraine's drone commander proposes "Standard-10" for every strike crew in country. Ukrainian drone crews average 3 confirmed kills a month. Madiar own 414th Brigade averages 30.6.
Intelligence and technology
Russia planning strikes on Ukraine's Presidential Office and state residence, Zelenskyy says. Zelenskyy said intelligence documents outline possible strikes on political leadership buildings, military command posts, and protected state facilities.
Russia wants Belarus to join new "aggressive operations" against Ukraine or NATO, Kyiv says. Kyiv says it has documented Russian-Belarusian contacts tied to potential planning for operations launched from Belarus.
Skyeton makes Raybird reconnaissance drone Ukraine has used since 2018. Russia just destroyed its Kyiv office. "We knew sooner or later Skyeton would become a target," the company said.
Russia starts ninth project 22350 frigate in St. Petersburg built for Mach-8 hypersonic anti-ship missiles that have already hit Ukraine. Project 22350 frigates are 135-meter open-ocean warships built for anti-ship, anti-submarine, and escort operations.
International
US sanctions relief for Russian oil shipments appears to end with no renewal issued. The waiver was introduced during global energy disruptions linked to the Iran conflict, allowing Russian oil to be delivered as part of a temporary effort to stabilize supply.
Humanitarian and social impact
Ukraine recovers bodies of 528 fallen servicemembers from Russia. Forensic experts will now begin identification procedures.
Day of Mourning in Kyiv: final toll from Russian missile strike reaches 24 dead, including three girls aged 12, 15, and 17. The 28-hour search-and-rescue operation ended at the destroyed apartment block in Darnytskyi district.
After four years in Russian captivity, 205 Ukrainian defenders are home in the first stage of a 1000-for-1000 exchange. Most of those freed were taken at Mariupol in 2022; the oldest is 62, the youngest 21. The exchange was mediated by the US and the UAE.
Political and legal developments
"Point of no return": Special tribunal for Russia's war targeting leadership moves forward after 37-country agreement. The agreement lays groundwork for a court expected to handle prosecutions tied to the decision to launch the war.
As rescuers clear rubble of Kyiv apartment building, Russia's security council secretary lists same 2022 demands for ending war. Same demands as Russia's failed 2022 Istanbul talks were issued from Bishkek hours after Russia's biggest two-day strike on Kyiv.
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