Drones target Moscow, prompting flight disruptions and emergency response

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Drones target Moscow, prompting flight disruptions and emergency response.

As of 5 p.m. local time, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed seven drones to be intercepted as they approached the Russian capital.

Historian Timothy Ash on the 'new West' after 'Trump shock.'

With the fading U.S. global leadership under Donald Trump, Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, and growing populism at home, Europe faces a stark choice: step up or fall into irrelevance. Speaking with the Kyiv Independent on May 16, British historian Timothy Garton Ash paints a picture of a West in transition.

Controversial Ukrainian ex-official Portnov shot dead in Madrid, source says.

Andriy Portnov, a former top official in Ukraine's ex-President Viktor Yanukovych’s administration, was shot dead by an unidentified attacker or attackers outside the American School in Madrid, Reuters reported on May 21, citing a source close to the investigation.

Poland intercepts Russian sanctions-evading ship near critical Baltic power cable, Tusk says.

"After the effective intervention of our military, the ship sailed to one of the Russian ports," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X.

Almost 50,000 draft-age men detained trying to illegally cross border since 2022, Border Guard says.

The number of cases has "significantly increased" since the beginning of martial law, according to Ukraine's State Border Guard Service.

Dan opposes Romanian peacekeepers in Ukraine but affirms pro-Kyiv course.

"First, to have a big operational support on Romanian territory, yes. To be part of the armies guaranteeing peace in Ukraine, no," Romanian President-elect Nicusor Dan told Politico.

Russian semiconductor plant making missile, jet parts hit in Ukrainian attack, military says.

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck Russia's Bolkhov semiconductor plant in Oryol Oblast, which is producing parts for Sukhoi warplanes and Iskander and Kinzhal missiles, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on May 21.

EU officially agrees on 150-billion-euro defense fund.

"SAFE is an advantageous, low-interest, multi-year loan guaranteed by the EU budget," the Council of the EU said.

Fire breaks out at thermal power plant in Kyiv Oblast, 2 dead.

Rescuers continue to work at the scene, while the consequences of the accident are still being determined.

Russia massing troops near Kharkiv Oblast ahead of possible attack, military warns.

"There is an accumulation of personnel closer to the state border, that is, there are attempts to involve the (Russian) personnel, obviously preparing for active assault operations. Our Defense Forces are ready to repel attacks," Andrii Pomahaibus, the chief of staff of Ukraine's 13th National Guard Khartiia Brigade.

Ukrainian citizen becomes third person charged over arson attacks on UK Prime Minister's property.

Petro Pochynok, 34, charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, is expected to appear at Westminster magistrates’ court on May 21.

US opposes joint G7 statement on further support for Ukraine, Politico reports.

This is not the first time that the U.S. has blocked joint G7 statements in support of Ukraine and condemning Russia's war.

US Senate to vote on new Russia sanctions unless peace efforts progress soon, Senator Graham says.

The U.S.-mediated negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have stalled, as Moscow continues to refuse a ceasefire.

Putin visits Kursk Oblast for first time since Moscow claimed its recapture.

During the visit, Putin met with Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein, heads of local municipalities, and members of volunteer organizations, the Kremlin's press service said.

2 killed, 23 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 63 Russian attack drones and decoy drones launched overnight, the Air Force reported. Twenty-two were shot down, while 41 were neutralized by electronic warfare systems, according to the statement.

Suspect in alleged Russian plot to assassinate Zelensky to be tried by Poland.

Polish prosecutors have indicted a man charged with allegedly planning to assist Russian foreign intelligence in a possible assassination attempt on President Volodymyr Zelensky, authorities announced on May 20.

Pope Leo willing to host Ukraine peace talks in Vatican, Italy's Meloni says.

Following the election of the new pope, several of Ukraine's partners, including the United States, suggested that the Vatican could become a neutral platform for further peace talks.

6 soldiers killed, over 10 injured in Russian missile strike in Sumy Oblast, National Guard says.

"An official investigation into the tragedy is underway. The commander of the unit has been suspended, and the necessary information has been passed to law enforcement agencies," the National Guard said in a statement.

General Staff: Russia has lost 976,780 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 980 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

'It is already being prepared' — Ukraine, Lithuania call for harsher sanctions against Russia in 18th package.

"Deception, disruption, distraction, and delay, and the whole point of it is to avoid sanctions," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said. "We Europeans have to stop this vicious cycle and the instrument to stop it is to impose new sanctions."

Trump refusing to adopt sanctions against Russia as it would affect business opportunities with Moscow, NYT reports.

Speaking to the New York Times on the condition of anonymity, a White House official familiar with the call, said that imposing sanctions could impede Trump's goal of "maximizing economic opportunities for Americans," the publication wrote.

Radio Free Europe to receive $6.2 million in 'emergency funding' from EU amid Trump cuts.

The European Union is preparing to provide Radio Free Europe with a contract valued at 5.5 million euros ($6.2 million) in "emergency funding" to support the ongoing work of the media organization amid the Trump administration's funding cuts.

EU to downsize diplomatic service, prioritize Russia sanctions enforcement, POLITICO reports.

The European Union is preparing to downsize its diplomatic service – the European External Action Service (EEAS) – and redirect funds toward strategic interests such as enforcing sanctions against Russia, POLITICO reported on May 20.

EU to lift economic sanctions on Syria.

Top European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on May 20 that the EU has "agreed to lift all economic sanctions" on Syria, adding that "there can be no peace without the path to economic recovery."

US senators introduce bipartisan resolution demanding return of abducted Ukrainian children.

In a rare display of bipartisan unity, a group of U.S. senators has introduced a resolution calling for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, urging that no peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine be finalized until all minors are safely repatriated.