Thursday, May 21, 2026
The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
A view of destruction caused by a Russian air strike carried out on May 14 is seen, as Kyiv is heavily affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine, on May 20, 2026. (Arif Murat Kayacan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Russian oil refinery in Syzran reportedly struck amid Ukrainian attack. Local residents reported that an oil refining unit at Rosneft’s Syzran plant was struck in the Ukrainian attack.
NATO chief warns Russia of ‘devastating’ consequences if nuclear weapons are used against Ukraine. “Well, they (Russians) know if that happens, the reaction is devastating… Of course, we follow that (exercises), we monitor what is happening,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said.
Zelensky warns Russia may launch northern Ukraine offensive. Russia may be preparing a new offensive toward Ukraine’s Chernihiv-Kyiv direction, potentially with involvement from Belarus, President Volodymyr Zelensky said May 20.
Central Russia’s major oil refineries halt production following Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters reports. All of central Russia’s major oil refineries have completely halted or rolled back production following recent Ukrainian drone strikes, Reuters reported May 20.
Russia arming missile warheads with depleted uranium, Ukraine’s SBU says. The SBU findings indicated that the warhead of the R-60 missile contained depleted uranium projectiles, specifically Uranium-235 and Uranium-238.
Baltic lawmakers turn to EU for support in face of Russian strike threats. “It must be made clear that none of the EU Member States can be threatened,” the letter reads.
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Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Russia arming missile warheads with depleted uranium, SBU says
Russian missiles armed with depleted uranium warheads were discovered after an attack on Ukraine’s Chernihiv Oblast last month, the SBU said May 20.
Photo: Security Service of Ukraine / Telegram
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How Ukraine’s Navy is defending its vital Black Sea ports from Russian attacks
The danger comes from across the Black Sea, but the city itself ends at the shoreline. For Ukraine’s Navy, that has become a tactical problem.
Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
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The EU approved 90 billion euros for Ukraine, now what?
In April, EU leaders voted to grant the bloc permission to provide Ukraine with a 90 billion euro ($110 billion) loan, providing the lion’s share of Kyiv’s financial needs to both defend itself and keep the lights on.
Photo: Nicolas Tucat / AFP / Getty Images
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From showman to commander-in-chief: Zelensky’s struggle to balance war, governance, and trust
Riding a wave of political momentum in 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky, a showman turned wartime leader, could have hardly imagined the path his presidency would take.
Photo: Byron Smith / Getty Images
Human cost of war
Syrskyi reveals how many Russians have been killed in Ukraine since start of 2026. The figures were revealed in Syrskyi’s report on participation in a Ukraine–NATO Council meeting at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,352,070 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 920 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Opinions and insights
The war of the cities: The new edition
Any advance on the front proved insignificant and came at a disproportionately high cost in casualties. The bet was then placed on massive strikes against Russia’s rear cities
Photo: Viacheslav Mavrychev / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
International response
Starmer reaffirms support in call with Zelensky, after easing of Russian sanctions prompts backlash. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 20, reaffirming London’s continued support for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing war.
Putin, Xi sign cooperation deals in Beijing, but key pipeline project still unresolved. The two leaders signed a joint statement on further strengthening the countries’ “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.”
British fighter on returning to war in Ukraine after injury
In other news
Ukraine repatriates OUN leader Melnyk’s remains from Luxembourg, for reburial near Kyiv. On May 19, the ashes of Andrii Melnyk, a key leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, and his wife Sofia were exhumed in Luxembourg during an official ceremony attended by Ukrainian state representatives.
Lithuania sounds air alarm for first time due to suspected drone threat from Belarus. Drone activity was recorded near the Belarusian border in eastern Lithuania, but the warning was later extended to the capital, Vilnius.
Alleged ringleader in major corruption probe sues Zelensky over sanctions. Businessman Timur Mindich, an Israeli citizen, fled to Israel shortly before he was charged and sanctioned last fall.
EU ties billions in Ukraine aid to unpopular tax reforms. Kyiv will have to improve its revenue collection and how efficiently it spends money, the European Commission said in a press release on May 20, if it wants to access more than $8 billion of the loan.
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EU ties billions in Ukraine aid to unpopular tax reforms
Kyiv will have to improve its revenue collection and how efficiently it spends money, the European Commission said in a press release on May 20, if it wants to access more than $8 billion of the loan.Luca Léry Moffat (The Kyiv Independent)
