Russians withdrew missile carriers from the Black Sea – Navy
As of 06:00, no enemy ships had been recorded within the Black and Azov Seas. There are 3 Russian ships within the Mediterranean Sea, one in all which has 8 "Calibers".
A Russian army commander has claimed that President Vladimir Putin's helicopter was "on the epicenter" of a Ukrainian drone assault on Could 20 in Russia's Kursk Oblast.
The Kyiv Impartial couldn’t independently confirm this declare, and the commander didn’t present any proof.
"We had been concurrently engaged in an air protection battle and guaranteeing airspace safety for the president’s helicopter flight," Yury Dashkin, commander of an air protection division, mentioned, as cited by the Russian information company RBC on Could 25. "The helicopter was successfully on the epicenter of the response to the huge drone assault."
Ukrainian observers famous that the claims could possibly be an try and garner assist for the Russian president by portray him as extra intently concerned within the preventing.
Putin visited Kursk earlier this week, marking his first identified go to to Kursk Oblast since Russian forces took again many of the Ukrainian foothold within the area in March.
Ukraine launched its cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024, marking the primary large-scale invasion of Russian territory by overseas forces since World Struggle II. It held a good portion of the territory till a profitable counter-offensive by Russia in March, which was carried out with the assistance of North Korean troops.
ISW: Russia's solely likelihood for victory within the conflict is the cessation of Western support to Ukraine
In accordance with analysts, Russia seeks to finish Western support to Ukraine so as to win the conflict. The Russian advance has slowed, they’re struggling losses and counting on poorly educated infantry.
U.S. President Donald Trump's particular envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg turned the primary U.S. official to react to Russia's in a single day large-scale assault on Ukraine on Might 25, calling for the top to hostilities.
"The indiscriminate killing of girls and kids at night time of their houses is a transparent violation of the 1977 Geneva Peace Protocols designed to guard innocents. These assaults are shameful," Kellogg mentioned on X with out explicitly naming Russia. "Cease the killing. Ceasefire now."
That is Kyiv. The indiscriminate killing of girls and kids at night time of their houses is a transparent violation of the 1977 Geneva Peace Protocols designed to guard innocents. These assaults are shameful. Cease the killing. Ceasefire now. pic.twitter.com/89XRWZcP21
— Keith Kellogg (@generalkellogg) Might 25, 2025
Russia launched 69 missiles and 298 drones in a single day on Might 25, in response to Ukraine's Air Pressure. The assault killed 12 individuals, together with three youngsters, and injured greater than 60, Inside Minister Ihor Klymenko mentioned.
Trump has not but publicly commented on the in a single day assaults on Might 25.
Following the assault, President Volodymyr Zelensky known as for stronger sanctions on Russia and added that "America’s silence, and the silence of others world wide, solely encourages (Russian President Vladimir) Putin."
Trump on Might 8 mentioned the U.S. would be a part of companions in imposing "additional sanctions" if Russia doesn’t comply with an unconditional ceasefire. Regardless of quite a few threats, Trump has by no means adopted by means of on imposing further sanctions towards Russia.
European leaders have urged the U.S. to impose further sanctions on Russia to strain it towards a ceasefire, with EU leaders threatening and subsequently adopting further sanctions in response to Russia's ceasefire rejections.
Following a two-hour telephone name with Putin on Might 19, Trump refused to undertake further sanctions on Moscow, regardless of Putin once more rejecting a 30-day ceasefire.
On Might 20 Axios reported that European leaders reportedly appeared "stunned" that Trump was "comparatively content material" with what he heard from Putin, following a name with European leaders after Trump's dialog with Putin.
When requested about potential sanctions towards Russia, the U.S. president mentioned he didn’t assume it was a good suggestion, including that he believes Putin desires a deal.
The New York Instances reported on Might 20, citing a White Home official, that Trump refuses to impose sanctions on Russia as it could hinder future enterprise and commerce alternatives with Moscow.
Ukrainian Deputy International Minister Serhii Kyslytsia mentioned in an interview aired on Might 24 on Ukraine's nationwide telethon that Russia's negotiating workforce in Istanbul has repeatedly acknowledged that "an unconditional ceasefire is categorically unacceptable."
Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov on Might 24 forged doubt on the Vatican as a potential venue for future peace talks with Ukraine.
"Think about the Vatican as a venue for negotiations," Lavrov reportedly mentioned throughout a speech on the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow. “It will be a bit inelegant for Orthodox international locations to make use of a Catholic platform to debate points on how you can take away the basis causes (of the battle)."
The enemy is massively attacking Ukraine: explosions in Kharkiv, Kyiv and Zhytomyr
Russians are massively attacking Ukraine on the night time of Could 26. The departure of Tu-95MS was recorded, explosions had been heard in Kharkiv, Kyiv and Zhytomyr, air protection is working.
German International Minister Johann Wadephul known as for added EU sanctions in opposition to Russia on Could 25 following Russia's large-scale in a single day assault on Ukraine that killed 12 and injured 79.
"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin shouldn’t be fascinated about peace, he desires to proceed this battle, and we should not permit this, which is why the European Union will agree on further sanctions," Wadephul stated in an interview with ARD.
Russia launched 69 missiles and 298 drones in a single day on Could 25, in keeping with Ukraine's Air Drive. The assault killed 12 individuals, together with three youngsters, and injured 79, Inside Minister Ihor Klymenko stated.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Could 20, stating that the subsequent sanctions bundle "is already being ready," after the EU permitted the seventeenth sanctions bundle in opposition to Russia, which primarily focused Russia's 'shadow fleet.'
Ukraine's European allies are persevering with to tighten sanctions in opposition to Russia as Moscow refuses to ceasefire. In distinction, regardless of a dedication from U.S. President Donald Trump, no new U.S. sanctions have been imposed to this point, with Trump saying that implementing sanctions "may additionally make it a lot worse."
Trump's particular envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg grew to become the one U.S. official up to now to react to Russia's in a single day large-scale assault on Ukraine on Could 25, calling for the tip to hostilities.
"The indiscriminate killing of ladies and kids at evening of their properties is a transparent violation of the 1977 Geneva Peace Protocols designed to guard innocents. These assaults are shameful," Kellogg stated on X with out explicitly naming Russia. "Cease the killing. Ceasefire now."
The New York Instances reported on Could 20, citing a White Home official, that Trump refuses to impose sanctions on Russia as it might hinder future enterprise and commerce alternatives with Moscow.
Estonian International Minister Margus Tsahkna on Could 25 additionally known as on further financial stress on Moscow following the assault.
"Putin continues this till the stress turns into insufferable. It’s in our palms to make him cease," Tsahkna wrote on X.
Ukraine is about to pitch a bigger variety of suggestions to the European Union subsequent week as to how the bloc can proceed to ramp up financial stress on Moscow by sanctions, Reuters reported on Could 21.
Bloomberg reported on Could 23 that the EU is near limiting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in a brand new spherical of sanctions.
"We’re not anticipating a miracle": Ukraine prepares for Russia's summer time offensive – Monetary Instances
Ukrainian officers are getting ready for a Russian summer time offensive, with Trump's threats to finish help for negotiations inflicting alarm. Kyiv believes that peace agreements are nonetheless a distant prospect.
Editor's be aware: This can be a growing story and is being up to date.
A rail line was broken in Russia's Belgorod Oblast on Could 25 after a cargo prepare ran over an explosive machine planted beneath the tracks, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed.
Following an explosion within the Novooskolsky district, the railway's overhead contact line broken, Gladkov stated. Prepare site visitors has been suspended because of the incident.
Gladkov claimed that nobody was injured within the alleged assault. The total extent of the injury was not instantly out there, as emergency crews are assessing the injury.
Ukraine's army has not commented on the alleged explosion. The Kyiv Impartial can not confirm claims made by Russian officers.
Ukraine's intelligence companies in addition to Ukrainian partisan actions have beforehand been concerned in sabotage assaults on Russian railways, disrupting the transport of army cargo towards the entrance line.
Ukraine's Navy Intelligence Company (HUR) stated Ukrainian drone operators destroyed three Russian gasoline tanks throughout a strike on a prepare transferring via occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia Oblast on Could 24.
Ukraine's army presently has a restricted presence in BelgorodOblast, marking a second incursion into Russian territory, following a profitable Kursk incursion in August 2024.
Assault in Kyiv area: the variety of victims has elevated, greater than 100 homes have been broken
On account of the night time assault on Kyiv area, the variety of victims has elevated to 34 individuals. 115 non-public homes in three districts, in addition to warehouses and academic establishments, have been broken.
Ukraine brings house 303 POWs in last section of largest prisoner swap with Russia
Russian missile, drone assault kills 12, injures over 60
US silence 'encourages Putin', Zelensky says after huge Russian assault
Russia shedding battlefield edge in warfare towards Ukraine, WP stories
Russia will reveal peace phrases to Ukraine after prisoner trade, Lavrov says
Ukraine brings house 303 POWs in last section of largest prisoner swap with Russia
Ukraine introduced house 303 prisoners of warfare on Might 25 within the last section of a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner trade with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced.
The prisoner trade happened in three phases carried out over three days and was agreed on throughout peace talks held in Turkey on Might 16, the primary direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in three years.
"I thank the crew that labored across the clock to efficiently perform this trade. We will certainly deliver again each single one in every of our individuals from Russian captivity," Zelensky wrote in a publish on X.
The returning prisoners included members of Ukraine's Armed Forces, Nationwide Guard, State Border Guard Service, and State Particular Transport Service, Zelensky acknowledged.
Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Remedy of POWs stated that the launched prisoners included 70 males who had defended Mariupol through the Russian siege of the port metropolis in 2022.
The coordination headquarters added that 5,757 Ukrainian prisoners had been returned by means of negotiations and exchanges since March 2022, whereas one other 536 Ukrainians had returned by means of different means.
The prisoner trade was the one concrete settlement to come up out of the direct talks held final week.
Ukraine and the USA have been pushing for Russia to conform to an unconditional ceasefire, however Russia "categorically" rejected the enchantment in Turkey, in line with First Deputy Minister of Overseas Affairs of Ukraine Serhiy Kyslytsia, who attended the talks as a member of the Ukrainian delegation.
Kyiv doesn’t publish the figures for what number of Russian POWs are at the moment in Ukrainian custody.
Ukraine has lengthy advocated for an "all-for-all" trade, however Russia has to date rejected the proposal.
Russian missile, drone assault kills 12, injures over 60
Russia attacked Kyiv and different Ukrainian areas with drones and missiles in a single day on Might 25, killing 12 individuals, together with three kids, and injuring greater than 60, Inside Minister Ihor Klymenko stated on Telegram.
Russia launched 69 missiles in a single day and 298 drones, in line with Ukraine's Air Power.
The Air Power reported that 45 cruise missiles had been shot down by air protection and 266 drones had been neutralized, whereas 22 areas recorded a direct strike.
The assaults come one evening after one of many heaviest Russian assaults on Kyiv all through the full-scale warfare. The assault additionally coincides with Kyiv Day, a metropolis vacation sometimes celebrated on the final Sunday in Might.
Ukraine's Air Power warned late on Might 24 that Russia had launched waves of drones in direction of a number of areas and likewise issued a ballistic missile warning shortly earlier than midnight. Later within the evening, an aerial alert went into impact for all Ukrainian areas, together with the nation's far-western oblasts.
In line with Klymenko, Russians attacked town of Kyiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytsky, Ternopil, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Sumy, Poltava areas. Greater than 80 residential buildings have been broken, he stated.
Overseas Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the assault and referred to as on the worldwide group to additional stress Russia for a ceasefire.
"When the whole world requires an finish to the killing, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin orders much more strikes, assaults, and murders of youngsters. This as soon as once more emphasizes the crucial of a full, unconditional, and sturdy ceasefire for any significant peace effort," Sybiha wrote on X.
"The world should stress Russia to simply accept it and put an finish to the killings instantly."
Three kids ages 8, 12 and 17 years previous had been killed in Zhytomyr Oblast, in line with the State Emergency Service, whereas one other 12 within the oblast had been injured. Klymenko later added that each one three kids had been from the identical household, and each mother and father had been hospitalized. The mom is in severe situation, he stated.
Through the assault, Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv Metropolis Army Administration, suggested residents to take shelter.
"The evening won’t be simple. There’s a menace of the enemy utilizing numerous drones and missiles from strategic plane," Tkachenko warned as air defenses actively repelled drones over Kyiv.
Particles from a falling drone struck a pupil dormitory in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district, inflicting a fireplace, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated. 4 individuals had been injured and obtained medical remedy on the spot.
One other particular person injured within the Desnianskyi district obtained medical consideration on the scene, Klitschko stated, whereas a second sufferer within the space was hospitalized. A home within the metropolis's Dniprovskyi district was additionally broken. The Kyiv Metropolis Army Administration reported {that a} younger lady within the district was injured with a damaged leg.
A enterprise middle was broken within the Shevchenkivskyi district, in line with the administration.
The 11 injured victims vary in age from 18 to 62, the administration stated.
Exterior the capital, 4 individuals in Kyiv Oblast had been killed within the assaults and 15 extra suffered accidents, the State Emergency Service reported.
In Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov additionally reported that drones struck town's Osnovianskyi, Novobavarskyi, and Shevchenkivskyi districts. A civilian enterprise within the Osnovianskyi district was broken whereas an workplace constructing was hit within the Shevchenkivskyi district.
Glass shattered in a number of condominium buildings amid the assaults, Terekhov stated. A baby was injured by glass fragments and is receiving medical remedy.
Artem Semenikhin, the mayor of Konotop in Sumy Oblast, stated Russia's in a single day barrage was "most likely probably the most huge and mixed assault on our metropolis because the Second World Conflict."
Drones and missiles additionally hit a number of areas within the metropolis of Chernihiv and the encircling area, the State Emergency Service reported. Fires broke out at storage amenities and non-residential buildings, together with one blaze that coated over 1,000 sq. meters. Details about casualties and injury remains to be being investigated.
Within the southern metropolis of Mykolaiv, one man was killed and 5 individuals injured when a drone hit a five-story residential constructing, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported. A young person was among the many injured victims.
In Ternopil, a western metropolis much less steadily focused by Russian assaults, a Kalibr cruise missile struck an industrial facility and prompted a fireplace, in line with Governor Viacheslav Nehoda.
Casualties and injury had been additionally reported in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Governor Serhii Tiurin stated the assaults killed 4 individuals within the area and injured 5 others, along with destroying civilian infrastructure.
Poland scrambled fighter jets and activated air defenses, because it has beforehand performed to safe its airspace throughout large-scale Russian assaults on Ukraine.
The earlier evening, Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile assault towards Kyiv, injuring no less than 15 individuals. The strikes prompted explosions all through town and broken residential buildings.
Russia continues to focus on residential neighborhoods in more and more lethal aerial assaults whereas the Kremlin stays brazenly dismissive of worldwide requires a ceasefire.
US silence 'encourages Putin', Zelensky says after huge Russian assault
Following a lethal in a single day assault on Might 25, Zelensky referred to as for stronger sanctions on Russia and added that "America’s silence, and the silence of others around the globe, solely encourages Putin."
"With out actually robust stress on the Russian management, this brutality can’t be stopped. Sanctions will certainly assist," Zelensky wrote in a publish on Telegram on Might 25.
"The world is aware of all of the weaknesses of the Russian financial system. It’s potential to cease the warfare, however solely by means of the required power of stress on Russia. Putin should be compelled to suppose not about launching missiles, however about ending the warfare."
Trump has not publicly commented on the in a single day assaults on Might 24 and 25.
Russian and Ukrainian officers met in Istanbul on Might 16 within the first direct talks between the 2 international locations in three years, however left with out reaching an settlement on a ceasefire.
Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that Moscow had no real interest in agreeing to a ceasefire in Ukraine, saying on Might 21 that Russia "doesn't need this anymore."
Russia shedding battlefield edge in warfare towards Ukraine, WP stories
Russia's navy benefit towards Ukraine is declining, the Washington Put up (WP) reported on Might 24, citing U.S., European, and Ukrainian officers and navy specialists.
Whereas Russia's navy difficulties may very well be a possibility for Ukraine's allies to mount stress towards Moscow in hopes of securing a ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump has backed away from worldwide sanctions efforts and seems more and more unwilling to problem Putin.
Moscow faces essential shortages of weapons and manpower, making the time ripe for escalated stress, a number of officers informed the WP, many talking on the situation of anonymity.
"Russia may be very step by step taking bits of territory nonetheless, however at an unsustainably excessive price," stated Richard Barrons, the previous head of the UK's Joint Forces Command.
A Ukrainian safety official informed the WP that Russia was not in a position to achieve floor regardless of its important personnel benefits and that the slowed advance could also be partly a results of Ukraine's incursion in Kursk Oblast, which aimed to divert Russia's navy sources from the entrance strains.
"Russia shouldn’t be in a position to take any floor, and that is the state of affairs just about because the finish of the Ukrainian counteroffensive," the official stated, referring to Ukraine's try to retake Russian-occupied territories in 2023.
"Even if they nonetheless have three-to-one superiority in variety of troops — and possibly even greater when it comes to (weapons) methods — it's nonetheless not sufficient."
Western specialists additionally calculate that Russia's arsenal of tanks is more likely to run out within the subsequent few months, the WP reported.
"The Russians can proceed combating, however … the power will turn into increasingly more de-mechanized over time, and that does put a timeline on how lengthy they will maintain the present manner they function," Jack Watling, a senior analysis fellow for land warfare on the Royal United Providers Institute in London, informed the WP.
Barrons additionally stated Russia was working out of alternatives to conduct main offensives in Ukraine.
"It is extremely unlikely now that the Russian navy have the tools, the individuals, and the coaching and logistics to mount an offensive that may break the Ukrainian line and — even when they did — to use it instantly," he stated.
In gentle of those obstacles, coordinated stress towards Russia may very well be more practical now than any level because the eary days of the full-scale warfare, officers stated.
In line with a Might report from the U.S. Protection Intelligence Company (DIA), Putin nonetheless stays assured in Russia's skill to safe "final victory" in Ukraine, together with the total occupation of 4 Ukrainian areas.
This confidence is mirrored in Russia's technique of dragging out peace talks whereas escalating lethal assaults towards Ukraine. Trump even admitted, simply days after holding a two-hour cellphone dialog with the Russian chief, that Putin shouldn’t be concerned about peace as a result of he believes he’s profitable the warfare.
"Putin believes that point is on his facet, and Ukraine is bleeding sooner than Russia," a senior European official informed the WP.
However some officers urged that Putin could also be basing his confidence on stories from subordinates that understate Russia's growing difficulties.
"I believe they overestimate the present success of Russia," one senior European official stated.
Zelensky referred to as Putin's continued delays within the peace course of "a mockery of the entire world" in remarks on Might 23.
"And it's positively time to place extra stress on Russia," he stated.
Russia will reveal peace phrases to Ukraine after prisoner trade, Lavrov says
Lavrov introduced on Might 23 that Moscow will convey its peace phrases to Kyiv instantly after the completion of the prisoner trade between the 2 international locations, which is at the moment ongoing.
Talking to Russian state media, Lavrov disclosed that Moscow is "actively working" on an inventory of ceasefire circumstances for the warfare in Ukraine. The listing might be prepared "as quickly because the trade of prisoners of warfare is accomplished," Lavrov stated.
Following tumultuous negotiations in Istanbul on Might 16 – the primary between the 2 international locations since 2022 – Ukraine and Russia agreed on a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner trade.
The trade course of began on Might 23 and can proceed by means of Might 25. Within the preliminary section of the method, the 2 events swapped 390 prisoners every, and an extra 307 prisoners every on Might 24.
Through the Istanbul talks, Ukraine and Russia additionally agreed to trade paperwork detailing their respective ceasefire circumstances.
Individually, Russia is making ready a "memorandum concerning a possible future peace treaty," which Russian President Vladimir Putin first talked about throughout a latest name with United States President Donald Trump.
Kremlin officers have clarified that the memorandum is separate from the listing of ceasefire circumstances at the moment underneath preparation.
Whereas Moscow's listing of circumstances have but to be revealed, Russia has repeatedly reiterated maximalist calls for, together with that Ukraine settle for the lack of Crimea and 4 jap areas.
Earlier this week, on Might 22, Lavrov additionally stated that Moscow is tired of a ceasefire in Ukraine, insisting that the "root causes" of the warfare should be resolved first.
A latest U.S. intelligence report additionally revealed that Russia is dedicated to waging warfare in Ukraine by means of the top of 2025, and its aims within the warfare – Ukrainian neutrality and a partition of the Ukrainian state – haven’t modified.
These latest developments recommend that Russia is unwilling to barter in good religion, regardless of providing to share an inventory of ceasefire circumstances after the prisoner trade.
The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell
