White House publishes image of Trump as James Bond
The White House hinted to the film studio Amazon MGM Studios that U.S. President Donald Trump could be suitable for the role of James Bond.
Society and Culture - Latest news
17 May 2026
Zelensky honors memory of victims of political repression
On the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repression, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute to the victims at the Bykivnia Graves National Historical Memorial Preserve and laid flowers at the Memorial Sign of Polish Burials.
Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026, Ukraine finishes ninth
Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, while Ukraine finished in ninth place in this year's competition.
Flag with portraits of thousands prisoners of war and missing soldiers unfurled in Kropyvnytskyi
In Kropyvnytskyi, participants of an event unfurled a flag featuring images of thousands of Ukrainian servicemen who are currently in Russian captivity or are considered missing in action.
16 May 2026
Eurovision 2026 final begins in Vienna
The final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest has started at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna, Austria.
Eurovision Director: No plans for Russia to return to contest
Eurovision Director Martin Green, at a press conference ahead of the 2026 final in Vienna, stated that there are no plans for Russia to return to the song contest.
German delegation visits Irpin and Bucha
A delegation from the Federal Republic of Germany led by Head of the German Federal Chancellery and Federal Minister for Special Tasks Thorsten Frei visited the Kyiv region.
Short-term rain forecast for Ukraine on Sunday, temperatures up to +23°C
On Sunday, May 17, short-term rain and, in some places, thunderstorms are forecast in most regions of Ukraine, with daytime temperatures rising to +23°C.
Zelensky congratulates scientists and engineers on their professional holiday
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated scientists and engineers on their professional holiday, stressing that technological development and scientific knowledge become a special advantage for the state during wartime.
Ukraine forecasts brief rain showers on Sunday, temperatures up to +23°C
On Sunday, May 17, most regions of Ukraine are expected to see brief rain showers, with thunderstorms in some areas, while daytime temperatures will rise to 23°C.
Russia returns bodies of 528 deceased to Ukraine
As a result of repatriation efforts, the bodies of 528 deceased individuals have been returned to Ukraine; according to the Russian side, these may be Ukrainian servicemen.
Lubinets: Authorities hold negotiations on humanitarian evacuation from occupied parts of Kherson region
Ukrainian authorities on Friday held negotiations regarding a humanitarian evacuation from several settlements in the temporarily occupied areas of the Kherson region currently controlled by Russian forces.
National Guardsman who protected Chornobyl NPP returns from captivity
Ukraine has already returned almost all members of the National Guard who were taken prisoner by Russia following the occupation of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
15 May 2026
Ukraine seeking to keep international focus on return of children – Betsa
For Ukraine, it is important to make full use of various international platforms to keep the issue of Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children and accountability for those responsible high on the global agenda.
Deputy FM Betsa outlines key conditions for return of Ukrainian families from abroad
A number of conditions must be created to ensure the return of Ukrainian families currently staying abroad, while at the same time it is already necessary to support Ukrainian children in preserving their identity while overseas.
Marine from Zhytomyr region returns from captivity
Among the 205 servicemen released from captivity on May 15 is Andrii Khmilovskyi, a resident of the village of Krasnohirka in the Zhytomyr region, a defender of Mariupol, and a marine who spent four years in captivity.
SSU releases exclusive footage of today’s prisoner exchange
The Security Service of Ukraine has released exclusive footage of the return home of Ukrainians freed from Russian captivity as a result of an exchange on Friday, May 15.
Short rain showers, thunderstorms expected in parts of Ukraine today, temperatures up to +22°C
On Friday, May 15, partly cloudy weather will persist across Ukraine. Short rain showers and thunderstorms are expected in some areas of the northeast, Zakarpattia, Prykarpattia, and eastern regions, while the rest of the country will remain dry.
Over 113,000 civilians remain in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk communities
A total of 113,500 civilians remain in the Kramatorsk and Sloviansk communities of the Donetsk region, which are under daily shelling.
14 May 2026
Kyiv declares May 15 Day of Mourning
The city of Kyiv has declared May 15 a Day of Mourning for those killed in the massive combined Russian attack on May 14.
Two Trypillia settlements in Ternopil region added to UNESCO Tentative List
Two Trypillia settlements located in the Verteba Cave and near the village of Hlybochok in the Ternopil region have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
Russia damages 1,783 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine
As of early May 2026, 1,783 cultural heritage sites and 2,540 cultural infrastructure facilities in Ukraine have been destroyed or damaged as a result of Russian aggression.
13 May 2026
Ukrinform journalist Olha Zvonariova wins prestigious military journalism award in Italy
Ukrinform journalist Olha Zvonariova has been awarded the military journalism prize Premio Montecatini di Giornalismo 2026 in Italy, which honors the best editorial materials devoted to defense, security, and the activities of the armed forces.
Human rights commissioner reports record number of civilian war casualties in 2025
The Russian Federation remains the biggest violator of human rights in Ukraine. In 2025, the aggressor country killed 2,514 people and wounded more than 12,000. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, more than 15,000 civilians have been killed.
Kremlin using criminal networks and mercenaries to destabilize EU countries – CCD
The Kremlin is using criminal networks, mercenaries, and marginalized recruits as a low-cost tool for terror and destabilization in European Union countries, according to Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD).
12 May 2026
Urban residents less likely to contract hantavirus than rural population, expert says
Urban residents are less likely to contract hantavirus than people living in rural areas because they have significantly less contact with rodent carriers that transmit the infection.
Russian forces strike previously destroyed Skovoroda Museum in Kharkiv region with drone
The Hryhorii Skovoroda National Literary and Memorial Museum in the Zolochiv community of Kharkiv region has been hit by a Russian drone strike.
More than 2,134 children abducted by Russia return to Ukraine — Lubinets
As part of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, Ukraine has already succeeded in returning 2,134 children abducted by Russia.
Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius: Four Ukrainian crew members to remain aboard cruise liner
Four of the five Ukrainian crew members aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, where a hantavirus outbreak occurred, will remain on board to help deliver the vessel to the Netherlands, while one Ukrainian citizen will be evacuated on a special flight. No signs of illness have currently been detected among the Ukrainians.
UK spends over £16.5M on Starlink, including for Ukraine
The UK Ministry of Defence pays millions of pounds annually for the purchase of Starlink terminals and satellite internet services, including to support Ukraine.