Ukraine is witnessing growing political unrest as President Volodymyr Zelensky faces widespread criticism following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Protests have erupted across Kyiv, while the former minister has reportedly criticized the country's military leadership and war strategy. The political crisis unfolds as Russia intensifies missile attacks and Ukraine continues long-range drone operations.


Zelensky faces massive protests after defense minister's shock dismissal | Ukraine political crisis 

Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked the Order of the White Eagle after Zelensky approved the naming of a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist group blamed for massacres of Poles during World War II.

Poland strips Zelensky of top state award, Ukraine mounts a sharp response

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow is prepared to make compromises to help end the conflict in Ukraine, but stressed that Kyiv must also be willing to make concessions. The remarks come amid renewed diplomatic efforts and growing international calls for a negotiated settlement to the war.

Putin's statement is likely to fuel fresh debate over the prospects for peace, the conditions for any future agreement, and whether Russia and Ukraine can bridge deep differences after years of conflict.

Putin: Moscow Ready For Compromises, Ukraine Must Do The Same

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the US to supply more Patriot missiles to counter Russian attacks, as global demand and Middle East conflicts worsen ammunition shortages.

Is Ukraine running out of Patriot munitions against Russia? Zelensky seeks Trump’s ‘help’

Russia’s military said it had used the Oreshnik missile against Ukraine for the third time since the war began, claiming the strike was carried out in retaliation for what it described as “terrorist attacks” by Kyiv on civilian infrastructure inside Russian territory.

EU labels Russia’s Oreshnik use a ‘scare tactic’, Macron condemns Kyiv strikes

On Saturday (May 23), Ukrainian President Volodymyr ​Zelenskyy warned of a Russia attack against Ukraine using the Oreshnik missile, citing US, European intelligence.

Russia launches 'nuclear capable Oreshnik missile' at Ukrainian capital Kyiv after vowing retaliation

Russia's SVR accused Latvia of permitting Ukraine to launch drone strikes from its territory, a claim Latvia strongly rejected as disinformation, warning that NATO membership wouldn't protect Riga.

Russia’s spy agency accuses Latvia of aiding Ukrainian drone strikes amid rising Baltic tensions

Russia reports that Ukrainian forces launched 91 drones targeting President Vladimir Putin’s residence in Novgorod. Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, confirmed the attacks, describing them as part of ongoing Ukrainian military actions. No details on damages or casualties have been released. This report covers the latest escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the use of drone technology in high-profile strikes, highlighting the ongoing security concerns surrounding the Kremlin and its leadership.

Ukrainian Drones Target Putin’s Residence, 91 Drones Fired in Novgorod

Russia confirms receiving the US-Russia 28-point peace plan that heavily favours Moscow. Putin hails it as a basis for settlement; Ukraine rejects key concessions.

Putin welcomes Trump's peace plan, threatens to seize more territory if Kyiv rejects proposal

US Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg will step down in January, raising concerns in Kyiv as a secretive US-Russia deal circulates, pressuring Ukraine on territorial concessions.

Trump's Ukraine envoy Gen Keith Kellogg quits after leaked US peace plan

Speaking alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump claimed he ended eight previous wars and expressed confidence about ending the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin, however, said its stance remains unchanged after the Alaska Summit.

Trump says ending Russia’s war on Ukraine is taking longer than expected

Roger Waters calls Ukraine undemocratic after the 2013–14 overthrow, criticises Hollywood stars of being oblivious to the essence of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and cites NATO's betrayal of the expansion assurances of James Baker to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1990.

Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters says Ukraine lost its democracy long ago, slams 'ignorant' celebs for knowing nothing about the conflict

From shoulder-fired rockets to giant air-dropped bombs, here are the world’s most powerful thermobaric weapons, ranked from deadly to devastating.

Deadly to devastating: 6 thermobaric bombs that turn air into a weapon of war

Russia launched its largest assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, targeting Naftogaz facilities in Kharkiv and Poltava with 381 drones and 35 missiles. Civilian casualties are reported, and an energy crisis looms as winter approaches.

Russia launched 35 missiles, 381 drones at Ukraine's natural gas facilities, largest aerial assault at energy grid

Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine hitting Kyiv’s government building and killing at least three. Ukrainian President Zelensky called the strikes a deliberate prolongation of the war and urged international support for air defence and sanctions.

800 drones, 13 missiles: Ukraine's government building attacked by Russia for the first time in biggest air attack

French President Macron and Ukrainian President Zelensky announced a 26-nation ‘reassurance force’ to secure Ukraine post-conflict. While NATO backs the move, Russia strongly opposes any foreign troop presence in Ukraine, rejecting discussions on the matter "in any format."

Europe pledges 'reassurance force' for Ukraine but Russia says 'foreign intervention' unacceptable - Will talks end and war go on?

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he’s open to meeting Ukrainian president Zelensky but only in Moscow, and questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy under extended martial law. He claimed Russia is fighting for people’s rights, not territory, amid ongoing advances.

'Let him come to...': Putin says he never ruled out meeting Ukrainian president Zelensky, but questions his legitimacy

This comes after US President Donald Trump said during the Alaska Summit with the Russian president that he thinks Putin is “tired” of the war in Ukraine.

‘We have never objected’: Putin says Russia never opposed Ukraine’s bid to become EU member

A Ukrainian soldier survives a brutal Russian attack, crawling for five days with a slit throat. His family describes the torture endured by the Russian Prisoner of War.

33-year-old Ukrainian soldier survived crawling for 5 days after throat slit by Russians

A flight made an emergency landing in remote Siberia, in Nizhnevartovsk, after an engine failed mid-air. Reports suggest that the passengers remained on the plane for six hours after landing and were not allowed inside the terminal. There is the added problem of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Engine failure forces London-Beijing flight to land in remote Siberia. Now there is a Russia-Ukraine-war-related problem

When Lavrov was again asked if he was confirming that Russia did in fact target and attack an American-owned company, he replied, "I did not say that I confirmed that incident. I never heard of it."

Dodging or denying? Russian FM Lavrov talks about Russia hitting American factory in Ukraine - Here's what he said

Ukraine struck Russia’s Unecha oil station, part of the Druzhba pipeline to Europe, halting deliveries to Hungary. This follows intensified attacks on energy sites by both nations, with Kyiv targeting Russian refineries to cut war funding and disrupt fuel supplies.

'Attempt to draw Hungary into war': Ukraine strikes Druzhba pipeline in Russia; Hungarian oil supply stopped

The European leaders stressed that any peace deal must include “ironclad security guarantees” for Ukraine and expressed their support for Kyiv’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

‘Ready to work towards trilateral summit’: European leaders back Trump’s plan for talks between US, Russia, Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Aug 15) reiterated US President’s claim that there would be no war if Donald Trump had been the POTUS in 2022, when Joe Biden was in office.

‘If Trump were president, there’d be no war’: Putin echoes POTUS’s claim, slams Biden after Alaska meet