News
A former prosecutor from the Dnipropetrovsk region has been caught extorting $80,000
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have exposed a former prosecutor at the Slobozhanskyi District Prosecutor’s Office in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for soliciting an illegal benefit of $80,000. According to the investigation, he allegedly demanded the money in exchange for a ‘lenient’ charge against a notary and a plea bargain resulting in a minimum sentence.
Putin believes that the Russian army will be able to fully capture the Donbas by autumn
In Moscow and Kyiv, there is little faith that peace talks brokered by the US will resume any time soon, even after the war in the Middle East has ended. Both sides are becoming increasingly sceptical about US President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts.
The State Duma has authorised Putin to deploy the army abroad to protect Russian citizens
The Russian State Duma has passed a law expanding Vladimir Putin’s powers to deploy the Russian army abroad. The legislation allows troops to be deployed to “protect Russian citizens” abroad.
Russia has launched a sustained air strike on critical infrastructure in Ukraine — Main Intelligence Directorate
On the afternoon of 13 May 2026, the Russian army launches a combined air strike, which may be of a protracted nature. Targets are likely to include critical infrastructure in major cities and defence industry facilities.
The Xi Jinping–Donald Trump Summit: Anticipating a Major Deal
US President Donald Trump will visit Beijing on 13–15 May for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two sides plan to discuss trade disputes, Taiwan, the war against Iran and Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The cruise ship Ambition, carrying over 1,700 people, has been placed in quarantine in France following an outbreak of illness
In Bordeaux, France, the cruise ship Ambition has been placed in quarantine following an outbreak of gastroenteritis on board. There are 1,233 passengers and 514 crew members on board.
The Kudrivka v Rukh match did not go ahead due to an air raid alert
The kick-off of the Ukrainian Premier League’s 28th-round match between Kudrivka and Rukh has been postponed due to an air raid alert. The teams did not have time to complete their pre-match warm-up.
Disability Group 3 in Ukraine in 2026: benefits, payments and guarantees
In Ukraine, people with a Group III disability will be entitled in 2026 to a disability pension, social assistance under certain conditions, and employment, medical, rehabilitation and transport support. The level of support depends on the cause of the disability, length of service, income, the individual’s status and the findings of an assessment of their daily functioning.
A petition against the Civil Code gathered 28,000 signatures in a single day: what happens next
On 12 May, a petition calling for the adoption of the new Civil Code to be blocked was posted on the President’s website. Within just 24 hours, on 13 May, it had already gathered over 28,000 signatures. This means that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must now consider the petition.
Russia is targeting American businesses in Ukraine, but the White House remains silent – NYT
Russia has stepped up its attacks on facilities belonging to US companies in Ukraine, in an attempt to make the country a risky place for investors and to undermine the Ukrainian economy.
Temperatures of up to 48 degrees are set to hit parts of Asia and the Middle East
Forecasters are warning of a prolonged spell of extreme heat across parts of the Northern Hemisphere. In countries across Asia and the Middle East, temperatures could rise to between 40 and 48 degrees even in the shade, and the nights will not bring any significant relief from the heat.
LELEKA’s performance at Eurovision 2026 will cost around $300,000
Ukraine’s entry at Eurovision 2026, performed by LELEKA, is expected to cost around $300,000. The singer has stated that her team has already secured over 93% of the required budget, although just over 80% had been raised by the time she left Ukraine.