News

On 12 May, the Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court dismissed the appeal lodged by Yulia Tymoshenko’s defence team against the investigating judge’s refusal to revoke the notice of suspicion. The court concluded that the witness statements, together with other evidence—in particular the funds seized during the search, correspondence and investigation materials—are sufficient to justify suspicion at this stage of the proceedings.

The first semi-final of the 70th anniversary Eurovision Song Contest has come to an end in Vienna. Representatives from 15 countries competed for a place in the grand final, but only ten contestants made it through.

Israeli officials are concerned that US President Donald Trump might reach an agreement with Iran before the key issues that sparked the conflict between the two sides have been resolved.

During the night of 13 May, Russian forces launched strikes on Kharkiv, Odesa, Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. The attacks have resulted in casualties and damage to infrastructure, residential buildings and industrial facilities.

Former world champion in three weight classes, Vasyl Lomachenko, plans to resume his professional career following his announcement that he was retiring. According to journalist Mike Coppinger writing for The Ring, the Ukrainian is aiming to return to the ring in autumn 2026 and does not want any warm-up fights.

Vodafone has launched the “3-in-1 Contract 2026” promotion, under which some subscribers can use mobile services free of charge for two months. The offer is available to users who switch plans or port their number to the Vodafone network via MNP.

Russian forces have attacked three districts in the Dnipropetrovsk region nearly 30 times. Eight people were killed and a further 11 were injured as a result of the shelling.

In the Kharkiv region, soldiers from the “STRIKS” Special Forces Unit of the 4th Border Guard Detachment rescued a roe deer that had become entangled in anti-drone netting. They spotted the animal whilst carrying out a combat mission, carefully freed it from the trap and released it back into the forest.

The self-proclaimed President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has announced that the Belarusian army will continue its preparations for possible hostilities. According to him, the country plans to carry out a targeted mobilisation of specific units.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed decrees implementing the National Security and Defence Council’s decisions on sanctions. Ukraine has extended restrictions against 13 individuals and 21 legal entities, and has imposed new sanctions against 34 Russians and 32 Russian companies linked to the supply of goods to the Russian military-industrial complex.

Greece has stated that the explosive-laden marine drone found near the island of Lefkada may be a Ukrainian Magura-type drone. Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias described the incident as a threat to shipping, whilst the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded that it had no confirmation regarding the drone’s origin.

Activity has been observed at Russian airbases, along with the redeployment of aircraft. The Ukrainian Air Force has not ruled out the possibility that the enemy may launch further strikes in the coming days.