Newsletter 15/05/2026
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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205 Ukrainians returned from Russian captivity as part of the first phase of the 1,000-for-1,000 exchange
It is noted that this exchange is the result of the work of the Joint Center for Coordination of the Search and Release of Prisoners of War, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, and other authorized agencies that carried out the instructions of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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.
Search-and-rescue operation in Kyiv concludes following Russian strike: 24 dead, 48 injured
The search-and-rescue operation in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district has concluded after more than 28 hours. The deaths of 24 people have been confirmed, three of whom were children. There are also reports that 48 people were injured.
Russia could use Belarus for operation against Ukraine or NATO country – Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Russia has intensified contacts with Alexander Lukashenko in an attempt to draw Belarus into new aggressive operations.
Zelensky: Ukraine to strengthen Kyiv–Chernihiv direction amid threat of Belarus involvement
Ukraine will reinforce the Chernihiv–Kyiv direction in response to Russia’s attempts to more actively involve Belarus in the war.
Zelensky: Russia preparing new strikes on “decision-making centers” in Ukraine
Specialists from Defense Intelligence of Ukraine have obtained documents indicating that Russia is preparing new missile and drone strikes against Ukraine. The plans allegedly include nearly two dozen political centers and military facilities.
Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe approves agreement to establish Special Tribunal
At its meeting on May 15 in Chisinau, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe approved the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine; 37 countries supported the document.
War
General Staff confirms strikes on oil refinery in Ryazan, Russian warships in Kaspiysk
Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region, along with a number of other key enemy targets, yesterday and during the night of May 15.
In addition to the refinery, Ukrainian defenders struck:
a small Russian missile ship and a minesweeper at the Kaspiysk naval base;
enemy ammunition depots near Yepifanivka and Rovenky in the temporarily occupied territory of the Luhansk region;
a Russian military logistics warehouse in the temporarily occupied village of Raihorodka in the Luhansk region;
a warehouse containing Russian electronic warfare equipment in the temporarily occupied village of Dmytrivka in the Donetsk region;
an enemy fuel and lubricants depot in occupied Mariupol, Donetsk region.
Ukrainian drones destroy Be-200 amphibious aircraft and strike Ka-27 helicopter in Yeysk, Russia
The Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck a Be-200 Altair aircraft, a Ka-27 helicopter, a Tor-M2 air defense system, a Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery system, and a Russian army ammunition ship in Yeysk (Russian Federation), the temporarily occupied Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions, and in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
Ukrainian drone attacks paralyze oil refining in Russia – Reuters
Since the beginning of the year, Ukrainian drones have struck at least 16 Russian oil refineries, leading to reduced refining capacity, lower exports of petroleum products, and additional pressure on Russia’s oil revenues.
Defense Forces regain control over Odradne in Kharkiv region
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have regained control of the village of Odradne and its surrounding areas in the Kharkiv region.
Russian troops refuse to cross Dnipro River in Prydniprovske sector, says Voloshyn
Russia already fights with significant shortage of manpower, says Hnatov
Russians intensify artillery fire in south and increase ammunition use, says Voloshyn
Air Defense Forces shoot down anti-ship missile and 130 Russian drones
War update: 257 combat clashes with on front line over past day
Russia's war casualty toll in Ukraine up by 1,150 over past day
Shellings
Foreign diplomats shown aftermath of Russian strike on residential building in Kyiv
More than 60 heads of diplomatic missions of foreign states and international organizations accredited in Ukraine visited the site where a Russian missile struck a nine-story residential building in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district.
Firefighters battling forest fire in Chornobyl zone after drone strike
Firefighters have been working for more than a day to extinguish a forest fire in the Chornobyl exclusion zone that broke out following a Russian drone attack.
Russia launches new strike on Zaporizhzhia industrial facility, casualties reported
Russians strike commuter train in Zaporizhzhia region; injuries reported
Russians attacks Dnipropetrovsk region nearly 20 times since yesterday evening
Politics
Zelensky calls on world to put pressure on Russia following massive attack on May 14
Amid a massive Russian attack on Kyiv and the Kyiv region, President Volodymyr Zelensky called for pressure to be put on Russia.
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.
Arrest warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova must be enforced – Betsa
International pressure on the aggressor state, including sanctions, must continue to intensify alongside the efforts of mediator countries working to secure the return of Ukrainian children.
Russian elite sees no alternative to continuing war against Ukraine – CCD
Russia’s political elite seeks to restore the Soviet Union’s influence in Eastern Europe and divide the EU, but sees no way to achieve these goals without continuing the war against Ukraine.
My God! And now, instead of living in a country who would arrest Putin, this US administration laid out the red carpet for him. I hate what this country has turned into.