Newsletter 30/05/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
At UN, Nebenzya outlines Kremlin's conditions for ceasefire in Ukraine
During a UN Security Council meeting, Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, presented Moscow’s conditions for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Nebenzya reiterated Russia's stance on addressing what it calls the "root causes" of the war, proposing Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul on June 2, alongside an "exchange of memoranda" outlining ceasefire terms.
Accusing certain parties of lacking interest in peace, Nebenzya singled out Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European figures advocating continued military support for Ukraine.
Zelensky: Ukraine and Türkiye have not received any documents from Russia
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Russia is doing everything possible to ensure that the next potential meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian sides yields no results.
“Today, I met with Türkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan. I thanked Türkiye and President Erdoğan for supporting our efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace. In particular, for their assistance in organizing the meeting that made it possible to secure the release of one thousand of our people from Russian captivity. The return of all Ukrainians held by Russia is one of our top priorities,” Zelensky noted.
Ukrainian intelligence strikes Russian marine base in Vladivostok in bold special operation – source
The Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense carried out a special operation in Vladivostok, specifically near Desantnaya Bay, during which Russian personnel and military equipment were struck.
This was reported to Ukrinform by a source within Ukraine’s security and defense forces.
“Early on May 30, two powerful explosions occurred in Vladivostok, Russia, near Desantnaya Bay. These were the result of a successful operation conducted by the Main Intelligence Directorate. At least two explosions occurred in the area where the 47th Separate Air Assault Battalion of the 155th Separate Guards Marine Brigade (military unit 30926) is stationed,” the source said.
Russia’s summer offensive to revisit 2024 scenario, focusing on Donbas - expert
The Russian summer offensive of 2025 is a repeat of last year's campaign, with some changes in conditions and effectiveness, including due to Ukraine’s growing defense capabilities and support from the West.
Ukraine to receive almost $3B from Russian frozen assets transferred by Japan – Shmyhal
"Today, we are approving a decision to raise funds from Japan—nearly $3 billion—secured by proceeds from Russian frozen assets, to finance Ukraine’s priority budget expenditures," stated Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
He also noted that Ukraine has reached a staff-level agreement on the eighth review of its cooperation program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Romania issues air alert due to Russian drone attack on Ukraine
On Friday night, residents in the northern part of Tulcea county, Romania, received an RO-ALERT warning about the possible fall of airborne objects amid the ongoing war launched by Russia against Ukraine.
The alert lasted for 90 minutes.
According to Romania’s Ministry of National Defense (MapN) protocols, RO-ALERT messages are transmitted by the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), after the state's surveillance systems signal the development of drones in Ukrainian airspace on a route approaching Romania.
U.S. may consider stopping NATO’s eastward expansion – Kellogg
U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, stated that Washington considers Russia’s concerns about NATO’s eastward expansion to be fair, suggesting the process could be halted.
Kellogg made this statement in an interview with ABC.
He described Moscow’s concerns about NATO enlargement as reasonable.
“I think it’s a fair concern. We’ve said that repeatedly that to us Ukraine’s coming into the NATO is not on the table. And we’re not the only country that says that, I can probably give you four other countries in the NATO,” Kellogg said, adding that admission to the Alliance requires unanimous support from all 32 member countries.
War
A New Zealand volunteer, Shan Le Kearns, was killed in Ukraine.
“It was with deep sadness that I received the news that Shan Le Kearns is believed to have lost his life fighting for Ukraine’s freedom. My sincere condolences go to Shan’s family, and to his friends. My country remains forever thankful for Shan, for other New Zealanders, for Australians, and for all nationals who come to Ukraine’s defence, even at the risk of their own lives. We will always remember Shan. We will never forget him,” Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, announced the news on social media platform X.
Military drills in Belarus unlikely to turn into new offensive against Ukraine – expert
There is currently no reason to believe that the joint military exercises planned for this fall by Russia and Belarus could serve as a cover for a new northern offensive against Ukraine.
Restart of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant impossible due to unsafe conditions – IAEA
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) maintains its position that restarting the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is impossible under current circumstances due to the lack of safe operating conditions.
According to IAEA spokesperson Fredrik Dahl, the agency is aware of reports that Russia is constructing a power line toward the plant but stated that the IAEA has no "additional information or comment to share."
Commenting on the agency's stance regarding a possible restart of the Russian-occupied nuclear plant, Dahl referred to the latest report by Director General Rafael Grossi on nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, submitted to the IAEA Board of Governors on February 27. The report stated that "no reactor is to be restarted as long as the nuclear safety and security situation at the ZNPP remains in jeopardy due to the conflict."
May 25 attack on Khmelnytskyi region: Death toll rises to five
A woman who was severely injured in the Russian attack on Krasyliv, Khmelnytskyi region, on May 25 has died in hospital, bringing the death toll to five.
War update: 93 combat clashes on frontline since morning, one-third in Pokrovsk sector
Missile system designed by HUR downs Russia’s latest jet drone/Video
Three injured after Russia drops explosive from drone in Chernihiv region
Defense
Ukraine's experience in using naval drones would be useful for UK - Lord Ashcroft
Ukraine's utilization of naval drones, such as the Magura, is rewriting the rules of naval warfare and also shaping new standards for the manifestation of naval power in the 21st century.
"What we are witnessing here is the redefinition of maritime security itself. For the first time in history, a country with no conventional navy has succeeded in neutralizing and repelling a major sea power. Not through numbers, but through innovation," said British philanthropist and entrepreneur Lord Ashcroft said this during the opening of the Black Sea Security Forum 2025 in Odesa on Friday.
Ukraine’s novel surface drones obliterate third of Russia’s Black Sea fleet – expert
"A third of the Russian Federation's Black Sea Fleet is currently at the bottom of the Black Sea thanks to surface drones. Thanks to them, we were able to unblock navigation routes in order to transport grain. As a result, the enemy is now afraid to deploy ships in the Black Sea," emphasized DeepState co-founder Roman Pohoriliy.
Politics
Turkish foreign minister in Kyiv: War approaching a turning point
The Russian-Ukrainian war is nearing a turning point, there is an opportunity to achieve a lasting peace this year. Türkiye is prepared to support this process, particularly through its negotiation venue in Istanbul.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made this statement today in Kyiv during a press conference following his meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
“We are approaching a turning point in the war. As stated at the start of the talks in Istanbul on May 16, we have two paths: either ignore the continuation of this war or work toward securing a lasting peace this year… These negotiations have introduced a new dimension to diplomatic solutions,” Fidan said.
Economy
First auction ends with Trans-Balkan route capacities unbooked – GTSOU
Considering the limited time before the auction, gas transmission system operators expected that gas import capacities from Greece might not be booked. Hence, the next auction has been scheduled for June 23, 2025.
Society
UK comments on think tank’s report on ethnic cleansing in occupied areas of Ukraine
"We have always been clear that Russia’s attempted annexations of the temporarily occupied territories are a gross violation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as the UN Charter," the UK Foreign Office said.
The Foreign Office also noted that the UK consistently advocates for the protection of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories, supporting human rights defenders and the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, which documents and reports violations and abuses in this area.
The Office emphasized that Russia continues to deny international human rights monitoring missions - including the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission - access to the temporarily controlled territories of Ukraine, making it difficult to verify the full extent of Russia’s human rights violations and abuses.
In turn, the chief of the International Affairs Committee of the Danish Parliament, Christian Friis Bach, believes Russia must be held accountable for its violations of international law and human rights in the temporarily occupied territories, including repression against Ukrainians.
SSU nabs Russian spy aiding missile strikes on Ukrainian airfields
In Khmelnytskyi region, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) detained and formally charged an agent of the Russian special services who had been directing missile and drone strikes on the aviation infrastructure of Ukraine’s Defense Forces in the western regions.
The suspect is a 53-year-old unemployed local resident who came to the attention of Russian intelligence due to his pro-Kremlin comments on Telegram channels.
The agent's main task was to identify runways used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the western regions of Ukraine and monitor the flight schedules of military aircraft at local airfields.
Based on available information, the Russians intended to use this data to launch missile and drone strikes against Ukraine’s military aviation.
The SSU cyber specialists uncovered the agent in advance and documented his intelligence activities step by step.
After carrying out special security measures to safeguard the Defense Forces’ locations, the traitor was detained at his residence.
During the search, law enforcement officers seized a mobile phone used by the suspect to collect and prepare intelligence reports for Russia’s FSB.
Based on the collected evidence, the suspect was charged under Part 2 of Article 111 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code — high treason committed under martial law.