https://www.rferl.org/z/22581 RFE/RL's coverage of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, how Kyiv is fighting back, and how the West is reacting. https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org/z/22581 en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Mon, 25 May 2026 05:09:48 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL Russia pounded Kyiv with a barrage of drones and missiles, in one of the biggest attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent memory. At least two people were reported killed and the death toll was expected to climb. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-russia-attack-missile/33763624.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-russia-attack-missile/33763624.html Sun, 24 May 2026 08:58:42 +0200 NewsUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ended a tense round of NATO talks in Sweden with a blunt message to European allies: Washington’s military footprint on the continent will shrink over time, but the US insists its commitment to NATO’s collective defense remains intact. https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-nato-europe-rutte-troops-summit/33762824.html https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-nato-europe-rutte-troops-summit/33762824.html Sat, 23 May 2026 00:00:57 +0200 News AnalysisIranRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended how Washington shifted military forces around the world amid confusion over whether a brigade-size contingent of US troops would be rotated out of Poland. https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-nato-meeting-sweden-troop-cuts/33762435.html https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-nato-meeting-sweden-troop-cuts/33762435.html Fri, 22 May 2026 10:54:43 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown HeadlineEurope A Ukrainian drone strike targeted the Syzran oil refinery in Russia. The Samara regional governor reported two deaths and injuries following the attack. Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces confirmed the strike, saying the refinery supplies fuel to the Russian military. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-drones-strike-oil-refinery-deep-inside-russia/33761797.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-drones-strike-oil-refinery-deep-inside-russia/33761797.html Thu, 21 May 2026 14:39:28 +0200 RussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Sweden for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers as European allies seek reassurances over US troop drawdowns and Washington's shifting rhetoric on the alliance. https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-nato-sweden-troop-cuts-russia/33761765.html https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-nato-sweden-troop-cuts-russia/33761765.html Thu, 21 May 2026 13:55:10 +0200 FeaturesRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown HeadlineEurope Four-plus years into Russia’s all-out invasion, Ukraine has battled Moscow’s forces to a standstill. In fact, by some accounts, Ukraine has even recaptured territory, offering Kyiv a glimmer of optimism after a grueling winter. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-battlefield-gains/33761066.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-battlefield-gains/33761066.html Wed, 20 May 2026 16:37:47 +0200 UkraineFeaturesRussiaRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Friends, classmates, and teachers gathered in Kyiv to say goodbye to sisters Vira and Lyubava Yakovleva, killed in a Russian strike on May 14. Vira was 17. Lyubava was 12. Their father had already been killed in the war in 2023. https://www.rferl.org/a/kyiv-mourns-2-sisters-killed-in-a-russian-strike/33760295.html https://www.rferl.org/a/kyiv-mourns-2-sisters-killed-in-a-russian-strike/33760295.html Tue, 19 May 2026 16:04:18 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories In this week's briefing, RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, drills down on two issues: the terrorist threat Russia poses to the EU, and Brussels’ expanded mission to Ukraine. https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-jozwiak-russian-threats-eu-mission-ukraine/33759598.html https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-jozwiak-russian-threats-eu-mission-ukraine/33759598.html Tue, 19 May 2026 12:02:20 +0200 Wider EuropeRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories In the wake of massive drone strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine launched air attacks on May 17 called the heaviest to hit the Moscow area in over a year. At least four people died, officials said on Sunday, in strikes on the Moscow and Belgorod regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attacks 'completely fair' on social media, saying Ukraine had penetrated Russia's strongest air defenses. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-moscow-russia-drone-strike-kyiv-zelenskyy/33758823.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-moscow-russia-drone-strike-kyiv-zelenskyy/33758823.html Sun, 17 May 2026 17:35:26 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades Ukraine Three people have been reported dead as Russia's Moscow region faced the largest Ukrainian assault in over a year on May 17. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-drone-attack-moscow-russia/33758725.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-drone-attack-moscow-russia/33758725.html Sun, 17 May 2026 10:22:41 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories The Trump administration has allowed a controversial waiver on sanctions targeting Russian seaborne oil to expire, reimposing restrictions that had temporarily enabled countries such as India to continue purchasing Russian crude despite Western efforts to curb Moscow’s wartime revenues. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-seaborne-oil-waiver-iran-energy-war/33758687.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-seaborne-oil-waiver-iran-energy-war/33758687.html Sun, 17 May 2026 09:07:28 +0200 IranNewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Russia is preparing to assault the city of Dobropillya, according to Ukraine’s military. Located a few kilometers from the front line, the city is burning and being destroyed by bombs, artillery, and drones. Despite daily shelling, some civilians flatly refuse to leave and remain in Dobropillya.  https://www.rferl.org/a/a-night-under-russian-bombs-in-dobropillya/33757592.html https://www.rferl.org/a/a-night-under-russian-bombs-in-dobropillya/33757592.html Sun, 17 May 2026 07:51:00 +0200 UkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Mourners paid tribute to Ukrainians killed on May 14 when a Russian air attack caused an apartment building to collapse in Kyiv. "They just wiped out people," said one witness about the attack at a makeshift memorial near the ruins. Meanwhile, Russia followed up with more attacks May 16 as both countries renewed drone strikes. https://www.rferl.org/a/kyiv-apartment-drone-strike-memorial-russia-sumy-counterstrike/33758370.html https://www.rferl.org/a/kyiv-apartment-drone-strike-memorial-russia-sumy-counterstrike/33758370.html Sat, 16 May 2026 18:07:19 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades Ukraine A leaked EU threat assessment seen by RFE/RL warns that terrorism and violent extremism “pose a significant threat to the EU,” citing heightened risks from Afghanistan and Iran as well as negative spillover effects from the war in Ukraine. https://www.rferl.org/a/leaked-eu-report-rising-terror-risk-iran-afghanistan-russia/33758305.html https://www.rferl.org/a/leaked-eu-report-rising-terror-risk-iran-afghanistan-russia/33758305.html Sat, 16 May 2026 13:21:43 +0200 FeaturesAfghanistanIranRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown HeadlineEurope Representative Brian Mast told RFE/RL during a Council on Foreign Relations event that he believes Europe should take greater responsibility for supporting Ukraine because the war is "in their backyard." https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-military-aid-us-congress/33758257.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-military-aid-us-congress/33758257.html Sat, 16 May 2026 10:57:57 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute focusing on national security and transatlantic relations, told RFE/RL in an interview that Iran appears to be borrowing directly from Russia’s negotiation strategy. https://www.rferl.org/a/coffey-hudson-iran-kremlin-negotiation-russia/33757144.html https://www.rferl.org/a/coffey-hudson-iran-kremlin-negotiation-russia/33757144.html Sat, 16 May 2026 10:35:24 +0200 IranNewsRussiaRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East In an interview with RFE/RL, Sam Brownback argued that Russia, China, and Iran are increasingly operating as part of a “dark alliance” of authoritarian states -- one built on surveillance technology, censorship, ideological control, and the suppression of religious and civil society groups. https://www.rferl.org/a/sam-brownback-religious-freedom-russia-iran-china/33757881.html https://www.rferl.org/a/sam-brownback-religious-freedom-russia-iran-china/33757881.html Fri, 15 May 2026 20:42:15 +0200 IranFeaturesRussiaRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown StoriesChina A senior US State Department official warned that Russia is likely to reposition forces toward NATO’s eastern flank once the war in Ukraine ends, raising concerns that the Baltic states could face intensified military and hybrid pressure from Moscow in the years ahead. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-nato-baltic-ukraine-war-eastern-flank/33757418.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-nato-baltic-ukraine-war-eastern-flank/33757418.html Fri, 15 May 2026 12:11:38 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Rescue crews searched through the rubble after Russian forces hit a Kyiv apartment building in an attack that killed at least 24 people, and US President Donald Trump suggested the strike could set back peace efforts. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-apartment-building-russia-strike/33757413.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-apartment-building-russia-strike/33757413.html Fri, 15 May 2026 02:31:33 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories As Russia launches waves of drone attacks, one of Ukraine's best defenses is an inexpensive, domestically produced weapon: the Sting interceptor drone. These 3D-printed quadcopters are designed to take out Shahed drones and cost less than one-tenth as much as their targets. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-interceptor-drones-russia-technology/33756539.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-interceptor-drones-russia-technology/33756539.html Thu, 14 May 2026 13:45:03 +0200 UkraineRussiaVideo ArchiveVideosRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories