Stories from Ukraine

Occupants are using specific structures to foster loyalty to the Russian army and prepare teenagers for military service in occupied territories. Reports indicate the militarization of children is a systemic process.

A grain vessel carrying grain that Russia could have removed from temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine has exited an Israeli port into neutral waters.

Russian military forces conducted strikes against Ukrainian cruise missile manufacturing facilities. The strikes targeted workshops used for the production of operational-tactical missiles. Ukrainian officials have not yet released specific damage assessments. Russian attacks have expanded to include civilian port infrastructure in the Izmail district. Countries are now competing to cooperate with Kyiv. Nighttime strikes in Odesa damaged high-rise buildings and injured several civilians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that drone strikes damaged multiple residential buildings and port infrastructure in the region. A Russian drone attack damaged port infrastructure and high-rise buildings in the Odessa region, injuring two people. Fires broke out at a maritime terminal following drone attacks and were reportedly extinguished.

Officials from Ukrgazvydobuvlya allegedly stole over $6.7 million during procurement processes. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has submitted documents to the Prosecutor General for the extradition of Mindych. The investigation involves allegations regarding the misuse of funds. The source mentioned tapes involving Mindych and Mendel that reference President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The tapes allegedly link Zelenskyy to a drone deal and ownership of one of four elite mansions being built in Kyiv. Senior official John Dardo was questioned this morning regarding insufficient resourcing in a fund management case. The investigation is examining how funds within a participant's plan were handled.

Dnipro won its third consecutive Ukrainian Superleague basketball championship after defeating Kyiv-Basket in the playoff final. The team secured the victory with a score of 60-50. This win follows a previous 78-70 victory in the first match of the series.

Their last encounter occurred during the 2006 World Cup qualification. Ukraine won their previous home match 1-0 and drew their away match 1-1. The blue and yellow national team will start in Division B of the League.

Actors from the Dnipropetrovsk Academic Regional Ukrainian Youth Theater are conducting doll therapy for veterans and their families. The method is intended to help individuals with traumatic experiences reduce anxiety and achieve emotional relief.

An investigation by journalists at Hromadske revealed that online casinos with Russian ties successfully secured bookings through the Diia City state agency. The report, originally released in autumn 2025, claims 150 such entities were able to book through the system.

A Russian-linked online gambling network successfully laundered 5 billion hryvnia. The scale of the illegal funds being moved is described as a sum. The report questions how the state allows such operations to persist. The Bureau of Economic Security handled the case.

Over 20 nations have reportedly expressed readiness to join the initiative. The mechanism aims to provide support for the country's reconstruction. Ukraine plans to repair over 10 million square meters of roads by June 1. President Zelenskyy announced plans to change unit recruitment approaches and expand the contract component of the military. The president stated that military personnel are currently receiving approximately 20,000. The reforms aim to resolve issues regarding the discharge of soldiers with longer service times. The country is currently in its fourth year of the Russian invasion. President Volodymyr Zelensky promised a one-third increase in the army sector in a message to the country on Friday. The reforms aim to allow for the discharge of soldiers who have been fighting since the start of the Russian invasion four years ago.