For now, links to 10 reports: from the Associated Press, Tass, the Kyiv Independent, Reuters, Anadolu Agency, Kyiv Post, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 5-26-25 is HERE, or scroll down. WEST BANK and GAZA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM
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Russia seizes Ukrainian border villages as its bombing campaign slows, by Hanna Arhirova and Katie Marie Davies | AP KYIV — Russian forces have taken four border villages in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, a local official said today, days after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had issued an order to establish a buffer zone along the border. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Reuters.
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As Ukrainian POWs die in Russian prisons, autopsies point to a system of brutality, by Hanna Arhirov, Vasilisa Stepanenko and Illia Novikov | AP More than 200 Ukrainian POWs have died while imprisoned since Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago. Abuse inside Russian prisons was likely a contributing factor in many of these deaths, say officials from human rights groups, the U.N., the Ukrainian government and a Ukrainian medical examiner who has performed dozens of POW autopsies. READ MORE . . .
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Russia strikes Ukrainian military sites in retaliation to Kiev’s massive UAV attacks. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Russian Armed Forces delivered a series of strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial sites over the past few days in retaliation to Kiev’s massive UAV attacks on Russia’s civilian facilities, the Defense Ministry of Russia said today. READ MORE . . .
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U.S. blocks G7 push to tighten Russian oil price cap, Financial Times reports, by Tim Zadorozhnyy | The Kyiv Independent The United States opposed a joint G7 effort to lower the $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian oil exports during last week’s meeting of finance ministers, the Financial Times reported today, citing three unnamed officials familiar with the talks. READ MORE . . .
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Russia claims it downed more than 2,300 drones launched by Ukraine over past week, by Burc Eruygur | Anadolu Agency ISTANBUL — Russia claimed today that it downed more than 2,300 drones launched by Ukraine over the past week, as both Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of large-scale airstrikes for three consecutive nights. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for reports from the Moscow Times and Kyiv Post.
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Top Russian diplomat says Istanbul possible venue for 2nd round of Ukraine peace talks, by Burc Eruygur and Efe Ozkan | Anadolu Agency ISTANBUL — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that the Turkish metropolis Istanbul could host the second round of direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv to find a settlement for the ongoing Ukraine war. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 26 Trump criticizes Putin after Russia launches massive attack on Ukraine. Reported by Mary Louise Kelly and Charles Maynes | NPR President Trump rebuked Vladimir Putin after Russia launched some of the biggest air attacks against Ukraine since its invasion more than three years ago. Then the Kremlin replied. Click HERE to listen and read. Click HERE for report from Reuters.
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MAY BE CONTINUED