Russia launches nuclear war games on Europe’s doorstep as Nato issues stark warning
Russia has begun nuclear war games and moved Iskander-M missiles into Belarus, on the doorstep of the European Union. Ukraine has rushed troops to its northern border, and Nato has condemned the threatening moves.
Ria Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned news site, said: “Since May 18, Belarus has begun training in the combat use of nuclear weapons and their provision by military units. It involves the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific Fleets, the Long-Range Aviation Command, as well as part of the forces of the Leningrad and Central Military Districts.”
James Reynolds22 May 2026 21:00
Nato tests ‘deep strike’ missile operations from London Tube station to prepare for Russian attack
Nato forces have taken over a London tube station to use as their underground HQ as they simulate launching “deep strike” operations on Russia in the event of an attack on allied forces.
In a ramping up of preparations for war, the UK-led Nato Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) moved its military capability to a disused platform at Charing Cross station.
As part of Operation Arcade Strike, soldiers are testing Nato’s capacity to use electronic warfare to jam Russia’s communications and down the Kremlin’s drones in case of a fictional Russian invasion of a Baltic country.
James Reynolds22 May 2026 20:00
IAEA reports fire at Ukraine’s Dniprovska electrical substation due to military activity
The International Atomic Energy Agency said Ukraine had informed it that a fire broke out at the Dniprovska 750-kilovolt electrical substation on Friday due to military activity.
The UN nuclear watchdog said South Ukraine nuclear power plant was partially disconnected from its off-site power supplies at the request of the grid operator as a result of the incident.
Bryony Gooch22 May 2026 19:30
Kyiv casts doubt on progress in US-brokered talks
With Europe now eyeing a lead role in direct communications with Russia, Ukraine says that US-brokered talks are reaching the point of exhaustion.
Foreign minister andrii Sybiha said on Friday: “My impression is that this format is gradually reaching the point where discussions possible at this level are becoming exhausted.
“At times, the same issues end up being discussed several times over.”
Little tangible progress has been made to end the war since talks broke down in February. And with the US now tied up in Iran, Europe is weighing restarting dialogue with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
Sybiha assessed that European engagement is one of the ways to reinvigorate the process. Another option, he added, is meeting at the leaders’ level, which Ukraine has been pressing for.
Sybiha, pictured on Wednesday, said that European engagement could bring a new dynamic to the process (Reuters)
James Reynolds22 May 2026 19:00
Ukraine claims Russian accusation of attack on student dorm is ‘manipulation’
Ukraine’s military on Friday denied Russian accusations that it attacked a student dormitory in the occupied Starobilsk as “manipulation” and said it targeted an elite drone command unit in the area.
Kyiv’s general staff said on Facebook that it hit one of the headquarters of the Rubicon drone unit near the town overnight.
It stressed that Ukraine complies with international humanitarian law.
Bryony Gooch22 May 2026 18:15
Warsaw welcomes US decision to send troops to Poland
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said that Donald Trump’s decision on the presence of American troops in Poland is “good news for Poland and the USA”.
“I thank everyone involved in this matter, President (of Poland) Nawrocki, ministers, congressmen, and friends of Poland in the USA for their effectiveness and unity of action,” he wrote on the X platform.
It came after Trump said on Thursday the United States would send 5,000 more troops to Poland, citing his relationship with conservative president Karol Nawrocki as the reason.
On Tuesday, JD Vance told reporters a US troop deployment to Poland had been delayed, but it was not accurate to say the troops were being withdrawn from Europe.
Earlier, Polish authorities had been alarmed by reports that the Pentagon had cancelled plans to deploy troops there, but they offered reassurances to Poles that this was not the case.
James Reynolds22 May 2026 18:00
Zelensky says he expects US proposals on new formats of peace talks
Diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine should be reinvigorated, president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday after talks with leaders of Britain, France and Germany.
Zelensky added in his evening address that he expects proposals from the United States on new formats of diplomacy, stressing that the frontline situation was favourable to Ukraine after Kyiv’s troops liberated 590 square kilometres so far this year.
Bryony Gooch22 May 2026 17:30
Europe floats temporary reprieve on sanctions hitting targeting
The European Commission proposed a 9-month derogation on dealings with a Chinese semiconductor company listed in its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, a Commission spokesperson has said.
The company, Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic, will remain on the EU’s sanctions list but the temporary reprieve will allow automakers to find alternative chip supplies and avoid a “severe disruption”, the spokesperson said.
EU countries will have to unanimously agree on the proposal for the measure to come into force.
James Reynolds22 May 2026 17:00
In pictures: Ukrainian forces try to intercept a Russian drone in Kharkiv
Khartiia Brigade service members fire a Turkish-made M2 Browning machine gun as they attempt to intercept an incoming Russian Molniya drone on May 21 (Getty)Units of the Khartiia Brigade are tasked with detecting and intercepting incoming drones to help protect civilians (Getty)
James Reynolds22 May 2026 16:00
Putin vows retaliation over ‘Ukrainian strike on student dorms’
Vladimir Putin has threatened retaliation over a Ukrainian strike reported to have struck a student dormitory in occupied Luhansk.
The Russian president claimed on Friday that six people were killed and 39 injured overnight, accusing Ukraine of committing a “terrorist attack”.
Fifteen people are still reported missing as emergency teams continue rescue efforts at the scene, he said.
Putin assessed that the strike was not accidental and said that he had asked the defence ministry to prepare options for retaliation.
Ukraine is yet to comment on the strike. Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilian areas. The Independent was unable to verify the claims.
Russia’s RIA state news agency reported earlier that a dorm housing 86 students collapsed following a “massive drone strike” on the Starobilsk College of Luhansk Pedagogical University.
A photo shared by the Moscow-appointed head of Luhansk region shows a university college building damaged by Ukrainian drones in Starobilsk, Ukraine (AP)
James Reynolds22 May 2026 15:36
