UKR Embassy in GEO

🕯 Today, a Day of Mourning has been declared in Kyiv for the victims of the massive Russian attack on the capital on May 14. At least 24 people are now confirmed dead, including three children. 48 people have been injured. This was one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv since the start of Russia’s full-scale war. Residential neighbourhoods, civilian infrastructure, and ordinary people once again became Russia’s targets. The aggressor state is deliberately continuing its terror against Ukrainian cities and civilians. That is why international pressure on Russia must increase, alongside continued support for Ukraine and our nation’s ability to protect its skies and its people.

Every Ukrainian child must return home. On 11 May 2026, Ukraine, the EU, Canada, and partners once again joined efforts for the sake of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred by Russia. Delegations from 63 countries and international organizations took part in the High-Level Meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children held in Brussels. Participants discussed concrete ways to improve mechanisms for tracing children and verifying data, scale up organized return efforts, strengthen diplomatic pressure, reinforce reintegration and rehabilitation systems following return, ensure accountability, and coordinate sanctions regimes. Our partners also presented new forms of financial and institutional support tailored to Ukraine’s current needs. Participants reaffirmed a clear position: the return of Ukrainian children is both a humanitarian imperative and an integral component of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Details: bit.ly/4wJRl8H

Thank you to all partners who stand with Ukraine to bring every abducted Ukrainian child home and ensure Russia is held accountable. On May 11 in Brussels, the EU, Ukraine and Canada held a high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, during which partners announced new support: 🇪🇺 EU – €50 million for Ukraine’s child protection system 🇬🇧 UK – £1.2 million for tracing and verification 🇱🇹 Lithuania – €10 million for search, return and rehabilitation 🇨🇦 Canada – CAD 3.4 million for the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission and participation in the International Claims Commission 🇩🇪 Germany – €1.4 million for civil society organisations 🇸🇮🇭🇷🇬🇪 Slovenia, Croatia, and Georgia have confirmed the continuation of programmes supporting the rest and rehabilitation of Ukrainian children in summer camps. The Coalition also announced its largest coordinated sanctions package so far against those involved in the deportation and militarisation of Ukrainian children: 🇪🇺 EU – 16 individuals, 7 entities 🇨🇦 Canada – 23 individuals, 5 entities 🇬🇧 UK – 12 individuals, 17 entities 🇳🇴 Norway will join the EU package The meeting focused on strengthening child tracing and identification through a unified Tracing Mechanism, supporting children’s return and reintegration, and documenting crimes to ensure international justice. 🇱🇻 Latvia also increased its support ahead of the meeting, providing an additional €100,000 to help rescue abducted children, document Russian crimes, and strengthen international accountability. During the meeting, it was announced that new members had joined the Coalition – Cyprus 🇨🇾 and Switzerland 🇨🇭. With these decisions, the Coalition now counts 49 members. Every Ukrainian child abducted by Russia must return home 🇺🇦

Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Kyiv following a Russian strike on a residential apartment building. As of now, five people have been killed by Russia, and more than 10 people remain missing. Around 40 people were injured in the attack, while 28 have been rescued from the collapsed building. Russia’s actions clearly show that it is not moving towards peace. Only coordinated international pressure, defence support for Ukraine, and strong sanctions against the Kremlin can create the conditions necessary to stop Russia’s aggression.

On International Nurses Day, we honour Ukrainian military medics – those who save lives in the hardest conditions. These images from the photo exhibition “Heirs to Freedom: The Ukrainian Army Through the Centuries”, created by the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine together with the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, show a modern combat medic alongside a medical nurse from the Ukrainian Army of the early 20th century. Ukraine’s Armed Forces continue the legacy of the Ukrainian armies that defended our independence in 1917–1921. Different generations, different uniforms – but the same determination to protect Ukraine and its people.

Joint efforts remain essential to ensure the return of all Ukrainian children and to hold accountable those responsible for forced deportation, forced adoption, re-education, Russification, and militarisation of Ukrainian children. We are grateful to our partners for increasing pressure through sanctions. 🇬🇧 The United Kingdom has sanctioned 85 individuals and entities. 🇨🇦 Canada is imposing sanctions on 23 individuals and 5 organisations. 🇪🇺 The European Union sanctions target 16 individuals and 7 organisations. “These measures target not only individuals and entities, but also the entire machinery behind the forced deportation and assimilation of Ukrainian children. This is not politics. It is about protecting children, defending human dignity, and upholding international law,” stated Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha.

Overnight on May 12, Russia launched over 200 attack drones against Ukraine, choosing to end the brief period of partial ceasefire that had lasted for several days. Russian strikes targeted Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions. Tragically, there are killed and injured as a result of the strikes. The attacks caused damage to energy infrastructure, a kindergarten in the Kyiv region, a civilian railway locomotive, an enterprise, apartment blocks, and private homes. Ukraine has warned that it will respond in a mirrored way. Russia must end its war and take the first step towards a real and lasting ceasefire. Until that happens, sanctions on Moscow must remain in force and be strengthened.

Today is Europe Day. And Ukraine is marking it not formally or through sloganeering, but fully aware that we are already an inseparable part of the European family. We are defending Ukraine, our independence, our future – and in doing so, we in Ukraine are defending our Europe. A Europe of which Ukraine has been and will remain a part. From the first days of the full-scale war until today, Europe has stood with Ukraine. And this is not charity – it is a choice made by Europeans: to stand on the same side as the brave and the strong – the Ukrainians who are fighting today for peace and true protection against tyranny, not only for themselves, but for the entire continent. And we will inevitably defend our state, our people, and our right to freely choose our future – a future in Europe. Glory to Ukraine!

On Mother’s Day, we want to highlight the strength of Ukrainian mothers living through Russia’s full-scale war. Mothers who defend Ukraine and those who wait for their sons and daughters serving at the front or held in Russian captivity. Mothers who take their children to shelters during Russia’s overnight attacks and comfort them. It takes immense courage to raise children in Ukraine today and to choose to bring new life and hope into the world in such difficult times. Being a mother in Ukraine in the midst of war is about both love and resilience.

Europe Day is a great moment to mark what we share — and we truly share so much. Historically, culturally, and by its values, Ukraine has always been part of Europe. This connection grows stronger every day through reforms, steady progress towards EU membership, and our common projects. But above all, it is our shared aspiration for a European future that unites us. Happy Europe Day! #EuropeDay2026 #ValuesWeShare

On the eve of the day when we honor the memory of the millions of victims of World War II, we remind how the war started. World War II didn’t begin with a lone invasion – it began with a deal. In 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union agreed to divide Europe. Days later, they both invaded Poland from opposite sides. The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact laid the groundwork for the horrors that unfolded.

On this Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, we honour millions of people whose lives were taken by this war, as well as those who defended the world from Nazism. World War II became one of the most terrible tragedies in human history. Millions of Ukrainians served in various armies of the anti-Hitler coalition and took part in underground resistance, as our land became the site of major battles and immense human suffering. World War II took the lives of more than 8 million Ukrainians. The year 1945 did not bring lasting peace to Ukraine – in another totalitarian regime, the Soviet Union, repression continued. Today, Ukraine is once again forced to defend its freedom and the security of all Europe against Russian aggression. The memory of World War II should serve as a call for responsibility and determination to defend a just and lasting peace.

💬 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "If the one person in Moscow who cannot live without war cares only about one parade and nothing else, that’s a different story. Ukraine is ready to work for peace." Russia asks for silence for its 9 May parade – from the very country it attacked and expected to conquer within three days. Ukraine responded with a real proposal: a full ceasefire starting at midnight on 5–6 May. Russia violated it immediately with new strikes and attacks. Ukraine is ready to work for peace and seeks to end this war with dignity. Russia itself shows no intention of doing so, so the world must pressure it towards diplomacy.

I was glad to continue our dialogue with my Georgian colleague @MakaB__ following our recent contacts in Yerevan. During our today’s call, we noted the constructive dialogue between our countries and agreed on the mutual interest in normalising the Ukraine-Georgia relations. We discussed bilateral relations and interaction within international organizations. We also confirmed our openness to move forward in bilateral cooperation and maintain active contacts.

Seven people are currently in hospitals after being injured in the Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia, while some others are still undergoing the necessary medical examinations. A total of 37 people have been affected. It was a guided aerial bomb attack that directly targeted the city’s civilian infrastructure. The Russians show no restraint in destroying human life. This was an absolutely cynical terrorist strike, with no military justification whatsoever. Not a single day passes without such Russian attacks on our cities and villages. This one strike alone has already claimed 12 lives. In the evening, the Russian scumbags also launched attacks on Dnipro. As of now, four people were reported killed. My condolences to the families and loved ones. It is essential that Russia is forced to end this war. We need silence from such strikes and all others like them every single day, not just for a few hours somewhere out there for “celebrations.” Life must be protected, and I am grateful to all our partners who have spoken in support of Ukraine and are helping us defend life.

Russia violated the ceasefire initiated by Ukraine at midnight between May 5th and 6th. Russian attacks with the use of 108 drones and 3 missiles continued throughout the night, including morning strikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia. Moscow once again ignored a realistic and fair call to end hostilities, supported by other states and international organisations. This shows that Russia rejects peace and its fake calls for a ceasefire on May 9th have nothing to do with diplomacy. Putin only cares about military parades, not human lives. Such attitude necessitates strong and increased pressure on the Russian regime, including new rounds of sanctions, isolation, accountability for Russian crimes, and enhanced support for Ukraine in all areas.

On World Press Freedom Day, we thank every journalist, photographer, fixer, editor, and media worker who continues to tell the world the truth about Ukraine. Ukrainian and foreign journalists document Russia's war crimes, report from frontline cities, and preserve the stories of people living through this war. Many risk their lives to make sure the truth is seen and heard. Some have paid for it with their freedom or their lives. This year, Ukraine rose seven places in the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, reaching 55th place among 180 countries. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine has climbed 50 positions in the ranking. At the same time, Russia continues persecuting journalists for doing their work, with 26 Ukrainian media workers currently held captive. They must be released and returned home. Free journalism is one of the most powerful tools against propaganda, disinformation and attempts to hide the truth. Thank you to everyone who continues to report, document, investigate and speak up.

Two people were killed and seven injured after a Russian FPV drone struck a regular city minibus in Kherson, another deliberate Russian attack on civilians in Ukraine’s frontline regions. In Kharkiv, at least six people were injured by Russia's attack. Strikes were also reported against energy infrastructure in Mykolaiv region, while other Russian attacks targeted Dnipro, Odesa, Sumy, and Donetsk regions. Russia is increasingly using mass attacks to overload Ukraine’s air defence systems, making the continued supply of air defence missiles critical. Over the past week alone, Russia launched around 1,600 attack drones, nearly 1,100 guided aerial bombs, and three missiles at Ukraine. This is why sanctions must be strengthened as any easing only refills Russia’s war budget. The loopholes and schemes Russia uses to bypass restrictions must be closed.

Russia killed a person and injured at least seven others in its drone strike on the Dnipro region, with civilian infrastructure including homes, shops, and transport damaged. Across Ukraine, overnight Russian attacks involving over 200 drones and missiles hit multiple regions, causing power outages and destruction. Dozens of civilians were affected by this attack. Sanctions and coordinated international pressure remain crucial to stop Russia’s war.

Russia is turning Ukrainian nuclear facilities into weapons of war against Ukraine and Europe. Russia invaded and occupied the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 2022, putting the Exclusion Zone and its critical systems at risk. In 2025, a Russian Shahed drone struck the New Safe Confinement of the Chornobyl NPP, damaging the protective structure over the destroyed reactor. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains under temporary Russian occupation since 2022. Russia located military equipment and weapons on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, turning Europe’s largest nuclear facility into a military asset. These actions show a clear pattern of nuclear blackmail. This cannot continue. Russia must be stopped and held accountable. #Chornobyl40