**Russia Claims to Have Shot Down Over 150 Ukrainian Drones in One Day**
In a significant escalation of the conflict, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses intercepted more than 150 Ukrainian drones over several regions, including areas near the capital, Moscow. According to the ministry, 159 drones were destroyed between 8am and 8pm on May 22.
The drone attacks targeted multiple central and western regions, with dozens of drones intercepted in each area. The surrounding regions of Kursk, Oryol, Tula, and others also came under attack. However, Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the claims.
**Moscow’s Airports Temporarily Closed Due to Drone Attack**
All four Moscow airports – Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky – as well as airports in Tambov and Vladimir were temporarily closed due to the drone attack. Russian authorities reported that one of the drones crashed into the roof of an apartment building in Tula.
**Ukraine Rescues 9 Children from Russian-Occupied Territories**
In a separate development, Ukraine’s Presidential Office announced that nine children have been rescued from Russian-occupied territories and brought to Ukrainian-controlled areas. The children were identified as being in danger due to lack of medical care or other critical situations.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has identified over 19,500 children who have been forcibly deported to Russia, Belarus, or occupied territories. However, only around 1,300 of them have been safely brought back to Ukrainian government-controlled territory.
**Trump Tells European Leaders Putin Not Ready for Peace**
US President Donald Trump reportedly told European leaders that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not ready for peace in Ukraine because he believes he is winning the war. This statement marks the first time Trump acknowledged what European leaders and Kyiv have long maintained – the Kremlin has no intention of ending its full-scale war against Ukraine.
**Ukraine Proposes EU Funding for Military**
Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko announced that Kyiv is requesting the EU begin directly funding its armed forces starting in 2026. The proposal aims to strengthen Europe’s collective defense and share the cost of containing Russian aggression.
Under the new model, European partners would help fund the Ukrainian military, and Ukraine would be further integrated into the continent’s defense system. Marchenko emphasized that the cost of supporting Ukraine’s military would represent only a small fraction of the EU’s combined GDP.
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