UFO Sighting, Yermak’s Detention, and Accusations From Zelensky’s Ex-Spokesperson – Ukraine Latest, May 12

Ukraine’s former top aide was hit with a corruption notice as fighting resumed after the failed ceasefire. Europe is openly doubting Washington, the US wants Ukraine’s drone know-how, and Iran tensions keep rising – all while a mysterious Russian shipwreck and a reported UFO sighting grabbed headlines. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied This handout photograph taken and released by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on May 12, 2026, shows a damaged room in a kindergarten following an air attack in Kyiv region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / State Emergency Service of Ukraine / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google One of Ukraine’s most powerful men was just handed a suspicion notice for corruption. Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s former chief of staff, who was widely regarded as one of Ukraine’s political kingpins before his resignation last year, was named a suspect in a major corruption probe involving alleged money laundering tied to a luxury housing project. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The probe is a continuation of last year’s “Operation Midas,” with anti-graft agencies now saying six more suspects have been named – though they added that Zelensky was not, and has never been , a subject of the investigation. Perhaps by coincidence, Zelensky’s former spokesperson also appeared on a US talk show with pro-Kremlin host Tucker Carlson and went full blast against Zelensky , accusing him of corruption and claiming that Kyiv agreed to give up the Donbas in 2022. Ukraine said the ceasefire had come and gone, with fighting resuming as more than 200 drones targeted the country overnight and explosions rocked Kyiv and Dnipro . And whatever war-end signals Moscow has been sending may prove little more than a facade. The Kremlin now says there are no specifics on how Russian leader Vladimir Putin plans to end the war despite his earlier claims , with analyst Paul Goble telling us it was simply another delay tactic designed to fool Europe – something he says the West keeps falling for. Other Topics of Interest Zelensky Not Part of ‘Midas’ Corruption Probe, NABU Says Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies said Zelensky is not involved in the “Midas” money laundering investigation involving a luxury real estate near Kyiv. NABU and SAPO also said parts of the probe remain classified, with investigations ongoing into defense, energy and financial corruption schemes. This handout photograph taken and released by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on May 12, 2026, shows a view of damaged kindergarten following an air attack in Kyiv region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / State Emergency Service of Ukraine / AFP) That does not mean ceasefire talks are dead. While Kyiv talked to NATO about ramping up arms support , it is also working with Europeans on a so-called “ airport ceasefire ” – a practical framework aimed at reducing fighting through more tangible arrangements. And despite a prisoner swap being part of the weekend ceasefire proposal, it has yet to happen, with Kyiv’s top diplomat accusing Moscow of trying to trade abducted Ukrainian children in the exchange. He said the children should be returned through proper channels, while Zelensky said a coalition working to secure their return has now grown to nearly 50 nations . Meanwhile, new research found Russia earned even more oil revenue in April despite Ukrainian strikes, with China and India among the biggest buyers — though Europe, it seems, was not far behind . On the subject of peace talks, Finland also said Europe should engage with Moscow – not necessarily because it wants to, but because US policies no longer align with European interests, according to the Finnish president. The comments came as Europe races to build long-range weapons after realizing – perhaps belatedly – that Washington may not be a reliable long-term security guarantor as it scraps parts of its deployment plans. Iranians walk past an anti-US and anti-Israel mural painted on a wall in the capital Tehran on May 10, 2026. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) But amid reports that Kyiv managed to down 90% of incoming Russian drones – and Iranian-made ones in the Middle East – Washington also appears eager to finally tap into Ukrainian expertise, signing a memorandum on drone technology exchange and joint production . Those drones may soon prove useful for the US, as there is little sign the Iran war is winding down. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reportedly struck Iran in retaliatory attacks , while US President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest proposal and his administration imposed sanctions on firms accused of helping supply Iranian oil to China. To wrap up today’s news, a CNN investigation into a Russian ship that sank last year while reportedly secretly carrying nuclear reactors has made waves in the media, while Ukraine’s defense advisor also posted about a UFO sighting in the skies last year. Interested in more updates like this? Subscribe to our daily newsletter here . Leo Chiu is a journalist and editor based in Eastern Europe since 2015. He has witnessed two presidential elections in Belarus and traveled widely to conflict zones and contested regions, producing reporting that bridges the gap between major developments and local realities.