General Staff: Russia has lost 961,970 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

General Staff: Russia has lost 961,970 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

The number includes 1,200 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Ukraine can rely on Europe, new German FM Wadephul says.

"Everyone in Moscow must know that they have to reckon with us. Europe will support Ukraine," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said.

Ukraine considers moving closer to euro rather than dollar, Reuters reports

Ukraine is considering moving away from the U.S. dollar and closer to the euro as a benchmark for the hryvnia, National Bank Governor Andrii Pyshnyi told Reuters.

Military communications in Moscow Oblast sabotaged amid Russia's Victory Day celebrations, partisans claim

The Atesh partisan group claims it disabled communication at several Russian military facilities when it allegedly destroyed equipment at a transformer substation in the village of Mogiltsy in Russia's Moscow Oblast.

Bessent agrees Putin is a war criminal, but peace talks should continue, he says

When asked if he considers Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal," U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent replied, saying, "Yes."

Vance says Russia 'asking for too much' in talks to end war

"The Russians are asking for a certain set of requirements, a certain set of concessions in order to end the conflict. We think they’re asking for too much," U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on May 7, according to Politico.

EU eyes new sanctions over Russian hybrid threats, chemical weapons use in Ukraine, Reuters reports

EU ambassadors began talks this week on a 17th sanctions package that targets Russia’s military-industrial complex, Moscow’s shadow shipping fleet, and related support networks.

'She fed all the birds, dogs, and cats' — 64-year-old animal rescue volunteer and son killed in Russian attack on Kyiv

Serhii Mandryk was on a call with acquaintances in Canada in the early hours of May 7. An air raid alert had sounded in Kyiv a few hours earlier but he decided to stay at home and go ahead with it rather than head for a shelter. He assured everyone

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drone strikes hit two Russian defense plants, grounding flights in Moscow, security service says

Key developments on May 7: * Ukrainian drone strikes hit two Russian defense plants, grounding flights in Moscow, security service says * Kellogg says Ukraine proposed 30-km demilitarized buffer zone, admits Putin main obstacle to ceasefire * Two volunteers die in Ukraine mine-clearing incident, including British aid worker Chris Garrett * Ukrainian drones reportedly

Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 24

Editor’s note: This is issue 24 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from April 28–May 4, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission. Benchmarks

Wave of drones target Moscow again, prompting further airport closures

The repeated drone activity prompted renewed temporary airport closures across the region.

German Chancellor Merz plans visit to Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the trip is currently being coordinated and emphasized that the European Union must do “everything possible” to help secure a lasting cessation of hostilities beyond the upcoming weekend.

Azeri and Laotian leaders to skip Russia’s Victory Day parade, Kremlin says

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Laotian leader Thongloun Sisoulith will not attend Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9.

14 killed, 54 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day

Russia launched 187 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type drones and five Iskander-M ballistic missiles, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

Ukrainian drone strikes hit two Russian defense plants, grounding flights in Moscow, security service says

The strikes, according to the SBU, triggered heightened alert measures across the Moscow Oblast, forcing Russian authorities to enact “Plan Cover,” a security protocol that includes grounding civilian air traffic.

Ukraine Business Roundup — Making sense of the minerals deal

The following is the May 6, 2025 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. As I’m sure you saw, the U.S. and Ukraine finally signed the minerals agreement after months

Two volunteers die in Ukraine mine-clearing incident, including British aid worker Chris Garrett

Garrett, 42, from the Isle of Man, was widely known for his high-risk volunteer work removing mines and unexploded ordnance left behind by Russian forces.

Theater, drag shows, and art studios — Kharkiv’s cultural scene thrives, even in wartime (Photos)

Kharkiv, located a stone’s throw away from Russia’s border, continues to pulsate with a resilient spirit despite the invasion. Each cultural event that takes place in this eastern Ukrainian city is more than just artistic expression — it is a poignant reminder of what Ukraine stands to lose in

Lithuania plans to build naval drones with Ukraine in joint effort

Under a “1+1” model, Lithuania would fund the production of two drones, keeping one for its own defense and sending the other to Ukraine.

Who's attending Moscow’s Victory Day parade? The Kremlin has published a guest list ahead of May 9

Russia’s annual Victory Day parade is set to take place in Moscow on May 9, in a week dramtically marked by a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on the city. Russia's Victory Day celebrations on May 9, which mark the Soviet Union's role in defeating Nazi Germany in World

Ukrainian drones reportedly hit Russian fiber optic plant in Saransk

"The fiber optic systems plant in Saransk was very seriously damaged after the strike," Andrii Kovalenko, an official at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said on May 7.

Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow disrupt air travel for 60,000 passengers in Russia

The disruption comes days before Russia's Victory Day parade on May 9, one of the country's largest public events and a key propaganda tool for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kellogg says Ukraine proposed 30-km demilitarized buffer zone, admits Putin main obstacle to ceasefire

U.S. special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg described the proposal as a buffer zone with both sides pulling back 15 kilometers, creating a 30-kilometer area monitored by observers from third countries.

Without mentioning his name, Biden calls Trump's pressure on Ukraine 'modern-day appeasement' towards Russia

Former U.S. President Joe Biden, breaking from the tradition of former presidents avoiding criticism of successors early in their term, said conceding Ukrainian territory could erode confidence in Washington's global role.

General Staff: Russia has lost 960,770 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

The number includes 1,270 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Canada initiates court proceedings to seize Russian Antonov An-124 aircraft

The aircraft, owned by Russian Volga-Dnepr cargo airlines, has remained grounded at Toronto Pearson International Airport since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, amid a travel ban on Russian aircraft in Canadian airspace.

Russian missile, drone attack on Kyiv kills 2, injures 8

Russian drone debris struck several residential buildings in the Dnipro, Shevchenkivskyi, and Sviatoshynskyi neighborhoods of the capital.

Ukraine's external budgetary financing needs 'fully secured' for 2025, Shmyhal says

Ukraine's external financing needs to cover the country's budgetary deficit are fully met for 2025, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on May 6.

'Millions are dying' because of 'foolish decision' to ban Russia from G8, Trump says

When pressed about whether he would invite Russia back to the group, President Donald Trump responded that "it's not good timing now," contradicting previous statements on the matter.

Moscow releases guest list for Victory Day parade

The Kremlin has released a guest list of countries and foreign leaders planning to attend the contentious May 9 Victory Day parade. Military personnel from 13 countries are expected to march through Moscow and at least 29 world leaders are expected to attend the event.

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