EU foreign ministers and foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas honored fallen Ukrainian soldiers during a visit to Lviv on May 9, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported on Telegram.

The visit coincided with Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, an annual event the Kremlin uses to showcase military might and justify its war against Ukraine.

Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.

“Today, we celebrate Europe Day with Ukraine and its people. Because in a family, both joys and hardships are shared,” Kallas wrote on X. “Together with foreign ministers, we stand united with Ukraine for a lasting peace."

The diplomats visited the Field of Honorary Graves at Lychakiv Cemetery, where Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine are buried.

“Ukraine and Europe are eternally indebted to those who gave their lives for peace and security on the entire continent,” Shmyhal wrote.

Europe Day, celebrated annually on May 9, marks peace and unity across the continent. This year, it comes as Russia continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“During the meeting, we discussed further joint efforts to strengthen Ukraine, increase pressure on Russia, and promote Ukraine’s accession to the EU,” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

On May 8, Kallas said that final political approval will be given to initiate an international tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression against Ukraine, aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior Kremlin officials.

She also said the EU is expected to announce the allocation of 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to bolster Ukraine’s defense industry.

‘The front is noisy’ — for Ukraine’s soldiers, Russia’s Victory Day ‘ceasefire’ is yet another sham

Moscow’s self-declared truce which came into force at midnight on May 8 is not being felt on the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent, reporting numerous cases of Russian military activity throughout the day. “There is no truce. There is shelling, artillery, drone and FPV (bomb) drops,” Petro Kuzyk, a battalion commander at the National Guard, said. The Kremlin announced the measure on April 28, claiming all military actions would halt on May 8 to midnight on May 11 t

The Kyiv IndependentChris York,

A U.S. court of appeals ruled on May 7 that the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) must release $12 million in funding previously approved by Congress for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the media organization reported.

The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.

The court order compels USAGM to comply with an April 29 district court ruling and transfer the funds, which had been blocked following an order by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The money is part of broader congressional appropriations supporting RFE/RL’s operations in Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and beyond.

The media organization, established during the Cold War to challenge Soviet influence, operates as an independent media corporation funded by U.S. congressional appropriations through USAGM.

On March 15, Trump signed an executive order slashing funding to seven government agencies, including USAGM. The agency soon after issued a notice terminating a congressionally approved grant for RFE/RL, freezing around $75 million already allocated for the 2025 fiscal year.

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The freeze sparked legal action from RFE/RL. On March 25, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled in favor of the media outlet, but USAGM withheld the funds. The corporation returned to court, prompting the April 29 ruling mandating the immediate release of the funds.

That ruling was briefly suspended by a panel of appellate judges just hours before the appeals court hearing. The May 7 decision reinstates the lower court's order, forcing USAGM to release the $12 million. The agency can still appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

USAGM's interim leadership justified the funding freeze under Trump's executive order, which mandated cuts to "inefficient spending of U.S. taxpayer funds."

The move, however, has been celebrated by Russian propagandists and coincided with Trump's diplomatic outreach to Moscow as he seeks to broker a peace deal in Ukraine.

RFE/RL's broadcasts have long been a target of Kremlin ire. The outlet provides critical coverage of authoritarian governments, human rights abuses, and Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

‘The front is noisy’ — for Ukraine’s soldiers, Russia’s Victory Day ‘ceasefire’ is yet another sham

Moscow’s self-declared truce which came into force at midnight on May 8 is not being felt on the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent, reporting numerous cases of Russian military activity throughout the day. “There is no truce. There is shelling, artillery, drone and FPV (bomb) drops,” Petro Kuzyk, a battalion commander at the National Guard, said. The Kremlin announced the measure on April 28, claiming all military actions would halt on May 8 to midnight on May 11 t

The Kyiv IndependentChris York,

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast, detaining two agents accused of espionage against the Ukrainian state, the agency announced on May 9.

According to the SBU, this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to Ukraine.

The operation’s objectives reportedly included gathering intelligence on military defenses, identifying vulnerabilities in its ground and air defense systems, and assessing local residents' socio-political views, particularly scenarios of public reaction if Hungarian troops entered the region.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been broadly seen as the most Moscow-friendly leader in the EU during Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine. He has repeatedly opposed military aid for Ukraine, arguing that Western support prolongs the war.

Zakarpattia Oblast is a region with a sizable ethnic Hungarian minority and a sensitive location along NATO’s eastern frontier. Kyiv has long accused Budapest of undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty through political interference and dual citizenship schemes.

SBU counterintelligence detained two alleged agents as a result of a complex operation. Investigators identified their supervisor as a Hungarian military intelligence officer, whose identity has been established by the agency.

One of the suspects, a 40-year-old former Ukrainian military officer, was recruited by Hungarian intelligence and placed on standby in 2021.

The SBU said he was “activated” in September 2024. After that, he reportedly conducted reconnaissance on the deployment of Ukrainian Armed Forces and the coordinates of S-300 air defense systems in the region.

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The agency documented that after gathering intelligence, the agent crossed into Hungary to deliver reports to his handler.

During these meetings, the Hungarian intelligence officer allegedly provided him with cash to fund operations and instructed him to expand an informant network.

According to the investigation, the agent attempted to recruit at least two individuals.

In March 2025, the SBU recorded a second meeting between the agent and his handler. The agent reportedly received a phone equipped with specialized software for covert communications.

His new tasks included identifying official vehicles belonging to Ukraine's army, gathering data on military losses, and reporting front line developments through an identified contact in the Armed Forces.

The second detainee is a former member of Ukraine's security forces, who left service in 2025. The SBU said her responsibilities involved reporting on the presence of aircraft and helicopters in Zakarpattia and the air defense systems at her former military unit.

The agency said the suspects have been charged with high treason under martial law. They are currently in custody and face life imprisonment with property confiscation.

‘The front is noisy’ — for Ukraine’s soldiers, Russia’s Victory Day ‘ceasefire’ is yet another sham

Moscow’s self-declared truce which came into force at midnight on May 8 is not being felt on the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent, reporting numerous cases of Russian military activity throughout the day. “There is no truce. There is shelling, artillery, drone and FPV (bomb) drops,” Petro Kuzyk, a battalion commander at the National Guard, said. The Kremlin announced the measure on April 28, claiming all military actions would halt on May 8 to midnight on May 11 t

The Kyiv IndependentChris York,

George Simion, leader of Romania’s far-right AUR party and frontrunner in the country’s presidential race, called on Ukraine to compensate Bucharest for its military and humanitarian aid, Romanian broadcaster Digi24 reported on May 8.

Simion, who won the first round of Romania’s presidential election on May 4 with nearly 40% of the vote, reiterated that if elected, he would oppose any further assistance to Ukraine and shift Romania’s focus inward.

He framed his foreign policy stance as “neutrality, not escalation and not supplying weapons, but joining the policies of (U.S. President Donald) Trump."

“Ukraine needs us, we don’t need Ukraine, so Ukraine must respect the national and religious rights of the half a million Romanians living in Ukraine. And we certainly want compensation for Romania’s participation in the war effort so far,” Simion said during the Euronews debate.

He added that the form of compensation would be subject to future negotiations.

“But for the Patriot system donated by (former Romanian President) Klaus Iohannis as national treason and other expenses that Romanians made out of their own pockets, we should get something in return,” he said.

The U.S.-made Patriot air defense system, recognized for its precision in intercepting aircraft, cruise, and ballistic missiles, has been pivotal in shielding Ukrainian cities from Russian strikes. Ukraine received a Patriot system from Bucharest in October 2024.

The presidential election will advance to a runoff on May 18.

The current election follows the annulment of the initial first round in November 2024, which Romania’s Constitutional Court invalidated over evidence of social media manipulation and foreign interference.

That round had been won by populist Calin Georgescu, who openly promoted conspiracy theories and supported Russia, calling Ukraine a “fictional state” and predicting its partition as “inevitable."

Romania, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, has signed a bilateral security agreement with Kyiv, backed sanctions against Russia, and facilitated the export of Ukrainian grain amid Russian threats in the Black Sea.

‘The front is noisy’ — for Ukraine’s soldiers, Russia’s Victory Day ‘ceasefire’ is yet another sham

Moscow’s self-declared truce which came into force at midnight on May 8 is not being felt on the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent, reporting numerous cases of Russian military activity throughout the day. “There is no truce. There is shelling, artillery, drone and FPV (bomb) drops,

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Russia has lost 963,270 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on May 9.

The number includes 1,300 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 10,786 tanks, 22,433 armored fighting vehicles, 47,724 vehicles and fuel tanks, 27588 artillery systems, 1,380 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,157 air defense systems, 372 airplanes, 335 helicopters, and 35,446 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

‘The front is noisy’ — for Ukraine’s soldiers, Russia’s Victory Day ‘ceasefire’ is yet another sham

Moscow’s self-declared truce which came into force at midnight on May 8 is not being felt on the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent, reporting numerous cases of Russian military activity throughout the day. “There is no truce. There is shelling, artillery, drone and FPV (bomb) drops,” Petro Kuzyk, a battalion commander at the National Guard, said. The Kremlin announced the measure on April 28, claiming all military actions would halt on May 8 to midnight on May 11 t

The Kyiv IndependentChris York,

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed their countries' relationship on May 8, vowing to increase cooperation in all areas, including military ties.

In a joint statement released during Xi’s visit to Moscow amid the May 9 Victory Day celebrations, the two countries promised to “strengthen coordination in order to decisively counter Washington’s course of ‘dual containment’ of Russia and China."

In a show of unity against U.S. President Donald Trump, the two countries disavowed “the promotion of hostile approaches toward Russia and China by third countries in various regions of the world, as well as the discrediting of Russian-Chinese cooperation."

The two countries also vowed to “contribute to the establishment of peace in Ukraine,” while addressing the “root causes” of the war.

The statement on the Ukraine war alludes to phrasing that Russia has regularly used to justify its full-scale invasion, falsely claiming that it was pushed into war with Ukraine over NATO’s perceived expansion.

China has strengthened ties with Russia since the Kremlin launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, becoming Moscow’s leading supplier of dual-use goods that bolster Russia’s defense industry.

While China has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the war, it has simultaneously criticized the U.S. and its allies for “exacerbating” the war by supplying weapons to Ukraine. NATO has labeled China a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s aggression.

President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on April 17 that China is supplying weapons to the Russian military. His statement marks Kyiv’s first confirmation that Beijing supports Russia’s war effort by providing weapons.

Xi said earlier in the day on May 8 that he was pleased to take part in the Victory Day celebrations and that “China and Russia are ready to defend the truth about the history of World War II."

The Chinese president’s visit to Russia is expected to last until May 10. During this time, the Chinese and Russian sides will hold talks in various formats, both between the two leaders and between delegations, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

During his three and a half hour meeting with the Chinese leader, Putin expressed his willingness to pay another official visit to China and emphasized that the governments of both countries are working to fully develop their bilateral relations.

Xi’s presence in Moscow serves as an important boost to Putin amid ongoing negotiations brokered by the United States to put an end to the war in Ukraine.

While the Trump administration initially sought to overhaul relations with Russia, Trump has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress being made on negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. On April 26, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be “tapping me along” in negotiations.

On May 8, U.S. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that the U.S. would be ready to “walk away” from the negotiating table if it does not see Russia making progress in negotiation to end the war.

Turkey, China may serve as potential peace talk ‘mediator’ if US pulls out, Polish FM says

“There is Turkey, which maintains channels of communication. And then, above all, there is the People’s Republic of China, which, more than anyone else, has the means to make (Russian President Vladimir) Putin come to the negotiating table and soften his demands,” Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8.

The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8 that he believed either Turkey or China would serve as a capable “mediator” if the United States pulls out of negotiations to end the war.

Speaking to reporters following an EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Warsaw, Sikorski said that he hope the U.S. succeeds in “mediation efforts” between Russia and Ukraine, European Pravda reported.

“But if this path turns out to be unsuccessful, there are other candidates,” Sikorski added. “There is Turkey, which maintains channels of communication. And then, above all, there is the People’s Republic of China, which, more than anyone else, has the means to make (Russian President Vladimir) Putin come to the negotiating table and soften his demands."

Sikorski’s comments come as the United States has reportedly grown frustrated at the lack of progress being made on negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. On April 26, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be “tapping me along” in negotiations.

On May 8, U.S. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that the U.S. would be ready to “walk away” from the negotiating table if it does not see Russia making progress in negotiation to end the war.

Turkey has positioned itself as a potential mediator in Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine by maintaining diplomatic and economic ties with both nations. Leveraging its strategic position and influence in the Black Sea region, Turkey has facilitated negotiations and grain exports, while expressing willingness to participate in ceasefire monitoring.

While China has also positioned itself as a potential mediator in the war, it has simultaneously criticized the U.S. and its allies for “exacerbating” the war by supplying weapons to Ukraine. NATO has labeled China a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s aggression.

President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on April 17 that China is supplying weapons to the Russian military. His statement marks Kyiv’s first confirmation that Beijing supports Russia’s war effort by providing weapons.

Despite Vance’s comment, following a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump seemingly contradicted Vance on May 8, saying that he was “committed” to securing a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.

“As President, I will stay committed to securing Peace between Russia and Ukraine, together with the Europeans, and a Lasting Peace it will be,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Hopefully, an acceptable ceasefire will be observed, and both Countries will be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations. If the ceasefire is not respected, the U.S. and its partners will impose further sanctions,” Trump added.

Trump calls for ‘unconditional ceasefire,’ committed to ‘securing peace’ between Ukraine, Russia

US President Donald Trump on May 8 called for a “30-day unconditional ceasefire” between Ukraine and Russia. Writing on Truth Social, Trump expressed his hope for “an acceptable ceasefire,” with both countries “held accountable for respecting the sanctity of… direct negotiations.”

The Kyiv IndependentLucy Pakhnyuk

The United States will be ready to “walk away” from the negotiating table if it does not see Russia making progress in negotiation to end the war, U.S. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on May 8.

“What would bother me is if we conclude that the Russians are not engaging in negotiations in good faith. And if that happen, yeah, we’re going to walk away,” Vance said in an interview.

The United States has reportedly grown frustrated at the lack of progress being made on negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. On April 26, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be “tapping me along” in negotiations.

Despite growing frustrations from the White House, Vance said that the fact that the parties are offering proposals to one another is a sign of “progress."

“We knew that Russia would ask for too much because Russia’s perspective on the ground is that they’re winning,” Vance said. “Our attitude is we don’t want Ukraine to collapse. We obviously want Ukraine to remain a sovereign country. But Russia can’t expect to be given territory they haven’t event conquered yet."

“We knew that the Russians' first offer would be too much. We knew that they would ask for more than what was reasonable to give, that’s how negotiations often work,” Vance continued.

Vance warned that Russia and Ukraine “are going to be left to settle this thing without the advise and the mediation of the United States,” if Moscow continues to stall talks.

Despite Vance’s comment, following a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump seemingly contradicted Vance, saying that he was “committed” to securing a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.

“As President, I will stay committed to securing Peace between Russia and Ukraine, together with the Europeans, and a Lasting Peace it will be,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Hopefully, an acceptable ceasefire will be observed, and both Countries will be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations. If the ceasefire is not respected, the U.S. and its partners will impose further sanctions,” Trump added.

U.S. government officials have reportedly prepared a new sanctions package against Russia, although Trump has yet to make a move on implementing the measures.

Trump calls for ‘unconditional ceasefire,’ committed to ‘securing peace’ between Ukraine, Russia

US President Donald Trump on May 8 called for a “30-day unconditional ceasefire” between Ukraine and Russia. Writing on Truth Social, Trump expressed his hope for “an acceptable ceasefire,” with both countries “held accountable for respecting the sanctity of… direct negotiations.”

The Kyiv IndependentLucy Pakhnyuk

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico arrived in Moscow on May 9 to celebrate Victory Day, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

Slovak and Russian press agencies reported that Fico was accompanied by other politicians from his party, including Erik Kaliniak, Lubos Blaga, Richard Gluck. A deputy from the far-right Slovak National Party, Miroslav Radachovsky, was also a part of the group.

During his visit, Fico is expected to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and a government representative of Vietnam.

Fico, who anticipated arriving in Moscow on May 8, was delayed in his arrival, following the Baltic states' decision to bar Slovakia’s government plane from flying over their respective country’s airspace en route to Moscow.

“Estonia informed us a couple of minutes ago that it will not allow us to fly over its territory,” Fico wrote on Facebook. “Of course, we are talking about a deliberate attempt to disrupt my visit to Moscow on the occasion of the official celebration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II."

The Kremlin uses the annual victory celebrations for propaganda purposes and to showcase its military might, while Russian propaganda leans heavily on the Soviet victory in World War II.

Fico is known for inflammatory statements on Ukraine and the war that often echo Moscow’s talking points. He has repeatedly criticized military aid for Ukraine and called for restoring relations with Russia after the war.

Fico’s planned visit comes as another jab at the Western efforts to internationally isolate Putin over Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine. Slovakia is a member state of both NATO and the EU.

Fico slams Zelensky amid Moscow Victory Day security concerns

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico condemned President Volodymyr Zelensky for warning “foreign delegations not to come” to Russia’s Victory Day parade.

The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn

United States President Donald Trump on May 8 called for a “30-day unconditional ceasefire” between Ukraine and Russia.

Writing on Truth Social following a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump expressed his hope for “an acceptable ceasefire,” with both countries “held accountable for respecting the sanctity of… direct negotiations."

“If the ceasefire is not respected, the U.S. and its partners will impose further sanctions,” Trump threatened.

Separately, in a recent interview, Trump said that U.S. may consider implementing additional sanctions against Russia if it does not reach a peace deal with Ukraine. U.S. lawmakers have preemptively prepared a comprehensive sanctions bill that would impose new penalties on Russia.

“As president, I will stay committed to securing peace between Russia and Ukraine, together with the Europeans… This ceasefire must ultimately build toward a peace agreement,” Trump added, expressing his support for an end to the war.

Trump’s post follows a “constructive” phone call with Zelensky. During the call, the leaders discussed the war, diplomatic efforts, and “a real and lasting ceasefire."

Recent months have seen a series of failed peace talks and ceasefires, including one initially brokered by the U.S. in March. While Ukraine immediately agreed to the ceasefire, Russia repeated violated it.

Later, in April, Russia declared a ceasefire over the Easter holiday, though Zelensky accused Moscow of nearly 3,000 violations between April 19 and April 21.

Russia has repeatedly proclaimed its supposed readiness for peace talks while simultaneously pushing for maximalist demands. Kyiv has dismissed these declarations , noting that Russian forces have only intensified their attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns.

Majority of Ukrainians unwilling to trade territory or Western path for peace, poll shows

The survey, conducted between April 24 and May 4, shows that 56.9% of respondents would not be willing to compromise on either territorial integrity or Ukraine’s pro-Western direction in any potential talks with Moscow.

The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir

President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with United States President Donald Trump on a phone call on May 8 to discuss the war, continued pressure on Russia, and a potential ceasefire.

Zelensky reported on the details of phone call during his nightly address.

According to Zelensky, the two leaders had a “good conversation” that was both “warm and constructive.” They congratulated each other and their respective nations with Victory in Europe Day – commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

Zelensky commented on how the defeat of Nazism, as well as the cooperation between Allied nations, laid the foundation for peace, international law, and normal life for so many countries.

“Now, this life must be protected and restored – rebuilt from the ruins after Russian strikes. Just as before, we must work together to bring peace,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky and Trump also discussed joint actions, including US support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia. They also discussed the frontline situation, diplomatic efforts, and “a real and lasting ceasefire.”

“Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire starting right now, from this very moment,” Zelensky said. “A ceasefire, lasting and reliable, will be a real indicator of movement toward peace."

He also noted the critical role that the United States can play in securing peace: “America can help… the world needs America now just as it did eighty years ago."

The conversation between Zelensky and Trump follows recent attempts by the US to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia.

Nearly two months ago, Ukraine accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, but Moscow rejected it, demanding a complete halt on military aid to Ukraine.

Russia has repeatedly proclaimed its supposed readiness for peace talks while simultaneously pushing for maximalist demands. Kyiv has dismissed these declarations as a propaganda stunt, noting that Russian forces have only intensified their attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns.

Ukraine war latest: Over 100 clashes reported on the front line since Russia’s Victory Day ceasefire began

Key developments on May 8: * Over 100 clashes reported on the front line since Russia’s Victory Day ceasefire began * Ukraine’s parliament ratifies minerals deal between Washington, Kyiv * Russia has damaged, destroyed over 2,300 medical infrastructure facilities since beginning of full-scale invasion, health ministry says * Russia’s ballistic missiles make

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

Key developments on May 8:

• Over 100 clashes reported on the front line since Russia’s Victory Day ceasefire began
• Ukraine’s parliament ratifies minerals deal between Washington, Kyiv
• Russia has damaged, destroyed over 2,300 medical infrastructure facilities since beginning of full-scale invasion, health ministry says
• Russia’s ballistic missiles make April deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since last fall, UN reports
• Majority of Ukrainians unwilling to trade territory or Western path for peace, poll shows

Ukrainian forces faced 117 combat clashes across the front line on the first day of Russia’s self-declared Victory Day “humanitarian ceasefire,” the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on May 8.

Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day. The General Staff said that most battles occurred in Donetsk Oblast, where Russian troops launched 41 assaults on the Pokrovsk front alone.

Pokrovsk, located about 70 kilometers northwest of occupied Donetsk, remains one of the most fiercely contested sectors of the front, where Russia has concentrated its main offensive efforts since March.

Clashes also took place near Chasiv Yar, Kupiansk, and Lyman in Donetsk Oblast, while Russian troops continued attacks around Siversk, Torske, and in Kharkiv Oblast. Border settlements in Sumy Oblast suffered from shelling and guided bomb strikes.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian regional authorities reported at least seven civilian deaths and 31 injuries over the past 24 hours across Ukraine. Some of the attacks took place after the start of Moscow’s unilaterally declared truce. Russian strikes targeted homes, vehicles, and public spaces in Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

The Victory Day truce is the latest in a series of ceasefire initiatives announced by Moscow, all of which Russia has violated.

Earlier this month, Russia declared a ceasefire over the Easter holiday, though President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of nearly 3,000 violations between April 19 and April 21. Ukraine has also said that Russian forces repeatedly breached a partial truce on attacks against energy facilities brokered by the U.S. on March 25.

Russia has repeatedly proclaimed its supposed readiness for peace talks while simultaneously pushing for maximalist demands. Kyiv has dismissed these declarations as a propaganda stunt, noting that Russian forces have only intensified their attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns.

‘The front is noisy’ — for Ukraine’s soldiers, Russia’s Victory Day ‘ceasefire’ is yet another sham

Moscow’s self-declared truce which came into force at midnight on May 8 is not being felt on the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent, reporting numerous cases of Russian military activity throughout the day. “There is no truce. There is shelling, artillery, drone and FPV (bomb) drops,

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Ukraine’s parliament ratifies minerals deal between Washington, Kyiv

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, ratified the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal on May 8, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said.

The document was supported by 338 MPs.

The agreement, signed on April 30, establishes a joint investment fund between Kyiv and Washington and grants the U.S. special access to projects developing Ukraine’s natural resources.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the ratification of what he described as the most promising economic agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. to date. “This is joint investment cooperation with the U.S. for decades to come,” Zelensky said.

“I expect the ratification law to be submitted from the Verkhovna Rada to my Office soon. Once the legal procedures are complete, we will be able to begin establishing the Fund,” he wrote on X.

Following the signing of the agreement between Kyiv and Washington, the parties did not disclose details on how the Reconstruction Investment Fund will work, except that it will be managed in an equal partnership, with both sides contributing.

Earlier, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that future military aid from the U.S. could count as contributions to the fund, but previous assistance is not included.

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

The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak

Russia has damaged, destroyed over 2,300 medical infrastructure facilities since beginning of full-scale invasion, health ministry says

Russian forces have damaged or destroyed more than 2,300 medical infrastructure facilities since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Health Ministry said on May 7.

Some 2020 medical facilities were partially damaged, while another 305 were completely destroyed, the ministry’s statement read. Medical facilities in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts were most affected.

Throughout the all-out war, one of the most destructive Russian attacks on medical facilities in terms of casualties was on the Ohmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv.

Russian forces hit Ukraine’s largest children’s medical center on July 8, killing two adults and injuring at least 34 people, including nine children. Footage showed that the building suffered a direct hit by a Russian missile rather than being damaged by fallen debris.

The missile, fired from a plane of the 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division, kept maneuvering and changing its flight path, indicating an intention to bypass Ukrainian air defenses and hit the medical facility, according to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).

Apart from hospitals, outpatient clinics, and maternity hospitals, Russian troops regularly attack ambulances. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 116 ambulances have been damaged, 274 destroyed, and 80 seized.

Ukraine and its international partners have managed to fully rebuild 700 medical facilities and partially restore 312, including critical hospitals and primary health care centers in the frontline regions.

Will Trump help Putin escape punishment for his crimes in Ukraine?

Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. took the unprecedented step of deepening cooperation with international courts of law. Washington has never been party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), and U.S. policy towards the Hague-based international tribunal has varied widely

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Russia’s ballistic missiles make April deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since last fall, UN reports

Russia killed 209 and injured 1,146 civilians during April, making it the deadliest month and the one with the highest number of injured since September 2024, the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reported on May 8.

At least 19 children were killed and 78 injured in April, the highest verified monthly number of child casualties since June 2022.

“One of the main reasons for the sharp rise in civilian casualties was the intensified use of ballistic missiles in major cities across the country,” Danielle Bell, head of HRMMU, said in a statement accompanying the report.

The high number of civilian casualties in April reflects a broader trend of increased harm to civilians in 2025 compared to 2024. Between January and April 2025, 664 civilians were killed and 3,425 injured, a 59% increase compared to the same period in 2024, the report read.

In April, 97% of civilian casualties were recorded in Ukraine-controlled territory. Almost half of all cases were caused by Russian missile attacks or shelling. Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, and Kharkiv suffered the most damage over the past month.

Attacks using short-range drones near the contact line accounted for 23% of civilian casualties during the month. Meanwhile, in early May, the trend of targeting large Ukrainian cities with loitering munitions also continued, according to the report.

‘Clearly, Ukraine is holding cards’ — economist on why US pressure won’t force Kyiv to concede

If Ukraine’s military resistance to Russia’s full-scale invasion stunned the world, its economic resilience in the face of a larger, better-equipped enemy is a lesser-known story of the war. A combination of rapid state expansion, prudent monetary policy, active civil society in Ukraine, and crucial external funding from

The Kyiv IndependentLiliane Bivings

Majority of Ukrainians unwilling to trade territory or Western path for peace, poll shows

The majority of Ukrainians say they are not ready to give up any territory or abandon the country’s Western course in negotiations with Russia, according to a new nationwide poll published on May 8 by the Razumkov Center, a Kyiv-based public policy think tank.

The survey, conducted between April 24 and May 4 in partnership with the Kyiv Security Forum, shows that 56.9% of respondents would not be willing to compromise on either territorial integrity or Ukraine’s pro-Western direction in any potential talks with Moscow.

Only 11.1% said they would consider ceding territory, while 14.7% would be open to changing Ukraine’s geopolitical course.

About two-thirds (66.5%) of Ukrainians believe Russia would violate any peace agreement and resume its attacks when convenient, the poll showed. Just 10.8% said they thought both sides would likely adhere to a signed peace deal.

Skepticism also prevails when it comes to specific concessions. Over half of respondents (52.3%) said Ukraine should not agree to abandon its NATO aspirations, even if it were a condition of a peace treaty. Some 81% opposed reducing the size of the country’s armed forces.

Some 60.6% of Ukrainians believe a military victory over Russia is possible. At the same time, 54.1% said they do not believe a peace agreement can be reached in the near future.

Support for Ukraine’s integration with the West also remains strong. More than half (57.2%) favor the European model of development, compared to just 0.7% who prefer a Russian-leaning model.

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The majority of Ukrainians say they are not ready to give up any territory or abandon the country’s Western course in negotiations with Russia, according to a new nationwide poll published on May 8 by the Razumkov Center, a Kyiv-based public policy think tank.

The survey, conducted between April 24 and May 4 in partnership with the Kyiv Security Forum, shows that 56.9% of respondents would not be willing to compromise on either territorial integrity or Ukraine’s pro-Western direction in any potential talks with Moscow.

Only 11.1% said they would consider ceding territory, while 14.7% would be open to changing Ukraine’s geopolitical course.

The findings reflect a national consensus more than three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, amid reports on the possible U.S.-suggested peace plan. According to Axios, the plan included de jure recognition of Russia’s annexation of occupied Crimea, along with de facto recognition of its occupation of other Ukrainian territories. It also provided for lifting sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014.

About two-thirds (66.5%) of Ukrainians believe Russia would violate any peace agreement and resume its attacks when convenient, the poll showed. Just 10.8% said they thought both sides would likely adhere to a signed peace deal.

Skepticism also prevails when it comes to specific concessions. Over half of respondents (52.3%) said Ukraine should not agree to abandon its NATO aspirations, even if it were a condition of a peace treaty. Some 81% opposed reducing the size of the country’s armed forces.

Russia has long insisted on limiting Ukraine’s military capabilities and barring its accession to NATO as key conditions for peace. In a recent interview with Le Globo, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Moscow would be prepared to enter negotiations only if Ukraine commits to permanent neutrality and demilitarizes.

Some 60.6% of Ukrainians believe a military victory over Russia is possible. At the same time, 54.1% said they do not believe a peace agreement can be reached in the near future.

Support for Ukraine’s integration with the West also remains strong. More than half (57.2%) favor the European model of development, compared to just 0.7% who prefer a Russian-leaning model.

More than 100 days have passed since the U.S. administration began efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign promise to end the war in one day.

Kyiv accepted an unconditional 30-day U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal in March, but Moscow rejected it, demanding a complete end to Western military support for Ukraine.

Russia has repeatedly proclaimed its supposed readiness for peace talks while simultaneously pushing for maximalist demands. Kyiv has dismissed these declarations as a propaganda stunt, noting that Russian forces have only intensified their attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns.

‘The front is noisy’ — for Ukraine’s soldiers, Russia’s Victory Day ‘ceasefire’ is yet another sham

Moscow’s self-declared truce which came into force at midnight on May 8 is not being felt on the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent, reporting numerous cases of Russian military activity throughout the day. “There is no truce. There is shelling, artillery, drone and FPV (bomb) drops,

The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Ukrainian history is rich with examples of foreign volunteers participating in wars fought by Ukrainians for their freedom.

Latvian Karlis Broze, a lieutenant colonel in the Ukrainian People’s Republic, commanded the Black Zaporozhians company and later led one of the battalions during the Winter Campaign of 1919–1920. German Alfred Schamanek, a colonel in the Ukrainian Galician Army (UGA), served as chief of staff of the UGA and was one of the key proponents and planners of the Chortkiv offensive.

Among the first protesters killed in the Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) in Kyiv amid the 2013-2014 Revolution of Dignity (EuroMaidan Revolution), alongside Ukrainian Yurii Verbytskyi, were ethnic Armenian Serhiy Nigoyan and Belarusian Mikhailo Zhyznevskyi.

After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Colonel Bakhva Chikobava of the Georgian army, one of Azov’s instructors in 2014, returned to Mariupol with a group of Georgian instructors to stand alongside Azov service members. He was killed in battle on March 19, 2022, while covering fighters from a neighboring unit breaking out of an operational encirclement.

All of these individuals — and the thousands of other foreigners who have come to help Ukrainians repel Russian aggression — are united by a shared sense of justice and a willingness to take up arms in defense of freedom, even far from their homelands.

At the end of 2024, the 12th Azov Brigade created a battalion for such volunteers.

The creation of the International Battalion — “Interbat,” as we call it — was the result of nearly 11 years of Azov’s history, filled with both triumphs and tragedies, victories and losses, exhausting training and continuous growth. The experience we have accumulated over these 11 years has taught us the value of uniting efforts to resist Russian imperialism.

In 2023, Ukraine passed a law allowing foreigners to serve in the National Guard of Ukraine. We recruited a small group of foreign volunteers who already had combat experience in Ukraine. At first, they served as instructors in Azov, and, since I was head of the brigade’s training section at the time, they were under my command. Soon after, we began involving them in combat operations.

During the battles near Terny between February and May 2024, I commanded a battalion tactical group that included these foreign volunteers. Together, we destroyed significant numbers of enemy personnel and equipment. These fighters proved highly effective and became the backbone of the Azov International Battalion, which was officially established in December 2024, with me appointed as its commander.

Why did we create the International Battalion?

Azov is a unique unit that has conducted dozens of successful combat operations over its 11-year campaign record, including one of the most challenging battles in modern military history — the 86-day defense of Mariupol under complete encirclement, during which the city’s defenders were positioned as far as 100 kilometers behind enemy lines.

12 never-before-seen photos from Azovstal defense (Photos)

The defense of the Azovstal steel plant, Ukraine’s last stronghold during the Russian siege of Mariupol in the spring of 2022, remains one of the most heroic operations carried out by the Ukrainian soldiers to date. The plant was under constant Russian bombardment for nearly two months, and those stuck

The Kyiv IndependentIrynka Hromotska

Azov was the first unit in Ukraine to implement NATO standards in command and control, operational planning, and the execution of combat missions. Our unit has become one of the leading forces driving change within the Ukrainian military, particularly in the areas of recruitment and the psychological support of personnel. Our medics were the first in Ukraine to perform a battlefield blood transfusion in a trench, saving a wounded soldier’s life.

Azov stands for innovation, adaptive thinking, and the continuous pursuit of new solutions to complex challenges. The establishment of a dedicated battalion for foreign volunteers was a natural and logical step in Azov’s evolution — an extension of our experience beyond the existing boundaries. We have much to offer those who have chosen to confront evil far from their homelands, and we are both willing and able to share our knowledge with those ready to learn.

We know how to employ our personnel effectively while minimizing risks through meticulous planning and preparation. We feel a strong bond with those who, despite having entirely different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, embrace the military ethos as a fundamental value. We also feel a deep responsibility to support those who have left the comfort of their former lives to join our fight. Our goal is to build a battalion of foreign fighters that will become not only an organic and effective component of Azov but also a valuable and integrated part of Ukraine’s broader Security and Defense Forces.

As one of the fighters in our International Battalion — a volunteer from Wales — said in an interview, "Azov is ruled by meritocracy." In our unit, service members earn promotion and hold a position only if they fulfill their duties conscientiously, constantly learn, and strive to become a better version of themselves — more skilled, more disciplined. Azov fosters a unique atmosphere of brotherhood and healthy competition, and we actively cultivate that same spirit within the International Battalion. What truly matters is a fighter’s motivation, dedication, and commitment to continuous professional development.

The Azov International Battalion includes representatives from dozens of nations across various continents, speaking different languages and holding diverse worldviews. Yet, they are united by a common purpose: the desire to defend freedom and stand against the axis of evil that threatens not only Ukraine but the entire free world.

Today, the Russians, supported by their allies, have come to Ukraine. Tomorrow, any other country could be under attack. Putin’s army is not advancing further due to Ukraine’s strong resistance. Every repelled Russian assault buys valuable time for the rest of the Western world, at the immense cost of effort, lives, and the health of soldiers on the front lines. The fighters of the Azov International Battalion understand deeply how fragile and ephemeral the security of their own countries and communities truly is.

The experience foreign volunteers gain on the front lines of the Russian-Ukrainian war could prove crucial if their home countries ever face a similar situation. Moreover, the knowledge and skills they acquire here extend beyond the battlefield: experience of civilian medical care and evacuation, as well as the ability to act effectively in emergencies, are all invaluable in civilian life as well.

Predictably, enemy propaganda will continue to label those who join our ranks as mercenaries. This label is unacceptable. In their home countries, these individuals could earn far more without risking their lives. Their decision to come to Ukraine and stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainian soldiers stems exclusively from ethical conviction. The most common answer to the question, "Why did you decide to fight for Ukraine?" is: "Because it’s the right thing to do." These are not mercenaries — they are volunteers. Their decision is welcomed and respected, and their determination is something we are grateful for.

For some of these volunteers, service in the Azov International Battalion will be the greatest challenge of their lives — a test of their strength. Some will see warfare from a perspective they never imagined. For most, it will be the most intense military experience available anywhere in the world. For others, it may become a catalyst for personal transformation — an opportunity to reassess their values, to reflect on life and death, and to consider the meaning of service, virtue, and sacrifice in the modern world.

This experience will lead each volunteer to their own set of insights and personal discoveries. But one thing is certain: those who join our battalion become part of the larger Azov family — a brotherhood forged in combat, where no place can be bought, but must be earned through one’s decisions and actions.

Moscow’s self-declared truce which came into force at midnight on May 8 is not being felt on the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent, reporting numerous cases of Russian military activity throughout the day.

“There is no truce. There is shelling, artillery, drone and FPV (bomb) drops,” Petro Kuzyk, a battalion commander at the National Guard, said.

The Kremlin announced the measure on April 28, claiming all military actions would halt on May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Russia’s Victory Day on May 9.

Ukraine was not consulted on the proposal, and Russia provided no details of how the ceasefire would be implemented or monitored.

President Volodymyr Zelensky described the Russian truce as a “theatrical performance,” and experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent said Moscow’s unilateral declaration is simply not how ceasefires are conducted.

“Ceasefires have to be negotiated so both sides agree on terms otherwise neither is bound by them,” retired Australian Army Major-General Mick Ryan told the Kyiv Independent, adding the Kremlin’s truce lacked “clear terms” as well as any “monitoring arrangements."

It also followed Russia’s now nearly two months-long refusal to accept a U.S.-proposed full, 30-day ceasefire to which Ukraine agreed back on March 11.

“This is not a ceasefire,” a special forces sniper with the callsign “Bart,” fighting in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, told the Kyiv Independent, adding: “Just now there was an air strike on us."

“It’s been the fourth day of (Russian) assaults and force accumulation along the front line, and their aviation is working every day,” he added.

In Donetsk Oblast, deputy commander of the drone unit in the 14th Separate Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces with the callsign “Taip,” told the Kyiv Independent it was a “little quieter for now but not by much."

He confirmed that Russian drones were still highly active in the area.

In the north of the country in Sumy Oblast, a soldier with the callsign “Bandera” described the front lines as “noisy."

“Just like the last time (during the “Easter truce"), the FPV drones are still flying,” he said, though he noted a reduction in reconnaissance drones.

In a report posted on Facebook on the afternoon of May 8, Ukraine’s General Staff of the Armed Forces reported 117 “combat clashes” since the truce came into effect.

In Ukraine’s cities, May 8 was undoubtedly quieter. As of 8:00 a.m. no missile attacks or drones were recorded in Ukrainian airspace, a marked difference from the hundreds of kamikaze drones Russia has launched against the country every night for months now.

Just the night before, Kyiv was attacked with ballistic missiles and drones, just the latest in a series of devastating strikes against civilians that have only escalated this year, despite the U.S.- peace process.

But there were still civilian casualties reported on May 8 — in Kharkiv Oblast, women aged 18, 30, and 58 were injured when a Russian FPV drone struck their car on the morning of May 8.

According to Viacheslav Zadorenko, head of the Derkhachiv Military Administration, the women thought the ceasefire was in place, so they went to the garden to plant potatoes.

And in Sumy Oblast, Russian forces hit a house with an aerial bomb, killing a 55-year-old woman at around 3 a.m. local time in the Mykolaiv community. The woman’s 24-year-old son was injured in the attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had cynical reasons to declare the ceasefire — with Ukraine repeatedly demonstrating its ability to strike Moscow with attack drones, the Kremlin would be conscious of the possible embarrassment of cancelling the event.

The celebrations, which mark the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II, are one of the country’s biggest public events of the year and a key part of Putin’s propaganda efforts to justify aggression against what the Kremlin falsely describes as “Nazis” in Ukraine.

“It is ironic that the fascists pay so much attention to the day of victory over fascism,” the soldier with the call sign “Bandera” told the Kyiv Independent.

“We are looking forward to it, and hopefully, preparing gifts."

Ukraine is sending the war back to Russia — just in time for Victory Day

Over the past days, Moscow’s grand avenues, like every year in early May, were taken over by the growling of 80-year-old tanks and the smell of gasoline burned by military vehicles. To the delight of many locals, soldiers marched in multiple rehearsals for the May 9 Victory Day Parade in

The Kyiv IndependentKarol Luczka

Editor’s note: This is a developing story.

U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, a senior cardinal announced on May 8 to crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News.

The announcement came hours after white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the traditional signal that the College of Cardinals had successfully elected a new pope during their conclave. Prevost, originally from Chicago, becomes the first American in history to ascend to the papacy.

President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Pope Leo XIV on social media, saying, “Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians.”

“At this decisive moment for our country,” Zelensky added, “we hope for the continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve a lasting peace.”

The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. On May 7, cardinals officially opened the historic conclave in the Vatican to choose the next head of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, was widely lauded by supporters as a reformer who infused the church with compassion and humanity. But his legacy in Ukraine is more complex.

Throughout the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, many Ukrainians viewed his statements as failing to clearly assign responsibility for the war. His description of Ukrainians and Russians as “brothers” was perceived as painfully out of touch amid Moscow’s brutal war and the war crimes that it had committed.

The next person to sit on the papal throne will play a decisive role in shaping how the Catholic Church responds to the moral, social, and political consequences of Europe’s largest war since World War II.

From Ukraine envoy to Orban’s ally: Meet the top candidates for the papal throne

Editor’s Note: The story was updated to reflect that the conclave had begun on May 7. On Wednesday, Cardinals opened the historic conclave in the Vatican to choose the next head of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, was lauded by

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Ukrainian forces faced 117 combat clashes across the front line on the first day of Russia’s self-declared Victory Day “humanitarian ceasefire,” the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on May 8.

Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day. The General Staff said that most battles occurred in Donetsk Oblast, where Russian troops launched 41 assaults on the Pokrovsk front alone.

Pokrovsk, located about 70 kilometers northwest of occupied Donetsk, remains one of the most fiercely contested sectors of the front, where Russia has concentrated its main offensive efforts since March.

Clashes also took place near Chasiv Yar, Kupiansk, and Lyman in Donetsk Oblast, while Russian troops continued attacks around Siversk, Torske, and in Kharkiv Oblast. Border settlements in Sumy Oblast suffered from shelling and guided bomb strikes.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian regional authorities reported at least seven civilian deaths and 31 injuries over the past 24 hours across Ukraine. Some of the attacks took place after the start of Moscow’s unilaterally declared truce. Russian strikes targeted homes, vehicles, and public spaces in Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

The Victory Day truce is the latest in a series of ceasefire initiatives announced by Moscow, all of which Russia has violated.

Earlier this month, Russia declared a ceasefire over the Easter holiday, though President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of nearly 3,000 violations between April 19 and April 21. Ukraine has also said that Russian forces repeatedly breached a partial truce on attacks against energy facilities brokered by the U.S. on March 25.

Russia has repeatedly proclaimed its supposed readiness for peace talks while simultaneously pushing for maximalist demands. Kyiv has dismissed these declarations as a propaganda stunt, noting that Russian forces have only intensified their attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns.

Will Trump help Putin escape punishment for his crimes in Ukraine?

Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. took the unprecedented step of deepening cooperation with international courts of law. Washington has never been party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), and U.S. policy towards the Hague-based international tribunal has varied widely

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova