Russia cuts mobile internet ahead of Victory Day parade
Russia cut off mobile internet services in Moscow and St. Petersburg on May 5, days ahead of the country's annual Victory Day parade, citing security concerns.
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Lucy Pakhnyuk
News EditorLucy Pakhnyuk is a North America-based news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked in international development, specializing in democracy, human rights, and governance across Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Her experience includes roles at international NGOs such as Internews, the National Democratic Institute, and Eurasia Foundation. She holds an M.A. in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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US State Department approves $373.6 million weapons sale to Ukraine
The U.S. State Department approved a potential sale of extended-range Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) systems and related equipment to Ukraine, the agency announced May 5.
Sweden detains suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in Baltic Sea
The Swedish Coast Guard on May 3 detained a tanker in the Baltic Sea believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet, the fifth such intervention in recent months.
Russian hacker who targeted global oil, gas facilities pleads guilty
A Russian hacker linked to attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the United States and Ukraine has agreed to plead guilty in a U.S. federal case that could bring up to 27 years in prison.
Russian attacks on southeastern Ukraine kill 1, injure 34, officials say
Russian forces launched a series of attacks on Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, killing at least one person and injuring 34, regional officials said.
US plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany amid rising transatlantic tensions
The Pentagon announced the troop withdrawal on May 1, following a week of sharp exchanges between U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Czechia allows Fico's Moscow flight as neighbors close airspace for Victory Day
"The Slovak side submitted a standard request for an overflight permit, and it was issued without delay," a Czech Foreign Ministry spokesman said on May 1.
Russia to hold Victory Day parade without military hardware
Russia's annual May 9 Victory Day parade will not include the traditional column of military vehicles, officials said, citing the "current operational situation."
Ukraine accuses Steven Seagal of receiving weapons from illegal Russian trafficking network
Ukraine says it shut down an arms trafficking network that funneled weapons from occupied territories and Slovakia to pro-Russian figures, including Steven Seagal and Kim Jong-un, with some distributed as "prizes."
US ambassador to Ukraine to step down, State Department says
Julie Davis, who has served as chargé d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv for nearly a year, is expected to depart in June 2026, leaving a key diplomatic post vacant at a critical moment.
Mali defense minister killed; Russia's Africa Corps withdraws from rebel-held town
Mali's defense minister, Sadio Camara, who had close ties to the Kremlin, was killed in an insurgent attack, a government spokesperson said April 26, as Russia's Africa Corps withdrew from a northern Malian town after clashes with rebels.
North Korea opens museum honoring soldiers killed fighting Russia's war against Ukraine
The opening coincided with the arrival of Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in Pyongyang.
US, EU deepen cooperation on critical minerals
The United States and the European Union on April 24 signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals as part of a broader effort to secure and diversify global supply chains.
US lawmakers introduce bill to counter Russia's religious repression in Ukraine
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation on April 23 aimed at combating Russia's attack on religious freedom in Ukraine, according to an official announcement.
Trump takes aim at Prince Harry over Ukraine war remarks
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Prince Harry "is not speaking for the U.K." after the British royal urged the United States to play a larger role in supporting Ukraine.
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