Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers, Reuters reported on May 9, citing Western security and regional officials familiar with the matter.
"Ukraine and all allies are ready for a complete unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days, starting as early as Monday," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote.
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.
A notice about the airspace closure was published on the U.S. Defense Department's NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) website on May 10, as cited by Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming in an interview with ABC News on May 10 that it would be "an advantage" for Ukraine.
"Our involvement in the war was justifiable, and this belongs to our sovereign rights," North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said. "I regard this as part of the sacred mission we must execute for our brothers and comrades-in-arms."
"We have a plan B and a plan C. But our focus is plan A, the essence of which is to get everyone's support" for Ukraine's accession, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
"(T)he presence at the Victory Parade of a country that bombs cities, hospitals, and daycares, and which has caused the deaths and injuries of over a million people over three years, is a shame," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
"According to the participants of the performances, their goal is to remind the civilized world of the barbaric actions of Moscow, which for many years and decades has systematically violated international law," a source in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent.
An illustrative photo of a Ukrainian "Sea Baby" maritime drone. (United24)
A crowdfunding campaign to raise money to produce maritime drones has raised enough money for 35 naval drones, worth in total Hr. 297,500,000 (over $7.77 million), in a record 36 hours, Ukrainian fundraising platform United24 announced on Feb. 23.
The funds will cover the cost of producing 35 "Sea Baby" drones, "thanks to which the Security Service of Ukraine hit the Crimean Bridge, as well as nine Russian ships," United24 said.
The fundraising campaign was carried out in collaboration with Ukrainian bank Monobank, the Security Service of Ukraine, social activist Serhii Sternenko, and blogger Ihor Lachenkov.
"Thank you all, you are the best," Lachenkov posted on his Telegram channel, which has over 1.4 million subscribers.
"So that you understand the collection speed, it was one boat per hour."
One "Sea Baby" drone costs Hr. 8.5 million ($222,000), United24 said. The body of the drone is made of a material that is invisible to radars, and the drone is capable of carrying up to 850 kilograms of explosives.
The drone can reach speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour (56 miles per hour), and have a range of up to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).
Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said in August 2023 that the drones had proven "very effective" and that Russia faces "serious problems."
Though he did not say how many naval drones Ukraine deploys or has at its disposal, Budanov revealed that Ukraine is now able to mass produce such drones.
Ukraine is not making "one or two in garages," he said. "Mass production is underway."
In the months since Budanov spoke about the drones, "Sea Baby" drones were in multiple attacks on Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
Elsa Court is the audience development manager at the Kyiv Independence. She previously worked as a news editor at the Kyiv Independent and was previously an intern at the Kyiv Post. She has a Master’s in Conflict Studies and Human Rights from Utrecht University. Elsa is originally from the UK.
Elsa Court
