Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to 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.
The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
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.
George Simion, leader of Romania's far-right AUR party, who won the first round of the presidential election with nearly 40% of the vote, reiterated that if elected, he would oppose any further assistance to Ukraine and shift Romania’s focus inward.
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.
"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 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.
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.
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."
President Volodymyr Zelensky had a "constructive" phone call with United States President Donald Trump on May 8, discussing the war, continued pressure on Russia, and a potential ceasefire.
Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that Ukraine had “de facto” become a member of the NATO alliance because Ukraine had “weaponry, and the understanding of how to use it” during an interview with the BBC published on Jan. 13.
Reznikov said he was confident Ukraine would receive tanks and fighter jets as Ukraine prepares for renewed assaults from Russia in the spring.
“We understand they’ll be ready to start and, surely, we have to be ready to start,” he said.
He claimed that “approximately 500 or 600” Russian troops were being killed daily across the country, while Ukraine was losing a tenth of that. These figures can't be confirmed independently.
Reznikov believes Russia could be trying to gather “forces, ammunition, and weapons” for an offensive from occupied territories in the south and the east.
According to Reznikov, a Russian movement from Belarus would be less probable because it would take a lot of time, and Russia lacks the resources to maneuver north of Ukraine.
Reznikov said Russian missile attacks on critical infrastructure “reduced the (Russian missile) stocks without any results,” repeating that Russia is “running out of missiles.”
Russia launched yet another barrage of missiles, the ninth since Oct. 10, across Ukraine on Dec. 31, killing at least one person and wounding over 30, most of them in Kyiv, on New Year’s Eve.
Earlier in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russia would continue launching mass attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure it started on Oct. 10, with Moscow recently dismissing Kyiv’s claims about its dwindling missile supplies.
Reznikov called the situation in Soledar “very difficult” but “under control,” despite contradictory reports from Russia and the mercenary group claiming control over the city.
Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko on Jan. 11 denied that Russian forces captured Soledar, saying that the “fiercest battle” is still raging in and around the salt-mining town.
Speaking to the Kyiv Independent from Ukraine’s eastern stronghold of Kramatorsk, Kyrylenko said that Russia’s attempt to encircle and capture Soledar has “not succeeded” and that Russians are suffering from “huge losses in manpower and equipment” as a result.
Reznikov said that Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russian oligarch, Putin confidant, former convict, and the head of the infamous mercenary Wagner Group was interested in the economic benefits of seizing the town, home to Europe’s largest salt mines.
“They’ll earn money from blood,” he said.
He also said taking Soledar had become Prigozhin’s main focus, as the mercenary boss needed “to deliver some kind of proof to declare they’re better than the regular armed forces of the Russian Federation.”
We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.
