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.
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.
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.
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.
Ukrainian soldiers fire with D-30 artillery at Russian positions in the direction of Klishchiivka as the Russia-Ukraine war continues in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on Aug. 12, 2023. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Ukraine’s military has advanced southeast of Robotyne and south of Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported on Aug. 21.
“The enemy tried to regain lost positions east of Robotyne, but unsuccessfully,” Maliar said on Telegram.
The village of Robotyne is a tactically important Russian strongpoint the Ukrainian military needs to reconquer to be able to continue pushing south toward Tokmak and Melitopol.
On the southern front line, Ukrainian forces continue offensive actions in the Berdiansk and Melitopol directions.
In Ukraine’s east, Russian troops are on the offensive in the areas of Kupiansk, Lyman, Avdiivka, and Marinka, according to Maliar.
Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks near Pershotravneve, Synkivka, and Petropavlivka in Kharkiv Oblast, the official said.
Russia also reportedly conducted unsuccessful assaults near Luhansk Oblast’s Serebrianske forestry lands, Kreminna and Bilohorivka, as well as recently liberated Urozhaine and Staromaiorske in Donetsk Oblast.
As for Bakhmut, Russian forces are trying to regain lost positions in Zaliznianske, Vasylivka, and Bohdanivka north of the city, as reported by Maliar. The fighting is ongoing on Bakhmut’s southern flank as well — in central Klishchiivka, north, and west of Andriivka and north of Kurdiumivka.
Earlier the same day, Maliar said that Ukrainian forces had liberated three square kilometers of land near Donetsk Oblast’s Bakhmut over the past week.
Ukraine has regained a total of 43 square kilometers around the eastern city since the summer counteroffensive started.
Francis Farrell
