Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on May 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky rebuked the idea of a demilitarized zone in the war and emphasized the importance of first securing a ceasefire.
"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
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."
First responders at the scene of an explosion at a petrochemical plant in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic on Aug. 19, 2024. (Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry/Telegram)
An explosion at the Sterlitamak Petrochemical Plant in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic on the morning of Aug. 19 injured at least three people, municipal authorities reported.
The plant is located in Sterlitamak, a city of 279,000 located some 1,700 kilometers (1,054 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
According to Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry, the explosion was caused by a liquified gas fire, which is still being extinguished. There was no indication of any outside interference at the time of this publication.
Earlier in August, an explosion at the state-owned Rostec Avangard military manufacturing plant, also located in Sterlitamak, killed three factory workers.
According to reports, the explosion occurred after a repair crew dismantled a pipeline in one of the workshops.
The Russian Investigative Committee said the workers may have violated safety guidelines when cutting the pipes.
The plant reportedly produces parts for multiple launch rocket systems.
Martin Fornusek
