Explosion reported at oil terminal in Russia's Belgorod region

7:27 AM

'Friends of steel' — Xi, Putin vow to strengthen cooperation ahead of Victory Day celebrations, slam US leadership.

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.

6:24 AM

Turkey, China may serve as potential peace talk 'mediator' if US pulls out, Polish FM says.

"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.

5:35 AM

US ready to 'walk away' if Russia negotiates in bad faith, Vance says.

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.

3:28 AM

Fico arrives in Moscow ahead of Victory Day celebrations, talks with Putin, world leaders.

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.

1:50 AM

Trump calls for 'unconditional ceasefire,' committed to 'securing peace' between Ukraine, Russia.

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."

12:50 AM

Zelensky, Trump discuss ceasefire, pressure on Russia in phone call.

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.

10:17 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Over 100 clashes reported on the front line since Russia’s Victory Day ceasefire began

9:51 PM

Majority of Ukrainians unwilling to trade territory or Western path for peace, poll shows.

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.

9:26 PM

Opinion

Why Azov Brigade created an International Battalion

7:23 PM  (Updated:  May 8, 2025 9:03 pm)

US Cardinal Robert Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV.

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.

8:24 PM

War

'The front is noisy' — for Ukraine's soldiers, Russia's Victory Day 'ceasefire' is yet another sham

7:19 PM

Over 100 clashes reported on the front line since Russia’s Victory Day ceasefire began.

Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.

6:55 PM

Russian war crimes

Will Trump help Putin escape punishment for his crimes in Ukraine?

6:50 PM

War analysis

Ukraine is sending the war back to Russia — just in time for Victory Day

6:33 PM

Two killed in Kyiv suburb shooting over illegal arms deal.

The shooting occurred around 3:22 p.m. local time in Sofiivska Borshchahivka, a residential area in Bucha district, according to the Kyiv regional police.

6:18 PM

European Parliament passes resolution demanding return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

Lawmakers urged the EU and its member states to step up efforts to hold Moscow accountable through international courts and support for Ukraine’s campaign to bring its children home.

5:52 PM

Video

What Putin won’t tell you about Russia’s ‘Victory Day.’

The Kyiv Independent’s Chris York sat down with author, historian, and Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9, which mark the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II, are one of the country’s biggest public events of the year. President of the Ukrainian Society of Switzerland Andrej Lushnycky who sheds some light on the things Putin would rather you didn’t know about World War II.

5:24 PM

US, Russia discuss potential revival of Russian gas exports to Europe, Reuters reports.

Washington’s involvement may also help mitigate political opposition in Europe, while giving the U.S. strategic visibility over future Russian energy flows, sources told Reuters.

4:26 PM

EU provides Ukraine with $1 billion tranche under G7 loan covered by Russian assets.

This is the fourth such tranche from the bloc, which is secured by proceeds from frozen Russian assets.

2:19 PM  (Updated:  May 8, 2025 4:12 pm)

KI Insights

Ukraine calendar: What will happen this week

3:38 PM

Photos

‘I’m not fine:’ Intimate scenes of life during war (PHOTOS)

3:19 PM

Russia's ballistic missiles make April deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since last fall, UN reports.

At least 19 children were killed and 78 injured in April, the highest verified monthly number of child casualties since June 2022.

2:31 PM

Ukraine's parliament ratifies minerals deal between Washington, Kyiv.

The agreement, signed on April 30, establishes a joint investment fund between Kyiv and Washington and grants the U.S. special access to projects developing Ukraine's natural resources.

2:09 PM

Russian attacks kill, injure Ukrainian civilians despite Putin's Victory Day 'ceasefire'.

Three women in Kharkiv, believing the truce was in effect, were injured by a Russian drone while gardening.

2:07 PM

Existing EBRD funds not enough to restore Chornobyl Nuclear Plant confinement after Russian attack, the Guardian reports.

Russian forces struck the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant with a drone on Feb. 14, breaking through the confinement and creating a 15-meter hole in it.