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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.
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Friday, May 9
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.
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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.
(Updated: )Victory Day
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.
Friday, May 9
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.
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General Staff: Ukrainian military struck 26 Russian concentration areas over past day
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Ukrainian ground and air forces struck 26 Russian concentration areas, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported in its morning briefing on Jan. 8.
The General Staff did not specify where the concentration areas were located. A concentration area is generally where troops are assembled before conducting offensive operations.
According to the General Staff, Russian forces are suffering heavy losses as they conduct offensive operations near Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Lyman in Donetsk Oblast and are trying to improve their tactical position near Kupiansk, located around 100 kilometers east of Kharkiv.
Despite Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's "Christmas ceasefire" announcement, Russia launched nine missile strikes and three air strikes and carried out 40 attacks from multiple rocket launchers over the past day, damaging civilian infrastructure and wounding and killing civilians, the General Staff said.
Ukrainian forces also repelled Russian attacks near 16 settlements. Among them are Stelmakhivka, Makiivka, and Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast and Rozdolivka, Soledar, Bakhmut, Zalizne, Pervomaiske, Vodyane, and Pobyeda in Donetsk Oblast.
Earlier on Jan. 7, Russian propagandists claimed that Russian forces and Kremlin-controlled private military contractor Wagner Group had taken control of Soledar, located just north of Bakhmut. However, later the Ukrainian military said it was still in control of the town.
ISW: Russian troops remain far from encircling Bakhmut
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