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.
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.
First responders treat a man at the site of a Russian missile strike on Odesa on March 15, 2024. (State Emergency Service)
Editor's note: This is a developing story.
A Russian missile strike on Odesa killed 21 people on March 15, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.
The victims include a paramedic and a first responder who arrived at the scene following the first explosion, according to Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper.
At least 73 people were injured to various degrees of severity as a result of the attack, the Interior Ministry said. The number of wounded reportedly included at least seven first responders, as well as an unspecified number of police officers.
Klymenko said on March 16 that the death toll had risen to 21 after another wounded person died in the hospital.
Killed victims included Odesa's former deputy mayor, Serhii Tetiukhin, and Oleksandr Hostishchev, the commander of the police special forces battalion Tsunami, according to local council member Andrii Vagapov.
Rescuers immediately arrived at the scene of the impact and began extinguishing the fire, sorting out the debris, and searching for the injured, according to the State Emergency Service. During the operation, Russian forces struck the site again.
Several explosions were reported in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa between 11 and 11:20 a.m. local time, almost immediately after an air raid alert went off in the region.
Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Odesa on March 15, 2024. (State Emergency Service)
Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Odesa on March 15, 2024. (State Emergency Service)
Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Odesa on March 15, 2024. (Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces)
Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Odesa on March 15, 2024. (Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces)
Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Odesa on March 15, 2024. (Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces)
According to the Southern Defense Forces, a three-story recreational building was destroyed by the strike.
It also damaged other civilian infrastructure, including 10 houses and gas and electricity supply networks.
Over 500 homes in Odesa were left without electricity, and around 800 were left without gas supply following the attack, Kiper said at 6 p.m. local time. The services should be restored the next day, he added.
Emergency services continue working at the scene of the attack.
Kiper announced there will be a day of mourning in Odesa Oblast on March 16.
Russian troops regularly attack the city of Odesa and Odesa Oblast with drones and missiles.
A total of 12 people, including five children, were killed in the March 2 drone attack on an apartment building.
On March 5, Russia attacked Odesa during the visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The missile hit 300-400 meters away from the leaders, Zelensky said.
Daria Shulzhenko
