Institute for the Study of War: Russia begins 'volunteer mobilization' to solve soldier shortage issues

7:50 AM

Air Force: Ukraine downs 23 drones overnight.

Ukrainian air defense units destroyed 23 of the 24 Shahed-type drones that Russia launched overnight, the Air Force reported on May 5.

7:36 AM

BBC: Russia lures Cubans to army with offers of high pay, Russian passport.

Leaked documents reveal that Russia has been coercing Cuban citizens into the Russian Armed Forces with salaries of approximately $2,000 per month, in addition to offers of a Russian passports within months of signing up, a BBC investigation revealed on May 4.

5:37 AM

FT: US aid to Ukraine will help Ukraine launch counteroffensive in 2025, Sullivan says.

Ukraine will look to launch a counteroffensive in 2025 with the support of the approved $61 billion aid package from the United States, as well as additional aid funding, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told the Financial Times on May 4.

4:21 AM

Russia attacks 13 communities in Sumy Oblast.

Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast 214 times in 41 separate attacks throughout the day, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on May 4.

1:46 AM

Sikorski: Putin not reckless enough to attack NATO country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is not reckless enough to attack a NATO country, Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski said in an interview with BBC World, as reported by the Polish outlet RMF24 on May 4.

1:35 AM

Russian drone attack on Kharkiv injures 1.

Russia launched a drone attack on Kharkiv Oblast during the early hours of May 5, setting fire to at least three residential homes in the city of Kharkiv and injuring one man, local media reported.

11:42 PM

2 Ukrainians may have been killed in car accident in Poland.

Three people were killed in a car accident in Warsaw on May 3, presumably including two Ukrainian citizens, spokesperson for the District Prosecutor's Office Szymon Banna said, according to RMF 24.

11:09 PM

Italian defense minister rules out sending troops to Ukraine, says the discussion 'increases tensions.'

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto ruled out sending troops to Ukraine in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, published on May 4.

9:01 PM

Ukraine shoots down Russian Su-25 aircraft in Donetsk Oblast, Zelensky says.

Soldiers of Ukraine's 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade shot down a Russian Su-25 fighter jet in Donetsk Oblast on May 4, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address.

8:55 PM

Foreign Ministry: Reports about Zelensky's placement on Russian wanted list 'sign of desperation.'

Russian propaganda media reports about Moscow allegedly placing President Volodymyr Zelensky on a wanted list is a "sign of desperation," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said on May 4.

7:41 PM

Governor: Russian missile attack on Odesa Oblast injures at least 3.

The attack damaged civilian infrastructure in the Odesa district, according to Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper.

6:54 PM

Russian court sentences Ukrainian POW to 18 years in penal colony.

Vladyslav Plahotnyk was accused of "participation in a terrorist organization" and "training for terrorism," by being a member of the Azov battalion which Russia has declared a terrorist organization.

5:56 PM

Russia places President Zelensky on criminal 'wanted' list.

President Zelensky now appears on a list of alleged criminals compiled by the Russian Interior Ministry, which said he was being sought "under an article of the criminal code" without providing further details.

5:26 PM

UPDATE: At least 6 injured in Russian missile strike on Kharkiv.

In a post on Telegram, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said a civilian enterprise in the Industrial district had been hit.

4:53 PM

Ukraine expects $38 billion in external financing after fulfilling IMF requirements.

Foreign aid is crucial for Ukraine as the economic pressure caused by the full-scale Russian invasion mounts. The besieged country received $42.5 billion in external financing last year, allowing it to function amid the ongoing war.

4:11 PM

Russia claims to have downed ATACMS over Crimea.

In a post on Telegram, the Kremlin's Defense Ministry said four ATACMS missiles provided to Ukraine by the U.S. were intercepted overnight by "air defense systems on duty." It did not say if falling debris had caused any damage.

2:56 PM

150,000 Russian soldiers killed during full-scale invasion of Ukraine, France says.

"All of this for what? This can be summed up in two words: for nothing," Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne told Novaya Gazeta Europe on May 3.

1:47 PM

Georgian president accuses government of being 'prone to making concessions to Russia.'

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili was referring to the controversial foreign agents law, known popularly among its opponents in Georgia as the Russian law, which Georgian Dream is attempting to pass in parliament.

11:05 AM

National Bank institutes largest package of currency liberalization measures since February 2022.

"This move, together with other measures by the NBU, should allow Ukrainian businesses to 'breathe to their full potential' and help attract private capital to recover the economy," said NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyy.

10:10 AM

Ukraine says close to $500,000 in reconstruction funds for Borodyanka 'disappeared.'

After an audit, there was a discrepancy of Hr 14 million (around $353,000) related to plastic-metal windows, which were earmarked for installation but never actually put in. The State Audit Service said local governments should "ensure more thorough control" over reconstruction funding and added that the case had been referred to the Prosecutor General's Office to determine whether criminal wrongdoing had occurred.

9:18 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 473,400 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,260 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.

7:10 AM

Air Force: Ukraine downs 13 drones overnight.

Ukrainian air defense units destroyed all 13 Shahed-type drones that Russia launched overnight, the Air Force reported on May 4.

6:33 AM

Russian students studying in Finland detained on suspicion of exporting dual-use goods.

Three Russian students studying in Finland were detained for allegedly exporting unspecified dual-use goods - items that are suitable for military capabilities, Finnish outlet Yle reported on May 3.

4:33 AM

SBU arrest man who allegedly spied on Ukrainian positions while walking dog.

A Russian correctional officer was arrested in Kharkiv for allegedly spying on Ukrainian defense position and providing Russia information in preparation for a air attack on military facilities - all under the guise of walking his dog, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) announced on May 3.

3:50 AM

Zelensky: Ukraine open to considering all-for-all POW exchange.

Ukraine is open to considering an all-for-all prisoner of war (POW) exchange, and will discuss the idea at the upcoming Peace Summit in Switzerland in June, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3.