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.
Ukrainian Lieutenant Colonel Oleh Babii, killed in action on Aug. 30, 2023. (HUR)
A Ukrainian reconnaissance unit, led by fallen Colonel Oleh Babii, was responsible for the destruction or disabling of three Russian Tu-22M3 bombers in August 2023, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) revealed on Jan. 23.
Last summer, the Russian Air Force suffered five bombers damaged or destroyed in a series of attacks attributed by the Ukrainian media to Ukraine's military intelligence. Russian forces regularly use Tu-22M3 bombers, commonly armed with AS-4 heavy anti-ship missiles, in airstrikes against Ukraine.
The military intelligence agency now confirmed that Kyiv was responsible for the sabotage of at least three of these planes, revealing new details of the operation.
Babii and his unit reportedly covered over 600 kilometers on foot through enemy territory to "stop the Russian terrorist bombardment of peaceful Ukrainian cities."
Making their way to the Russian rear, the unit successfully destroyed one bomber and disabled two others, the military intelligence agency said.
The operation "destabilized the operation of airfields and air bases" and "caused significant economic losses to the aggressor country and started panic among the local population and Russian military personnel," according to the agency.
While heading back to Ukrainian-held territory, the group was reportedly ambushed by Russian forces. In an uneven fight on Aug. 30, 2023, Babii was killed while covering the retreat of his soldiers, according to the report.
Babii, who was survived by his wife and two children, was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.
The colonel was a seasoned officer who led nine reconnaissance forays into the Russian rear. He was also responsible for 12 special operations in Russia or in support of resistance in the Russian-occupied territory of Ukraine, the military agency said.
Babii's operations reportedly had a significant effect on the tide of the war. Thanks to his unit, "it was possible to disrupt Russian logistics and destroy important targets and critical infrastructure elements."
Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.
Martin Fornusek
