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.
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.
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that air defense units shot down 11 drones over occupied Crimea while a Black Sea patrol ship destroyed five naval drones, Russian state news outlet RIA Novosti reported on Sept. 14.
The drones were allegedly intercepted in the early hours of Sept. 14, following reports of traffic closures on the Crimean Bridge and explosions in Yevpatoriia.
The Defense Ministry claimed that five Ukrainian sea drones attempted to strike a Russian military vessel, the "Sergey Kotov," patrolling the Black Sea. The ministry claimed that the ship fired weapons at the drones, destroying all five.
In addition, the ministry claimed that Russian air defense units shot down 11 drones flying over occupied Crimea.
Local residents told Suspilne news that several powerful explosions rocked the coastal city of Yevpatoriia on Sept. 14. The blasts were heard near Uyutne, a village on the western outskirts of the city.
Ambulances and rescue vehicles were reported in the area of the explosions.
Residents also said that the explosions occurred in an area where a Russian military unit was stationed.
Other media channels in occupied Crimea claimed that the blast waves were strong enough to shake houses in the area.
Natalia Humeniuk, the spokesperson of Ukraine's Southern Operational Command, pointed out that many Russian military facilities, including an airfield, are located in Yevpatoriia, making it a legitimate target.
However, she did not say explicitly whether Ukrainian forces were behind the strike.
Earlier on the night of Sept. 14, at around 5:15 a.m. local time, Russian state media reported that occupation authorities in Crimea had shut down traffic on the Crimean Bridge.
Located on the eastern side of the Crimean peninsula, the bridge spans the Kerch Strait. It was built following Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, and has been the target of Ukrainian military strikes.
On Sept. 13, a Ukrainian strike on a shipyard in Sevastopol in damaged two Russian military vessels.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
