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.
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.
The aftermath of a Russian missile attack on the Kostiantynivka Central Station on Feb. 25, 2024. (The Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office/Facebook)
A Russian overnight attack completely destroyed the Kostiantynivka Central Station in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's state-owned railway company Ukrzaliznytsia reported on Feb. 25.
No casualties at the train station were reported.
The strike was among seven other attacks Russian forces conducted in the embattled eastern region, according to the local authorities.
“The train station has not operated for a long time, did not receive trains, and did not serve passengers,” the company said in a Facebook post.
The regional prosecutor's office reported that Russian forces likely used a KAB-250 guided bomb to strike the Kostiantynivka Central Station, injuring one civilian.
A 75-year-old woman was injured as the blast wave broke the windows at the home near the train station.
Russia uses KAB “smart” bombs, ranging from the KAB-250 and KAB-500 to KAB-1500, which can be laser-guided or satellite-guided. The KAB-500L, equipped with a highly-explosive warhead, is frequently used in Russia's war against Ukraine, although multiple KAB-type bombs have been used.
The regional prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the violation of the rules and customs of war.
Donetsk Oblast Military Administration reported on Feb. 25 that Russian attacks also damaged three educational facilities, two administrative buildings, 12 apartment buildings, two houses, 21 shops, a church, and an infrastructure site across the region over the past day.
The front-line city of Kostiantynivka, as well as many other places in Donetsk Oblast, comes under regular strikes by Russian forces.
We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.
Alexander Khrebet
