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.
A building destroyed as a result of Russian attacks in Donetsk Oblast on April 4, 2023. (Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko/Telegram)
Russian forces attacked multiple oblasts in Ukraine over the past 24 hours, killing five people and injuring seven others, according to local authorities' reports.
Four people were killed and three were injured in Donetsk Oblast, according to Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko.
Two of the deaths were the result of attacks on the city of Toretsk, one in Avdiivka, and one in the village of Torske.
Kherson Oblast was shelled 61 times over the past 24 hours, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin wrote.
The city of Kherson was shelled four times. Ten shells struck a residential quarter of the city and a medical facility.
One person died as a result of the attacks, Prokudin wrote.
The city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast was shelled around 5 a.m., Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported, resulting in property damage to a non-residential building. The city was shelled twice during the day on April 3.
The village of Dvorichna was attacked "at least" 48 times, and the village of Zapadne 36 times with rocket and barrel artillery, tanks, mortars, and aviation.
A 28-year-old man in the Chuhuiv district was hospitalized for light injuries following the shelling of the city of Vovchansk and the village of Vovchanski Khutory.
Russia shelled three communities overnight in Sumy Oblast, according to the Sumy Oblast Military Administration.
Three people were injured in the city of Seredyna-Buda, while the administration building and the House of Culture were damaged.
Four strikes were recorded in the Esmanska municipality, but there were no casualties.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast was hit with three targeted airstrikes, 44 artillery strikes, and three drone attacks overnight, the Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration reported.
Ten reports of destruction and damage to residential buildings, apartments, and commercial buildings were recorded. There were no casualties.
Seventeen Iranian-made Shahed drones were detected over Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts overnight, Mykolaiv Oblast Governor Vitaliy Kim reported.
Thirteen were destroyed over Odesa Oblast and one over Mykolaiv Oblast.
No shelling was recorded in Mykolaiv Oblast, Kim wrote.
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
