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.
Anna Prokofyeva, a journalist for Russia's state-controlled TV Channel One, was killed by a mine in Belgorod Oblast, while her cameraman, Dmitry Volkov, was injured, the broadcaster reported on March 26.
"Channel One military correspondent Anna Prokofyeva died while performing her professional duties," the statement said.
Prokofyeva reportedly triggered the mine while reporting from the Russian region that has been the site of repeated clashes and cross-border attacks from Ukraine. Channel One claimed the mine was "enemy-laid" but did not provide further details.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.
Earlier this week, three employees from Russian state-affiliated media were killed in occupied Luhansk Oblast while on assignment, several Russian news outlets reported.
Russia's TV Channel One is a key state propaganda outlet, amplifying Kremlin narratives and disinformation to justify Moscow's policies, including its full-scale war against Ukraine. The channel regularly distorts facts, silences dissent, and promotes anti-Western rhetoric.
The incident follows increasing hostilities in Belgorod Oblast and neighboring Kursk Oblast, where Ukrainian forces have conducted drone and artillery strikes on Russian military infrastructure.
Kollen Post
