Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
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.
Tram tracks damaged by a Russian attack against Konotop in Sumy Oblast on Sept. 12, 2024. (Screenshot / Artem Seminikhin / Facebook)
Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russia attacked the city of Konotop in Sumy Oblast overnight on Sept. 12, injuring civilians, damaging schools, and disrupting the electricity and water supply, Mayor Artem Semenikhin reported.
Fourteen people were injured, local authorities reported. The consequences of the attack are still being investigated.
Russia launched a "massive" drone attack "on energy and civilian infrastructure facilities" in Konotop, the regional administration said.
Two of the injured civilians were hospitalized after the attack, according to Semenikhin. One of the victims is in a coma.
Seminikhin reported that the attack "heavily damaged" the city's energy infrastructure and that the electrical supply situation remains "critical." Engineers are at work restoring power to medical and water facilities, he said, but it is uncertain when residential power will be restored.
The attack struck the city center, causing fires, blackouts, and infrastructure damage. He said that educational facilities and residential buildings were hit.
"I hope that we managed to evacuate all the residents from their homes," Seminikhin said.
"Now we are launching backup power sources to supply the network with water, because there is not enough water to extinguish the fires."
Seminikhin later said that the city had restored water facilities, but that the water supply would be temporarily suspended the following day. He urged residents to stock up on water in anticipation of supply disruptions.
Seminikhin also warned residents that transportation by tram would be limited, as the attack destroyed a section of the city's tram tracks.
Sumy Oblast lies on Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia and is subject to daily attacks. Approximately 21,000 residents have been evacuated from the region, including 5,000 children, according to local authorities.
Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
