Japanese-Ukrainian relations

5:46 AM

France to ramp up AASM Hammer smart bomb production for Ukraine, media reports.

The French-made precision bombs are being transferred to Kyiv as part of ongoing defense support, and their use by Ukrainian fighter jets has grown significantly since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

1:53 AM

Russian drone attack on Kyiv injures 7 people, including 2 children, damages shopping mall.

Debris from the drones damaged houses and vehicles in several areas of the city, including the Shevchenkivskyi, Obolonskyi, and Svyatoshynskyi districts.

11:38 PM

Russian drone attack on Kherson kills 1, injures 2.

The attacks, launched throughout the day on May 3, struck homes, outbuildings, cars, as well as a multi-storey residential building, officials said.

10:29 PM

Second Russian military aircraft destroyed within 24 hours, Zelensky says.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3 that Ukraine's military destroyed a second Russian military aircraft within a 24-hour time period, having struck military airfield in occupied Crimea.

9:51 PM

EU condemns Russia's decision to launch commercial flights to occupied Abkhazia.

"This action, taken without the consent of the Georgian authorities and in the absence of a necessary international aviation code for the Sukhumi airport, is yet another step by the Russian Federation violating Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," a statement from Anouar El Anouni, Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, read.

8:43 PM

Lithuania to strip residence permits of Russian, Belarusian citizens who frequently travel back home.

Russian and Belarusian citizens who reside in Lithuania will have their residence permits revoked if they travel to Russia or Belarus more than once within a three month period, Lithuanian media outlet LRT reported on May 3.

7:16 PM

Opinion

Backroom diplomacy and battlefield reality: Ukraine at the IMF Spring Meetings

6:53 PM

Kremlin calls proposed 3-day ceasefire 'test of Kyiv's readiness' for peace, despite Moscow's rejection of 30-day ceasefire.

Despite previously rejecting a 30-day ceasefire agreement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed on May 3 that Ukraine's acceptance of a proposed three-day ceasefire agreement would amount to "a test of Kyiv’s readiness for long-term peace."

6:20 PM

Explaining Ukraine

How Russia fueled and weaponized a 2014 Odesa fire that left over 40 dead

5:23 PM

Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh wins high jump in Shanghai for 10th straight Diamond League victory.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh, 23, triumphed over Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers, who finished second with a best jump of 1.98 meters.

4:56 PM

Labor wins Australia’s federal election, seen as major backlash against far-right.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured a second term, becoming the first Australian leader to do so since John Howard in 2004.

4:31 PM

Ukraine not responsible for safety of foreign officials traveling to Moscow for May 9 parade, Zelensky says.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautioned that Russia could orchestrate provocations, including “arsons, explosions, or other actions,” and then attempt to blame Ukraine.

4:15 PM

press freedom

If authoritarians are scared of journalists, we must be doing something right

3:28 PM

Zelensky rejects Putin’s truce proposal as 'theatrical,' backs 30-day ceasefire plan from US.

Speaking to journalists in a closed-door session, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the proposal was not a serious attempt to end the war and reiterated Ukraine’s support for a U.S.-backed strategy calling for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

2:57 PM

‘US will not turn its back on Ukraine,’ Trump’s spiritual advisor says after briefing American president.

Pastor Mark Burns, the man described as U.S. President Donald Trump’s “spiritual advisor,” said he believes he played a small part in strengthening U.S.-Ukraine relations after briefing Trump on what he witnessed during a recent visit to Ukraine.

1:33 PM

Ukrainian sea drone downs Russian fighter jet in 'world-first' strike, intelligence says.

The unprecedented operation allegedly took place on May 2 near the Russian port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea.

12:53 PM

'Our best conversation yet' — Zelensky praises Vatican meeting with Trump.

Speaking to journalists in a closed-door session, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the April 26 meeting, which took place during a visit to pay respects to the late Pope Francis, as “perhaps the shortest, but the most substantive.”

12:09 PM

Russia used thermobaric weapons in drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukrainian prosecutors say.

Thermobaric munitions is a type of weapon known for generating powerful blast waves and high-temperature clouds, causing severe destruction and posing extreme risks to civilians.

11:31 AM

Ukraine confirms capture of 2 Togolese nationals fighting for Russia.

Togo’s Foreign Ministry earlier said the detainees had been misled into leaving the country with promises of scholarships to study in Russia.

6:28 AM  (Updated:  May 3, 2025 10:34 am)

Drone attack targets Russia's Krasnodar Krai, Russian officials claim.

Four were injured as Russia's Krasnodar Krai was allegedly targeted in a Ukrainian drone attack overnight on May 3, Russian officials claimed.

10:23 AM

5 killed, 61 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.

Ukraine's air defense forces intercepted 77 drones, while another 73 were lost from radar without causing damage, according to the Air Force report.

9:21 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 955,470 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,170 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

7:49 AM

Actor Maksym Kovtun killed on front line defending Ukraine.

Actor-turned-soldier Maksym Kovtun was killed on the front line, the Dnipro Academic Youth Theater said on May 2.

5:07 AM

'Putin has stalled and hampered discussions' — UK foreign secretary speaks to Vance.

U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke to U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on May 2. The two officials reaffirmed a shared desire to end Russia's war against Ukraine, Lammy said.

11:10 PM  (Updated:  May 3, 2025 3:42 am)

Russia's attack on Kharkiv injures 47.

A Russian drone attack on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv injured at least 47 people on May 2, according to local authorities. At least eight people have been hospitalized.