The Pentagon announced the troop withdrawal on May 1, following a week of sharp exchanges between U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

U.S. President Donald Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are not rushing to visit Kyiv as concerns grow in Washington that renewed engagement in Ukraine peace talks may again produce no tangible results, the Kyiv Independent has learned. The hesitation comes despite months of internal discussions about a possible trip that would mark their first visit to Ukraine, even as both envoys have already traveled repeatedly to Moscow for meetings with Vladimir Putin. "They've promised (to

"The Slovak side submitted a standard request for an overflight permit, and it was issued without delay," a Czech Foreign Ministry spokesman said on May 1.

Key developments on May 1: * Zelensky announces pay raises, new service terms in army reform * Russian daytime drone strike targets Ternopil in Ukraine’s west, injuring at least 11 * Ukrainian drones hammer Russia's Tuapse oil refinery for 4th time, tanks ablaze again, military confirms * Ukraine strikes Russian airfield nearly 1,700 kilometers away, damages 4 fighter jets, military confirms President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 1 a major reform of Ukraine's armed forces focused on

Ukraine's General Staff reported earlier that two fighter jets — a Su-57 and a Su-34 — were destroyed in the attack on the airfield.

The local military administration said 36 aerial targets were detected over the city during the attack, 27 of which were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses.

General Cherry’s Khmarynka enters a growing class of low-cost, mid-range strike drones modeled on Russia’s Molniya and designed for mass production.

"If they produce Cars and Trucks in U.S.A. Plants, there will be NO TARIFF," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

A government-backed bill, still requiring parliamentary approval, would expand the Estonian military's law-enforcement role in tackling hybrid threats.

Ukraine is bracing for renewed Russian offensives toward the eastern fortress belt, as Moscow seeks to occupy the remainder of the region under Ukrainian control.

In his interview with Russian state-controlled media, Butyagin also thanked the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and other government bodies for their efforts to secure his release.

Updated contracts should allow previously mobilized soldiers to leave service, with timelines yet to be determined.

Ukraine's Finance Ministry is hoping to convince Ukrainian lawmakers to vote for unpopular tax changes — needed to keep receiving cash for foreign donors — with improvements to electronic tax filing systems. Kyiv has agreed to a long list of reforms as part of large financing packages from international partners, including the International Monetary Fund, the EU, and the World Bank. Ukraine relies on the cash to support its military and state services functioning. One of the most scrutinized r

The facility on the Black Sea Coast was previously hit three times in two weeks, causing heavy damage to the refinery and triggering a state of emergency in the city.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine plans to further expand its long-range strike capabilities.

On April 21, the Kyiv Independent launches a new merchandise collection, "No News is Bad News," dedicated to protecting journalists covering Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Russian forces launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 210 drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said. It reported downing 190 drones.

The number includes 1,420 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Ukrainian drones struck a key Russian drone development complex in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast, causing damage to the facility, the 413th "Raid" Regiment of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces reported on April 30.

Ukraine has intensified its attack on oil infrastructure in Leningrad Oblast, primarily targeting oil terminals in the port cities of Ust-Luga and Primorsk.

"The Russian supplier of the cargo will have to find an alternative destination to unload it," Israel's Grain Importers Association said.

The Octopus is a Ukrainian-made self-guided interceptor designed to take down Shahed-type strike drones.

U.S. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee Russia was "definitely" acting to support Iran, but declined to provide details in a public hearing.

The initiative will initially focus on information sharing between Ukraine and partner procurement bodies, with the possibility of expanding into joint procurement mechanisms in the future.

Kartheiser, a Luxembourgish politician, said on Facebook that he and "other MEPs" met with the head of the Russian Duma's International Affairs Committee, Leonid Slutsky, and other Russian politicians in Istanbul.

Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets said that the Russian side cannot avoid responding to Ukraine's requests if they are communicated through the U.S.

The Ukrainian and European Parliaments on April 30 both voted to support the International Claims Commission, a body that will allow victims of Russia's war to seek compensation.

Key developments on April 30: * Ukraine proposes long-term ceasefire after Putin floats 'Victory Day' truce with Trump * Defense Ministry watchdog calls for suspending top security official, nationalizing drone maker over graft scandal * Syrskyi orders new rotation rules for front-line troops as Ukrainian infantry conditions face scrutiny * Pentagon releases $400 million military aid package for Ukraine * Russia's Perm oil station struck for second straight day by Ukrainian drones, SBU con

The jury's resignation comes just one day after the European Union's culture commissioner announced that he would boycott the Venice Art Biennale over Russia's presence.

In just two months, President Volodymyr Zelensky shifted from being the first world leader to back a U.S. military operation in the Middle East to openly criticizing Washington's foreign policy. The noticeable change of tone came at a moment when Ukraine and the U.S. have once again reached a difficult impasse in bilateral relations, with Washington consumed by its war against Iran and the fragile diplomacy surrounding a possible settlement. Washington's public messaging, weapons uncertainty,

The statement followed the publication of a transcript of alleged conversations between Rustem Umerov, secretary of the Security and Defense Council and former defense minister, and Timur Mindich, a close associate of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Russian bots have circulated false claims about the Israel-Ukraine grain dispute. The fakes include an Orthodox rabbi cursing Zelensky and Ukraine barring Israelis from the Uman pilgrimage.