Tortured journalist and Russia’s intensified assaults | Ukraine This Week

6:46 PM

Czech initiative to deliver up to 18 million shells to Ukraine in 2025, Pavel says.

The initiative has significantly boosted Ukraine's artillery capabilities, improving the shell ratio from 1-to-10 in Russia's favor to 1-to-2, Czech President Petr Pavel said.

5:41 PM

Putin 'constantly' considers successors, has list of candidates, Russian leader says in documentary.

In an interview with pro-Russian state journalist Pavel Zarubin for the documentary, Putin confirmed he assesses the potential of each possible successor. "Yes, I do," he replied when asked directly.

4:51 PM

US to send refurbished Patriot air defense system from Israel to Ukraine, NYT reports.

According to the publication, Western allies are also discussing the logistics of supplying additional systems from Germany or Greece as Russia escalates its attacks across Ukraine.

4:25 PM

Video

Tortured journalist and Russia’s intensified assaults | Ukraine This Week.

The Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur dives into the top stories of this week from the intensifying Russian spring offensive to the shocking torture and murder of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roschyna. Also, the long-gestating minerals deal has finally been signed, what is in it and is it a good deal for Ukraine?

4:06 PM

Field report

'I just hate the Russians' — Kyiv district recovers from drone strike as ceasefire remains elusive

2:43 PM  (Updated:  May 4, 2025 3:51 pm)

Ukraine reportedly attacks Russian Strela electromechanical plant in Bryansk Oblast.

The Strela plant, located in Suzemka near the Ukrainian border, produces radar equipment, transformers, chokes, and other electronics for Russia's defense, aerospace, and electronics industries.

3:26 PM

Zelensky arrives in Czech Republic to discuss artillery, F-16 support.

Czech President Petr Pavel will host President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Prague Castle later in the afternoon, marking the Ukrainian leader's first visit to the country since July 2023.

2:41 PM

Russian 'Immortal Regiment' rally takes place in US capital, Ukrainian activists respond with counter-protest.

It was the first Immortal Regiment rally in the U.S. capital in six years. Ukrainian nationals staged a protest in response.

11:53 AM

4 killed, 30 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.

"The Russians are calling for a ceasefire on May 9 while striking Ukraine every single day. This is top-level cynicism," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, commenting on the attacks.

1:53 AM  (Updated:  May 4, 2025 11:08 am)

Russian drone attack on Kyiv injures 11 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.

11:06 AM

Ukrainian sea drones down 2 Russian Su-30 jets near Novorossiysk, military intelligence chief says.

The operation marks the first time in history that fighter jets have been downed by unmanned boats. Initially, reports confirmed the destruction of only one jet, but Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) chief, Kyrylo Budanov, later clarified that two aircraft were hit.

10:21 AM

Romanians vote in presidential election after annulled 2024 result.

The vote follows the annulment of the previous first round held in November 2024, when Romania's Constitutional Court invalidated the outcome due to evidence of social media manipulation and foreign interference.

9:17 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 956,810 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,340 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

7:35 AM

Kim Jong Un touts tank development as part of North Korea’s military modernization.

In recent weeks, North Korea's leader has overseen the launch of a new naval destroyer and observed tests of new drone systems.

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.

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.