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.
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.
A Ukrainian soldier of the 57th Brigade is seen in a BMP near the frontline in the direction of Bakhmut, in Donetsk Oblast, on April 20, 2023. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
In the western districts of Donetsk Oblast's contested city of Bakhmut, "heavy, short-range" fighting continues between Ukrainian and Russian forces, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on April 26.
"A key development over the last week has been fighting on the outskirts of the town, especially near the village of Khromove, as Ukraine seeks to maintain control of its 0506 supply route," the ministry wrote in its latest intelligence update.
The minor rural road linking the towns of Chasiv Yar and Khromove has become a critical supply line for Ukrainian defenders. Other resupply options to Bakhmut are likely perplexed by muddy conditions on ungrounded tracks, reads the update.
However, according to Finnish open-source intelligence analyst Emil Kastehelmi, the northern 0506 road hasn't been in active use by Ukrainian soldiers for several weeks as of April 21. Another road into Bakhmut, still formally under Ukrainian control, is the T0504 further south through Ivanivske.
As the 9-month-long battle for Bakhmut rages on, the Ukrainian defenses of the eastern city are now integrated into a much deeper defense zone that includes the town of Chasiv Yar to the west, the ministry added.
In its April 26 morning update, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces wrote that Russian troops were concentrating on conducting offensive actions in the Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka sectors. Ukraine's military reportedly repelled 39 Russian attacks in those areas over the previous 24 hours.
Russian forces also carried out "unsuccessful" offensive actions toward the settlements of Khromove, Bohdanivka, and Klishchiivka, according to the General Staff.
We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.
Francis Farrell
