Official: Russian occupiers kidnap mayor in Kherson Oblast.

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.

2:49 AM

US prepares sanctions against Russia, unclear if Trump will approve, Reuters reports.

The sanctions will target Russia's energy sector, including state-owned energy giant Gazprom. Major entities in the natural resources and banking sectors will also be targeted.

12:47 AM

US State Department approves sale of F-16 training, support services for Ukraine.

The equipment and services include aircraft modifications and upgrades as well as personnel training related to operation, maintenance, and sustainment support.

11:46 PM

Ukraine must 'accelerate creation of ballistic systems,' Zelensky says.

"Our long-range capabilities are a clear and effective guarantee of Ukraine’s security," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 2.

11:28 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russia attacks Kharkiv with drones, injuring at least 40

8:41 PM

Explaining Ukraine

Could Ukraine have defended Crimea from Russia's illegal annexation in 2014?

8:27 PM

Azerbaijani lawmaker blames Russia for February cyberattack.

Russia was behind the February cyberattack on Azerbaijani media, Ramid Namazov, head of the Azerbaijani parliament's commission on countering hybrid threats, said on May 2, the APA news agency reported.

8:15 PM

Son of ex-Motor Sich president detained in Monaco for $650 million asset theft.

Son of Motor Sich's former president Vyacheslav Bohuslayev was detained in Monaco on fraud charges linked to a $650 million asset scheme, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) announced on May 2.

6:26 PM

Trump's team prepares economic options against Russia, Bloomberg reports.

The sources told Bloomberg that U.S. President Donald Trump is yet to make a decision, as diplomatic efforts to end the war are still underway.

5:28 PM

Video

One night with 3rd Assault Brigade medics in a new age of war.

The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko spent a night at the stabilization point of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, one of Ukraine’s most battle-hardened units now fighting in Kharkiv Oblast. As drones reshape modern warfare, medics face mounting challenges: evacuations get harder and slower, turning survivable wounds into potentially fatal ones.

5:28 PM

Ukraine's agricultural exports drop 23.4% in April.

"This export decrease follows typical seasonal patterns. The majority of harvested produce has already been exported, with only minor volumes remaining for export," the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club said.

7:20 PM  (Updated:  May 2, 2025 5:00 pm)

Business

A billion-dollar question mark — the details of the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal

3:51 PM

Belgium's Euroclear to redistribute $3,4 billion from frozen Russian assets, media reports.

The payout, drawn from a pool of 10 billion euros ($11.3 billion) in cash frozen under EU sanctions since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, comes in response to Russia's confiscation of billions in Western-held assets over the past year.

3:51 PM

KI Insights

Reforms, Transitions, and Market Opportunities: Ukraine's Deal Pipeline in 2025​ – briefing by KI Insights

1:53 PM  (Updated:  May 2, 2025 3:38 pm)

Ukrainian activist, volunteer Sternenko injured in attack, suspect detained.

According to the SBU, the attack on Serhii Sternenko was an attempted assassination involving a firearm. His life is not in danger.