US State Department says Russia continues to escalate war in Ukraine

7:10 AM

Air Force: Ukraine downs 13 drones overnight.

Ukrainian air defense units destroyed all 13 Shahed-type drones that Russia launched overnight, the Air Force reported on May 4.

6:33 AM

Russian students studying in Finland detained on suspicion of exporting dual-use goods.

Three Russian students studying in Finland were detained for allegedly exporting unspecified dual-use goods - items that are suitable for military capabilities, Finnish outlet Yle reported on May 3.

4:33 AM

SBU arrest man who allegedly spied on Ukrainian positions while walking dog.

A Russian correctional officer was arrested in Kharkiv for allegedly spying on Ukrainian defense position and providing Russia information in preparation for a air attack on military facilities - all under the guise of walking his dog, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) announced on May 3.

3:50 AM

Zelensky: Ukraine open to considering all-for-all POW exchange.

Ukraine is open to considering an all-for-all prisoner of war (POW) exchange, and will discuss the idea at the upcoming Peace Summit in Switzerland in June, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3.

2:19 AM

Russia attacks 10 communities in Sumy Oblast.

Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast 120 times in 28 separate attacks throughout the day, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on May 3.

1:49 AM

Update: Russia launches drone attack on Kharkiv, injuring at least 4.

Russia launched drone attacks on Kharkiv in the early hours of May 4, damaging civilian infrastructure, and injuring at least four people including a child, Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram.

1:11 AM

Bloomberg: US leading efforts within G7 to develop $50 billion aid package to Ukraine.

The United States is leading talks among the Group of Seven (G7) nations to develop a military aid package to Ukraine worth up to $50 billion, Bloomberg reported on May 3. The package would reportedly be funded by the profits generated by accrued interest on frozen Russian assets.

11:54 PM

Ambassador: Washington doesn't support strikes with US-made weapons in Russia.

Washington wants to help Ukraine defend itself, but does not support strikes with U.S.-made weapons on Russian territory, U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink said at a meeting with journalists on May 3, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

10:59 PM

Presidential Office: Joint negotiating position to be submitted to Russia after Switzerland peace summit.

Participants of the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland will formulate a common negotiating position and submit it to Russia, presidential spokesperson Sergii Nykyforov said on May 3, according to Deutsche Welle.

10:53 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Kyiv may use British weapons to strike targets inside Russia, Cameron says

10:08 PM

USAID allocates over $250 million to Ukraine's agricultural sector.

More than $250 million will be allocated to rebuild and expand Ukraine's agricultural sector under the new USAID Harvest program, Deputy Agricultural Minister Denys Bashlyk said on May 3.

9:00 PM

German company to deliver 6 more TRML-4D radars to Ukraine.

Hensoldt, a German defense manufacturer, will provide Ukraine with six more TRML-4D radars by the end of 2024, the company said on May 3.

8:02 PM

Zelensky: Ukraine facing 'new stage' in war as Russia preparing to expand offensive.

Ukraine is facing "a new stage" in the Russia's full-scale war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a meeting with border guards in Khmelnytskyi Oblast on May 3.

7:09 PM

Governor: Russian missile attack on Kirovohrad Oblast injures man.

Russian forces attacked Kropyvnytskyi district in Kirovohrad Oblast on May 3, injuring a man, Governor Ahdrii Raikovych said.

7:00 PM

Ukraine rises in World Press Freedom Index despite constraints of full-scale war.

Ukraine rose from 79th to 61st place in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on May 3.

6:56 PM

Media: Investigation links SBU official to luxury real estate purchases.

The investigation alleges that Loif's mother Hanna, who is a schoolteacher, managed to purchase two pieces of luxury real estate worth an estimated collective total of Hr 16 million (~$405,000).

6:08 PM

Media: Latvia starts digging anti-tank ditch near border with Russia.

The Latvian army has started to dig an anti-tank ditch as part of its first defensive line near the border with Russia, Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported on May 2.

5:40 PM

Opinion

Daryna Shevchenko: It’s time we stop waiting for the Russian people to stop the war

5:17 PM

Russian media: Raiffeisen Bank will begin exiting Russia in summer 2024.

The Vienna-based bank group, the largest remaining Western bank in Russia, has been under increasing pressure since the start of Russia's all-out war to scale down its activities in the country.

4:28 PM

EU, NATO denounce Russia's cyberattacks on Germany, Czechia.

"This type of behavior is contrary to the UN norms of responsible state behavior in cyberspace, such as impairing the use and operation of critical infrastructure," the European Council said.

4:17 PM

White House does not currently see China open to Ukraine's peace formula.

"That is why, for our part, we will continue to be concerned about Zelensky having everything he needs," U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby said.

4:03 PM

Explaining Ukraine

What's in a Ukrainian Easter basket? The answer isn't chocolate

3:52 PM

Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast kill 3, injure 5.

Russian attacks against the towns of Kurakhove and Chasiv Yar and the village of Netailove in Donetsk Oblast on May 3 killed three people and injured five, the regional prosecutor's office said.

3:38 PM

Belarus weekly

Belarus Weekly: Belarusian hackers claim to have infiltrated KGB computer network

3:12 PM

US intelligence: Putin spends record amounts on military over 'paranoid fear' of West limiting Russia's power.

"Putin continues to believe that Russia is under threat and almost certainly assumes that a larger, better-equipped military will convey that opinion to Western and domestic audiences," Director of U.S. National Intelligence Avril Haines said.