On the 1160th day of war, Vladimir Putin announces a humanitarian armistice in Ukraine between May 8 and 11, on the Victory Day of World War II.
On the front, Ukrainian special forces have announced that they carried out a raid on enemy positions in the Kursk region, where they destroyed a unit and captured two Russian soldiers, contradicting Moscow’s claims that it had completely liberated the region from the Ukrainian border.
On the other hand, a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet crashed on Monday morning while repelling a Russian drone attack and providing air support to ground troops, as reported by the Air Force Command.
On the diplomatic front, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the situation in Ukraine with American Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Currently, "no discussions are planned" between Trump and Putin, but if necessary, an agreement can be quickly reached, as stated by the Kremlin.
Putin once again demonstrates that until peace is achieved, war remains more interesting. Today, he thanked North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un for the "deeds" of North Korean soldiers who fought in the Kursk region, after Pyongyang admitted to sending troops to the front.
However, things are not going as planned for the Kremlin. A massive Ukrainian drone attack targeted a factory in the Russian city of Bryansk last night, specializing in producing components for missile systems, radars, electronic warfare systems, drones, and electronic systems for military aircraft.
On the other hand, Russia reportedly has another plan to replenish its reduced military personnel on the front lines - by forcibly recruiting homeless individuals from the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine received vital assistance through the Czech Initiative for Ammunition, which delivered an additional 400,000 shells.
And former pro-Russian President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison for incitement to desertion and organizing illegal border crossings.
Frontline Situation
- Victory Day Armistice - Vladimir Putin announces a humanitarian armistice in Ukraine on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The proposed armistice will begin at midnight on May 8 and last until midnight on May 11. The Kremlin states that all military actions will be suspended and urges Ukraine to do the same. Details HERE
- Ukrainian Special Forces Raid in Kursk - Ukrainian special forces from the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center conducted a raid on Russian positions in the Kursk region, capturing two Russian soldiers, as announced by the press service of the Special Operations Forces. "While the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (Valery) Gerasimov reports the 'liberation' of the Kursk region by the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine, agents of the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center continue to successfully carry out missions in the area," the statement reads. During the raid, a unit from the Russian Navy's 810th Marine Brigade was attacked and destroyed. Ukrainian soldiers reportedly captured two soldiers during the mission; one was evacuated on a stretcher, while the other was able to walk, detailed the source cited by Kiev Independent.
- Ukraine Loses Su-27 Fighter Jet - A Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet crashed on Monday morning while repelling a Russian drone attack and providing air support to ground troops, as reported by the Air Force Command. The pilot successfully ejected and is receiving medical care. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The Su-27, known by the NATO reporting name "Flanker," is a Soviet-made aircraft used by both Ukraine and Russia. Losses of this kind are rarely officially reported by the Ukrainian side. Also today, the General Staff of Ukraine announced that Russia has lost over 370 aircraft since the beginning of the large-scale invasion, figures that cannot be verified, as specified by Kiev Independent.
- Russia Will Not Cease Strikes - Russia will continue to target positions used by the Ukrainian army, stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. A deadly rocket attack by Russia on a residential building in Kiev last week was not on an "absolutely civilian target," Lavrov added. "We will continue to target positions used by the Ukrainian army, some foreign mercenaries, and instructors that Europeans officially sent to help target Russian civilian positions," Lavrov stated on the CBS program "Face the Nation" in an interview recorded on Thursday, following an attack resulting in at least 12 deaths.
- Moscow Will Not Hand Over the Nuclear Plant - Russia will not transfer control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to the US, Lavrov added. Russia has not received such a proposal but would reject it, as reported by Kiev Post. The minister stated that the plant remains under the control of the Russian state corporation Rosatom, monitored by personnel from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Western media reported earlier this month that a US proposal to end the war would keep the plant in Ukraine but under American control.
What's Happening in Russia
- Major Factory Hit by Drones - A drone attack targeted a major factory in the city of Bryansk last night, as reported by Russian Telegram channels and a Ukrainian official cited by Kiev Independent. Governor Alexander Bogomaz claimed that Ukrainian forces launched "a massive attack" on the region, and Russian anti-aircraft defense intercepted and destroyed 102 drones. Images posted on Telegram showed fires in several parts of the city. Local media reported between 10 and 15 explosions in Bryansk, resulting in damage to civilian infrastructure, vehicles, and residential buildings. Bogomaz stated that one civilian was killed and another injured. The drones targeted the Kremniy-El plant, a crucial unit specializing in microelectronics for Russia's military-industrial complex, said Andrii Kovalenko, an official from Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council. The factory produces components for missile systems like Topol-M, Bulava, and Iskander, as well as for radars, electronic warfare systems, drones, and electronic systems for military aircraft, according to Russian Telegram channels.
- Moscow Gathers Homeless Individuals into the Military - Russia plans to forcibly recruit homeless individuals from the occupied territories of Ukraine to fight in the Russian armed forces, as announced by the Ukrainian National Resistance Center on Telegram. "Due to the lack of personnel, the occupiers intend to recruit homeless people into the ranks of the Russian occupation forces. Yes, those without a home, passport, or citizenship. The perfect soldier for the Kremlin: doesn't ask questions about where to go and disappears without a fuss," the UNRC statement reads. "In Melitopol, passports have been confiscated, Ukrainian documents are not recognized, and suddenly you are no longer a citizen but mobilization material. The choice is simple: a gun or a shovel. For the Kremlin, you are not a person but a resource. The occupiers' new motto: 'No passport? Sign a contract!'" conveyed the source cited by Kiev Post.
- Russia Strengthens Military Infrastructure near the Finnish Border - In a possible sign of preparation for a future conflict with NATO, Russia is consolidating its military infrastructure near the Finnish border, as reported by Wall Street Journal. The work aims to expand military bases in the Petrozavodsk area, approximately 160 km from the border, where a new headquarters capable of commanding tens of thousands of troops is set to be built. Defense and intelligence officials in the West warn that these units could form the core of Russian forces prepared for a potential confrontation with NATO. Finland, which joined NATO in 2023 and shares a 1,300 km border with Russia, accuses Moscow of escalating hybrid operations against it since joining the military alliance.
- North Korea Admits Sending Troops to Russia - Pyongyang has confirmed for the first time that it sent troops to Russia, stating that its soldiers helped Moscow reclaim areas in the Russian Kursk region under Ukrainian control for months. Details HERE.
- Putin Thanks Kim - Vladimir Putin thanked North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un on Monday for the "deeds" of North Korean combatants who fought for Russia in the Russian Kursk region. "Our Korean friends acted, guided by a sense of solidarity, justice, and true camaraderie. We greatly appreciate this and are sincerely grateful to Comrade Kim Jong Un (...) and the North Korean people," Putin stated in a declaration published by the Kremlin. "The Russian people will never forget the deeds of the Korean Special Forces combatants," Putin assured.
Peace Negotiations
- Lavrov and Rubio discussed negotiations over the phone - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and American Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a phone conversation focused on the situation in Ukraine. During the discussion, both emphasized "the importance of strengthening the prerequisites emerging for starting negotiations" with the aim of "agreeing on a reliable path to a long-term sustainable peace," according to the statement issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Regarding possible direct discussions between Putin and Trump, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that they are currently "not planned," but added that, "if necessary, an agreement can be reached very quickly," as reported by the TASS news agency.
- Trump asks Putin to stop firing - Donald Trump asked Putin to "stop firing" and to reach an agreement regarding Ukraine. Additionally, Trump stated that Zelensky is willing to give up the recovery of Crimea, in total contradiction with the statements of the Ukrainian president. Details HERE.
Other relevant information
- Czech Republic sends another round of shells - The Czech initiative for ammunition delivered another 400,000 shells to Ukraine at the end of April, stated Defense Minister Jana Cernochova. She reiterated that the initiative has already provided 1.5 million cartridges of various calibers in 2024 and has sufficient funds to continue until this autumn. The program, supported by contributions from Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and other countries, has significantly boosted Ukraine's artillery capabilities. The initiative was launched last year amidst the Ukrainian shortage of shells, mainly caused by delays in U.S. military aid. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky noted that the initiative has reduced the effectiveness of Russian artillery "by 500%" and improved the shell ratio from 1 to 10 in favor of Russia to 1 to 2, as reported by Ceske Noviny.
- What is missing from the mineral agreement - Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Sunday, after a meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, that the agreement for the exploitation of natural resources to be concluded between Kiev and Washington will not include the assistance provided by the U.S. to Ukraine before the signing of this agreement, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda. "We are making good progress. The main thing is that we have clearly defined our red lines, the agreement must comply with European commitments and not contradict the Constitution and legislation of Ukraine. It must be ratified by parliament. It has been agreed that the document will not include assistance provided before its signing," clarified Denys Shmyhal.
- Former President of Ukraine sentenced in absentia - Former pro-Russian President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison for incitement to desertion and organizing illegal border crossing, announced the General Prosecutor's Office on Monday. This is Yanukovych's second conviction by a Ukrainian court. In 2019, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for high treason and complicity in the war against Ukraine, as reported by Kyiv Independent. Yanukovych (73 years old) was ousted from power following the Euromaidan revolution in 2014 and subsequently fled to Russia. Prosecutors demonstrated that on February 23, 2014, Yanukovych, acting in coordination with his former security chief and Russian representatives, organized the illegal departure from Ukraine for himself and others by air, without passing through an official checkpoint, using three Russian military helicopters. Later, Yanukovych persuaded members of the State Security Administration to desert and facilitated their evacuation by Russian naval forces from Sevastopol. The actions were closely coordinated by the FSB.