US veterans of the Second World War and nearly 30 foreign leaders will attend commemorations in Moscow this week to mark the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany, the Kremlin has claimed.
Kyiv has warned that attendance would undermine countries’ claims to neutrality over Russia’s war in Ukraine, and launched a second consecutive night of drone strikes on Moscow, which forced the Russian capital’s four airports to close on Tuesday.
But the Kremlin announced hours later that 29 foreign leaders – including China’s Xi Jinping and Slovakia’s Robert Fico – were expected to attend, while military units from 13 countries will take part in Friday’s annual Victory Day parade.
Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov claimed several US veterans of the Second World War are expected to attend the events – which will mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory – but it is unclear whether any US officials intend to. Moscow has sent an invitation to the US ambassador.
Despite Vladimir Putin claiming to want a 72-hour truce this week to mark the occasion, Russia also launched a wave of drone strikes which killed two people in Donetsk and Odesa, and injured several others in Kharkiv, where the city’s largest market was engulfed in flames.
Key Points
- US veterans and nearly 30 world leaders to attend Moscow event, Kremlin claims
- Four injured after Russia bombs Kharkiv market
- All airports in Moscow shut as Russian capital comes under Ukrainian drone attack
- Ukraine attacks power substation in Kursk after second incursion
- Kyiv confirms fighting ongoing in Kursk after reports of new incursion
Poland says Russia is trying to interfere in presidential election
17:25 , Andy GregoryPoland is facing an unprecedented attempt by Russia to interfere in its presidential election, Warsaw’s digital affairs minister has warned, as the first round of voting looms next week.
“During the current presidential elections in Poland, we are facing an unprecedented attempt to interfere in the electoral process from the Russian side,” Krzysztof Gawkowski told a defence conference.
“This is being done ... [by] spreading disinformation in combination with hybrid attacks on Polish critical infrastructure in order to paralyse the normal functioning of the state.”
Mr Gawkowski alleged that Polish water and sewage companies, heat and power plants and state administration bodies had all been attacked, and that Russian involvement in such attacks had more than doubled this year.
“Today in Poland, during every minute of my speech, a dozen or so incidents targeting critical infrastructure were recorded,” he said.
Russia has repeatedly denied accusations that it interferes in foreign elections. The Russian embassy in Warsaw declined to comment on the matter when approached by Reuters for comment, and recommended asking Mr Gawkowski to “provide evidence for his insinuation”.
Ukraine reports nearly 80 clashes along front line
16:57 , Andy GregoryUkraine’s military has reported nearly 80 combat clashes along the front line so far on Tuesday, as Russian troops continue their assaults despite allegedly suffering significant losses.
The general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said they had repelled two attacks in the direction of Kharkiv, with three clashes ongoing there.
The heaviest fighting continues in the direction of Pokrovsk, with 36 Russian assaults reported towards the Donetsk city, which has been at the centre of Vladimir Putin’s offensive efforts for months.
Russia downs two Ukrainian drones en route to Moscow, mayor says
16:31 , Andy GregoryRussian air defence forces have repelled an attack by two Ukrainian drones headed towards Moscow, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin has said.
Several Russian media outlets shared videos purportedly showing debris from one of the downed drones in the city of Noginsk, located in the eastern part of the Moscow region.
The alleged attack comes hours after Russia claimed to have downed drones approaching Moscow for a second consecutive night, forcing the closure of all four airports serving the Russian capital just days ahead of Russia’s Victory Day parade.
Watch: Labour MP accuses Reform of sucking up to Putin in heated clash
16:05 , Andy GregoryPutin will travel to China in August, Kremlin says
15:47 , Andy GregoryVladimir Putin will travel to China at the end of August, reciprocating Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s expected visit to Russia this week, the Kremlin has announced.
Mr Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters that the visit will be part of a “good tradition”, in which Mr Xi visits Moscow to attend celebrations of Russia’s defeat over Nazi Germany, and Mr Putin travels to China to attend events marking the Allied defeat of Japan.
“This was the case 10 years ago, in 2015, and this will be the case this year,” Mr Ushakov said. In September, Beijing is set to host an event marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, which China refers to as “the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression”.
In 2015, China marked the 70th anniversary of its role in the defeat of Japan with a massive military parade involving more than 12,000 troops, 500 pieces of military equipment and 200 military aircraft.
US veterans and 29 foreign leaders to attend Victory Day commemorations, Kremlin claims
15:22 , Andy GregoryNearly 30 world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping, are expected to attend Vladimir Putin’s annual Victory Day commemorations in Moscow in the coming days, the Kremlin has claimed.
Military units from 13 countries, including China, will take part in the parade along with Russian troops and military vehicles and weapons systems, said Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.
Mr Ushakov said several US veterans of the Second World War are expected to attend the events – which will mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany – but it is unclear whether any US officials intend to. Moscow has sent an invitation to the US ambassador.
The announcement came after all of the four airports were forced to close following a second consecutive night of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting the Russian capital.
Ukraine has warned countries against attending Russia’s commemorations, warning that such a move would go against countries’ declared neutrality over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Kharkiv governor reveals damage caused by Russian market strike
15:13 , Andy GregoryKharkiv’s regional governor Oleg Synegubov has said that around 90 commercial facilities were damaged and a further 20 burned to the ground in a Russian strike on the city’s largest market.
“The Russian army shelled the largest market in the city, where many people come to shop. There are no military facilities or any potential military targets nearby,” said Mr Synegubov, adding that the resulting fire covered an area of 500 square metres.
At least 11 people were injured, including four in the city of Kharkiv, in attacks across the region, Mr Synegubov said.
Full report: Home of Ukraine Eurovision contestant destroyed by Russian shelling
14:56 , Andy GregoryRussian shelling has destroyed the home of a teenage Ukrainian Eurovision contestant a week before the competition begins.
Khrystyna Starykova, 19, posted photos and video on social media detailing her damaged apartment block in the city of Myrnograd of eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
The teenager is currently in Switzerland rehearsing for her performance with the band Ziferblat. Ms Starykova is a backing singer, affectionately known as "bird girl" as she handles the song's high notes.
Ms Starykova posted two photos of her apartment block shrouded in smoke and still partly on fire, alongside the captions “Home” with a broken heart emoji and “I dreamed so much of returning home”.
She added that she was determined to still perform at Eurovision next week, in Basel, “for the sake of our country”.
My colleague Tom Watling reports:
Home of Ukraine Eurovision contestant destroyed by Russian shelling
Trump ‘caught off guard’ by order from US defence secretary to cancel Ukraine weapons
14:39 , Andy GregoryAn order from the US military to stop 11 flights carrying artillery shells and other weaponry to Ukraine was issued by US defence secretary Pete Hegseth and caught Donald Trump unawares, sources have told Reuters.
The order to the US Transportation Command (Transcom) around a week after Mr Trump returned to the Oval Office came from Mr Hegseth, Reuters reported, citing official records. After causing alarm in Kyiv and Poland, the order was reversed a week later, the news agency reports.
It came after Mr Trump held an Oval Office meeting about Ukraine with Mr Hegseth and other top national security officials, three sources were quoted as saying. During the meeting, the idea of stopping Ukraine aid came up, but the president issued no instruction to stop aid to Ukraine, two sources said.
The US president was unaware of Mr Hegseth’s order, as were other top national security officials in the meeting, three sources said. But asked about the claims, the White House told Reuters that Mr Hegseth had followed a directive from Mr Trump to pause aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine urges countries not to join Russia’s upcoming military parade
14:23 , Andy GregoryUkraine’s foreign ministry has urged countries not to send any troops to take part in a military parade in Moscow on Friday marking the anniversary of the Soviet Union’s Second World War victory over Nazi Germany.
“The participation of foreign military personnel in this event is unacceptable and will be regarded by Ukraine as an outrage to the memory of the victory over Nazism,” the ministry said.
Russia and Ukraine exchange 205 prisoners of war each, Russian military reports
14:05 , Andy GregoryRussia and Ukraine have swapped 205 prisoners of war each, according to the Russian defence ministry, in what would mark one of the largest such exchanges since the start of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale war in February 2022.
The ministry said that the United Arab Emirates had helped mediate the exchange and that the freed Russian prisoners were currently in Belarus receiving medical and psychological support.
It comes just a fortnight after the two sides carried out their largest prisoner swap of the war so far, reportedly exchanging more than 500 prisoners. A month earlier, both sides each returned a further 175 prisoners.
Russian journalist who escaped house arrest in Moscow reappears in Paris after ‘perilous’ journey
13:49 , Andy GregoryRussian journalist Ekaterina Barabash has resurfaced in Paris after escaping from house arrest in Moscow last month while facing a 10-year prison sentence for posts condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said it helped Ms Barabash orchestrate her getaway, as she remove her monitoring tag and travelled more than 2,800 kilometres “using clandestine routes” to evade surveillance.
“Her escape was one of the most perilous operations RSF has been involved in since Russia’s draconian laws of March 2022,” the group's director, Thibaut Bruttin, said alongside Ms Barabash at a press conference in Paris.
“At one point, we thought she might be dead.”
‘Our people are free,’ says Zelensky after huge prisoner swap with Russia
13:39 , Andy GregoryVolodymyr Zelensky has declared that “our people are free” after Ukraine and Russia each exchanged 205 prisoners of war, in one of the largest such exchanges of the war.
It comes just a fortnight after the two sides carried out their largest prisoner swap of the war so far, reportedly exchanging more than 500 prisoners. A month earlier, both sides each returned a further 175 prisoners.
“Our people are free. Our people are home,” said the Ukrainian president. “Today, Ukraine has brought back 205 warriors. Young and older men from almost all types and branches of the Armed Forces. Defenders of Mariupol and the entire front line.
“They have been scattered across many Russian regions, imprisoned within a system whose only purpose was to torment them and destroy their humanity.
“We have brought them back. I am grateful to everyone who worked on this exchange. I thank our partners – first and foremost the United Arab Emirates – for their mediation and support. I thank all those who do not stay indifferent and continue to speak out about Ukrainians in captivity.
“Every day, we fight for our people. We will do everything to bring each and every one of them home.”
Analysis: What Zelensky hopes to achieve by targeting Moscow ahead of Putin’s victory parade
13:33 , Rachel ClunWorld affairs editor Sam Kiley examines the Ukrainian president’s goals in attacks against Russia ahead of major World War II commemorations.
China sending honour guard to Russia for WWII commemorations
13:13China is sending an honour guard to Russia and Belarus to participate in Victory Day parades this week.
China’s Ministry of Defence said it had been invited to participate by Moscow and Minsk to help commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Videos shared on Chinese social media have shown People’s Liberation Army troops rehearsing in Minsk and Moscow in the past week.
China to send honour guard to Russia and Belarus for Victory Day anniversary
New EU sanctions on Russia to target shadow fleet ships and tighten export controls
12:52 , Rachel ClunThe 17th package of European Commission sanctions against Russia is expected to contain tighter controls on exports as well as sales of technology that can be used by the military, as well as restrictions on Russia’s shadow fleet, EU diplomats said.
The draft package, due to be published on Tuesday, is not expected to contain any major new restrictions, but one source told Reuters that the package shows Russia that the 27-member bloc can "still agree on something against Russia" after repeated veto threats from Hungary.
France's foreign minister told news agency AFP last week the EU would try to coordinate the timing of its next package with the United States, which has recently finalised new economic sanctions against Russia.
In picutres: Russia attacks spark huge fire
12:32 , Rachel ClunA Russian attack on the north-eastern Kharkiv region of Ukraine overnight sparked a huge fire, causing widespread damage in the Barabashovo market.
Ukrainian Eurovision contestant says her home has been destroyed in Russian strike
12:12 , Rachel ClunA Ukrainian Eurovision contestant says her home has been destroyed in a Russian attack.
Khrystyna Starykov shared images of her damaged apartment building in the city of Myrnograd on social media, according to the BBC, saying her relatives and friends were thankfully alive and well.
Starykov, 19, is currently rehearsing for Eurovision with the band Ziferblat in Switzerland, ahead of the contest which begins next week.
In an interview with Ukrainian outlet Suspilne, she said: “We will take a stand. I’m holding on for us.”
EU plans to ban new Russian gas deals
11:31 , Rachel Clun, ReutersThe European Commission will propose a ban on new Russian gas deals by the end of the year, a draft document seen by Reuters shows.
The Commission will also propose next month to ban imports from existing contracts by the end of 2027.
A draft of the European Commission’s roadmap for phasing out the use of Russian energy, set to be published on Tuesday, said that the Commission will in June present a legal proposal to ban remaining Russian gas and LNG imports under existing contracts by end-2027.
The draft could change before it is published.
Russia still plans to hold brief ceasefire, Kremlin says
11:52 , Rachel Clun, ReutersThe Kremlin says Russia still plans to hold to a ceasefire from May 8-10, but it will respond if attacked.
Vladimir Putin declared a three-day ceasefire last week, to coincide with World War II commemorations.
On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had so far not heard aanything from Kyiv indicating it was ready to abide by the three-day ceasefire, and said the military would respond if Ukrainian forces tried to strike Russian positions.
"President Putin’s initiative for a temporary ceasefire for the duration of the holidays remains relevant, and the relevant instructions have been issued by the supreme-commander-in-chief," he said, according to Russian state media.
"Unfortunately ... we still haven’t heard a single statement from Kiev - from the regime’s officials or the head of the regime - that would express their readiness to join the Victory Day ceasefire," Peskov added.
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the proposed 72-hour truce was not serious.
Russia has so far rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire agreed to by Ukraine and pushed by the US.
Zelensky thanks frontline soldiers
11:11 , Rachel ClunVolodymyr Zelensky has thanked frontline soldiers for their efforts in the war against Russia.
“Today we honor the warriors who hold the line – for Ukraine’s positions and for the Ukrainian state. Wherever a Ukrainian infantryman advances, the Ukrainian flag is raised,” he said on X.
“The courage, strength, and skill of our infantry are undeniable. Just as our gratitude to the Ukrainian infantry for defending our state is unwavering.”
He continued: “Ukraine stands as long as the infantry stands. On this Infantry Day, I thank our warriors for their strength, resilience, and daily fight. We are proud of you.”
Putin offers rare glimpse inside his gilded Kremlin apartment — complete with baby grand piano
10:52Vladimir Putin has given a rare tour of his home near the Kremlin, featuring gilded wood panelling, a white baby grand piano, and a home gym.
The corridor of the spacious apartment is lined with clothes racks filled with suits and shirts. “Everything is here,” the Russian president said, opening the gold-edged doors.
“As you can see, it’s not far away,” he says while bringing the camera crew into a sitting room, suggesting the apartment is close to the Kremlin.
Read the full story here:
Inside Putin’s gilded Kremlin apartment — complete with baby grand piano
Watch: Putin builds life-sized Reichstag replica for Victory Day re-enactment
10:30 , Alexander ButlerRecap: Russia and Ukraine exchange overnight attacks
10:10 , Alexander ButlerMoscow says Ukraine launched around 105 drones at Russia overnight. At least 19 of these were downed over Moscow, with the rest targeting other Russian regions.
Moscow’s four airports were forced to close, with others across Russia also shut, after the barrage.
In Ukraine, Russian drone attacks on Sumy and Odesa killed four people, according to Ukrainian officials.
A market in Kharkiv, north-eastern Ukraine, was engulfed in flames following a Russian barrage of drones and missiles. Four people were injured, according to Kharkiv’s governor.
Ukrainian border guards helped draft-dodgers flee country, police say
09:52Ukraine has detained a gang, including two border guard officers, suspected of charging men about $15,000 (£11,000) each to get them out of the country to dodge the military draft, law enforcement officials said on Tuesday.
The group helped about 30 people leave Ukraine, which has imposed a ban on most men aged between 18 and 60 leaving the country following Russia's invasion, by listing them as disabled, police said.
The scheme was started by a border guard officer and a businessman in Ukraine's western Zakarpattia region, who then recruited a second border guard and other accomplices, the prosecutor general's office said.
Ukraine halts Pokrovsk offensive
09:35Ukraine has halted its offensive in Pokrovsk and “seized back the tactical initiative” in some areas, Kyiv’s military claimed.
Russian forces have been attacking the town for months and the area has seen some of the most intense fighting of the 38-month-long war.
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top military commander, said: “We've been able to stabilise the situation in this zone of operations... and in some places have seized back the tactical initiative."
The town is a logistics hub in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. It is surrounded on three sides by Russian forces, but is still held by Ukraine, despite months of intensive Russian attacks.
If Russia were to seize or encircle Pokrovsk, it would advance its aim of seizing the remaining part of Donetsk region that is not controlled by Moscow.
Late last year, some people living in Ukrainian-controlled parts of the region said they were considering leaving, anticipating that Moscow would take Pokrovsk.
However, since the start of this year there have been only incremental changes in the front line around Pokrovsk.
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Putin 'wants to settle' war after oil price fall, Trump claims
08:54 , Alexander ButlerUS President Donald Trump said Moscow and Kyiv want to settle the war in Ukraine and that Russian President Vladimir Putin was more inclined towards peace after the recent fall in the price of oil.
“I think Russia with the price of oil right now, oil has gone down, we are in a good position to settle, they want to settle. Ukraine wants to settle,” Mr Trump said.
The price of oil - which drives the Russian economy - has fallen around $15 a barrel since the start of the year.
"We've come a long way, and, it could be something will happen, but hopefully it will," Mr Trump said.
Three killed and seven injured in Kursk, says Russia
08:50 , Alexander ButlerThree civilians were killed and seven injured after Ukraine’s attack on Kursk, Russia claimed.
Ukraine's military confirmed its forces were engaged in fighting inside the Russian region over the past 24 hours.
Kyiv’s troops took large swathes of Kursk, on the border with Ukraine, in August last year.
But Russian troops managed to retake most of the territory as US support dwindled under US president Donald Trump.
In photos: Russia attacks Kharkiv's Barabashovo market sparking huge fire
08:11 , Arpan RaiRussia has attacked the north-eastern Kharkiv region of Ukraine with drones overnight.
The attack has caused a huge fire and widespread damage in the Barabashovo market.
Putin’s endgame in Ukraine – and why it won’t finish there
08:03 , Arpan RaiDismissing Vladimir Putin’s offer of a brief ceasefire in May as yet “another attempt at manipulation” is an understatement. The Russian president is – according to the former head of MI6 – intent on taking much more than just Ukraine.
Far from being worried by recent mini-threats from Donald Trump to increase sanctions or stung by the US president’s irritation at Russia’s stalling over a ceasefire, Putin is cupping his ears in a pantomime of attention and carrying on doing as he pleases.
Such behaviour chimes with the uncharacteristically stark message from ex-spy chief Sir Alex Younger who, after a lifetime in the shadows of espionage, has a simple message: “If you don’t stand up to him, he comes back for more – how many more times do we need to be told this?”
Trump meets with American ballerina who was held in Russian prison for 15 months
07:51 , Arpan RaiPresident Donald Trump greeted Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American ballerina and esthetician who was held in a Russian prison for over a year, at the White House.
Mr Trump met with Karelina, 34, in the Oval Office yesterday, shaking her hand and telling her it’s “an honour.” When the 34-year-old responded that it was her honor to meet him, Mr Trump, speaking to the people she had arrived with, said: “Now I know why you fought so hard to get her out of there.”
Ms Karelina was born in Russia and immigrated to the US more than 10 years ago, building a life in Los Angeles as an esthetician at a spa and obtaining citizenship in 2021. But Karelina was arrested in January 2024 while visiting her parents and sister in the southern Russian city of Yekaterinburg.
Trump meets with American ballerina who was held in Russian prison for 15 months
Russian attack on Odesa kills one
07:47 , Arpan RaiAt least one person was killed after a Russian drone attacked Odesa oblast yesterday, regional governor Oleh Kiper said.
Several houses were damaged in Odesa oblast as a result of the attack, the official said.
"The body of a deceased person was found in one of the houses. Additional information about the victims is being verified," he said.
At least three residents were killed and seven others were injured in a separate attack by Russian forces on a village in Sumy oblast in Ukraine’s north on Monday.
EU set to propose ban on Russian gas imports
07:37 , Arpan RaiThe European Union will publish plans today to ban new Russian gas deals by the end of the year, and phase out existing contracts with Moscow by the end of 2027, three EU officials told Reuters.
The European Commission will publish a "roadmap" of how it plans to end Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027, the officials said.
The roadmap will include a commitment to propose, in June, a ban on new Russian gas import deals and spot contracts by the end of 2025, the officials said.
The roadmap will also include a commitment to make a legal proposal to ban Russian gas and liquefied natural gas imports under existing contracts by the end of 2027, said the officials, granted anonymity to discuss the confidential plans, which could still change before they are published.
Trump seeks Erdogan's help with ending Ukraine war
07:10 , Arpan RaiUS president Donald Trump and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone call yesterday that both leaders described as "very productive" and said they discussed everything from how to end Russia's war in Ukraine to Syria and the Gaza war.
In a social media post, Mr Trump said the Turkish leader had invited him to Turkey "at a future date" and that he would also be coming to Washington, but did not say when.
Mr Trump, who described as "excellent" his relationship with Mr Erdogan during his first tenure at the White House, said the two countries would cooperate on ending the war in Ukraine.
"I look forward to working with President Erdogan on getting the ridiculous but deadly War between Russia and Ukraine ended – NOW!" Mr Trump said in his post.
Mr Erdogan welcomed the US efforts to end the war, Turkey's presidency said.
Mr Erdogan, in a subsequent X post, confirmed the mutual invitation.
"The phone call that I had today with my friend Donald Trump was very productive, comprehensive and sincere," the Turkish president said.
In photos: Putin's forces gear up for Victory Day parade as rehearsals held in Moscow
06:49 , Arpan Rai
Ukraine confirms fighting ongoing in Kursk after reports of new incursion
06:37 , Arpan RaiAfter Russian military bloggers reported a fresh Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region on Monday, Ukraine's military has now confirmed its forces were engaged in combat operations there over the past 24 hours.
The earlier reports said Ukrainian forces conducted a series of limited attacks across the Russia-Ukraine international border near Tetkino in Kursk Oblast, including strikes on energy infrastructure.
Last month Moscow said it had fully defeated Ukraine's incursion into Kursk that began in August last year, but Kyiv has insisted it maintained a foothold in the region throughout.
In a daily update posted on Telegram this morning, the Ukrainian military said its forces in Kursk had fought off Russian attacks, and come under fire from Russian artillery and air-dropped bombs.
Zelensky thanks outgoing German chancellor Scholz for supporting war-hit Ukraine
06:18 , Arpan RaiIn a long message posted online, president Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the outgoing German chancellor Olaf Scholz for supporting Ukraine through the Russian invasion.
"We appreciate that Germany plays a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine throughout the years of war. Ukraine is also grateful for your personal commitment," Mr Zelensky said in the post on X.
The outgoing German leader has been one of the strongest backers of Ukraine through the course of Russia’s invasion, and has offered cautious military assistance while strongly condemning Russian president Vladimir Putin.
"There are many milestones to reflect upon: the Zeitenwende speech, the historic coffee break that helped open the way for Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations, three Patriot batteries and other air defence supplies – and much more," Mr Zelensky said.
Mr Scholz made the Zeitenwende speech just days after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, where he signalled his country’s commitment to Europe's defence.
Responding to Mr Zelensky, Mr Scholz said: "Thank you for your trusting partnership... My deepest appreciation for your courage, bravery and determination in the fight against Russian aggression. It remains clear: Ukraine can count on Germany."
A warm phone call with @Bundeskanzler.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 5, 2025
We appreciate that Germany plays a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine throughout the years of war. Ukraine is also grateful for your personal commitment.
There are many milestones to reflect upon: the Zeitenwende speech, the historic… pic.twitter.com/mjPOzhH4Y8
Starmer and Macron discuss situations in Ukraine and Gaza
06:10 , Arpan RaiPrime minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke to French president Emmanuel Macron yesterday evening, a Downing Street spokesperson said.
On the situation in Ukraine, the leaders discussed the need for Russia to commit to a 30-day ceasefire to ensure meaningful peace talks.
"Discussing the situation in Gaza, both expressed their deep concern at recent developments and agreed a renewed peace process was required," the statement from No 10 said.
Russia cancels Victory Day parade in Crimea 'due to security concerns'
05:56 , Arpan RaiRussia has cancelled a Victory Day parade in occupied Crimea, Russian state-controlled media reported yesterday.
The parade in the port city of Sevastopol, which is held on 9 May to commemorate the Soviet Victory in the Second World War, will not take place due to safety risks, Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said.
It comes after Volodymyr Zelensky said he cannot guarantee the safety of foreign officials who attend Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, warning that Russia could orchestrate provocations and attempt to blame Ukraine.
Moscow is responsible for safety on Russian territory, he added.
The cancellation in Crimea comes after the Ukrainian military claimed to have downed two Russian fighter jets using sea drones near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk on Friday – believed to be the first strikes of their kind.
Sevastopol is a major naval base in the Black Sea which has been under Russian occupation since its illegal annexation of the peninsula in 2014.
Greece says it has no plans to give Ukraine its Patriot air defence systems
05:39 , Arpan RaiOfficials in Greece have rejected reports that it is being lined up by the Trump administration to send Ukraine a Patriot air defence system.
A report by the New York Times cited four current and former US officials as saying that a Patriot missile system from Germany or Greece is likely to be sent to Ukraine, with logistics still being discussed.
However, a Greek official denied that Patriot systems will be sent from there while discussions are still being held on a package of new aid ahead of the Nato summit in late June.
"There is no question of supplying Ukraine with Patriot systems from Greece," a government official in Athens told Reuters.
The Times report said one Patriot system was being refurbished and sent to Ukraine from Israel.
The war-hit nation has asked its allies in Europe to provide it with more Patriot systems to down incoming Russian missiles.
Analysis: Ukraine's Kursk attack not a surprise
05:23 , Arpan RaiThe attack by Ukrainian forces on the Western edge of Kursk is dramatic but not a surprise, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley writes.
Ukraine has maintained a foot hole in the salient it captured last August but lost most of earlier this year to prevent Russian incursions into its territory.
It is also conducted commando raids and semi-covert operations further east around the Russian city of Belgorod amid claims from President Volodymyr Zelensky that Russia was building up its own forces on his northern border for a potential invasion.
The latest Ukrainian attacks on Kursk draw focus and energy away from a potential Russian attack and serve political purpose in reminding the Russian population that there is a price to pay at home for Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
But there are only Russian sources reporting the Ukrainian attack on Kursk and there has been no official confirmation from Kyiv on these reported operations.
How Russia's war bloggers reported Kursk attack
05:19 , Arpan RaiIn their preliminary reports, Russian military bloggers said Ukrainian forces firing missiles had smashed through the border, crossing minefields with special vehicles.
"The enemy blew up bridges with rockets at night and launched an attack with armoured groups in the morning," Russian war blogger "RVvoenkor" said on Telegram.
"The mine clearance vehicles began to make passages in the minefields, followed by armoured vehicles with troops. There is a heavy battle going on at the border," they said.
Popular Russian military blog Rybar said Ukrainian units were trying to advance near two settlements in Kursk region over the border -- Tyotkino and Glushkovo.
The head of Glushkovo district, Pavel Zolotaryov, wrote on Telegram that residents of several localities were being evacuated to safer areas.
Ukraine first made a surprise incursion into Kursk in August 2024, hoping to shift the momentum in Russia's full-scale invasion and draw Russian forces away from other sectors of the front in eastern Ukraine.
Last month Russian generals and president Vladimir Putin claimed that those forces had been fully expelled from Russian territory.
But Kyiv has not acknowledged that its troops were forced out.
President Volodymyr Zelensky says his military continued to operate in Kursk and in the adjacent Russian region of Belgorod.
Putin’s endgame in Ukraine – and why it won’t finish there
05:08 , Arpan RaiDismissing Vladimir Putin’s offer of a brief ceasefire in May as yet “another attempt at manipulation” is an understatement. The Russian president is – according to the former head of MI6 – intent on taking much more than just Ukraine.
Far from being worried by recent mini-threats from Donald Trump to increase sanctions or stung by the US president’s irritation at Russia’s stalling over a ceasefire, Putin is cupping his ears in a pantomime of attention and carrying on doing as he pleases.
Such behaviour chimes with the uncharacteristically stark message from ex-spy chief Sir Alex Younger who, after a lifetime in the shadows of espionage, has a simple message: “If you don’t stand up to him, he comes back for more – how many more times do we need to be told this?”
Putin’s latest play is a three-day ceasefire from 8 May to mark the Russian anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. His last Easter ceasefire was ignored by his own troops.
Ukraine attacks power substation in Kursk after audacious second incursion
04:16 , Arpan RaiUkrainian forces attacked a power substation in Russia's western Kursk region, the regional governor said early this morning after Russian war bloggers reported a new Ukrainian land-based incursion into the area backed by armoured vehicles.
Officials on both sides of the border reported deaths from military activity and ordered evacuations of several settlements.
Kursk governor Alexander Khinshtein said Ukrainian forces had struck the substation in the town of Rylsk, about 50km (30 miles) from the border, injuring two teenagers. Two transformers were damaged and power cut to the area.
"Dear residents, the enemy, in its agony, is continuing to launch strikes against our territory," Khinshtein wrote, confirming Ukrainian presence in the Russian region.
Last month, Russia's top general said that Ukrainian troops had been ejected from Kursk, ending the biggest incursion into Russian territory since the Second World War, and that Russia was carving out a buffer zone in the Ukrainian region of Sumy.
Ukraine made a surprise incursion into Kursk in August 2024, hoping to shift the momentum in Russia's full-scale invasion and draw Russian forces away from other sectors of the front in eastern Ukraine.
All airports in Moscow shut as Russian capital comes under Ukrainian drone attack
04:11 , Arpan RaiAll four airports serving Moscow have been shut down and all flights have been halted, said Russia’s aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia this morning.
Airports in a number of regional cities were also closed, it said.
Just hours earlier, Russia’s capital came under a massive drone attack, officials reported.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that at least 19 Ukrainian drones were destroyed on their approach to Moscow "from different directions".
Russia only reports the number of drones it destroys, and not those that hit their targets.
Ukraine targets Moscow with drones for second straight night
04:04 , Arpan RaiRussian air defence units destroyed a swarm of Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow for the second night in a row, prompting the closure of the capital's airports, Russian officials said early this morning.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that at least 19 Ukrainian drones were destroyed on their approach to Moscow "from different directions".
Russia only reports the number of drones it destroys, and not those that hit their targets.
A day earlier Ukraine hit Moscow with four drones, with Russian president Vladimir Putin set to host a Victory Day parade in the city at the end of this week to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in the Second World War.
At least three social media sites on Telegram with links to Russian security services – Baza, Mash and Shot – said one drone struck an apartment building near a major road in the south of the capital, smashing windows.
There were no reports of casualties.
The mayor said there was "no destruction or casualties" at any of the sites where fragments had fallen."
Specialists from the emergency services are working at the sites where the incidents occurred," he said.
He referred to debris falling on one of the key highways leading into the city, but made no mention of a dwelling being hit.
