Russia has launched more than 400 drones at Ukraine in a daytime attack, injuring 10 people in the western city of Ternopil, Ukrainian officials said on Friday.
Ukraine's air force said the onslaught took place between 8 am and 3.30 pm local time as air force units downed or neutralised 388 of them in the north, south, centre and west of the country.
It follows a Ukrainian attack on a major oil refinery in the Black Sea port city of Tuapse for the fourth time in two weeks. The overnight strike caused a fire but there were no injuries.
Meanwhile, Russian drones struck the Ukrainian port city of Odesa overnight, injuring at least 20 people and damaging residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, including a kindergarten.
Russia said it would implement a temporary ceasefire around Victory Day on 9 May regardless of Ukraine’s response. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the truce “will be implemented” and that “a response is not, in fact, required”.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the proposal as insufficient, saying Ukraine supported a longer-term ceasefire rather than “a few hours of security for a parade in Moscow”.
Key Points
- Ukraine says a strike hit Russian Black Sea oil terminal in Tuapse
- Russia targets Ukrainian cities in overnight strikes
- US to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany
- Recap: Russian officer killed in blast targeting ‘Butcher of Bucha’
Zelensky scraps old military contracts for increased pay to bring in new recruits
08:50 , Arpan RaiUkraine will no longer have open-ended military contracts to bring in new recruits under a major reform for the war-hit nation’s armed forces, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
The new military contracts will allow previously mobilised soldiers to leave service, with timelines yet to be determined, Zelensky said.
“I have instructed that the contract system in the Defence Forces be strengthened so that… defined service duration terms are ensured,” Zelensky said, adding that “a phased discharge from service” would become “possible for those who were mobilised earlier”.
The president did not share details on how long soldiers would need to serve before they could leave.
The reform will also allow for increased pay for soldiers and changing recruitment and service rules, with implementation set to begin in June.
"The fifth year of full-scale war presents unique challenges, first and foremost in managing personnel and motivating our soldiers," he said.
Two killed in Russian attack on bus in Kherson
08:42 , Arpan RaiA Russian drone attack on a bus in Ukraine's southern city of Kherson killed two people and injured seven more this morning, officials said.
Most of the casualties were public utilities workers, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin added on Telegram. He posted images from the site that showed the bus with blown-out windows and a body with traces of blood lying on its floor.
"Such attacks are part of a systemic policy of terror against the civilian population," Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, said on the Telegram app.
Kherson, the only regional capital seized by Russian forces in their 2022 full-scale invasion, was recaptured by Ukrainian troops later that year but has increasingly come under attack from Russian forces across the Dnipro River.
Ukrainian officials and human rights organisations have accused Moscow's troops of deliberate and systemic small-drone attacks on civilians across areas close to the frontline, in particular in Kherson.
The southern Odesa region, targeted by Russian strikes almost daily over the last couple of months, also came under attack overnight, the regional governor Oleh Kiper said.
A warehouse and neighbouring buildings were damaged at a port, he added on Telegram.
Ukraine says the attacks have cost Russia billions
08:20 , Arpan RaiUkraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has compared Kyiv's strikes to the international sanctions on Russia.
They are seen as even more crucial now that Moscow is collecting windfall profits from the global energy crisis linked to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Zelensky said on Friday that Russia has lost at least $7bn since the start of the year as a direct result of attacks on its oil sector. Earlier in the week, he said Ukrainian intelligence indicates a drop in exports from key oil ports such as Ust-Luga and Primorsk.
Drone strikes have also disrupted Russia's oil refining capacities, while sanctions make it difficult to acquire replacement parts, experts say.
But the full economic impact remains unclear as Russia benefits from the Mideast crisis.
Russian crude and oil product exports rose by 320,000 barrels per day month-on-month to hit 7.1 million in March, the International Energy Agency said. Rising prices meant that oil export revenues almost doubled, from $9.7bn to $19bn.
It is unclear whether April's strikes will disrupt that trend.
Trump orders US to pull thousands of troops out of Germany after row with Merz
07:50 , Arpan RaiThe United States will withdraw 5,000 troops from Nato ally Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, as a rift over the Iran war widens between Donald Trump and Europe.
Mr Trump had threatened a drawdown in forces earlier this week after sparring with German chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said on Monday the Iranians were humiliating the US in talks to end the two-month-old war.
A senior Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said recent German rhetoric had been "inappropriate and unhelpful".
"The president is rightly reacting to these counterproductive remarks," the official said.
Trump orders US to pull thousands of troops out of Germany after row with Merz
Residents warned over air quality and drinking water in Russia's Tuapse
07:20 , Arpan RaiResidents in Tuapse have been advised to stay indoors and avoid drinking tap water following recent drone strikes on the port. Russia’s consumer safety watchdog cited raised benzene levels in the air and urged people to limit time outside and keep windows closed.
The continuing attacks on the Russian refinery, which has been hit four times now and set ablaze at least twice since 16 April, have led to dense black clouds over the town and oil slicks along the coastline, damaging the popular beach destination.
Local health authorities said residents should use bottled water as a precaution. Schools have been closed and May holiday events cancelled.
Some residents have questioned official assurances.
“How about she comes to visit us and tries our fresh air?” one person wrote online, responding to claims from Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova that the situation posed no health risks.
US ambassador to Ukraine steps down after ‘differences of opinion with Trump’
06:50 , Arpan RaiDonald Trump’s acting ambassador to Ukraine will step down from her post and retire after less than a year in the role.
The State Department confirmed on Tuesday that Davis would leave in June before retiring from the department, following reports she was quitting over differences of opinion with Trump.
People familiar with her decision told the Financial Times that Davis, who has served as temporary chargé d’affaires at the embassy since May, had grown frustrated by Washington’s dwindling support for Ukraine as peace talks with Russia have stalled.
US ambassador to Ukraine steps down after ‘clashing with Trump’
Russia targets Ukrainian cities in overnight strikes
06:20 , Arpan RaiSeveral strikes were reported from Ukraine after Russian forces launched overnight drone attacks targeting energy infrastructure, regional officials said.
The strikes targeted Mykolaiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Odesa Oblasts, officials said.
Russia targeted port infrastructure in Izmail, a city in southern Odesa Oblast.
In Mykolaiv, Russian forces hit the energy infrastructure with Shahed-type attack drones, said Vitaliy Kim, head of the regional military administration.
In Kryvyi Rih, Russian drones targeted an infrastructure facility overnight, Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih Defence Council, said. Explosions were heard across the city, according to local residents.
No casualties were immediately reported in the attacks, according to the preliminary assessment.
Ukraine says a strike hit Russian Black Sea oil terminal in Tuapse
05:55 , Arpan RaiUkrainian forces struck an oil terminal in the Russian Black Sea city of Tuapse, Ukraine's General Staff said on Friday, marking the fourth attack targeting the region's oil infrastructure in just over two weeks.
Explosions and a fire were recorded at the terminal, the statement from the General Staff said. Local officials in Russia said a Ukrainian drone attack sparked the blaze and that no casualties were reported.
The facility had been hit previously on 16 April, 20 April and 28 April.
Regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev said a fire at the city's oil refinery had also been extinguished Thursday, less than 24 hours before the latest strike.
Watch: Trump says he thinks it’s 'treasonous' to say US is not winning war in Iran
03:00 , Daniel KeaneUS to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany
02:00 , Daniel KeaneThe United States is withdrawing 5,000 troops from Nato ally Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, as a rift over the Iran war widens between President Donald Trump and Europe.
Trump had threatened a drawdown in forces earlier this week after sparring with German chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said on Monday the Iranians were humiliating the US in talks to end the two-month-old war.
A senior Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said recent German rhetoric had been "inappropriate and unhelpful."
Ukraine says strike hit Russian Black Sea oil terminal in Tuapse
01:00 , Daniel KeaneUkrainian forces struck an oil terminal in the Russian Black Sea city of Tuapse, Ukraine's General Staff said on Friday, marking the fourth attack targeting the region's oil infrastructure in just over two weeks.
Explosions and a fire were recorded at the terminal, the statement from the General Staff said.
Local officials in Russia said a Ukrainian drone attack sparked the blaze and that no casualties were reported.
The facility had been hit previously on April 16, April 20 and April 28. Regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev said a fire at the city's oil refinery had also been extinguished Thursday, less than 24 hours before the latest strike.
Recap: Fire erupts again at major Black Sea port oil refinery after fourth Ukrainian attack
Saturday 2 May 2026 00:00 , James ReynoldsUkraine attacked a major oil refinery in the Black Sea port city of Tuapse for the fourth time in two weeks as it continued to intensify a campaign against Russian energy infrastructure.
The overnight strike caused a fire but there were no injuries. The area has been under a state of emergency since earlier strikes disrupted production and polluted coastal areas.
Meanwhile, Russian drones struck the Ukrainian port city of Odesa overnight, injuring at least 20 people and damaging residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, including a kindergarten.
Russia said it would implement a temporary ceasefire around Victory Day on 9 May regardless of Ukraine’s response. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the truce “will be implemented” and that “a response is not, in fact, required”.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the proposal as insufficient, saying Ukraine supported a longer-term ceasefire rather than “a few hours of security for a parade in Moscow”.
Russian drone attack injures 10, causes blackouts
Friday 1 May 2026 23:00 , James ReynoldsA Russian daytime drone attack on the city of Ternopil, in Ukraine's far west, injured 10 and hit industrial and infrastructure facilities, the city's mayor said on Friday.
The attack also caused blackouts in some areas, Serhiy Nadal said on Telegram, adding that over 50 drones had been involved.
Recap: US ambassador to Ukraine steps down after ‘differences of opinion with Trump’
Friday 1 May 2026 22:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump’s acting ambassador to Ukraine will step down from her post and retire after less than a year in the role.
The State Department confirmed on Tuesday that Davis would leave in June before retiring from the department, following reports she was quitting over differences of opinion with Trump.
People familiar with her decision told the Financial Times that Davis, who has served as temporary chargé d’affaires at the embassy since May, had grown frustrated by Washington’s dwindling support for Ukraine as peace talks with Russia have stalled.
US ambassador to Ukraine steps down after ‘clashing with Trump’
Comment: Labour just made a dreadful, expensive decision on its creaking military gear
Friday 1 May 2026 21:00 , James ReynoldsBurying the bad news of a non-decision over a useless but expensive defence disaster on a day when all eyes were on the PM shows the government putting politics above good sense, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley:
Labour just made a dreadful, expensive decision on its creaking military gear
Recap: Russian officer killed in blast targeting ‘Butcher of Bucha’
Friday 1 May 2026 20:00 , James ReynoldsAn explosion has killed a Russian army officer in a closed military town in the country’s far east, in what appeared to be a failed attempt to target a more senior commander known as the “Butcher of Bucha.”
The blast took place in a residential building in Knyaze-Volkonskoye-1, home to Maj Gen Azatbek Omurbekov, who commanded Russian troops during the occupation of Bucha.
Sources said a bomb placed in a mailbox detonated, killing a subordinate officer after the attacker targeted the wrong entrance, The Guardian reported.
Omurbekov was not injured; the EU has sanctioned him over alleged war crimes linked to the killing of civilians in Bucha.
Neither Russia nor Ukraine has commented on the incident.
Recap: Trump gives rambling answer on whether Ukraine or Iran war will end first
Friday 1 May 2026 19:00 , James ReynoldsPresident Donald Trump couldn’t say whether the war he launched against Iran in February would end before the four-year-old Russian war against Ukraine — and even confused the two countries — as he turned an Oval Office meeting to honor the Artemis II lunar mission crew into a wide-ranging media session with reporters.
Here’s how it unfolded:
Trump mixes up Ukraine and Iran in rambling answer over which war will end first
Pictured: Smoke rises above Tuapse after fourth Ukrainian attack on Russian port town
Friday 1 May 2026 18:00 , James Reynolds
Watch: Russian drone attacks gas station in Ukraine’s Kramatorsk
Friday 1 May 2026 17:00 , James ReynoldsVessel carrying grain Ukraine says stolen by Russia will not unload in Israel, Kyiv says
Friday 1 May 2026 16:00 , James ReynoldsThe vessel carrying grain that Ukraine says was stolen from areas occupied by Russia will not unload in Israel, Ukraine said on Thursday, after Kyiv requested Israel to seize the cargo.
Ukraine's prosecutor general, Ruslan Kravchenko, said on the Telegram app that the vessel, Panormitis, left Israel's territorial waters and departed into neutral waters following "a range of procedural measures taken by Ukraine".
"On the basis of the materials provided by the Ukrainian side within the framework of international legal cooperation, the competent Israeli authorities have begun to process the request," he said.
Israel's foreign ministry said, however, that Ukraine's request for legal assistance, submitted late on Tuesday, "contained significant factual gaps and did not include any supporting evidence".
In the meantime, the ministry said, it was informed that the vessel that was supposed to enter the port next week had decided to depart from Israel's territorial waters.
Ukraine launches army reform
Friday 1 May 2026 15:30 , James ReynoldsWriting on social media, Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine is launching a string of reforms in the armed forces.
Details were agreed in April and will be finalised this month. The changes will come into effect in June. He lists three key points:
1. Increased pay ‘on the principle of fairness’
Combat experience and efficacy “must guarantee increased pay”, from at least 30,000 hryvnias (£500) for non-combat positions. Combat positions can expect figures “several times higher”.
2. Special contracts for infantry
Infantrymen on the frontline will benefit from special contracts, with payments in the range of 250,000-400,000 hryvnias (£4,200-£6,700).
3. New approach to staffing units
Contracts will be rethought, ensuring clearly defined service duration terms and phased discharges for those who have already been mobilised.
Zelensky: Allies asked us not to attack Russian oil refinery due to Middle East war
Friday 1 May 2026 15:00 , James ReynoldsRussia unleashes massive drone swarm on Ukraine, air force says
Friday 1 May 2026 14:33 , James ReynoldsUkraine's air force says that Russia launched 409 drones from between 8am and 3.30pm local time on Friday.
Ukraine will seek clarification from Donald Trump's team on details of Russia's short-term ceasefire proposal, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.
"We will clarify what exactly this is about – a few hours of security for a parade in Moscow, or something more," he said in a post on X.
Zelensky added that Ukraine's proposal is for a long-term ceasefire, "reliable and guaranteed security for people, and a lasting peace."
Residents warned over air quality and drinking water in Russia's Tuapse
Friday 1 May 2026 14:00 , Joe MiddletonResidents in Tuapse have been advised to stay indoors and avoid drinking tap water following recent drone strikes on the port. Russia’s consumer safety watchdog cited raised benzene levels in the air and urged people to limit time outside and keep windows closed.
Local health authorities said residents should use bottled water as a precaution. Schools have been closed and May holiday events cancelled.
Some residents have questioned official assurances. “How about she comes to visit us and tries our fresh air?” one person wrote online, responding to claims from Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova that the situation posed no health risks.
