Exclusives
 |
What it means when Russia starts picking the EU's negotiator—and what Brussels said back. Russia just tried to pick its opponent's negotiator. Brussels said no. Berlin had already said no. |
 |
Trump's State Department refused to recognize Lukashenka in 2020. Today he's a "friend.". Trump called Lukashenka his "friend" after the latest prisoner exchange deal. The Belarusian bank financing Russia's shells is back in the dollar system. |
 |
West has power to end Russia's war against Ukraine — it's choosing not to: Human rights lawyer tells us why. Human rights lawyer Simon Papuashvili on what Western governments won't say out loud — and what it would actually take to stop Russia. |
| France arrests Russia's war criminal who ran torture at "Donetsk Dachau" and has been living under refugee status for years. He participated in torture, cruel treatment of detainees, psychological pressure, and forcing confessions. At least nine victims have been documented so far. |
Military
Ukrainian officer: Russian frontline assaults now rare as 60-70% of infiltrators die before reaching Ukrainian lines. A Ukrainian senior lieutenant with the call sign "Alex" wrote on his Telegram channel that Russia can no longer gather enough troops for even local offensives, leaving small-group infiltration as the main remaining tactic.
ISW: Russia's "Victory Day ceasefire" reduced combat but didn't stop it. Day 2 saw Russian attacks reach Ukrainian positions across six oblasts, killing at least two civilians in Kherson.
Talks continue on Trump-brokered prisoner exchange with Russia after Putin claimed that Kyiv was not ready for swap. Russia announced a ceasefire for 8–9 May — its own parade dates. Ukraine proposed starting earlier, on the night of 6 May. Russia violated it.
Intelligence and technology
Buk, Tor, Kasta, Tunguska—Russia's air defense menu shrinks by $131 million in another seven days. The destruction came in the drone forces' strikes across occupied Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Russia's Bryansk Oblast over the past week.
Russia sacrificed fuel capacity on its Kh-101 to pack heavier warhead and added incendiary steel balls with zirconium. The original Kh-101 had a 500 kg warhead and 2,500 km range.
Russia's Project 21980 "Grachonok", equipped with Igla missiles and grenade launchers, just got new defense. They couldn't protect themselves. Now Russia is wrapping them in nets and hoping that's enough.
Ukraine has built world's most battle-tested defense industry. Berlin plugs in with "Brave Germany". Germany and Ukraine just signed a joint defense technology program, and Berlin is already funding a third of everything Ukraine has.
Pistorius arrives in Kyiv to co-build the deep-strike weapons Europe lacks. Pistorius came by train, as Berlin seeks to build up its deterrence capabilities against Moscow.
International
Germany views Putin's Schröder ceasefire proposal part of Russia's hybrid strategy aimed at dividing West. It could consider him on one condition. Berlin's initial response was unambiguous, as German officials dismissed the proposal.
EU's 21st Russia sanctions package will target the shadow fleet, banks, and firms selling stolen Ukrainian grain—Politico. Brussels expects the package in late June or early July, EU officials told Politico, with Hungary's change of government unlocking measures previously blocked under Viktor Orbán, including sanctions on Patriarch Kirill.
Portugal just hit highest defense-industry growth since 1986. Its defense minister links boom to Russia's war. Nearly 100 new defense companies created in 16 months.
Humanitarian and social impact
Four Ukrainians remain on MV Hondius cruise ship after hantavirus outbreak killed three. A fifth Ukrainian crew member is being evacuated by special flight to the Netherlands.
Three months absent from your shop in occupied Luhansk? Russia declares it "ownerless" and takes it. Russia targets 150 commercial properties in occupied Luhansk for "nationalization," including shops left vacant for three months or with one unpaid utility bill.
Political and legal developments
Ukraine anti-corruption agencies serve suspicion notice to ex-Presidential Office head Yermak over alleged $10M laundering. Andrii Yermak was once the most powerful official in Ukraine after Zelenskyy himself.
Ukraine is preparing military contracts with guaranteed demobilization rights and combat pay up to $9,100 per month. For soldiers mobilized since 2022 with no legal pathway home, this is the most significant potential reform of the war.
Read our earlier daily review here.
