On the 1166th day of war, Ukraine faces new attacks from Russia, including on civilians in Kiev and the Sumy region.
Ukrainian forces have also struck an electrical equipment factory in the Bryansk region of Russia, destroying a large part of the facility. President Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces destroyed a second Russian military plane in a single day.
European military support is increasing. France is ramping up arms production to support the Ukrainian effort. President Zelensky is in Prague. The Czech Republic led an initiative to provide Ukraine with large-caliber ammunition, delivering over a million cartridges.
Vladimir Putin stated in a documentary that Russia has enough strength and resources to bring the war in Ukraine to its logical conclusion but hopes that nuclear weapons will not be necessary. In power for 25 years, he also spoke about the legacy he leaves to Russia and mentioned that he constantly thinks about his succession.
Tensions between Ukraine and Hungary reflect diplomatic difficulties related to EU expansion in the context of a fragmented but increasingly involved Europe.
Meanwhile, strategic alliances are taking on new dimensions: North Korea is modernizing its conventional forces and collaborating with Russia, sending troops to Ukraine and strengthening logistical ties.
And Chinese President Xi Jinping makes an important gesture – he travels to Russia for Victory Day.
Frontline Situation
- Kyiv hit by Russian drones – An attack with drones launched by Russia on the night of May 4 hit the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, injuring at least 11 people, including two children aged 14 and 17. Debris from the drones damaged homes and vehicles in several neighborhoods, including Shevchenkivskyi, Obolonskyi, and Sviatoshynskyi. In Obolonskyi, the Dream Town shopping center was affected, and several cars and upper floors of a building caught fire. In Sviatoshynskyi, three houses were completely destroyed. Authorities sent intervention teams to the scene.
- Drone wave over Ukraine – On the night of May 3 to 4, Russia launched a wave of 165 drones, mostly of the Shahed type, manufactured in Iran. The Ukrainian Air Force shot down 65 drones, and 80 disappeared from radar without causing damage, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The attack targeted the regions of Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, and Kyiv. A student dormitory in Cherkasy caught fire following the attack.
- Russians attack in Sumy – A man was killed, and two other people were injured in an attack with guided aerial bombs launched by the Russian army on the village of Velyka Pyssarivka in the Sumy region, reports Ukrainska Pravda. Russian troops also shelled the town of Bilopillia with multiple rocket launchers, damaging several houses, a power line, and a gas pipeline. Two women required medical assistance, and the eastern part of the town was left without electricity.
- Ukraine strikes at Bahmut – The Ukrainian Air Force launched a strong attack on a Russian command post of the 6th Motorized Division near Bahmut, a temporarily occupied territory in the Donetsk region. According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the strike significantly affected Russia’s ability to conduct operations in the Pokrovsk direction. Although Russian losses were not disclosed, Ukrainian officials say the enemy’s offensive was seriously impacted, and the situation remains under control.
- Second Russian military plane downed in 24 hours – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces had destroyed a second Russian military plane in a single day. Initially, the destruction of a single plane was confirmed, but it was later clarified that two planes were hit. According to Ukrainian information, the first crew survived and was rescued by a civilian ship, while the second crew member reportedly died. The Su-30 aircraft, estimated at $50 million each, were hit in the air and crashed into the Black Sea.
- Electrical equipment factory hit by rockets – Ukrainian forces struck an electrical equipment factory in the Bryansk region of Russia, destroying a large part of the installation. In a statement published on Telegram, Governor Alexander Bogomaz stated that the workshops and administrative buildings of the factory in the village of Suzemka were destroyed. Mash, a Telegram channel with links to Russian security services, stated that the factory produces electrical equipment, including transformers. It was reportedly hit with a Grad missile system.
News from Russia
- Putin contemplating a successor or more – Vladimir Putin, in power for 25 years with minor interruptions, stated in a documentary broadcast on state television that he constantly thinks about his succession, as reported by Reuters. Putin, 72, the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Stalin, discussed the delicate subject of succession in an anniversary film titled “Russia, Kremlin, Putin, 25 years,” dedicated to his two and a half decades in charge of Russia. “I constantly think about it. Ultimately, the choice belongs to the Russian people. I believe there should be a person, or rather several people, for the people to choose from,” said the Russian leader when asked about his plans for the country’s future leadership.
- Xi Jinping to visit Russia – Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia from May 7 to 10, announced the Kremlin. He will join his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in celebrating 80 years since the allies’ victory over Nazi Germany. Xi Jinping will also participate in bilateral discussions. “A series of bilateral documents (…) are set to be signed,” added the Kremlin. Leaders from approximately 20 countries are expected to join Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 9.
- Putin reiterates nuclear weapons talk – Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he hopes the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine will not be necessary. Moscow’s leader responded to a question from Russian journalists about the evolution of the war. In comments aired on Sunday, he said that the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine has not arisen and he hopes it will not.
Other Relevant Information
- Zelensky in Prague – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the Czech Republic on Sunday and meet with Czech President Petr Pavel. The Czech government has been a strong supporter of Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and led an initiative to provide Ukraine with large-caliber ammunition that delivered over a million cartridges. Zelensky last visited Prague in July 2023.
- France increases production of guided bombs for Ukraine – France plans to produce 1,200 AASM Hammer smart bombs in 2025, up from the 830 manufactured in 2024, according to Le Parisien. These bombs, developed by Safran, are extensively used by the Ukrainian Air Force due to their precision and resistance to Russian electronic jamming. They were quickly integrated onto Ukrainian Soviet-era planes, and currently, France is delivering approximately 50 units monthly. Bombings with AASM Hammer have become a preferred weapon in Ukraine’s aerial offensive.
- Zelensky: We need a real ceasefire – Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the latest nighttime attacks by Russia and stated that Ukraine is ready for a genuine ceasefire, not a symbolic one for holidays. He said that a true ceasefire should last at least a month to end the war. “If there is quiet, then let it be every day, not just on May 9,” said the Ukrainian leader, criticizing Russia’s cynicism in calling for temporary peace while daily striking Ukrainian territory.
- Budapest rejects Zelensky’s EU accession criticisms – Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó dismissed claims by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who accused Hungary of blocking Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Zelensky alleged that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was using the issue in the electoral campaign, jeopardizing Ukraine’s aspirations. Szijjártó responded that Hungary has the right to express its opinion and that “Ukraine wants to join a union of which Hungary is already a part, not the other way around,” urging Kyiv to adopt “an appropriate tone.”
- Ukrainian military to parade in London – Ukrainian troops will participate in the UK’s military procession on May 9 to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The ceremony will take place in London, according to Sky News. The UK Ministry of Defence stated that the forces coming together for the procession will symbolize global support for “Ukraine’s ongoing fight for freedom against Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion.” Ukrainians will join around 1,000 British military personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force.
- Kim Jong Un praises North Korean tank development – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a tank factory, praising the “remarkable progress” in Korean-style tank technology. He stated that developing modern armored vehicles is essential for strengthening the country’s conventional forces and achieving a “second revolution” in armored forces. Recently, Kim also oversaw the launch of a naval destroyer and the testing of new drones, in a tense context of suspicions regarding military cooperation with Russia in exchange for support in Ukraine.
