Ukraine War Live Ticker +++ 17:57 Fico Sticks to Participation in Putin's Victory Parade for WWII Commemoration
Fico Participates in Putin's Parade Celebrating World War Victory
Parliament member Ján Richter from Slovakia's ruling party Smer announces that Prime Minister Robert Fico continues his plan to attend the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9. The event honors the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945, a date that risks being exploited for Putin's militaristic propaganda.
Richter's statement comes amid rumors of Fico's health after he cancelled an event on May 1, with the prime minister assuring his well-being.
Meanwhile, let's take a look at the recent military actions along the fronts:
17:22 In Nowopawliwka, Russian forces made 50 attempts to break through Ukraine's defenses since the start of the day, with 28 battles still ongoing. The entire war zone has seen a total of 123 combat engagements.
- Kharkiv Front: Russian forces launched two attacks near the city of Vovchansk.
- Kupiansk Front: Russian troops conducted an attack near Zahrіzove, with one battle still ongoing.
- Lyman Front: Russian soldiers attacked near Ridkodub, Yampolivka, Kolodiazi, Torske, and Hryhorivka.
- Kramatorsk Front: The Russians conducted three attacks near Chasiv Yar, Maiske, and Bila Hora, with one battle still ongoing.
- Torezk Front: Russian forces attacked near Krymske.
- Pokrovsk Front: 46 attacks of varying intensity were registered, with ten battles still ongoing.
- Kursk Front: Ukrainian defenders repelled five Russian attacks, with four more battles still ongoing.
- Huliaipole Front: The Russians fired rockets at the settlements of Malynivka and Huliaipole.
- Fronts near Siversk, Huliaipole, and Prydniprovske experienced no offensive actions from Russian forces.
16:53 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hints at the possibility of acquiring the required number of air defense systems after concluding a raw materials deal with the US. The agreement would secure future US investments and protect Ukraine from air attacks.
16:15 Noworossijsk declares a state of emergency after a drone strike, with five people, including children, injured. The attack targeted an apartment building, affecting parts of Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
Ukraine's ambassador expresses concern over the AfD's proximity to Russia, as the party doesn't clearly condemn the brutal invasion of Ukraine and instead advocates for friendship with Russia.
15:36 Ukrainian troops, using a Magura marine drone, reportedly shot down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea, a first worldwide for a combat aircraft being shot down by a marine drone.
14:29 Medvedev threatens Ukraine with severe consequences if it attacks Moscow on May 9, the anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in WWII. Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to 10, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insists on a 30-day ceasefire instead - a proposal rejected by Putin.
14:02 Russia reportedly uses a new combat technique in Kupyansk, with motorcycle columns forming part of this tactic.
13:33 The number of injured in Kharkiv rises to 51, with an 11-year-old child among them. In total, 12 locations in four districts were hit during a large-scale Russian drone attack, causing several fires.
13:09 Analyst Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann explains how land mines could potentially protect Ukraine from a Russian attack by inducing defensive measures from the US in case Putin targets the areas where the Americans plan to extract rare earths.
12:40 Zelensky warns leaders against attending the WWII victory parade in Moscow, citing the potential for Russian manipulations and dangerous actions on May 9.
12:11 One person was killed in Russian air strikes in Kupyansk, with several residential buildings destroyed. Two people were injured in Russian air strikes in Sumy as well.
11:37 Zelensky praises his meeting with Trump in Rome as "the best" between the two leaders, with both agreeing that a 30-day ceasefire would be the right first step toward peace in the Ukraine war. The leaders discussed the issue of sanctions as well.
10:53 Russia advances on two front sections, capturing new territory in the Donetsk and Saporishshia regions, according to military experts.
10:25 The authorities of the Russian port city of Novorossiysk declare a state of emergency following a Ukrainian drone attack, leading to five injuries, including two children.
9:49 The UN Coordinator condemns attacks on civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv, Saporishshia, and Odessa, reiterating the need to protect civilians under international humanitarian law.
9:16 Ukraine reports 183 drone attacks overnight, with 77 drones being shot down and 73 others landing without causing damage.
8:42 Russia aims to establish a "buffer zone" in Sumy, a border area with the Russian region of Kursk, where Russian forces recently recaptured territories.
8:06 Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov pens a foreword to a controversial book on Lithuania, which questions Lithuania's language and statehood and accuses the government of having a "pro-Nazi" ideology that maintains power through police measures and suppression of opinions.
7:32 The governor of Russia's Krasnodar region reports Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia's Black Sea coast, causing injuries.
6:52 Ukraine accuses Russia's intelligence agency of staging an assassination attempt against prominent Ukrainian blogger Serhii Sternenko, who survived the attack with minor injuries.
6:15 Zelensky urges stronger air defense and criticism of his allies for moving too slowly in providing Ukraine with better defensive capabilities to protect against attacks such as the one on Kharkiv.
4:53 The US State Department approves the sale of training and maintenance equipment for F-16 jets to Ukraine, worth $310 million.
1:44 At least 44 people were injured in a major drone strike on Kharkiv, a major Ukrainian city.
- The Slovakian parliament member Ján Richter announced that Prime Minister Robert Fico, according to community policy and general-news politics, continues his plan to attend the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9, following the employment policy of Slovakia's ruling party Smer.
- In the day's events related to war-and-conflicts, Ukrainian forces in Nowopawliwka have been battling Russian forces since the start of the day, with 28 battles still ongoing, as reported by eyewitnesses.
- After the raw materials deal with the US, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted at the possibility of acquiring air defense systems, aiming to protect Ukraine from air attacks and secure future US investments, as per employment policy discussions.
- In the realm of politics, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov wrote a foreword to a controversial book on Lithuania, questioning Lithuania's language, statehood, and accusing the government of having a "pro-Nazi" ideology, according to columns of general-news discussions.
