Putin: "Entire Russia" Stands with Ukraine Offensive
Russia, under Putin's leadership, has intensified its attack on Ukraine, with the entire nation backing the offensive.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the military parade commemorating the end of World War II, reiterated the nation's full support for the ongoing offensive in Ukraine. "The whole country, society, and the people stand behind the participants of this special military operation," Putin stated. Russia, he added, remains an "indestructible barrier against Nazism, Russophobia, and anti-Semitism."
Saporischschja Reports Casualties from Ceasefire Violations
Amid the declared ceasefire, Russia reportedly attacked eight settlements in the Saporischschja region, resulting in 220 attacks and casualties. According to local authorities, a 63-year-old woman was killed in a drone attack, and 150 drones and 70 artillery shells hit the villages in the past 24 hours. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a three-day ceasefire to mark the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany in World War II, but Ukraine criticized the ceasefire as a theatrical performance and called for an extension to 30 days.
Moscow Hosts Lavish Military Parade
The traditional military parade to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II 80 years ago officially began in Moscow, with thousands of soldiers and heavy military equipment marching on Red Square. Notable guests included Chinese President Xi Jinping and Slovakian President Robert Fico.
Worldwide Commemoration of Victory in World War II
Russia is commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II in several cities, including the port city of Vladivostok in the east. Approximately 30 parades are taking place nationwide.
Ukraine Accuses Russia of Violating Ceasefire
Despite the declared ceasefire, Ukraine accused Russia of violating it multiple times, reporting new Russian drone attacks and injured civilians in the Cherson and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
ISW: Moscow's WWII Analogies Aim for Domestic Unity
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Moscow is seeking to draw parallels between World War II and the Ukraine conflict to create conditions for a prolonged conflict in Ukraine and future aggression against NATO.
Ukraine Reports Hundreds of Russian Attacks During Ceasefire
The Ukrainian military has accused Russia of violating the ceasefire hundreds of times during the first day, with 154 clashes, including 15 Russian air strikes, 830 drone strikes, and 2,685 attacks on Ukrainian troops’ positions and settlements. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry maintains that the Russian army strictly adheres to the ceasefire and only responds to Ukrainian attacks.
Polish Foreign Minister Suggests Turkey or China as Mediators
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski believes that Turkey or China could replace the U.S. as mediators in the Ukraine conflict if U.S. withdrawal becomes a reality. Sikorski pointed to their communication channels with Russia and China's leverage on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Germany and Ukraine Strengthen Partnership
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has arrived for his first visit to Ukraine, where he will participate in an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Lviv to discuss ways to strengthen the partnership between Germany and Ukraine.
UK Targets Shadow Fleet with Sanctions against 100 Tankers
The UK will impose sanctions on up to 100 oil tankers of the Russian shadow fleet, suspending them for transporting cargo worth over $24 billion since the beginning of last year and being involved in damaging critical infrastructures.
Ukraine Ratifies Agreement for Joint Reconstruction Fund with U.S.
The Ukrainian parliament has ratified an agreement with the U.S. to create a joint reconstruction fund, granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. Ukraine retained ownership of the mineral resources.
Politics
- Putin and Zelensky Congratulate Pope on Election
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Speaks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- European Foreign Ministers Travel to Ukraine Together
- EU Pays Out Fourth Tranche of Ex exceptional Macro-Financial Assistance Loan to Ukraine
Conflict and Military Operations
- Ukraine-Russia Conflict Drags on Amid Limited Ukrainian Counterattacks and Russian Territorial Advances
- Ongoing Intense Conflict with Heavy Casualties and Economic Strain on both Sides
- Russian Military Operations in Ukraine Continue, with Territorial Advances in East and Southeast
- Casualties, Equipment Losses, and Displacement Remain Hefty
- Economic and Political Impact Felt on Both Sides of the Border
- Kremlin Consolidates State Ideology Invoking Soviet Victory in World War II
- International Community Reacts with Continued Support for Ukraine, Fears of Escalation, and Concerns over Peace Negotiations
[1] https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FP_20230510_russia_ukraine_escalation_lewis_veldtman.pdf
[2] https://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/resources/Russia-UKraine-Armed-Conflict-Briefing-Paper/
[3] https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/2023/04/ukraine-conflict-background-summary-31mar2023.pdf
- In the ongoing Ukraine Conflict Live Ticker on May 09, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted his support for the ongoing offensive in Ukraine, stating that the entire Russian society and people stand behind the participants of this special military operation.
- Despite Putin's declaration of a three-day ceasefire to mark the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany in World War II, Ukraine has accused Russia of violating it multiple times, with hundreds of attacks reported during the first day.
- Among world leaders commemorating the victory in World War II, Putin was recently congratulated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
- The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) asserts that Moscow is seeking to draw parallels between World War II and the Ukraine conflict to create conditions for a prolonged conflict in Ukraine and future aggression against NATO.
