Ukraine requests a 30-day truce for negotiations to take place
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Kyiv insists on a 30-day truce after talks with Western advisors. "Emphasized: A complete and unconditional truce must be the first step towards a fair and lasting peace," writes Andrij Jermak, Ukraine's chief of staff, on Telegram. The Kremlin's three-day truce announced for Victory Day on May 9 is just a "manipulation" to ensure Moscow's military parade safety. A 30-day truce would prove Russia's commitment to peace. "If Moscow truly wishes peace, it's time to act," explains Jermak. escalation should be met with action.
17:42 Ukrainian drones interrupt Russia's airport preparations
Preparations for Moscow's Victory Day parade are underway, but trouble brews at Russian airports due to fears of Ukrainian drones.
17:01 Zelensky honors Ukraine's role in WWII
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledges Ukraine's role in vanquishing Nazism during WWII, marking the 80th anniversary of the war's end. He lost eight million Ukrainians in the fight for liberty, he says in a video message while walking through Kyiv alongside citizens. Present battles must be fought together, he says, referring to Russia's invasion. If Russia doesn't evolve, it needs "denazification and demilitarization," he says, referring to the planned Moscow Red Square parade on May 9. He also shares footage of previous Moscow military parades on May 9, labeling them as a "parade of fear, deceit, and lies" featuring "marching butchers."
16:29 Ukrainian soldiers ordered to respond only to Russian attacks
Reports from several Ukrainian units at the front line indicate they have been ordered to only open fire in response to Russian attacks. This is reported by Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne. There has been a decrease in artillery attacks and Russian activity in certain areas. One brigade fighting in the Kherson region reports to Suspilne that since the "truce" began at midnight, Russian FPV drones have been active in their area, but there have been no artillery strikes so far. Another defense unit operating in the south confirms the order to only retaliate, but notes that positional battles have been ongoing since midnight, with Russian drones and artillery still active in the region.
Nationalist "Night Wolves" reach Brandenburg and lay wreaths
Pro-Russian motorcyclists of the nationalist "Night Wolves" group have visited two Soviet memorial sites in Brandenburg. Members of the motorcycle gang laid wreaths in Schönwalde and Baruth before heading towards Berlin. Police were present during the scenes. Earlier, the approximately 60 "Night Wolves" members with 50 motorcycles made a stop in Dresden. This yearly "victory ride" from Moscow to Berlin, started at the end of April, is controversial. In 2015, German authorities canceled the visas of several group members and prevented their entry, as they are known for supporting Putin and the Crimean annexation, as well as being extreme nationalists.
15:21 Blunder: Russian tanks fall apart during rehearsal
Large-scale commemorative events with military parades are happening across Russia to mark the end of World War II. In Sterlitamak, a blunder occurs during the rehearsals as two antique Soviet-era tanks collapse.
Russia: Ukraine attempts to breach border
According to Russian reports, Ukrainian forces are trying to cross the border into the Russian region of Kursk. Since the commencement of the three-day truce ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Ukrainian troops have reportedly made two such attempts, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Both Moscow and Kyiv accuse each other of violating the truce.
Ukraine: Russia violates self-proclaimed truce "along entire front"
The Ukraine accuses the Russian army of hundreds of violations of the truce unilaterally declared by Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha calls the truce "a sham" as expected. "Russian forces continue to attack along the entire front," he stresses. Between midnight and midday, 734 violations of the truce and "63 attack operations" by the Russian army were recorded.
Ukrainian parliament ratifies resource agreement with USA
The Ukrainian parliament has approved the resource agreement with the USA. Deputy Prime Minister Julija Swyrydenko deems it a "significant economic partnership agreement." "This document isn't just a legal construct - it is the foundation for a new model of cooperation with an essential strategic partner," she writes via short messaging service X. Despite concerns from some Ukrainian MPs, the 338 yes votes went unopposed by any no votes. The USA will now have preferential access to Ukrainian raw materials, such as highly sought-after rare earths, essential in high-tech and defense industries. However, Ukraine maintains control over all its resources and now hopes for further US military aid.
Media: Switzerland might sell Leopard tanks to Germany after all
The Swiss defense conglomerate Ruag is making another attempt to sell tanks to Germany after a previous deal failed. In response to an investigation by Swiss broadcaster SRF, the company confesses talks about the "possibility of a sale" but declines further comment. SRF reports that Ruag wants to sell 96 Leopard 1 tanks parked in Italy to German defense conglomerate Rheinmetall, as it did two years ago, when the tanks were intended for Ukraine. The deal was thwarted by the Swiss government in 2023, citing the country's strict neutrality in all armed conflicts. This time, the German company assures that the tanks will not be directly sent to Ukraine and could be used as a parts depot instead. According to the report, Ruag has already submitted an application for the sale to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco).
Meeting in Moscow: Putin and Xi aim to deepen cooperation
Russian President Vladimir Putin expresses his country's desire to strengthen ties with China through a series of agreements during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow. An investment agreement will be updated, Putin announces at a meeting with the two leaders. Xi says China wants to intensify its strategic cooperation with Russia amid trade tensions with the U.S. Xi says China seeks to work with Russia to maintain the global multilateral trade system and industrial supply chains. Putin welcomes the transfer of Chinese technology to Russia.
Munz: "Fear of attacks - Moscow shuts down mobile network"
Moscow is tightening security measures throughout the city due to apprehension of attacks and drone strikes in preparation for the May 9 military parade, including shutting down the entire mobile network, says ntv correspondent Rainer Munz.
Ukrainian brigade: Russians have lost battle for their "Berlin" in Kharkiv
On the anniversary of victory over Nazism 80 years ago, the Ukrainian Char'iya Brigade claims to have liberated a forest area in the Kharkiv region referred to as "Berlin" by the Russians. The press service of the National Guard unit reports that soldiers of the brigade, in cooperation with other units, have liberated 200 hectares of forest north of the village of Lypci after months of fighting. The Ukrainian military-affiliated blog "DeepState" confirms these reports. The Char'iya Brigade plans to release a video tomorrow providing further details of the operation.
MP: Ukraine silently adheres to truce
According to a parliamentary deputy, Ukraine is keeping silent but complies with the three-day truce declared by Russia, despite some contradictory statements. "Ukraine officially remains silent but has also joined the truce. Corresponding instructions have been given to the armed forces," writes opposition parliamentary deputy Oleksiy Honcharenko on Telegram. There are no official confirmations from the leadership in Kyiv. Nevertheless, there have been no reports of mutual drone attacks since midnight local time, as there were in the days prior.
Lithuania withdraws from mine ban treaty
Lithuania is withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines. The Lithuanian parliament passed a corresponding resolution. In addition to these two countries, Estonia, Poland, and Finland have also announced their intention to withdraw due to the military threat posed by Russia. All five countries border Russia, which is not a party to the treaty and has used this type of mine in its invasion of Ukraine. Poland and the Baltic states fear that Russia could target them after the end of the Ukraine war.
Masala: Europe will defend Ukraine "within four to five years"
In light of Russia's attack on Ukraine, Europe's defense capabilities are coming into sharper focus. According to French political scientist Carlo Masala, it will take another five years for Europe to achieve full sovereignty in defense matters.
Ukraine and Russia continue their conflict, with no substantial truce in sight. Despite Ukraine's proposal for a 30-day truce, Russia has failed to reciprocate, making the resolution of this war seem elusive.
- The Ukrainian government is urging for a 30-day truce as a first step towards a lasting peace, but the Kremlin's announced three-day truce for Victory Day is deemed a manipulation for ensuring Moscow's military parade safety.
- Reports from Ukrainian units at the front line indicate they have been ordered to only open fire in response to Russian attacks, in contrast to the increasing drone activity and Russian artillery in certain areas.
- Amidst these constant battles, the Ukrainian parliament has ratified a resource agreement with the USA, hoping for further military aid and better cooperation in the defense industry.
- The ongoing war and trade tensions with the US have led China and Russia to aim for a deeper cooperation during President Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow, with a focus on updating and strengthening economic agreements.
