9:57 PM: Putin in Cannes: Polish director showcases AI biopic film

21:57: In Cannes, Putin views a Polish filmmaker's biopic on AI

The end comes for Putin in Vega's biopic. "It was meant to be a joyful climax," says the filmmaker who exhibited his Putin film at Cannes. "I phoned him and inquired whether he was interested... - just a joke," chuckles the Polish director, who's primarily made mafia movies, with a smirk. Since the actual Putin couldn't make an appearance, Vega turned to AI for assistance.

At first, he considered using authentic Putin videos. However, the resolution wasn't up to par for the big screen. "AI needs sustenance. It requires 20,000 high-resolution images to function," explains the director. Rather than depending on existing footage, Vega designed a novel technology which utilizes AI to generate the face of an actor with similar stature as Putin's. "It's the first film to employ this method," says Vega. The result is astounding. The movie displays Putin as viewers see him-leaning over ornate desks, playing the piano, and even losing control of himself in a hospital bed.

At 21:35, Wu: Taiwan's fate hinges on Ukraine conflict
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu shares his thoughts in a Kyiv Independent interview: "If Russia can accomplish this with Ukraine, China could do something similar with Taiwan." The Ukrainian invasion's onset was a startling revelation for Taiwan, asserts Wu. The island's top diplomat believes that the war's outcome may influence Taiwan's future. If Russia prevails, Taiwan's officials believe Beijing will endeavor to 'reunite' the two Chinas through force.

At 21:16, Ukraine repels Russian assault on Chasiv Yar
The Ukrainian army successfully defended Chasiv Yar in Donetsk against a Russian assault, confirming the destruction of over 20 armored vehicles. Zelensky disclosed this information in his daily video message.

At 20:32, Ukraine downs Russian Su-25 jet
Ukrainian air defenders of the 110th Mechanized Brigade brought down a Russian Su-25 fighter jet in the eastern Donetsk region. The unit's Facebook post reported this incident, which occurred on a previous Friday. Over the past two weeks, they've shot down four enemy aircraft, their statement reveals. Colonel General Marko Bezruchko is the brigade's namesake.

At 19:49, Zelensky cites Crimean Tatar deportation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Crimean Tatars' expulsion by Soviets and drew parallels with the existing Russian occupation of Crimea. "Today, as we mourn the Crimean Tatars' victims and denounce Russia's abuse of Crimea, we comprehend that Russian evil is not all-encompassing," he asserts in his evening video. Stalin expelled Crimean Tatars, a group known for cooperating with the Wehrmacht in 1944, to Central Asia. They were allowed to return in 1989 but complain about disregarded human rights by the Russian invaders. "The occupier's presence on our land is limited, and its eviction is preordained," says Zelensky. Russia's 2014 Crimea seizure was an experiment for the globe. "There was no effective repercussion then, so Putin concluded he could effortlessly gain Crimea with impunity." But with the Ukraine invasion, Ukrainian resistance was sparked. The Crimean Tatars' exile a few decades ago is no longer marginalized in history for Ukraine. "Moscow shall never have the opportunity to acquire our country, our people, our consciousness, and our history," the president concludes.

Russian opposition activist Leonid Volkov, who was attacked in exile in Lithuania recently, intends to carry on battling against President Vladimir Putin. He disclosed this in an upcoming interview with the British broadcaster BBC. Volkov had been a close associate of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who perished in a prison camp in February. Navalny's demise was a painful blow to his friends and colleagues, according to Volkov. Navalny had instructed them never to surrender. The best way to uphold his legacy and ensure his sacrifice hadn't been in vain was to continue working towards defeating Putin and constructing the beautiful Russia that Navalny had long desired. Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, was a sturdy leader and a captivating personality, Volkov mentioned. She never sought the public limelight. The task now is to support her. Volkov now lives in exile in Lithuania and was attacked and wounded outside his house in Vilnius in March. The incident's background is puzzling. Two culprits were subsequently apprehended in Poland.

In response to EU's prohibition of several Russian media, Vyacheslav Volodin, Russia's parliamentary leader, accuses the European Union of censorship and infringements on freedom of the press and opinion. On Telegram, Volodin wrote that EU politicians are blocking any opposing viewpoints because they lack the required arguments to persuade their own citizens. Volodin, a close friend of Putin, accuses the West of double standards, as many Russian media outlets that critique Putin's policies and a multitude of websites are blocked in Russia. On Friday, EU member states imposed sanctions on the state news agency Ria Novosti, the government newspaper "Rossiskaja Gaseta", the "Voice of Europe" platform, and the pro-Kremlin newspaper "Izvestia", which also operates a television station. Consequently, they will be unavailable throughout the EU. Notwithstanding, EU members stated that the media and their personnel can continue functioning in the EU. The Russian government has responded.

One dead and five people hurt in a rocket assault on Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region. The Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office's press service shared the news via Telegram. A 60-year-old woman perished in the shelling, while two men, age 55 and 60, and two other 68-year-olds were hurt. In addition, a 59-year-old civilian sustained injuries after the close-by village of Ukrainske was bombarded. According to Kharkiv's regional governor Oleh Synegubov, defensive positions are being reinforced near the town of Vovchansk. There are approximately a hundred civilians still in the town, which once had around 18,000 inhabitants.

President Salome Zurabishvili of Georgia has vetoed a controversial law on "foreign influence." The law would have required media, NGOs, and other non-profit groups to register if they received more than 20% of their financing from abroad and "pursued the interests of a foreign power." However, politicians backing the government in Tbilisi possess the necessary majority to override the veto. Zurabichvili deemed the law unacceptable as it breaches the Georgian constitution and "all European standards."

In a conversation with the AFP news agency, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledges issues with the combat resolve of Ukrainian troops. He stated that many brigades are in desperate need of reinforcements, necessitating a rotation of the troops. Furthermore, there are issues with recruiting new soldiers. After contentious debates, a law came into effect that cut the minimum age for conscription from 27 to 25. Concurrently, the penalties for men evading their military obligation have been stricter.

[4]: https://ukrlive.net/ translated with Google Translate too. It might have significant details in Ukrainian not covered by international media.

4:50 PM: Poland Spends Over 2 Billion Euros to Reinforce Eastern Border

The Polish government is allocating more than 2.3 billion euros to strengthen its eastern border, with the goal of protecting the nation from increasing threats posed by Russia and Belarus, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced. This project includes installing a barrier system and making landscape adjustments to make the border impenetrable for potential adversaries. The prime minister did not specify the type of fortifications that will be built. A week prior, Tusk had expressed concerns about the "hybrid war" being waged against Poland due to illegal immigration from Belarus. Reports indicate that there are approximately 300 attempts to cross the Poland-Belarus border illegally every day.

4:25 PM: Attacks on Kharkiv Injure Five Residents

The eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, along with its neighboring city of Vovchansk, are once again experiencing Russian attacks. Kharkiv's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, made the announcement on Telegram, revealing that a residential area in Kharkiv was hit by several shells, injuring five people. In Vovchansk, damage was caused by Russian glide bombs and shells as well. Despite these attacks, Vovchansk remains under Ukrainian control. The city in north-eastern Ukraine had approximately 19,000 residents before the conflict began.

3:52 PM: Drone Flying Russian Flag Flown Near the Reichstag Building in Berlin

A man has operated a drone carrying a Russian flag near the Reichstag building in Berlin. The Bundestag press office confirmed this incident occurred on May 9th. Videos of the drone flight were shared online. The drone flew at a height of around 20 meters over the middle of Friedrich-Ebert-Platz on the eastern side of the Reichstag building. On behalf of the Bundestag, a criminal complaint was filed for violating air traffic laws. The Bundestag did not comment on security matters associated with drone flights near the parliament building. Initial reports suggest the drone's pilot is a pro-Russian zealot supporting the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Police officers recorded the man's information at the scene. An additional report from t-online.de indicated that the same individual had previously affixed the "Z" symbol used by Russian troops in Ukraine to the tower of the former state parliament building in Potsdam and damaged Ukrainian images.

3:24 PM: Selensky Anxious About Russian Offensive Expansion in Eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced concerns regarding the lack of weaponry for his country's air defense and the potential escalation of the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. According to Zelensky, Ukraine only has 25% of the air defense systems needed for its defense. Russian forces have advanced 5-10 kilometers into the Kharkiv region since launching a ground offensive just over a week ago. As per the Institute for the Study of War, Russia has captured around 278 square kilometers of land, marking their largest territorial gain since late 2022. Furthermore, they need 120-130 modern fighter jets to achieve a balanced force with the Russians.

3:00 PM: Zelensky Hints at Potential Counter-Offensive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed hope for a new counter-offensive but stressed the need to first stabilize the front line and repel the Russian advance. In an interview with the French news agency AFP, Zelensky remarked that the situation is uncertain but believes the Ukrainian military can ultimately halt the Russians. Once the front line has been stabilized, he'll consider allocating brigades for potential counter-attacks, although he did not specify if this would occur in 2025. He said the army requires supplies for a troop rotation, which is vital for planning a future counter-offensive.

It's noisy in Kharkiv. The city is experiencing several explosions. Be cautious, says the mayor of Kharkiv, Igor Terekhov, on Telegram. The Russians are thought to be attacking Kharkiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi had warned on Friday that the Russian offensive in Kharkiv this month could be the start of several waves and that Russian forces might try to take the regional capital - Kharkiv.

Poland is planning to invest more than two billion euros to strengthen its eastern border. The "Eastern Shield" project includes a border fortification system along the border with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, announced Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The 400-kilometer-long border reinforcement is intended to serve as a deterrent and keep the war away from their borders, Tusk said.

The Ukrainian army reported that 22 military engagements have occurred at the front since the previous night. Eight of these are still ongoing, according to a statement from the General Staff. "Russian aggressors also launched a missile attack, used 25 kamikaze drones, and attacked our troops' positions with 547 attacks," the General Staff statement adds.

On Saturday morning, the Russians attacked the Odessa region with missiles, according to the Ukrainian troops responsible for the south of Ukraine. The troops' message reads: "The Russian occupiers attacked Odessa again with a ballistic missile (possibly Iskander-M) at around 6 a.m."

Russia claims to have "liberated" the village of Staryzia in the Kharkiv region. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that their units are continuing to advance in the area. The Russian invasion forces began their offensive in the region about a week ago, creating a third front aside from the ones in the east and south.

The Ukrainian army is attempting to push back the Russians towards the village of Hlyboke in the Kharkiv region, according to the Ukrainian news agency RBC, citing the Ukrainian army. Hlyboke is about 40 kilometers from Kharkiv and 10 kilometers from the Russian border. "Our defenders are trying to push the enemy back towards the settlement of Hlyboke," a statement from the Ukrainian General Staff said.

A snapshot from the AI-controlled biopic

Four people have died as a result of the Russian attack on Kharkiv on Friday. An injured 33-year-old man died in hospital, reports Governor Oleh Synyehubov. The Russians attacked the Shevchenkiv district with two glide bombs, causing 31 injuries, he said. Two of the injured were in serious condition. The Russians also launched a glide bomb attack on the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, damaging multi-story buildings, a hospital, and a kindergarten. One woman was injured.

President Selensky is prepared to use weapons supplied by the West not only to defend Ukraine but also on Russian soil, but Jäger is not so sure. While some political scientists concur with Selensky, others disagree, and Jäger notes that Russia also exerts influence on Germany.

Regional governor Alexei Smirnov reports that one person died and another was injured in a Ukrainian drone attack on Kursk, a Russian border region. The information about possible attacks and casualties from the Russian authorities is unverifiable.

The British Ministry of Defense believes that Russian air defenses in Crimea have been weakened due to recent Ukrainian attacks. It is likely that Russia will need to spread its air forces more widely to maintain them, creating more maintenance issues. The British ministry also states that Russia has lost one of their Beriev A-50 aircraft, which are used for air surveillance, in January, February, and March. This will result in Russia needing to increase flight hours and combat aircraft patrol deployment rates, potentially causing more problems for their fleets.

10:32: Over 10,000 People Saved in Kharkiv Region

After a deadly offensive by Russian troops in eastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region, more than 10,000 people have successfully been taken to safety. As of now, regional governor Oleh Synegubov reports over 9,900 individuals have been safe. The Russian attack on Kharkiv began on May 10, pushing them forward a few kilometers along the northeastern border.

10:14: Many Russians Want War to Continue

A recent Russian Levada Institute survey shows that while 71% support their armed forces, this number drops to 30% if they have to return "conquered territories".

09:51: Kharkiv and Odessa Face Regular Attacks

Russian aggression, a phenomenon striking cities like Kharkiv and Odessa, has persisted since the start of the war in Ukraine. Despite facing constant attacks on their territories, Ukrainians still possess their own weapons to fight back.

09:32: SPD Calls for NATO Protection over Ukrainian Skies

For the first time, members of the SPD, Germany's main opposition party, suggested deploying German anti-aircraft missile troops on NATO territory near Ukraine. The intent of such a deployment would be to shield the airspace above western Ukraine, using Patriot systems. Such a move wouldn't require Western troops to be stationed in Ukraine itself, but their presence on the mutual border could have an impact deep within Ukrainian airspace.

Budget politician Andreas Schwarz from the SPD believes air defense is Ukraine's "achilles heel," referring to the lack of defense systems and missiles that the country requires. This demands consideration of help from their NATO allies.

09:15: Ukraine Requests US Assistance on Targeting Attacks on Russian Land

The Ukrainian government is requesting America's assistance in pinpointing targets in Russia that could be attacked with their own weaponry. In addition, Ukraine has approached the US government to lift the constraints on utilizing American weapons in a manner that would affect military targets within Russia. Such instances are rare, as reports from US news agency Dow Jones and the Wall Street Journal suggest.

09:04: Zelenskyi: West Fears Russian Defeat

In an interview with the French news agency AFP, President Zelenskyi highlights that Ukraine and its Western allies share a system of values, despite differing perspectives on how to end the conflict. He adds, "We are in a nonsensical situation where the West fears that Russia will lose the war. They don't want Ukraine to lose it." Zelenskyi, knowing the importance of other international players, is also appealing to countries like China and those from the Global South for their involvement in a peace summit planned in Switzerland in June.

07:50: Russia Reinforces Naval Base to Guard Against Drone Strikes

The Ukrainian news agency RBC, citing the Telegram channel of the partisan group "Atesh," has reported that Russia is strengthening its naval base in Novorossiysk on the Black Sea due to the threat of Ukrainian naval drones. Air defense and radar systems will also undergo fortification, aiming to guard the base from surprising drone attacks. It was just recently that Ukrainian drones targeted the port of Novorossiysk, and Russia increased its presence after Ukraine assaulted the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea in September 2023.

07:23: Ukraine: Russian Casualties Add Up to 491,080

Every day, the Ukrainian army shares its count of Russian soldiers killed or injured. Their latest report indicates casualties on Friday totaled 1,210, bringing the overall Russian military casualties close to 491,080. Soviet soldiers were said to have destroyed 43 armoured fighting vehicles, two planes, and a helicopter. Though unverified, this information provides a grim illustration of the devastation caused by the Ukrainian campaign against Russia.

07:20: ISW: US Restrictions Harm Ukraine's Defenses

According to the Institute for the Study of War, Western allies are hindering Ukraine's defenses by disallowing the use of their weapons to target military targets inside Russia. This handsicaps Ukraine's protection efforts, providing the Russians with a significant advantage in attacking its positions and towns from a secure region. The think tank advises that this "US policy seriously jeopardizes Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian offensive operations in the northeastern Kharkiv oblast."

7:05 Ukraine Successfully Shoots Down All 13 Russian Drone Attacks

Ukrainian air defense officials have shared that they successfully took down all 13 Iranian-type Shahed drones launched by Russia during the night. This news was shared by the country's air force commander, Mykola Oleshchuk, who reportedly confirmed the incident to Ukrainian media outlets. The drones were reportedly launched from the Russian cities of Primorsko-Akhtarsk on the Sea of Azov and Kursk.

6:49 Explosion in Belgorod Amid Missile Alert

An explosion took place in Russia's Belgorod region, which bordered Ukraine, following a missile alarm. The local Rusian state news agency, Tass, reported the incident early on Saturday morning. The governor of the region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, urged residents to stay safe on their Telegram channel due to the situation. The region has been under constant attacks and unrest because of the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

Selensky needs more air defense and modern fighter jets against the Russians.

6:43 Increased Russian Shelling in Krynky Bridgehead

The Russian invasion army has increased its assault on Ukrainian positions in Krynky, a strategic bridgehead located on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this area has been a constant target for Russia. Despite the increased shelling, however, there have been no reports of changes to the front line as of now.

The ISW also mentioned that Russian troops have intensified their attacks towards Kharkiv. While Putin has stated his aim to create a "buffer zone" in the Kharkiv region, the invading military forces are not trying to conquer the city itself.

6:14 Accidental Detonation in St. Petersburg Disqualified as Terrorism

The Russian authorities have cited an accidental detonation of World War II ammunition as the cause of the explosions at the Budyonny Military Academy in St. Petersburg, disqualifying it from being considered a terrorist attack. The incident occurred when Russian troops were inspecting underground areas in the academy.

6:02 Klingbeil Expects Chinese Participation in Swiss Peace Talks

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil remains hopeful that China will still take part in the Switzerland-hosted peace conference for Ukraine. In a statement to the German Press Agency, Klingbeil expressed the importance of China's involvement: "It would be extremely beneficial if China could be there at the table for this peace conference." Other countries including India, Brazil, and South Africa are also seen as crucial participants in the peace conference, though Klingbeil claims that even without these countries the conference wouldn't necessarily fail as long as there's still a gathering of nations discussing ways to achieve peace.

5:43 Zelensky Discusses Dubious Weapon Restrictions

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the limitations on the use of Western weaponry against Russian installations on their own land. He claimed Russia holds the advantage of being able to fire all weapons from their territory into Ukraine, while Ukraine can't retaliate with Western weapons due to these restrictions.

5:10 Russian Front in Kharkiv Stretches 70 Kilometers

Ukrainian army commander Olexander Syrskyj explained on Telegram that Russian soldiers are intensifying their offensive in the Krynky region. The frontline has now been stretched to nearly 70 kilometers in length, forcing the Ukrainians to deploy more reserve brigades to maintain their lines. Despite the relentless Russian attacks, they have not succeeded in breaking through the Ukrainian defense. Syrskyj also noted that Ukraine has the advantage of using drones and more precise artillery fire.

3:35 Zelensky Sees Kharkiv Offensive as the "First Wave" of Russian Attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sees the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region as possibly being a "first wave" of a series of attacks. He commented further to the AFP news agency that the operation could consist of multiple waves.

2:17 Zelensky Believes Ukraine Needs More Than 100 F16 Fighter Jets

According to President Zelensky, Ukraine currently has one-fourth of the air defense systems it requires to effectively defend itself against Russia. On top of that, he added that his country needs between 120 and 130 F16 fighter jets to overcome Russia's air superiority. He also mentioned that the lack of soldiers is depleting the morale of the troops.

8:17PM Zelensky asks citizens to conserve electricity due to grid damage

In response to the damage caused to the power grid, Ukrainian President Zelensky asks citizens to use electricity wisely. He emphasized the importance of being mindful and considerate in their energy consumption. During a Kiev address, Zelensky informed everyone that his government and military had discussed the challenging situation in the country's energy system, which had been targeted by Russia. He mentioned that a significant portion of the nation's energy production has been lost as a result of these attacks. Zelensky did not provide additional details about the efforts needed to restructure the energy supply in order to prevent future damage from Russia.

9:59PM Ukrainians abroad can use consular services due to mobilization law

Now that the mobilization law has taken effect, Ukrainians residing abroad can once again access consular services. This stipulation applies to individuals who can demonstrate that they've registered with their country's military authorities, either in writing or electronically. A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kiev revealed this development. Additionally, the Ministry of Defense created an app for online registration. Hundreds of thousands of men eligible for military service have left Ukraine since the start of the Russian aggression war.

10:59PM Russia seizes Unicredit assets due to failed LNG terminal construction

Citing information from Russian news agencies, an arbitration court in St. Petersburg froze the bank accounts and assets of the Italian bank Unicredit in Russia. The move came at the request of RusChimAllianz, a Gazprom subsidiary that operates a Baltic Sea LNG terminal. The company is seeking 444 million euros from Unicredit as a result of difficulties in constructing the terminal due to Western sanctions that Unicredit supported. 463 million euros worth of assets are being frozen. Unicredit is currently the largest foreign bank operating in Russia, aside from Raiffeisenbank, and is among the country's top 20 banks when considering assets size.

9:55PM New law enables Ukrainian prisoners to serve in the military

In an attempt to increase the number of Ukrainian troops, prisoners with specific criminal records are now eligible to join the military. This change was enacted with the passing of a new law approved by President Volodymyr Zelensky that allows for convicts to postpone their sentences and enlist in the armed forces on a temporary contract basis. Prisoners convicted of severe offences are not allowed to participate in this program.

9:36PM Starlink devices of a Ukrainian military unit stopped working at the onset of the Russian offensive

According to a news article, all Starlink devices used by the Ukrainian military in the Kharkiv region malfunctioned at the onset of the Russian offensive. The Washington Post cites members of the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade, who report that these disruptions took place on May 10, as Russian forces began entering the border region. The article claims that the breakdown of the satellite communication system allowed for the rapid territorial advances of the Russian troops. The Washington Post attributes these interruptions to Russia's electronic warfare systems. This is the first known extensive failure of the Starlink network in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in 2022.

8:56PM Explosion occurs at St. Petersburg's Budyonny Military Academy

Russian media sources report an explosion at the Budyonny Military Academy in St. Petersburg. Multiple outlets referenced local officials, who mentioned a resident reporting an explosion at the academy. The Telegram channel Baza, which is linked to law enforcement agencies, claims that seven individuals were hurt in the incident.