21:16 Ukraine successfully defends Chassiv Yar against an attack.

Ukraine successfully fends off assault in Chassiv Yar.

Ukrainian troops have successfully defended against a Russian assault on the city of Chassiv Yar in the Donetsk region, resulting in the destruction of over 20 armored vehicles. This was revealed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening video message.

20:32: Ukraine Downs Russian Su-25 Fighter Jet

A Russian Su-25 jet was struck down by Ukrainian anti-aircraft personnel from the 110th Mechanized Brigade in the eastern Donetsk region on Friday, according to a Facebook post by the unit named after Colonel General Marko Bezruchko. It marked their fourth shot-down enemy aircraft in the last two weeks.

19:49: Zelensky Compares Russian Occupation to Crimean Tatars

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke on the 80th anniversary of the deportation of the Crimean Tatars by the Soviets, drawing a comparison with the current occupation of Crimea by Russia. "Today, as we remember the victims of the deportation of the Crimean Tatars and condemn Russia's abuse of Crimea, we feel that Russian evil is not and will not be all-powerful," Zelensky said in his address.

During Stalin's era, the Crimean Tatars were forcibly deported to Central Asia (now Uzbekistan) because of their cooperation with the Wehrmacht. They were released to return only in 1989 and currently contend that human rights violations were inflicted by the Russian occupiers. "The occupier's tenure on our land is constrained, and its expulsion is imminent," said Zelensky. Russia's 2014 takeover of Crimea was seen as a test for the world, resulting in minimal response. Consequently, Putin presumed that he could seize Crimea and commit more transgressions without repercussions. However, the invasion of Ukraine sparked the Ukrainians' determination to resist. Zelensky emphasized that Moscow will not be able to conquer Ukraine, its people, their consciousness, or their history.

19:15: Kremlin Critic Volkov Vows to Continue Opposition to Putin

Russian opposition activist Leonid Volkov plans to continue his fight against President Vladimir Putin, as he told the BBC in a pre-recorded interview to be aired on Sunday. A close ally of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who perished in a prison camp in February, Volkov empathized with Navalny's spirits. He prioritizes persevering in efforts to vanquish Putin and establish the ideal Russia Alexei envisioned. He highlighted Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, as a strong-willed and charismatic leader who didn't seek this role. Volkov is currently residing in exile in Lithuania and was assaulted outside his Vilnius home in March. The motives for the attack remain undisclosed, but two suspects were arrested in Poland.

18:45: Russian Official Abhors EU Media Censorship

Vladimir Putin's close associate, Moscow's parliamentary head Vyacheslav Volodin, has filed a complaint against the European Union for alleged media censorship and freedom of the press infringements. With EU politicians lacking compelling arguments to persuade their own citizens, he alleges that they are suppressed any opposing viewpoints, prompting him to criticize them for double standards. The West frequently accuses Russia of censorship, but in Russia, many critical media outlets and thousands of websites are blocked. On Friday, EU nations applied sanctions on the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, the government newspaper "Rossiskaja Gazeta", "Voice of Europe" platform, and the pro-Kremlin newspaper "Izvestia", also a television station owner. This means the media and their staff can remain active in the EU. Russia plans a response.

18:12 Rockets hit Vovchansk: one killed, five hurt

In Vovchansk, a city in the Kharkiv region, a woman was killed and five others were injured from artillery fire. This was announced by the press service of the Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office through Telegram. A 60-year-old woman was killed in the shelling, with two men aged 55 and 60, and two other 68-year-olds also injured. The village of Ukrainske in the Vovchanske municipality was also subjected to enemy fire, leaving a 59-year-old civilian injured. The governor of Kharkiv, Oleh Synyhubov, said defensive positions are being strengthened outside Vovchansk. The city had approximately 18,000 inhabitants before the war started, and around a hundred civilians still reside there currently.

17:45 Georgia's President Vetoes Controversial "Foreign Influence" Law

Following the passage of a controversial law on "foreign influence" in Georgia, President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed it. In a televised statement, she called the law "essentially Russian" and one that conflicts with the Georgian constitution. However, pro-government members of parliament have enough votes to override the president's veto. The president has described the law as unacceptable.

Under the law, media, non-governmental organizations, and other non-profit groups are required to register if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad and "advocate the interests of a foreign power." It goes against Georgian legislation and all European standards, according to Zurabishvili.

17:25 Zelensky Admits Problems with the Morale of Ukrainian Troops

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged issues with the fighting morale of Ukrainian troops in an interview with AFP. After more than two years of conflict, there are multiple brigades that urgently need to be strengthened, he said. Supplies are necessary for the rotation of troops. Additionally, there are challenges in recruiting new soldiers. A law was recently enacted that reduced the minimum age for conscription to 25. The penalties for men trying to avoid their military service have also been toughened.

16:50 Poland Invests Over Two Billion Euros in Securing Eastern Border

Poland is investing more than 2.3 billion euros in fortifying its eastern border. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk explained that the objective is to protect his country against increasing threats from neighboring Russia and Belarus. This project includes a fortification system as well as environmental measures that make the border impenetrable for potential adversaries. Tusk did not specify the kind of fortifications being constructed. The Prime Minister has previously stated that Poland is facing a growing "hybrid war" due to illegal immigration from Belarus. According to the Polish border guard, approximately 300 attempts are made per day to cross the border between Poland and Belarus illegally.

16:25 Kharkiv, Vovchansk under More Russian Attacks

The cities of Kharkiv and Vovchansk in eastern Ukraine have come under more Russian bombardments. As reported by the regional military administration, Kharkiv experienced several shells striking a residential area, leading to five injuries. In Vovchansk, Russian flare bombs and shells delivered significant damage. Security Council member Andrei Kovalenko shared on Telegram, "Sadly, Vovchansk has been almost completely destroyed by the enemy, who mercilessly attacks with flare bombs." Despite the continuous attacks, Vovchansk remains under Ukrainian control. The city had slightly under 19,000 inhabitants before the war broke out.

15:52 Drone with Russian Flag Flies Near Reichstag Building in Berlin

A man flew a drone adorned with a Russian flag beside the Reichstag building in Berlin. The Bundestag press office confirmed that the incident happened on May 9. Footage of the drone's flight was disseminated on online platforms. Because of the drone's flight in proximity to the parliament building, a criminal complaint was filed by the police for violation of the Air Traffic Act. The Bundestag does not provide details on security matters related to drone flights near their parliament building. As per media reports, the drone operator is an ardent supporter of the Russian war against Ukraine. Police authorities acquired his information on the spot. It was previously reported that the same man had painted the "Z" symbol used by Russian troops in Ukraine on the former state parliament building in Potsdam and damaged Ukrainian pictures.

Credits

@Jacob_Young_Forever
Modified by me!
Original Text by /r/UkrainianConflict LINK

15:24 Selensky concerned over Russian offensive expansion in eastern Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has expressed his concerns over the lack of air defense weapons for his country and the possible expansion of the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. During an exclusive interview with AFP, Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine currently possesses only a quarter of the air defense systems it requires for its defense. Over the past week, Russia has advanced between five to ten kilometers in the Kharkiv area as part of its ground offensive. The continuous waves of Russian attacks are anticipated.

"We must acknowledge that they have advanced further into our territory," Zelenskyy said in his first interview since the commencement of the Russian ground offensive in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv on 10th May. Reports from the Institute for the Study of War suggest that Russian forces have captured at least 278 square kilometers of land during their advance, representing the largest territorial acquisition since the end of 2022.

Zelenskyy commented that Ukraine presently owns "approximately 25% of what we need to defend Ukraine" in terms of air defense systems. Moreover, his army necessitates around 120 to 130 modern fighter jets to maintain a balance of forces with Russia's troops in the air.

15:00 Zelensky hopes for a new Ukrainian counter-offensive but with caution

In the same interview, Zelenskyy also held out the prospect of a new counter-offensive by the Ukrainian military. He emphasized the importance of stabilizing the frontline and stopping the Russians first. Following that, the requisite troop rotation and replenishment are essential for the success of a counter-offensive. Zelenskyy stated that there are several brigades in urgent need of resupply to enable a counter-offensive. However, he could not confirm if there will be a Ukrainian counter-offensive in 2025.

14:36 Russian attacks on Kharkiv result in explosions

Mayor Igor Terekhov of Kharkiv reported in a Telegram message that there had been a series of explosions in the city and that Russians were attacking Kharkiv. Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously warned that the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region this month could constitute the first of multiple waves, and that Russian forces could attempt to seize the regional capital Kharkiv.

14:06 Poland plans to invest massively in strengthening its eastern border

Poland intends to invest over two billion euros in fortifying its eastern border. The "Eastern Shield" project incorporates border fortifications along the border with Belarus and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the objective is to bolster deterrence and keep the war outside the country's borders.

13:37 Ukrainian army reports 22 "military clashes" and ongoing battles

Ukrainian troops reported 22 "military clashes" from the previous night, with eight of them still ongoing. In addition, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces had launched a missile attack and used 25 kamikaze drones, engaging in 547 attacks on their positions.

13:02 Missile attack on Odessa

Ukrainian troops stationed in the south of Ukraine reported that Russia had attacked the Odessa region with missiles. "At around 6 a.m., the Russian occupiers attacked Odessa again with a ballistic missile (probably Iskander-M)," the squad's announcement stated.

12:53 Russia seizes control of another village in Kharkiv region

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that Russian forces had gained control of the village of Staryzia in the Kharkiv region. The Ministry added that units were still advancing in the area. The Russian invasion forces had commenced an offensive in the region just over a week ago, launching a third front alongside those in the east and south.

12:42 Ukrainian forces push back Russians in Kharkiv region

Ukrainian troops are working to push back the Russians towards the village of Hlyboke in the Kharkiv region, as per information provided by the Ukrainian news agency RBC, citing information from the Ukrainian army. Hlyboke is roughly 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.

12:10: Four people have died due to a Russian glide bomb assault on Kharkiv. Governor Oleh Synyehubov announced that a 33-year-old man who had been injured has unfortunately passed away. He also stated that two glide bombs were launched at the Shevchenkiv neighborhood, injuring 31 people, with two of them in critical condition. Additionally, a glide bomb was launched at the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, resulting in a woman sustaining injuries.

11:41: Jäger States that Russia has considerable influence over Germany. Ukraine's President Zelensky plans to utilize Western-supplied weapons not only for the defense of Ukraine, but also on Russian soil. Thomas Jäger, a political scientist, stressed that Russia's influence in Germany should not be overlooked.

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

11:22: A death has occurred, and another individual was injured following a Ukrainian drone strike in Kursk, as per Alexei Smirnov, the regional governor. It is difficult to verify information regarding possible casualties and attacks released by Russian authorities.

11:09: The British Ministry of Defense suggests that due to the recent Ukrainian attacks, Russian air defenses in Crimea have been weakened. There is a high probability that Russia will need to relocate and distribute its air forces to maintain efficiency, as continuing with their current setup could result in further aircraft losses. The UK Ministry of Defense also revealed that two Beriev A-50 aircraft, which are utilized for air surveillance, have been lost by Russia in the months of January, February, and March.

10:32: A total of about 10,000 individuals have been safely evacuated from villages threatened by the Russian advance into the Kharkiv region. Oleh Synegubov, the regional governor, confirmed these numbers. Russian troops first initiated a ground invasion in the Kharkiv region on May 10th and have since progressed about 5-10 kilometers along the northeastern border.

10:14: A survey conducted by the Russian Levada Institute revealed that 75% of Russians support the Russian military forces. If Putin were to command a ceasefire, 71% would favor this course of action. However, this figure drops drastically to 30% if the option is for surrendering the newly acquired territories.

09:51: Cities like Kharkiv and Odessa have been targeted since the inception of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Jürgen Weichert, a correspondent for ntv, theorized that this might be due to their size, beauty, and popularity. Furthermore, Ukrainian forces have the capability to cause significant damage.

09:32: SPD politicians in Germany have called for NATO to establish an air defense shield to safeguard Ukrainian airspace. This would not necessarily entail increasing military presence within Ukraine, but rather placing defensive systems on the NATO-Ukraine border, such as Patriot systems. SPD budget politician Andreas Schwarz considered this a necessary step given Ukraine's inability to protect its infrastructure and citizens from aerial attacks.

09:15: Ukraine has requested assistance from the United States government in identifying Russian targets that could potentially be targeted using Ukrainian-controlled weapons. Additionally, the US administration has been asked to remove restrictions on utilizing American weapons against military targets on Russian soil.

^1: Detailed news coverage

^2: German Politicians demand NATO protects Ukrainian airspace from their territories

9:04 - Zelenskyi: West fears Russian defeat, and doesn't want Ukraine to lose

In a chat with French news agency AFP, Zelenskyi indicates that while Ukraine and its Western allies share common values, they sometimes have contrasting views, particularly on ending the conflict. Zelenskyi asserts, "We're in a strange predicament where the West is worried Russia might lose the war. It doesn't want Ukraine to lose either." Zelenskyi encouraged China and other countries from the Global South to engage in the peace summit set for Switzerland in June, but Russia was not invited and had stated it wouldn't attend.

8:27 - Russia fortifies Novorossiysk naval base against drones

Ukrainian news agency RBC, citing the "Atesh" partisan group's Telegram channel, says Russia is adding reinforcements to the Novorossiysk naval base on the Black Sea. According to RBC, these reinforcements are to defend the base from Ukrainian naval drones. Air defense and radars will also be bolstered.

Just a few days ago, Ukraine deployed drones on Friday night against the port of Novorossiysk. Significant to Russia, Novorossiysk is home to a large share of its oil exports, making it pivotal for the country. Furthermore, after Ukraine assaulted the Russian Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in Sevastopol in Crimea last year in September 2023, Russia brought several warships to this port.

8:00 - Ukraine logs 1,210 Russian soldiers killed, wounded yesterday

The Ukrainian army announced on Facebook their daily count of Russian soldiers killed or wounded. They recorded 1,210 soldiers on Friday, increasing Russia's total casualties to 491,080 soldiers. The Ukrainian military also said they wrecked 43 armored combat vehicles, two aircraft, and a helicopter, but these allegations couldn't be confirmed.

7:50 - ISW states US rules hinder Ukraine's defensive capabilities

Institute for the Study of War presents the allegation that Western allies undermine Ukraine's military capacity by disallowing the country to use Western weapons to attack military installations on Russian land. As a result, this creates a secure zone on the Ukrainian-Russian border where Russia can attack Ukrainian locations and towns with cruise missiles and glide bombs, without interference. "This U.S. rule places Ukraine's defensive capabilities in peril against Russian offensive operations in Northern Kharkiv Oblast," the think tank asserted.

7:25 - Ukraine takes down Russian drones

Ukrainian air defense reportedly shot down all Iranian-type Shahed drones, with a total of 13 drones downed during the night. Ukrainian media, citing air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk, made this statement. The Russian drones were apparently launched from the ports of Primorsko-Akharsk on the Sea of Azov and from the Kursk region of Russia.

7:00 - Missile alarm and blast strike Belgorod

Soon after 6:45 am, a missile alert coincided with an explosion in the Belgorod region of Russia. Russia's state news agency Tass relayed an attribution to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, who warned residents to seek safety via his Telegram channel. Due to the war in Ukraine, this Russian border region has become a frequent target. However, the damages and casualties are much lower than the fallout of the conflict in Ukraine.

6:45 - Russians pummel Ukrainian positions in Krynky

The Russian invasion forces have been escalating shelling towards Ukrainian-held positions in Krynky, located on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. Despite the fanatic shelling, the front lines still haven't been changed, as per the Institute for the Study of War's most recent report.

6:17 - No terrorism in St. Petersburg explosions, says Russian army

The Russians reported that the blasts in St. Petersburg, occurring at the Budyonny Military Academy, were an accidental detonation of World War II ammunition. State news agency Interfax revealed soldiers had been inspecting underground parts of the academy when the incident occurred. Governor Alexander Beglov disavowed any connection to "terrorism".

6:10 - Russians boost bombardment of Kharkiv region

The Russain army is strengthening its shelling of Ukrainian positions in the Krynky area in the Kherson region. This was mentioned by Institute for the Study of War in its latest update. Ukraine has formed a bridgehead in Krynky, located on the other side of the Dnipro river's southern bank. Despite increased Russian shelling, the front line has not been significantly altered, according to the ISW.

Russian forces continued their advance towards Kharkiv, but the ISW acknowledged no alterations to the front lines there. Putin had previously stated that Russia aspired to create a "buffer zone" in the Kharkiv region. However, the Russian army doesn't appear to be targeting the city of Kharkiv itself.

Lars Klingbeil, the leader of the SPD, remains eager for China's participation in the Swiss Ukraine peace conference. "It would be essential for the success of this peace conference that China is present at the table," he shared with the German Press Agency. Other nations like India, Brazil, and South Africa are similarly desired for their involvement. Though the absence of these countries might not result in conference failure, Klingbeil feels it could be a setback.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses dissatisfaction with the restrictions on utilizing Western weapons. While Russia can bomb Ukraine with all their weapons from their own territory, the opposite isn't true for Ukraine. Such constraints have been hinted at being lifted by the UK and the US.

Ukrainian army commander Olexander Syrskyj speaks about the Russian troops' offensive begun near Kharkiv, expanding the new Russian front to approximately 70 kilometers long. This development necessitates the mobilization of more Ukrainian brigades from the reserves. However, the Russian forces have yet to break through the Ukrainian defensive lines. Air force, missiles, artillery, and tanks are being utilized by Russia in their aggression. Ukrainian advantages are considered to be drones and more accurate artillery fire.

Referring to the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region, Zelensky suggests it may be the first wave of Russian attacks, herself emphasizing its potential continuation with multiple waves.

To counter Russia's air superiority, Ukraine estimates a need for 120 to 130 F-16 fighter jets, according to Zelensky. The president also expresses concerns about the depletion of soldiers impacting the morale of the armed forces.

In the face of increased energy consumption due to the power grid's damage, Zelensky urges citizens in Kiev to conserve electricity. Information on temporary power cuts is to be shared by municipalities and energy suppliers. Zelensky met with the military and the government to discuss the crisis in the energy sector, suffering from Russian attacks. He emphasizes the need for restructuring the energy supply to become resistant to any further Russian attacks.

For Ukrainian conscripts overseas, consular services are now reopened following the implementation of a new mobilization law. To qualify for these services, they must provide proof of their military registration either in paper or electronic form. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense introduced an app enabling online registration. Many men eligible for military service have also left Ukraine due to the ongoing Russian war of aggression.

In St. Petersburg, an arbitration court has frozen accounts and assets of the Italian bank, Unicredit, in Russia at the request of RusChimAllianz, a subsidiary of Gazprom. The consequence of Western sanctions disrupting their LNG terminal plans, RusChimAllianz seeks 444 million euros from Unicredit. Frozen assets are valued at 463 million euros. Stakeholders consider Unicredit the largest foreign bank still functioning in Russia after Raiffeisenbank and ranks among the 20 largest banks there with regards to assets.

Following the introduction of a new law, Ukrainian prisoners will be allowed to suspend their sentences and enlist in the military on a temporary basis. This measure is aimed at strengthening Ukraine's armed forces. Certain convicts will be excluded from this privilege due to severe crime convictions.

9:06 PM: News Flash: Ukrainian Military Starlink Devices Malfunction During Russian Attack

A report claims that Starlink devices from a Ukrainian military unit in the Kharkiv region stop functioning as Russian forces began their offensive. The Washington Post reported this, citing members of the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade, with the device outage happening on May 10th when Moscow's troops entered the border region. This hindered effective communications and contributed to Russian troops' swift territorial gains, per the Post. RIA Novosti, a Russian news agency, reported that Russian electronic warfare systems may be responsible for the Starlink disruptions, marking the first major breakdown of the satellite communications system in Ukraine since the invasion began in Spring 2022.

5:56 PM: Blast at St. Petersburg's Military Academy

Reports from local media sources suggest an explosion took place at the Budyonny military academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. RIA, a Russian state news agency, mentioned that a resident reported an explosion in the area. The Telegram channel Baza, said to be connected with law enforcement, stated seven individuals suffered injuries.

Stay tuned for updates on these developing stories.