Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on May 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky rebuked the idea of a demilitarized zone in the war and emphasized the importance of first securing a ceasefire.
"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers, Reuters reported on May 9, citing Western security and regional officials familiar with the matter.
"Ukraine and all allies are ready for a complete unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days, starting as early as Monday," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote.
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.
A notice about the airspace closure was published on the U.S. Defense Department's NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) website on May 10, as cited by Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming in an interview with ABC News on May 10 that it would be "an advantage" for Ukraine.
"Our involvement in the war was justifiable, and this belongs to our sovereign rights," North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said. "I regard this as part of the sacred mission we must execute for our brothers and comrades-in-arms."
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Local Russian authorities, as well as local media, reported that drone attacks overnight on July 29 caused damage to energy infrastructure along Russia's western border region.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that air defenses had downed 39 drones across five Russian oblasts.
As a result of an alleged drone attack overnight on July 29, a fire broke out at a energy substation in the community of Tomarovka in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, local media outlet Pepel Belgorod reported.
The fire broke around 2 a.m. local time. Residents reported seeing drones overhead and hearing sounds of explosion, Telegram channel ASTRA reported.
Earlier in the night, Andrey Klychkov, governor of Oryol Oblast, also claimed that drones caused damage to a local power station in the Glazunovka district of Oryol.
Voronezh Oblast Governor Alexander Gusev said that debris from a downed drone caused a fire and damaged a critical infrastructure facility in the Ostrogozhsky district, south of the administrative capital of Voronezh. Gusev claimed that the "situation is under control" and that the attacks did not cause any casualties.
The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.
Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the alleged attacks. Kyiv does not always claim official responsibility for reported attacks on Russian soil.
Overnight on July 28, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed that Ukraine hit the Polyova oil depot in nearby Kursk Oblast, where drone attacks resulted in several fires at oil depots.
Russia's Belgorod and Oryol oblasts are situated near the Ukrainian oblasts of Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk.
Dmytro Basmat is a senior news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He previously worked in Canadian politics as a communications lead and spokesperson for a national political party, and as a communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Basmat has a Master's degree in Political Management from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
