"We have a plan B and a plan C. But our focus is plan A, the essence of which is to get everyone's support" for Ukraine's accession, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
"(T)he presence at the Victory Parade of a country that bombs cities, hospitals, and daycares, and which has caused the deaths and injuries of over a million people over three years, is a shame," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
"According to the participants of the performances, their goal is to remind the civilized world of the barbaric actions of Moscow, which for many years and decades has systematically violated international law," a source in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent.
"I have great hope that an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine will be reached this weekend," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 9, shortly before traveling to Kyiv alongside the leaders of France, Poland, and the U.K.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will arrive in Kyiv early on May 10.
The United States embassy in Kyiv on May 9 issued a warning that Russia could launch "a potentially significant" attack in the coming days, despite Putin's self-declared Victory Day "truce."
The sanctioned oil tankers have transported over $24 billion in cargo since 2024, according to Downing Street. The U.K. has now sanctioned more shadow fleet vessels than any other country.
Washington and its partners are considering additional sanctions if the parties do not observe a ceasefire, with political and technical negotiations between Europe and the U.S. intensifying since last week, Reuters' source said.
A screenshot of footage shared by Ukraine's Special Operation Forces that purports to show two Russian Ka-52 and two Mi-8 helicopters destroyed in Russia's Belgorod Oblast (Special Operation Forces / Telegram)
Ukraine's Special Operations Forces destroyed two Russian Ka-52 and two Mi-8 helicopters by missile strikes in the Russian rear in Belgorod Oblast, the military branch reported on March 24.
Russian forces had reportedly established a landing site for the aircraft — a camouflaged position for rapid airborne operations and surprise attacks on Ukrainian forces.
The Ka-52 "Alligator" is designed for reconnaissance and precision strikes, while the Mi-8 serves as a versatile transport and assault helicopter. Both have been actively used in Russia's war against Ukraine.
According to the special forces, the helicopters were destroyed deep in the rear by missile strikes, including those fired from a HIMARS rocket launcher.
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Footage shared by Ukraine's Special Operation Forces that purports to show two Russian Ka-52 and two Mi-8 helicopters destroyed in Russia's Belgorod Oblast (Special Operation Forces / Telegram)
Ukraine's Special Operations Forces carried out the operation in cooperation with military intelligence (HUR) and artillery and missile forces.
"Once again, (Russia) thought deep rear positions were unattainable. We proved that nothing is out of reach for Ukraine's Special Operations Forces," the unit said in a statement.
Belgorod Oblast, which borders Ukraine's Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk oblasts, is regularly used by Russian forces to launch attacks on Ukrainian territory.
Russian authorities have repeatedly accused Ukraine of striking Belgorod Oblast and Belgorod city since the start of the full-scale war. Recently, Moscow claimed it had thwarted a Ukrainian incursion into the region, which Kyiv denied.
Tim Zadorozhnyy is a news editor at The Kyiv Independent. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations, focusing on European Studies. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa. After moving to Warsaw, he joined the Belarusian opposition media outlet NEXTA, starting as a news anchor and later advancing to the position of managing editor.
Martin Fornusek
