"(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.
Ukraine's National Police conducts searches at one of the country's largest pharmaceutical companies on Feb. 28, 2025. (Ukraine's National Police / Facebook)
Ukraine's National Police is conducting searches at three of the country's major pharmaceutical plants, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Feb. 28, citing its sources.
Earlier, the police announced that it was conducting investigations at four companies "specializing in the production of medicine." The law enforcement agency did not disclose the names of the companies.
In the morning on Feb. 28, the police searched the offices and production facilities of Arterium Corporation, Farmak Joint Stock Company, and Darnytsia Pharmaceutical Company, Ukrainska Pravda's source said.
"Searches are being conducted both at factories and in employees' homes," the source said.
The source added that the actions of law enforcement agencies resemble the case of Ukrainian businessman Ihor Mazepa, who was detained in early 2024.
Mazepa's detention was related to his acquisition of land rights for the construction of the luxurious cottage resort Goodlife Park in the Vyshhorod district, Kyiv Oblast. The investment banker and his press service called his detention an unfounded attack against his business.
According to the source, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) provides operational support during the raids.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 11 that prices in Ukrainian pharmacies are "unacceptably high" and announced a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) dedicated to the availability of medicines.
Following the meeting, the NSDC approved steps to reduce drug prices in Ukraine.
On Feb. 14, the Ukrainian government limited the pharmacy trade margin to no more than 35% for over-the-counter drugs and established a regressive scale for prescription drugs. According to the implemented changes, suppliers will be able to add no more than 8% to the wholesale price depending on the cost of the drug.
On Feb. 19, the Health Ministry announced that prices for 100 of Ukraine's most popular medicines would be reduced by 30% starting March 1, 2025.
Kateryna Hodunova is a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a sports journalist in several Ukrainian outlets and was the deputy chief editor at Suspilne Sport. Kateryna covered the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and was included in the Special Mentions list at the AIPS Sport Media Awards. She holds a bachelor's degree in political journalism from Taras Shevchenko University and a master's degree in political science from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Alex Cadier
