President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia violated Ukraine’s unilateral ceasefire 1,820 times.
Despite Kyiv’s unilateral May 6 ceasefire that’s backed by the West, Moscow continued its attacks unabated, sending drones, missiles, and guided bombs across Ukraine alongside daily frontline clashes, hitting a kindergarten in northeastern Ukraine’s Sumy and killing multiple civilians – after killing 22 people hours before the ceasefire entered into effect.
Ukraine’s top diplomat said the violations show the Kremlin cares more about its parade – also evidenced by the redeployment of air defense around Moscow – while Zelensky said Kyiv is considering a “mirror response” on May 9.
Developments in Russia – Tuapse cleanup, cadets guarding oil infrastructure
Amid rumors of planned coups against Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Moscow also announced a nuclear-capable missile test ahead of May 9, in what could be interpreted as a show of force.
The cleanup operation along the Black Sea is also ongoing, with Russian authorities working to ensure the tourist season can begin after Ukrainian strikes on refineries covered parts of the coast in soot.
At the same time, Russian cadets were reportedly deployed to help guard oil infrastructure following recent strikes – strikes that, according to some estimates, have failed to cut into Russia’s windfall revenues amid skyrocketing oil prices.
Developments in Ukraine – war damage estimations in trillions, embassy deal with Bahrain
The deputy head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office now said Ukraine’s war damage is over a trillion dollars, while Russia has reportedly accelerated efforts to extract Ukraine’s mineral wealth in occupied regions.
At least the funds seized by Budapest during the armored vehicle fiasco in March have now been returned. Additional funding might also come in the form of a UAE defense fund eyeing purchases of Ukrainian drones – and potentially from Bahrain, as Kyiv and the Gulf kingdom also decided to open reciprocal embassies, which might pave the way for more cooperation.
But securing the country’s gas and oil infrastructure remains a headache – amid reports that Russia targeted Ukraine’s emergency responders over 400 times since 2022, recent strikes also suggest that Russia intensified attacks on Ukrainian gas stations using long-range first-person view drones.
What is happening in Iran now?
It is unclear if the war is really over.
Washington said Operation Epic Fury is over – now replaced with Operation Project Freedom, which is supposed to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz but was paused by US President Donald Trump after just a day, despite his claim that the US blockade remains in full force.
In any case, after the top US and Russian diplomats discussed Iran in a Moscow-initiated call, the US and Iran are reportedly expected to sign a one-page peace deal soon – we’ll see how that plays out.
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