The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A Nova Poshta cargo department is damaged by the strike of one of the Russian drones that did not detonate during the attack on the city in Odesa on May 1, 2025. (Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ukraine destroys 83,000 Russian targets using drones in April, Syrskyi says, up 8% on March. “In April, units of unmanned systems of the Ukrainian Defense Forces achieved decent results in destroying the enemy,” Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote.
Ukrainian army retook 115 positions in April, Syrskyi says. Syrskyi said the successes underscored the need to further expand drone operations.
Zelensky says minerals deal signing first result of talks with Trump in Vatican. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the minerals agreement — which sets up a joint investment fund between Kyiv and Washington — had been significantly revised during months of negotiations to ensure equal terms and benefits for both sides.
Putin may have shifted war objectives towards holding occupied territories, boosting economy, intelligence suggests. New Western intelligence suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin may have shifted his immediate war objectives towards holding occupied Ukrainian territories as well as growing his country’s struggling economy, CNN reported on May 1, citing Western officials familiar with the matter.
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The full text of the US, Ukraine minerals agreement. U.S. officials framed the agreement as a sign of lasting support for Ukraine, and it comes amid an apparent resetting of relations between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.
‘I didn’t want to look foolish’ — Trump says US ‘gets much more’ from Ukraine minerals deal than it gave in aid. “I wanted to be protected… I didn’t want to be out there and look foolish,” U.S. President Donald Trump said, referring to a minerals deal signed between Ukraine and the U.S. on April 30.
Witkoff’s negotiation approach with Putin sparks concern in White House, NYP reports. According to New York Post sources, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has even used Kremlin translators during discussions with Putin — a breach of standard U.S. diplomatic practice.
Trump confirms Waltz’s resignation, nominates him as US Ambassador to the UN. In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will take on the role of national security adviser while continuing to lead the State Department.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine destroys 83,000 Russian targets using drones in April, Syrskyi says
Ukrainian drones struck and destroyed more than 83,000 Russian targets in April, an 8% increase from March, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on May 1.
Photo: Anastasia Vlasova / Washington Post via Getty Images
‘Warm words rather than real investment’ — uncertainty surrounds newly-signed U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal
The signing of a long-awaited minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine has come after months of tense negotiations as Ukraine worked on resetting its tumultuous relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Photo: Olena Koloda / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Russia’s torture of Viktoriia Roshchyna shocks world, but dozens of Ukrainian journalists still in captivity
Roshchyna, 27, disappeared in August 2023 while on a reporting trip in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied territories. Moscow only acknowledged her detention the following year.
Photo: Tanya Dzafarowa/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC via Getty Images
Trump’s peace effort ignores thousands of Ukrainians still tortured in Russian captivity
When Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna’s body was returned from Russian captivity with organs missing to hide evidence of torture, the revelation sent shockwaves around the world.
Photo: Chris McGrath / Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
Russian drone attack on Zaporizhzhia kills 1, injures 14. Russia forces launched drone attacks on Zaporizhzhia late at night on May 1, killing one person and injuring seven others, local officials reported.
Delayed cluster munitions explode in Kyiv after Russian drone attack, woman injured, Klitschko says. Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said the detonations likely stemmed from cluster munitions scattered by Russian drones.
Ukrainian activist, volunteer Sternenko injured in attack, suspect detained. According to the SBU, the attack on Serhii Sternenko was an attempted assassination involving a firearm. His life is not in danger.
International response
‘This is a total economic partnership’ —Treasury Secretary suggests reset in relations between US, Ukraine amid newly-signed minerals deal. “I think this is a strong signal to the Russian leadership and it gives President Trump the ability to now negotiate with Russia on an even stronger basis as opposed to the daylight that had been previously created between the U.S. and Ukraine,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business on May 1.
US to bring Ukraine, Russia together over the next 100 days, Vance says. When asked about the current state of negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, Vice President JD Vance told Fox News “the first and necessary step of getting the Russia-Ukraine conflict solved is to get each of them to make a peace proposal.”
Trump reportedly shifts tone on Putin after UK, France apply diplomatic pressure. Donald Trump was told Putin was “disrespecting him by consistently breaking the ceasefire he claimed to be implementing,” one source told Politico.
Israeli Airlines El Al resumes Russia flights after 4-month suspension. The airline halted its Moscow route in late December 2024 following the downing of an Azerbaijani aircraft during a drone attack, which killed 38 people.
Republican Graham claims 72 senators back ‘bone-crushing’ sanctions on Russia. The bill would impose new penalties on Russia and slap 500% tariffs on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, petroleum products, natural gas, or uranium.
Trump administration notifies Congress of proposal to sell Ukraine $50 million or more of ‘defense articles.’ This marks the first such move under the current U.S. government.
Russia, North Korea building bridge to create ‘road of friendship’ The 4.7-kilometer (3 miles) road bridge will span the Tumen River and cross the border between Russia and North Korea.
Rubio presses Europe to ‘step up’ support for Ukraine in talks with French FM. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised France’s leadership in building support for a peace agreement, but stressed that European partners must “step up with real resources and political will” if they hope to bring the war to an end.
Julie Davis appointed interim head of US embassy in Ukraine. She will serve as chargé d’affaires until a new U.S. ambassador to Ukraine is appointed by President Donald Trump.
In other news
Zelensky imposes sanctions on former adviser, Kremlin-linked figures, Russian companies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has imposed new sanctions against a number of individuals and entities, including former presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych, pro-Kremlin commentators, and several major Russian companies.
Ukraine’s Supreme Court rules religious belief does not exempt citizens from military service during wartime. The ruling comes from a case involving a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a religious group whose doctrine forbids any form of military service.
Naftogaz profits grow 64% in 2024 despite Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Naftogaz Group, Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas giant, reported a net profit of Hr 38 billion ($913 million) for 2024, marking a 64% increase from the previous year, the company announced on May 1.
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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Chris York, Tymur Zadorozhnyy, Yuliia Taradiuk, Liliane Bivings, Anna Fratsyvir, Dmytro Basmat, and Olena Goncharova.
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