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Russia’s war against Ukraine
Czech President Petr Pavel and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet together in an un-formal setting during Zelensky’s official visit to Prague on May 4, 2025. They are joined by their wives First Ladies Olena Zelenska (L) and Eva Pavlová (out-of-view). (Ray Baseley/The Kyiv Independent)
Russian drone attack on Kyiv injures 11 people, including 2 children, damages shopping mall. Debris from the drones damaged houses and vehicles in several areas of the city, including the Shevchenkivskyi, Obolonskyi, and Svyatoshynskyi districts.
Ukraine reportedly attacks Russian Strela electromechanical plant in Bryansk Oblast. The Strela plant, located in Suzemka near the Ukrainian border, produces radar equipment, transformers, chokes, and other electronics for Russia’s defense, aerospace, and electronics industries.
US to send refurbished Patriot air defense system from Israel to Ukraine, NYT reports. According to the publication, Western allies are also discussing the logistics of supplying additional systems from Germany or Greece as Russia escalates its attacks across Ukraine.
Czech initiative to deliver up to 1.8 million shells to Ukraine in 2025, Pavel says. The initiative has significantly boosted Ukraine’s artillery capabilities, improving the shell ratio from 1-to-10 in Russia’s favor to 1-to-2, Czech President Petr Pavel said.
US sanctions depend on whether Russia is ‘behaving’ on peace deal, Trump says. “I do believe we’re closer with one party, and maybe not as close with the other. But we’ll have to see. I’d like to not say which one we’re closer to,” Trump said, adding that he was pleased with the outcome of the minerals deal signed with Ukraine.
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Ukraine calendar: Events to look out for this week
This article is an on-site version of KI Insights’ public newsletter The Week Ahead, covering events from May 5-11. Sign up to start your week with an agenda of Ukraine-related events delivered directly to your inbox every Sunday.
Photo: Maksym Voytenko/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
4 killed, 30 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day. “The Russians are calling for a ceasefire on May 9 while striking Ukraine every single day. This is top-level cynicism,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said, commenting on the attacks.
Tortured journalist and Russia’s intensified assaults | Ukraine This Week
International response
Russian ‘Immortal Regiment’ rally takes place in US capital, Ukrainian activists respond with counter-protest. It was the first Immortal Regiment rally in the U.S. capital in six years. Ukrainian nationals staged a protest in response.
China’s Xi to meet Putin, ‘sign bilateral documents’ during visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations. Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations between May 7-10 and “sign a number of bilateral inter-governmental and inter-departmental documents” to strengthen Chinese-Russian relations, the Kremlin announced on May 4.
Romania’s far-right Simion wins first round of presidential election. Far-right Eurosceptic candidate George Simion is projected to win the first round of Romania’s presidential election on May 4, gaining nearly 40% of the votes with a majority of polling stations reporting.
Opinions and insights
Ukraine war latest: Zelensky rejects Putin’s 3-day ceasefire proposal as ‘theatrical’; US sanctions depend on whether Russia is ‘behaving’ on peace deal, Trump says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed on May 3 Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a three-day ceasefire from May 7–9 as a “theatrical performance” designed to ease Russia’s international isolation and create a favorable atmosphere for the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.
Photo: Andreas Arnold/picture alliance via Getty Images
‘I just hate the Russians’ — Kyiv district recovers from drone strike as ceasefire remains elusive
When a Russian drone strike set a high-rise across the street on fire just after midnight on May 4, 34-year-old veteran Petro Kryvoruka shook his wife, Halyna, awake in their Kyiv apartment.
Photo: Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images
In other news
Putin ‘constantly’ considers successors, has list of candidates, Russian leader says in documentary. In an interview with pro-Russian state journalist Pavel Zarubin for the documentary, Putin confirmed he assesses the potential of each possible successor. “Yes, I do,” he replied when asked directly.
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