The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) gestures during a trilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron (C) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) on board a train to Kyiv on May 9, 2025. (Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
EU to provide Ukraine with over 1 million shells over 2025, allocate over $2 billion for military aid from Russian frozen assets. “This is a historic decision, as weapons for Ukraine will be purchased at the expense of the proceeds from frozen Russian assets through the European Peace Fund,” Denys Shmyhal said.
US, European allies finalize proposal for 30-day unconditional ceasefire, Reuters report. 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.
UK targets 101 ships in ‘largest ever’ sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet. 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.
Western leaders to visit Kyiv in show of support for Ukraine amid Putin’s sham ‘truce.’ 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.
Russia-Ukraine ceasefire agreement possible this weekend, Merz says. “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.
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Russia erects Stalin monument in occupied Melitopol to mark Victory Day. Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin’s rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
EU diplomats honor fallen soldiers in Lviv, pledge more Ukraine support. Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.
Kremlin confirms talks with US on revival of Russian gas supplies to Europe. Moscow and Washington discuss the potential resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe, among other issues related to the peaceful settlement of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed to the Russian state-run Interfax news agency.
‘Death regiment’ counters Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in many protests. “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.
Read our exclusives
‘The enemy is right here’ — How Ukrainians living under Russian occupation defied Putin’s ‘Victory Day’
“When my child hears about May 9 they almost scream, and so do I,” an activist with the Ukrainian Yellow Ribbon civil resistance group currently living in the Russian-occupied town of Tokmak in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, tells the Kyiv Independent.
Photo: Olga Maltseva / AFP via Getty Images
5 things Putin conveniently left out of his Victory Day speech in Moscow
Amid much pomp, military machinery, and the threat of Ukrainian drone strikes, Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered his annual speech to mark his country’s Victory Day parade.
Photo: Gavriil Grigorov / Pool / AFP via Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
2 killed, 12 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine despite declared ‘ceasefire.’ Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Russian glide bomb attacks on Sumy Oblast despite ceasefire, Air Force says. Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the front line.
US embassy in Kyiv warns of potential mass attack amid Putin’s Victory Day ‘truce.’ 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.”
A day with Ukraine’s rescuers under Russian fire
International response
Romanian far-right leader Simion demands Ukraine repay aid, opposes further support. George Simion, leader of Romania’s far-right AUR party, who won the first round of the presidential election with nearly 40% of the vote, reiterated that if elected, he would oppose any further assistance to Ukraine and shift Romania’s focus inward.
European ministers approve special tribunal to prosecute Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The approval marks a key step in international efforts to hold Moscow accountable for what is considered the gravest violation of international law committed against Ukraine.
‘I don’t think Putin will agree to a peace agreement ever’ — Volker on peace talks between Ukraine, Russia. Kurt Volker said that now “there is more alignment” between Ukraine and the U.S. under the Trump Administration than at the beginning of 2025.
Hungary allegedly expels two ‘spies’ working at Ukraine’s embassy, Ukraine retaliates with own expulsions. Peter Szijjarto’s announcement came after Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast.
Ukraine detains Hungarian spy network in westernmost Zakarpattia Oblast, SBU reports. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to Ukraine.
Opinions and insights
Russian regime’s legitimacy rests on the manipulation of history
Today, at the time of commemoration of 80 years since the end of World War II, Russia is singularly responsible for launching the most devastating war in Europe since 1945.
Photo: Gavriil Grigorov/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
In other news
US court orders release of $12M RFE/RL funding after Trump administration freeze. The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
Zelensky imposes sanctions on Russian nationals, companies from Russia, China, Iran, Uzbekistan. The sanctions list includes 58 individuals and 74 companies, with 67 Russian enterprises related to military technology.
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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Abbey Fenbert, Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, Kateryna Hodunova, Francis Farrell, Tymur Zadorozhnyy, Oleksiy Sorokin, and Dmytro Basmat.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin greets military commanders after the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in central Moscow, Russia on May 9, 2025If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.