Putin says Russia hasn’t had to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine — and “hopefully won’t need to.”

He claims Russia has enough forces and means to finish the “special operation” without them.

Destruction of another Russian Z-tank.

Zelensky: Russia begs for silence on May 9 while bombing Ukraine daily — that’s peak cynicism.

Last night: 165 drones (mostly Shaheds) hit Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Cherkasy. Homes and a dorm burned, children among the injured. Over 1,180 drones, 1,360 bombs, and 10 missiles hit Ukraine this week.

Ukraine is ready for a real ceasefire — any day, for at least a month — to end the war.

⚡️ Ukraine's intel chief Budanov says two Russian Su-30SMs were downed by AIM-9 missiles fired from a Magura-7 drone boat — the first-ever use of air-to-air missiles from a USV.

This contradicts Zelensky’s version, where the second jet was allegedly hit during a strike on military facilities in occupied Crimea.

https://www.twz.com/news-features/two-russian-su-30-flankers-downed-by-aim-9s-fired-from-drone-boats-ukrainian-intel-boss

Today, Russia held a children’s Victory Day parade — kids are systematically being indoctrinated with "special military operation" propaganda.

The Strela transformer plant in Bryansk’s Suzemka is burning, confirmed by local residents and the regional governor.

Strela specializes in producing transformers, autotransformers, and reactors, serving key sectors such as defense, aerospace, electronics, and research. This plant has already been targeted in past attacks in November 2024 and December 2023.

🇺🇸 In Washington, a "Immortal Regiment" march was allowed—Russians paraded from the White House to the WWII Memorial chanting "Victory" and "We wish you health."

Ukrainian and pro-Ukraine activists were present, holding signs in support of Ukraine to remind Americans that Russia is a terrorist state.

🇭🇺🇺🇦 Hungary’s PM Orban makes it clear: "Without Hungary, Ukraine won’t join the EU." He stressed that his country's position isn’t decided in Kyiv or Brussels.

"Every Hungarian will express their opinion on this issue, whether you like it or not."

🇷🇺🇸🇰 Slovakia's PM Fico announces plans to attend the May 9th Victory Parade in Moscow, despite recent health rumors. Fico also called Zelensky's statement that Ukraine cannot ensure the safety of politicians at celebrations in Moscow a threat.

https://dennikn.sk/minuta/4616361/

Clarification: Budanov confirmed the crew of the first Su-30 survived and was rescued by a civilian vessel in the Black Sea. As for the second plane, preliminary reports indicate its crew did not survive.

🇺🇦📞 Zelensky spoke with Australian PM Anthony Albanese, thanking him for continued support and discussing Ukraine's needs, including air defense and strengthening the AFU. The leaders also focused on the importance of releasing prisoners and agreed to stay in constant contact.

The first image of the Magura V7, equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinders, which shot down 2 Russian Su-30SM jets in the Black Sea.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/05/first-image-of-ukraines-sidewinder-armed-magura-v7-surface-drone/

Putin claims Russia was "forced" to support Crimea and Sevastopol in 2014, calling it the right decision. Despite sanctions, he says Russia made strong progress. He admits Russia wasn't prepared for the Special Military Operation, hoping for a peaceful resolution in Donbas but claiming the other side acted differently. He also insists Russia was deceived by the Minsk agreements. This narrative has been pushed by Russia for years.

Despite statements from Zelensky, Xi Jinping is still expected to visit Moscow from May 7–10. The Kremlin says Putin and Xi will sign a number of intergovernmental and interagency agreements during the visit in which Xi will also likely attend the May 9 parade in Moscow.

Slovak PM Robert Fico says he’s not backing down — he will go to Moscow for the May 9 Victory Day parade.

Shrugging off warnings from Zelensky, Fico called Ukraine’s reaction “unheard of” and added: “I won’t change my plans because of threats. Zelensky is wrong if he thinks no foreign leaders will show up.”

India has blocked the regulated water flow through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River after suspending the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.

🚨 Putin says he hopes Russia won't need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine:

“They wanted to provoke us, to make us slip. There was no need to use [nuclear] weapons — and I hope there won’t be. We have enough forces to bring what we started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the result Russia needs.”