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.”

APCs, buses, trucks — everything that moved, now doesn’t. Ukraine’s “Kotyky” special force struck Russian logistics.

Last night, Ukraine's Vampire drone (aka "Baba Yaga") struck Russian military targets in Belgorod — destroying a mortar position and an underground bunker with tandem and high-explosive munitions.

🇨🇿 President Zelensky and First Lady arrived in Czechia for an official visit. Meetings are planned with President Pavel, PM Fiala, parliamentary leaders, defense industry heads, students, and the Ukrainian community.

A large group of Russians was wiped out by Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade using FPV drops. Russian forces tried to scatter, but FPV eyes are always watching.

Slovak PM Fico complains EU countries are blocking his flight path to Moscow for Victory Day events.

“If they tell you: no, you can’t fly over us — just imagine where we’ve ended up in terms of international relations,” he said, frustrated.

🇺🇦💬 Ukraine’s Navy spox Pletenchuk says the Kerch Bridge is packed with “illegal tourists” heading into occupied Crimea during May holidays — despite knowing it’s an active war zone.

“If they want to become collateral damage, that’s their choice,” he said, warning strikes will continue.

Putin says he’s constantly thinking about a successor — but insists “the final choice will be up to the Russian people.”

“Anyone without the trust of the people is unlikely to achieve anything serious,” he told Kremlin journalist Zarubin.

Another Russian radar down. Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian radar station near Dnipryany, Kherson region.

High-quality, badass footage: Ukrainian drone with fiber-optic control destroys a Russian bunker from the inside. No signal interference let the operator spot a net at the entrance, maneuver around it, and strike deep into the fortification.

Combat work by Signum unit, 53rd Brigade.

The 31st Brigade repelled multiple Russian assaults in the south on May 3–4. Over 90 killed, 50 wounded, 60+ vehicles destroyed. Attacks failed on all fronts — some Russian troops even tried to surrender.

Ukrainian “Steel Border” border guards discovered a hidden Russian fortification near the border and destroyed two Russian shelters with precise FPV drone strikes.

Ukrainian Su-27 strikes continue across all fronts — a battalion HQ and a group of Russian drone operators were wiped out in Novohrodivka by JDAM bombs.

❗️Ukraine will receive another Patriot system from Israel by the end of summer after repairs. Talks are underway for one more from Germany or Greece. With 2 out for repairs, new deliveries could raise the total to 10.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/04/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-patriot-systems.html

🔥 On the Pokrovsk front, Ukraine’s National Guard units stormed and captured a Russian position — with fire support from an armored personnel carrier.

After today’s UAV strike, the Strela plant in Russia’s Bryansk region has halted operations due to critical damage to its equipment.