At this moment, more than a dozen UAVs are flying through Zheleznogorsk in the direction of Moscow. Russian air defense is reportedly already active near Ramenskoye, Moscow region.

🇺🇸 VP Vance says the US wants direct Ukraine-Russia talks and is ready to take part: “You probably can’t mediate this without at least some negotiations.”

At the same time, Vance admits: “We believe the Russians are asking for too much — there’s a huge gap between their position and Ukraine’s.”

🇺🇦 Ukraine’s Justice Ministry says 20–30% of all convicts could potentially join the Armed Forces. Over 8,300 have already enlisted, with 1,000 more applications pending. Those convicted of serious crimes like terrorism or corruption are excluded.

https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-society/3990161-dolucitis-do-lav-zsu-mozut-do-30-zasudzenih-minust.html

Dictators at work: 🇷🇺 Putin and 🇻🇪 Maduro just signed a strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Venezuela.

Confirmed: India has lost at least one Rafale fighter jet. Wreckage with serial number BS-001 — the first Indian Dassault Rafale EH — was found in Bathinda, backing Pakistan’s claim.

🇬🇧🇪🇺 For the first time since Brexit, the UK Foreign Secretary is attending an EU foreign ministers’ meeting. Top of the agenda: support for Ukraine, defense cooperation, and broader European security challenges.

https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-world/3990384-britanskij-ministr-vperse-pisla-brexit-bere-ucast-u-zustrici-glav-mzs-krain-es-govoritimut-pro-ukrainu.html

Air alarm declared in occupied Crimea. The Kerch Bridge is closed for traffic.

🇷🇸✈️ Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s plane has landed in Moscow, per Russian media. Earlier, it had to divert to Baku due to flight restrictions around Moscow amid ongoing drone threats.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna confirmed that Estonia does not intend to allow the planes of leaders heading to the parade in Moscow to pass through its airspace.

https://news.err.ee/1609686293/baltics-close-airspace-to-world-leaders-traveling-to-russia-for-may-9

🇷🇸✈️ Vučić has landed in Moscow, defying EU warnings that the visit could derail Serbia’s path to membership. “Even if the sky falls on my head, I will go,” he said earlier. With EU talks stalled and ties to Russia deep, Vučić is choosing symbolism over Brussels.

Again, multiple drone alerts across Russia: Air defense activated near Kolomna, Moscow region, and a UAV was shot down over Shchurovo. Warnings were also issued in Moscow, Moscow Oblast, and Ryazan region.

🇦🇿🇷🇺 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will not attend the May 9 Victory Day events in Moscow. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Aliyev canceled due to domestic events honoring Heydar Aliyev.

🙃

https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1024599

🇸🇰 Slovak PM Robert Fico is heading to Moscow for May 9 but is not expected to attend Putin’s military parade, per his official schedule — only wreath-laying and bilateral talks are listed.

His deputy PM Peter Kmec criticized the visit, saying it may benefit Fico's party but "not Slovakia." Fico will be the only top EU leader in attendance.

https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/wrqgr8U/o-par-hodin-odcestuje-za-putinom-robert-fico-sa-v-moskve-stretne-aj-s-politikom-ktory-bol-za-unosom-vietnamca/

A Russian (de)motorized assault squad tried to race through a minefield and reach Ukrainian positions.

🤷‍♂️

On the Novopavlivka axis, Ukrainian FPV drones from the 110th Mechanized Brigade destroyed a Russian “Vozrozhdenie” MLRS — a system only launched into serial production in 2023.

🇺🇦 Ukrainian drones pose a serious threat to Moscow. It would be a major embarrassment if they struck Moscow during the May 9th Victory Day parade. While the city is well-defended, there are still vulnerabilities, SPIEGEL writes.

https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/russland-tag-des-sieges-am-9-mai-in-moskau-sorge-vor-ukrainischen-drohnen-a-b0eb65a9-eb63-4ac7-9dc9-731ffa913536

Trump weighed in on J.D. Vance’s comment that Russia’s asking too much in talks.

“Maybe he’s right… We’re getting to the point where some decisions have to be made. I am not happy about it,” Trump said.