President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Woman Olena Zelenska arrived within the Czech Republic on Might 4 for an official go to, Zelensky introduced on X.
Czech President Petr Pavel will host Zelensky on the Prague Fortress later within the afternoon, marking the Ukrainian chief's first go to to the nation since July 2023.
Prague has provided army assist, championed European Union efforts to safe weapons for Ukraine, and supplied refuge for a whole lot of 1000’s of Ukrainians who’ve fled the struggle.
Zelensky thanked the Czech Republic for its "principled help" and highlighted key areas of cooperation.
"The Czech artillery initiative has confirmed efficient, and we’ll proceed this effort," he wrote on X. "One other space of cooperation is the event of our army aviation, increasing pilot coaching packages, and supporting our F-16 fleet."
The Czech artillery initiative, backed by Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and different international locations, has considerably bolstered Ukraine's artillery capabilities.
Launched in 2024 to counter ammunition shortages brought on by delayed U.S. assist, this system focuses on pooling assets to quickly provide Ukraine's front-line forces.
Zelensky stated discussions would additionally deal with diplomatic coordination and "joint strain on Russia to attain a long-lasting ceasefire and an finish to the struggle."
Pavel visited Ukraine on March 20–21, his second journey since taking workplace, the place he met with Zelensky and reaffirmed Czech help for Ukraine's protection and reconstruction efforts.
Russians attacked Konotop with missiles and drones: infrastructure object destroyed
On the evening of Might 5, the Russian military launched a mixed assault on Konotop, destroying an infrastructure object. In response to preliminary information, there aren’t any lifeless or injured.
Ukraine expects 3 million artillery shells from its allies, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned on Could 4.
"If Ukraine is robust, the warfare will finish," Zelensky instructed journalists in Prague alongside Czech President Petr Pavel.
Zelensky and First Woman Olena Zelenska arrived within the Czech Republic on Could 4 for an official go to with Pavel. A Czech ammunition initiative will ship as much as 1.8 million artillery shells to Ukraine by the tip of 2025, Pavel mentioned on the go to.
"Russia ought to know that we expect three million artillery shells from our allies. Not solely North Korea is able to serving to within the warfare, we’ve allies who’re serving to Ukraine," Zelensky said.
Russia has turned to North Korea for assist because it wages its warfare in opposition to Ukraine and faces isolation from the West. North Korea has confirmed that it has despatched troops to battle alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast.
Zelensky warned Moscow that there are different streams of army assist along with the Czech ammunition initiative to assist Ukraine fend off Russia's warfare.
The Czech initiative was launched final 12 months to fight Ukrainian shell shortages amid delays in U.S. army assist in early 2024.
"Forcing Russia to go for a full, unconditional ceasefire, particularly because it was a proposal from the US and we supported it, can be a precedence process," Zelensky mentioned.
The Kremlin has proven indicators it’s unwilling to maneuver ahead on a peace take care of Ukraine. Russian authorities have listed maximalist demands in ceasefire negotiations brokered by the U.S.
Ukraine has already agreedto a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, saying on March 11 that Kyiv is prepared if Russia additionally agrees to theterms. To date, Moscow has refused.
Zelensky has repeatedly referred to as for a 30-day ceasefire, saying on April 23, Ukraine insists on an "fast, full, and unconditional ceasefire."
The Houthis threaten an entire air blockade of Israel by attacking airports
Yemeni Houthis introduced their intention to determine an air blockade of Israel by attacking airports, together with Ben Gurion Airport. Worldwide airways have known as for flights to be cancelled.
When a Russian drone strike set a high-rise throughout the road on fireplace simply after midnight on Might 4, 34-year-old veteran Petro Kryvoruka shook his spouse, Halyna, awake of their Kyiv condo.
Because the buzzing of drones continued, he braced for an additional explosion. "I instructed (my spouse), ‘One thing is coming, it should be close by,'" Kryvoruka instructed the Kyiv Unbiased the morning after the assault. "We determined to maneuver to the hall."
Moments later, extra explosions rocked Kyiv’s Obolon district, within the northern a part of the capital. The blast wave shattered the home windows within the couple’s seventh-floor condo in a nine-story constructing, protecting the sofa the place Halyna, 36, had been sleeping simply minutes earlier with glass.
"How do I really feel now? I simply hate them (the Russians). That's it," she instructed the Kyiv Unbiased.
A view of the broken buildings and automobiles following a Russian drone assault in Kyiv, Ukraine on Might 4, 2025. (Danylo Antoniuk/Anadolu by way of Getty Pictures)Municipal employees clear up particles after an in a single day Russian drone assault on a residential neighborhood in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Might 4, 2025. (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures)
Based on native authorities, the drone strike affected three places within the district, damaging round 5 high-rise buildings. It stays unclear whether or not the destruction was attributable to direct drone hits or falling particles. The Sviatoshynskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts of Kyiv had been additionally hit within the assault.
Eleven folks had been injured within the in a single day assault, the State Emergency Service reported in its newest replace on Might 4.
The pinnacle of the Kyiv Metropolis Army Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, mentioned that two youngsters, aged 14 and 17, had been among the many injured. Kyrylo Fesyk, the top of the Obolon District State Administration, later within the morning refuted these reviews, saying there have been no casualties within the space.
The assault comes as Moscow floats talks of a ceasefire whereas stepping up its assaults towards Ukraine. Previously week alone, Russia has launched greater than 1,180 assault drones, 1,360 guided bombs, and 10 missiles at Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned on Might 4.
The assault struck a quiet neighborhood of Obolon, an outer district of town positioned nearest to Kyiv’s suburbs.
"There may be completely nothing right here, not even theoretically, that might be thought of a army goal. There aren't even any industrial amenities," Fesyk instructed the Kyiv Unbiased on the website of the assault as emergency response efforts had been underway.
"There’s simply a big, well-known mall, youngsters's facilities, and small companies."
The Russian drone assault broken one of many buildings of the Dream City Mall, positioned between the Minska and Heroiv Dnipra metro stations. The shopping center, made up of two enormous buildings, every spanning 80,000 sq. meters, homes a number of clothes shops, eating places, family items shops, and numerous leisure venues.
Regardless of the assault, it continued to function the next morning, albeit partially.
Native residents examine the aftermath of a Russian drone assault on a residential space in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Might 4, 2025. (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures)The aftermath of a Russian drone assault close to a kindergarten within the Obolon district of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Might 4, 2025. (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures)
A magnificence salon and a grocery store subsequent to the mall had been additionally broken, in addition to a close-by kindergarten. A number of burned-out automobiles encompass the crater left by the drone strike. Considered one of them belonged to Kryvoruka.
"It's a bit of iron. Thank God we’re alive," his spouse mentioned.
"It's upsetting that these conditions hold taking place," Petro Kryvoruka continued, leaning on his cane. He returned from the entrance traces after being wounded two years in the past.
"These bastards — there's actually no different phrase for them — simply don’t need to relax, and it's the civilian inhabitants that suffers. Whereas they sit there negotiating, enjoying tug-of-war, it's civilians who’re paying the worth," he mentioned.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a three-day ceasefire for Russia's Victory Day commemorations between Might 7 and 9 — a transfer that Zelensky dismissed as a "theatrical efficiency," aimed toward easing Russia’s worldwide isolation and creating a positive environment for Moscow.
In early March, Kyiv agreed to a U.S.-backed technique calling for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. The Kremlin has so fas refused.
"A ceasefire means we have now to make some form of compromises," Kryvoruka mentioned.
"How can we (Ukraine) comply with compromises? What are we even preventing for if we find yourself having to provide one thing away? Our folks gained’t perceive why we're dying, getting injured, and residing the remainder of our lives disabled."
Be aware from the writer:
Howdy there! That is Kateryna Denisova, the writer of this piece. Russia’s assaults on Ukraine proceed relentlessly, with no ceasefire in sight. This drone strike on Kyiv didn’t really feel like every other to me — it hit dangerously shut, just some minutes stroll from my residence. My colleagues and I are working across the clock to maintain you knowledgeable. Please take into account supporting our reporting. This makes our work doable.
Trump threatens Russia with "Graham sanctions" if it doesn't rethink its habits
US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that he’ll signal a invoice on new sanctions in opposition to Russia if the Kremlin will not be prepared for a peace settlement. He needs the Russian Federation and Ukraine to achieve an settlement.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a wide-ranging interview with NBC Information on Might 4 that the U.S. might think about implementing extra sanctions in opposition to Russia if it doesn’t attain a peace cope with Ukraine to finish the struggle.
When requested if Trump would signal a sanctions bill touted by shut Republican ally Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump said that "it depends upon whether or not or not Russia is behaving towards coming to a peace."
"We would like a peace deal. We would like Russia and Ukraine to comply with a deal. We expect we’re pretty shut, and we’re going to avoid wasting lots of people from being killed," Trump continued.
Not less than 72 U.S. senators are ready to vote for "bone-crushing" sanctions in opposition to Russia and large tariffs on international locations supporting Moscow, Graham informed reporters on Might 1.
When requested if Trump believes the events are near establishing a peace deal, Trump was not definitive in his response.
"I do imagine we’re nearer with one social gathering, and possibly not as shut with the opposite. However we’ll must see. I’d wish to not say which one we’re nearer to," Trump stated, including that he was happy with the end result of the minerals deal signed with Ukraine on Might 1.
Trump has reportedly grown pissed off with the sluggish development of peace negotiations, claiming on April 26 that Russian President Vladimir Putin could also be "tapping me alongside," and that Putin will not be concerned about ending the struggle.
When requested by NBC Information whether or not Trump "misinterpret" Putin's intentions to settle the struggle, Trump responded: "I do not know."
"No, I’ll let you know about in a month from now, or two weeks from now," Trump stated. "I can let you know this, he’s — his ambition was stopped to a big extent when he noticed that it was me that was now main the cost."
Pissed off by the shortage of progress, Trump has reportedly been wavering over his dedication to proceed to function a mediator between Ukraine and Russia. When requested about his dedication to see a peace deal being achieved, Trump stated he " hope(s) it will get finished."
"Effectively, there might be a time when I’ll say, 'Okay, maintain going. Hold being silly and maintain preventing,'" Trump informed NBC Information. "Typically I get near it, after which constructive issues occur."
Donald Trump said that Russia desires to grab your complete territory of Ukraine, not simply the occupied areas. He added that with out his intervention, Moscow would already be preventing for your complete nation.
Zelensky rejects Putin’s truce proposal as 'theatrical,' backs 30-day ceasefire plan from US
US sanctions depend upon whether or not Russia is 'behaving' on peace deal, Trump says
US to ship refurbished Patriot air protection system from Israel to Ukraine, NYT experiences
Ukrainian sea drones down 2 Russian Su-30 jets close to Novorossiysk, navy intelligence chief says
Russian drone assault on Kyiv injures 11 individuals, together with 2 youngsters, damages shopping center
Czech initiative to ship as much as 1.8 million shells to Ukraine in 2025, Pavel says
Zelensky rejects Putin’s truce proposal as 'theatrical,' backs 30-day ceasefire plan from US
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a three-day ceasefire from Could 7–9 as a "theatrical efficiency" designed to ease Russia’s worldwide isolation and create a positive environment for the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, Interfax Ukraine reported on Could 3.
Talking to journalists in a closed-door session, Zelensky reportedly stated the proposal was not a critical try to finish the conflict and reiterated Ukraine’s help for a U.S.-backed technique calling for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Zelensky warned that Moscow’s historical past of violating short-term truces undermines any belief in its newest provide.
"They kill till the seventh, pause for a few comfy days, then begin attacking once more on the eleventh," he stated.
Putin’s announcement, offered as a "humanitarian truce" from midnight Could 8 to midnight Could 11, got here because the Kremlin continues to reject Ukraine’s calls for an entire cessation of hostilities. Greater than 50 days in the past Ukraine has accepted the U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, however Moscow rejected it, demanding an entire halt on navy help to Ukraine.
"An unconditional ceasefire is a mannequin that the People have proposed. We’re following it. From this date or one other date, ideally earlier," Zelensky stated. "Sure, let's strive 30 days. Why a 30-day ceasefire? As a result of it’s unattainable to agree on something in three, 5, seven days."
He urged Putin’s initiative was a gesture meant to simulate goodwill in response to peace indicators reportedly delivered by Trump’s Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff.
"That is extra of a theatrical efficiency on his half. As a result of it’s unattainable to construct any plan for the following steps to finish the conflict in two or three days,” Zelensky added.
The Ukrainian president stated Kyiv is keen to start the 30-day truce at any time — "the first, third, fifth, or if he wants the seventh — high quality, then from the seventh for 30 days." He emphasised, nevertheless, that with out correct monitoring, any non permanent pause dangers being exploited by Russia.
Zelensky stated Ukraine had shared its place with the U.S., U.K., and France, and that Washington understood Russia’s proposal was unserious. "At the very least the official place of the White Home is that they see this as simply video games on his half," Zelensky stated.
The Victory Day ceasefire is the most recent in a sequence of truce initiatives introduced by Moscow, which it has itself repeatedly violated.
Earlier this month, Russia declared a ceasefire over the Easter vacation, although Zelensky accused Moscow of practically 3,000 violations between April 19 and April 21. Ukraine has additionally stated that Russian forces repeatedly breached a partial truce on assaults towards vitality services brokered on March 25.
Russia has repeatedly proclaimed its supposed readiness for peace talks whereas concurrently pushing for maximalist demands. Kyiv has dismissed these declarations as a propaganda stunt, noting that Russian forces have solely intensified their assaults on Ukrainian cities and cities.
US sanctions depend upon whether or not Russia is 'behaving' on peace deal, Trump says
Trump stated in a wide-ranging interview with NBC Information on Could 4 that the U.S. could think about implementing extra sanctions towards Russia if it doesn’t attain a peace take care of Ukraine to finish the conflict.
When requested if Trump would signal a sanctions bill touted by shut Republican ally Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump said that "it is dependent upon whether or not or not Russia is behaving towards coming to a peace."
"We wish a peace deal. We wish Russia and Ukraine to conform to a deal. We expect we’re pretty shut, and we’re going to avoid wasting lots of people from being killed," Trump continued.
At the very least 72 U.S. senators are ready to vote for "bone-crushing" sanctions towards Russia and big tariffs on nations supporting Moscow, Graham informed reporters on Could 1.
When requested if Trump believes the events are near establishing a peace deal, Trump was not definitive in his response.
"I do consider we’re nearer with one get together, and perhaps not as shut with the opposite. However we’ll should see. I’d prefer to not say which one we’re nearer to," Trump stated, including that he was happy with the result of the minerals deal signed with Ukraine on Could 1.
Trump has reportedly grown pissed off with the gradual development of peace negotiations, claiming on April 26 that Putin could also be "tapping me alongside," and that Putin will not be fascinated by ending the conflict.
When requested by NBC Information whether or not Trump "misinterpret" Putin's intentions to settle the conflict, Trump responded: "I don’t know."
"No, I’ll let you know about in a month from now, or two weeks from now," Trump stated. "I can let you know this, he’s — his ambition was stopped to a big extent when he noticed that it was me that was now main the cost."
Annoyed by the shortage of progress, Trump has reportedly been wavering over his dedication to proceed to function a mediator between Ukraine and Russia. When requested about his dedication to see a peace deal being achieved, Trump stated he " hope(s) it will get performed."
"Nicely, there shall be a time when I’ll say, 'Okay, hold going. Preserve being silly and hold combating,'" Trump informed NBC Information. "Generally I get near it, after which optimistic issues occur."
US to ship refurbished Patriot air protection system from Israel to Ukraine, NYT experiences
A Patriot air protection system primarily based in Israel shall be transferred to Ukraine after refurbishment, the New York Instances reported on Could 4, citing 4 unnamed present and former U.S. officers.
In keeping with the publication, Western allies are additionally discussing the logistics of supplying extra methods from Germany or Greece as Russia escalates its attacks throughout Ukraine.
The sources declined to enter element about Trump's stance on the choice or make clear whether or not the transfer was initiated earlier than he took workplace, throughout former President Joe Biden's administration.
The transfer comes amid a pointy enhance in Russian strikes which have induced quite a few casualties in Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kyiv.
Kyiv has constantly pressed Western companions to bolster Ukraine's air defenses, warning that its present capabilities are inadequate to counter the size of Russian missile and drone assaults.
The Patriot system, a U.S.-made surface-to-air missile platform, is widely known for its high-precision detection, monitoring, and interception of plane, cruise, and ballistic missiles.
In keeping with the New York Instances, Ukraine at present has eight Patriot methods, of which solely six are operational. The remaining two are reportedly present process refurbishment.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's pressing want for air defenses in an April 13 interview with CBS Information, saying Kyiv is ready to purchase 10 U.S.-made Patriot methods for $15 billion to protect densely populated cities.
"We are going to discover the cash and pay for every thing," Zelensky stated, emphasizing Ukraine's intention to purchase, not request, extra methods.
Regardless of Kyiv's appeals, Trump dismissed the request on April 14, accusing Zelensky of "all the time trying to buy missiles" and falsely blaming Ukraine for instigating the conflict.
Ukrainian sea drones down 2 Russian Su-30 jets close to Novorossiysk, navy intelligence chief says
Ukraine's navy intelligence company (HUR) shot down two Russian Su-30 fighter jets utilizing air-to-air missiles fired from Magura-7 sea drones close to Novorossiysk on Could 2, HUR chief Kyrylo Budanov informed the Warfare Zone on Could 3.
The operation marks the primary time in historical past that fighter jets have been downed by unmanned boats. Initially, reports confirmed the destruction of just one jet, however Budanov later clarified that two plane had been hit.
"It's a historic second," he informed the publication.
In keeping with HUR, Group 13, a particular operations unit inside the company, executed the strike. A video of the primary downed Su-30 was launched and extensively shared on social media, although no visible proof of the second strike has emerged.
Budanov stated the crew of the primary jet survived and was rescued by a civilian vessel, whereas the second crew is believed to have been killed.
The Sukhoi Su-30 is a $50 million twin-engine, two-seat multirole fighter designed by Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau. HUR claimed that the plane had been hit midair and crashed into the Black Sea.
The Kyiv Unbiased can't independently confirm all of the claims.
The Magura-7 drone, deployed on this operation, is an air protection kind of the Magura-5, which beforehand downed two Russian Mi-8 helicopters on Dec. 31.
Ukraine has repeatedly used maritime drones to inflict heavy losses on Russian belongings within the Black Sea. The Magura drones sank the Russian patrol ship Sergey Kotov on March 5, 2024, and the touchdown ship Caesar Kunikov on Feb. 14, 2024.
Russian drone assault on Kyiv injures 11 individuals, together with 2 youngsters, damages shopping center
A wave of explosions was heard in Kyiv in a single day on Could 4 as Russia launched a drone assault towards the capital, in line with native authorities.
At the very least 11 individuals had been injured within the assault, together with two youngsters aged 14 and 17, Kyiv Metropolis Army Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said by way of his official Telegram channel.
Particles from the drones broken a number of homes and autos in varied components of the town, together with the Shevchenkivskyi, Obolonskyi, and Svyatoshynskyi districts. Within the Obolonskyi district, the Dream City shopping center was broken, and at the very least seven vehicles and the highest flooring of a high-rise caught hearth.
Russia stepped up its assaults towards Ukrainian civilians up to now weeks, leading to quite a few casualties reported in Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kyiv.
Czech initiative to ship as much as 1.8 million shells to Ukraine in 2025, Pavel says
The Czech ammunition initiative will ship as much as 1.8 million artillery shells to Ukraine by the tip of 2025, Czech President Petr Pavel stated on Could 4, in line with a Kyiv Unbiased journalist on the bottom.
The announcement represents a further 300,000 shells dedicated to Kyiv over what was introduced by Prague earlier this yr. Czech Protection Minister Jana Cernochova beforehand stated that the nation equipped 1.5 million rounds of assorted calibers in 2024 and had sufficient funds to proceed on the similar tempo till this fall.
The initiative, backed by contributions from Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and different nations, has considerably boosted Ukraine's artillery, bettering the shell ratio from 1-to-10 in Russia's favor to 1-to-2, Pavel stated.
The initiative was launched final yr amid Ukrainian shell shortages, primarily attributable to delays in U.S. navy help in early 2024. On April 27, Ukraine obtained 400,000 high-caliber rounds via the initiative.
Pavel stated that Prague intends to ship extra shells subsequent yr however that selections is dependent upon the outcomes of this yr's parliamentary elections.
Czechia's main opposition get together, ANO, stated in January that it goals to droop the initiative if it wins the parliamentary elections in October 2025.
Zelensky, who arrivedwithin the Czech Republic on Could 4 for an official go to, is slated to fulfill with Czechia opposition members on Could 5 in an try and bridge relations, in line with a Kyiv Unbiased journalist current on the official go to.
At present's go to to Prague marks Zelensky's first go to to the nation since July 2023. In extra to extra shell manufacturing, the 2 leaders are additionally set to talk on extra areas of cooperation to help Kyiv's fleet of F-16 fighter jets.
Czech Well being Minister Vlastimil Valek additionally introduced the Czechia and Ukraine may even signal a memorandum on psychological well being cooperation that can embody human assets in experience-sharing in addition to an undisclosed funding to help psychological well being help for Ukraine.
Prague has been a robust supporter of Ukraine, supplying navy help, main EU efforts to safe weapons, and internet hosting lots of of 1000’s of Ukrainian refugees.
Forest hearth close to Izyum is spreading quickly attributable to wind: evacuation is underway
A big-scale forest hearth is raging in Kharkiv area close to Izyum. The hearth has engulfed 80 hectares and unfold to homes. Residents are being evacuated, and the scenario is difficult by the wind.
The Kyiv IndependentMaria Repko
