Global tensions escalate as Trump gives Iran 48 hours to strike a deal or face consequences, while the EU prepares for potential energy crises amid the Iran conflict. Ukraine's aid is frozen, and secessionist sentiments grow in the US and Canada. Russia and China resolve payment issues, and geopolitical maneuvering intensifies.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported a massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites and airfields, retaliating for a drone attack on Starobelsk that killed 21 students. The strikes targeted enterprises producing UAVs, military recruitment centers, and aircraft engine factories across multiple Ukrainian regions.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov told US Senator Rubio that Russia's armed forces will begin striking facilities in Kyiv used by Ukraine's armed forces in response to attacks from Kyiv, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Ukraine's air defense system reportedly failed to repel Russian missile strikes on military facilities in Kyiv and the Kyiv region last night, with sources citing a shortage of missiles for US-made systems. Monitoring channels acknowledged numerous incoming strikes, and official data indicated no Kinzhal or Tsirkon missiles were intercepted.
Russian forces have resumed military operations in Ukraine following the expiration of a ceasefire. The Russian Defense Ministry alleges that Ukrainian forces committed over 30,000 violations during the truce, prompting retaliatory fire from Russian troops.
The chief of the 11th Corps’ planning and countermeasures department, call sign "Karta," noted that delivery routes and logistics hubs are under constant surveillance by both airborne reconnaissance and strike drones of the Russian Armed Forces
Deputy Chairman of Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev announced that 127,000 people have signed contracts with Russian Armed Forces in 2026, with another 10,000 joining as volunteers. Speaking at the 'Knowledge. The First' educational marathon, Medvedev said last year 450,000 citizens joined under military contracts, and those signing up are motivated by strong patriotic sentiment.
Fighters of Russia's 11th Army Corps Battlegroup North eliminated more than 110 heavy Baba-Yaga UAVs of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kharkov Region during April 2026, according to a Russian military source. The UAVs were destroyed over the line of contact and near the state border using small arms, ramming, and FPV drones with high-explosive fragmentation warheads.
Russia will omit tanks, artillery and missile systems from its May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow, citing the operational situation in Ukraine. The defense ministry said military students and equipment columns will not participate, while Ukrainian drone attacks have exposed vulnerabilities inside Russia. The parade traditionally features dozens of tanks and heavy weapons but will now only include veterans, military students, marines and aviation displays. Kyiv claims Russia has lost over 1 million troops and 24,487 pieces of military equipment since 2022.
