Ramid Namazov, chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament's commission on countering hybrid threats, said that Russia was responsible for a cyberattack in Azerbaijan in February 2025. The attack was carried out by the APT29 group, more commonly known by the name Cozy Bear. Cozy Bear is closely linked to Russia’s intelligence apparatus. The attack penetrated Azerbaijan’s media organizations and was done in response to the closure of the Russian House in Baku due to various violations of the law. Additionally, the potential closure of Sputnik Radio in Azerbaijan may have played a role in the decision to launch the cyber attack. 

Ukraine shot down two Russian Su-30 fighters using AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles fired from drone boats, according to Defense Intelligence Chief Budanov, who called this a "historical moment." This is the first time fighter aircraft have been downed by drone boats and the first use of Sidewinders from these platforms. The attack involved three Magura-7 drone boats in the Black Sea, with two boats firing on the jets. The crew of the first Su-30 survived and was picked up by a civilian ship, while the crew of the second jet was likely killed. The Russians expressed confusion at Ukraine not firing on the civilian ship.

Ukraine had previously shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter with an R-73 missile from a drone boat in December. Budanov said they began installing AIM-9s on drone boats in January, finding them more effective than other missile types. Russian military channels acknowledged losing at least one jet. Russian milblogger Fighterbomber complained that "the enemy seized the initiative in the Black Sea" while Russia's fleet remains "huddled in harbors and bays" after previous losses. Russians have suggested using their own drones to counter Ukraine's maritime tactics.

This is an image of the upgraded Magura V7 naval drone is 8 meters long, which is 2.5 meters longer than the V5. It now carries AIM-9L missiles instead of Soviet R-73s.


Photos show US-made 203mm M106 shells in service with the Russian military, likely supplied via Iran. The date of manufacture is 1988. They possibly/probably trace back to US arms deals with Iran during its war with Iraq. The US has indirectly provided Russia with ammo for one of its biggest artillery pieces.


The 203mm shells.


Britain has handed over all of their AS-90 self-propelled artillery systems to Ukraine. The systems were originally planned for decommissioning in the 2030s. The UK purchased 14 used Swedish Archer artillery systems as a temporary replacement. As of 2023, the UK had 57 AS-90 systems, which decreased to 39 by February 2024 due to transfers to Ukraine. In total, the UK transferred approximately 68 AS-90 artillery systems. The UK Ministry of Defense selected the German RCH155 wheeled artillery system to replace the AS-90 fleet. The RCH155 will be manufactured in both Germany and the United Kingdom.


Ukrainian servicemen will participate in a military parade in London for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The Ukrainian military will join 1,000 British troops, and troops from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. John Healey, the UK Secretary of State for Defense, stated: "It is fitting that the Armed Forces of Ukraine, now fighting on the front lines of freedom, are represented at Monday's event." The UK celebrates Victory Day on May 8, unlike post-Soviet countries, which observe it on May 9.


The Ukrainian Defense Forces have captured mercenaries from Togo. This information was confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Togo. According to the Foreign Ministry, these are mostly young people who wanted to study in Russia on scholarship programs.

Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Russian radio equipment manufacturer Strela in the Suzemka district of the Bryansk region on May 4. The plant was targeted with Grad MLRS rockets, resulting in both workshop and administrative building fires. Two security guards were injured. The Strela plant manufactures radar and radio components and is a contractor for Russia's state defense conglomerate Rostec. The company has executed 124 state contracts totaling 172.6 million rubles. This is the second confirmed Ukrainian strike on the facility, following a previous attack on November 30, 2024.

The Location of this facility is at these coordinates: 52.31909, 34.07219

Ukrainian Air Force aircraft struck a Russian battalion command post and drone operators in Novohrodivka, Donetsk region. A Su-27 fighter jet used a JDAM-guided aerial bomb, completely destroying a building in the city's central area. Several enemy personnel are missing.


Czech President Petr Pavel stated Ukraine will receive 1.8 million artillery shells in 2025 under the Czech-led shell initiative. President Zelenskyy confirmed this figure during their meeting in Prague on May 4. Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine and Czechia are developing a joint F-16 training school. Pavel stated that discussions ammunition deliveries in 2026 are already underway.

President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of foreign representatives traveling to Moscow for the 9 May parade. "We do not recommend that you visit Russia on May 9 from a security point of view. And if you do, do not ask us. This is your personal decision." He noted Russia conducted over 100 assaults during their so-called Easter "truce" and recently launched over 200 assaults along the front line. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized Zelenskyy's remarks, claiming they threaten heads of state attending the Moscow event. "This is not how things are done," Fico said on 4 May. Chinese President Xi Jinping confirmed he will visit Russia from 7-10 May and attend the Victory Day parade.

Zelenskyy stated Ukraine needs a genuine ceasefire after the latest Russian attacks. He noted that Russia is "calling for a ceasefire on May 9 while striking Ukraine every single day." He stated Ukraine is ready for silence "on any day – but for no less than a month, to bring the war to an end."

US President Donald Trump acknowledged that a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia may be impossible due to deep hatred between the sides. In an NBC News interview, Trump said: "Maybe it's not possible to do... There's tremendous hatred, just so you understand, between these two men [Zelenskyy and Putin], and between, you know, some of the soldiers." Trump suggested he might stop mediating: "There will be a time when I say: 'Okay, keep going. Keep being stupid and keep fighting." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously stated Washington would give up its "mediator role" if no peace progress occurs.


Ukraine will receive another Patriot air defense system by summer from Israel after repairs, according to The New York Times. Western allies are considering transferring an additional system from Germany or Greece. Ukraine currently has eight Patriots, with only six operational. With these additions, Ukraine would have 10 systems total.


The Russians launched 165 attack UAVs and decoy drones at Ukraine on the night of 3-4 May. Ukrainian air defense shot down 69 drones while 80 more disappeared from radar. The attack affected Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, and Kyiv oblasts. In Kyiv, drone strikes caused fires and destruction in three districts - Obolonskyi, Sviatoshynsky, and Shevchenkivsky. Eleven people, including two children, were injured. Kyiv's Dream Town shopping center was damaged, though the center remains partially open. Seven cars parked near an apartment building caught fire.

Russia killed one civilian and injured three others in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on 4 May. They dropped a guided aerial bomb on the Novopavlivka hromada in the Synelnykove district, killing a 54-year-old man and causing two fires. In the Nikopol district, Russian drones struck the town of Marhanets, injuring three people aged 39, 68, and 75. In Donetsk Oblast, six civilians were injured by Russian attacks. Three people aged 65-69 were injured in Druzhkivka, two in Pokrovsk, and one in Zarichne. In the Sumy Oblast, one civilian was killed and two people injured when Russia struck the village of Velyka Pysarivka with guided aerial bombs.

A Russian UAV severely damaged a Nova Poshta postal office and depot in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, destroying customer packages and potentially causing delivery delays throughout the week. No casualties were reported as the building was empty during the attack. The company promised to reimburse the value of destroyed parcels.

The number of people injured in the Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia on May 1-2 has risen to 34. Sixteen remain hospitalized, with two men in serious condition and others in moderate condition. Russia struck the city at least 10 times, causing several fires.

A forest fire broke out in the Izium District of Kharkiv Oblast, covering approximately 20 hectares. Ammunition abandoned by the Russians during occupation is now detonating in the forest. Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, stated that an evacuation of local residents is being prepared as the fire has spread to nearby residential buildings. Strong winds are accelerating the fire's spread. The State Emergency Service reported that on 4 May, Russia launched rocket attacks on forest areas in the Borova hromada, causing fires covering over 7 hectares. Eleven forest fires are currently being extinguished across Kharkiv Oblast, five directly linked to Russian attacks.


Confirmed/Geolocated Advances according to the latest ISW report:

Kupyansk Direction

RUSSIAN ADVANCE: Northwest of Zapadne (north of Kupyansk) - Geolocated footage from May 1

Toretsk Direction

UKRAINIAN ADVANCE: Southern Novospaske (west of Toretsk) - Geolocated footage from May 4

RUSSIAN ADVANCE: South of Stara Mykolaivka (southwest of Toretsk) - Geolocated footage from May 4


Head of the Central Public Service Commission Kovalenko.

“In 2022, before May 9, there was talk about whether Russia would use nuclear weapons.

In 2025, everyone is talking about whether Ukrainian weapons will fly over Red Square in Moscow. And they are discussing this not only here, but also in the West, and in Russia itself.

Only three years.”

From the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine Telegram channel:

Our air defense units destroyed 2 "Shahed-136" UAVs.

🛡 The defense forces of Southern Ukraine continue to strike enemy deployments, firing positions, and rear areas.

Over the past day, enemy losses amounted to:

- 248 occupiers

- 11 artillery systems

- 2 tanks

- 20 units of automotive and armored vehicles

- 1 RSZV BM-21 "Grad"

- 14 UAVs

- 70 motorcycles

- 8 ATVs

- 2 generators

- 1 "Starlink" antenna

- 1 UAV control antenna

- 7 communication antennas

- 2 power supply storage locations

- 2 field fuel and lubricants warehouses

- 1 warehouse of property

- 1 mortar position

Destroyed:

- 73 shelters

Glory to Ukraine!


Quote of the Day:

“Hedgehogs are fast, agile, and playful. In many ways, they are the acrobats of the ocean.”

– David Attenborough