Here are the main developments on day 1,162 of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
As of Thursday, May 1, here’s the latest update:
Fighting
- Early Thursday, Russian drones targeted the Black Sea port of Odesa in Ukraine, causing fires and damaging homes and infrastructure, according to the regional governor.
- In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, the mayor reported that a Russian drone hit a gas station in the city center, igniting a fire.
- Ukraine’s SBU security agency took responsibility for a drone attack on a defense manufacturing plant in Russia. The strike on the Murom Instrument-Building Plant, located 300km (186 miles) east of Moscow, led to a fire and damage to two structures, as reported by the regional governor.
- Russian media claimed that their air defense units shot down 34 Ukrainian drones overnight, citing the Ministry of Defence.
- Ukraine’s top military official, Oleksandr Syrskii, stated that Russian forces have significantly upped their military activity in eastern Ukraine, even as Moscow announced a three-day ceasefire from May 8-10.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned that some small groups of Ukrainian soldiers remain holed up in basements in the western Kursk region of Russia. Moscow asserts they expelled Ukrainian forces from the border area over the weekend.
- The Kremlin reported that at least 288 civilians lost their lives during Ukraine’s extended incursion into Kursk.
- According to South Korean lawmakers referencing their intelligence agency, around 600 North Korean troops have died while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, from an overall deployment of 15,000.
- U.S. lawmakers have requested a briefing from the Department of State on Russia’s use of Chinese fighters in the conflict, emphasizing that Moscow likely needs Beijing’s approval to utilize Chinese mercenaries.
Diplomacy
- The U.S. and Ukraine have finalized a long-anticipated agreement that allows Washington to access Kyiv’s mineral resources in exchange for investment in Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction efforts.
- Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his belief that Putin aims to end the war in Ukraine, despite ongoing attacks on the beleaguered nation.
- “If it weren’t for me, I believe he’d want to take over the entire country,” Trump told ABC News. “I was not pleased to see Putin launching missiles into various towns and cities.”
- In response, the Kremlin indicated that Putin is open to peace negotiations regarding Ukraine and mentioned active discussions with the U.S. However, they noted that the complexity of the conflict makes rapid progress challenging.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also stated that Putin has shown willingness for direct dialogue with Ukraine, but they’ve yet to receive a response from Kyiv.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha indicated that Ukraine welcomes peace talks in any format, provided Moscow agrees to an unconditional ceasefire. Putin has expressed a general openness to the idea, but has noted that several issues must be addressed before a ceasefire can be finalized.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to support Ukraine in achieving sustainable peace and security.
- The European Union is working on a “plan B” to maintain economic sanctions against Russia in the event that the Trump administration shifts toward reconciliation with Moscow, EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas informed the Financial Times.
- The EU has reported that 16 member states are pursuing exemptions from the bloc’s public debt regulations to increase defense spending as the continent aims to bolster its military capabilities following Russia’s invasion and Trump’s position on European security.
