Live Conflict Ukraine-Russia War

[MaciekRS]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2052292435502404081

Russian historian Yuri Pivovarov, April 2026: "I know nothing in Russia’s military history more disgraceful or more shameful than the current war. This is a Great Patriotic War of the Ukrainian people against an invader. Unfortunately, the invaders are our [Russian] people."

 

[Soldier30]

Greek authorities discovered a Ukrainian military naval drone, the Magura V3, off the coast of the island of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea. Local fishermen spotted the drone, its engine still running. The fishermen towed the drone to port and handed it over to the Greek Coast Guard. A preliminary examination revealed that the drone was equipped with detonators but did not contain any explosives. It's worth noting that the drone could not have come from the Black Sea, as it would have been detained by Turkish authorities. It can be assumed that Ukrainian naval drones are launched in the Mediterranean from unknown ships.

 

[Relic]

Pravda reporting that approximately $35.4 Billion usd of the $105 Billion usd loan from The European Union will be spent on drones, ammunition, artillery shells, missiles and air defense systems. The items will be procured throughout 2026 and 2027.

Of note, $7 Billion usd of that money will be spent on Ukraine's domestic drone industry in 2026. The money will produce 2.8 million drones of various types and uses, including more than 100,000 mid and long range attack drones.

The overwhelming number of armored vehicles, small arms, spare parts and other military equipment required is being provided through the individual budgets of Ukraine's 30+ Allies.

NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com)

❗️Around €30 billion from the EU’s €90 billion loan for Ukraine in 2026 will fund drones, ammunition, missiles and air-defense systems, European Pravda reports. The first €5.9 billion tranche would buy 2.8 million Ukrainian-made drones. #Ukraine

bsky.app

 

[Iskander]

A few days ago, Putin called Trump and asked him to persuade Zelenskyy to agree to a ceasefire for several days, fearing that the Ukrainians would attack the "invincible" Russians during the so-called Victory Day Parade, held annually on May 9 in Moscow to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany. In response, the Ukrainians further escalated their attacks on military installations deep within Russia, using long-range drones. Putin found himself in a bind, having already invited several heads of state to the parade and unable to cancel it: the Ukrainians could easily attack the parade, humiliating Putin among the guests. Apparently, behind-the-scenes negotiations took place, and the two sides agreed to a prisoner exchange of 1,000 prisoners each, in exchange for which Ukraine would guarantee not to attack Moscow during the ill-fated parade.
Furthermore, Zelenskyy, undoubtedly with the aim of humiliating Putin, issued an ironic decree.

Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 374/2026
"Considering numerous requests and for humanitarian purposes, as I outlined during negotiations with the American side on May 8, 2026, I hereby decree: to permit the parade to be held in Moscow (Russian Federation) on May 9, 2026."🫢

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://news.online.ua/en/zelenskyy-allowed-russia-to-hold-a-parade-on-may-9-in-moscow-decree-903880/&ved=2ahUKEwi5hMqfr6uUAxX5RfEDHZt0L0E4ChAWegQIKRAB&usg=AOvVaw3zIIM6uV9p9uChsSXkeieK

 

[Spitfire9]

IMO a good psychological move would have been to attack targets elsewhere in the Moscow region to remind all in Red Square that Ukraine is able to attack any target in Moscow if it wishes. They might lose all the drones concerned but air raid sirens and distant bangs will suggest to all invited spectators that Moscow is not in control of events.

 

[Spitfire9]

Ukraine and Sweden expect Gripen fighter jet deal 'within months'

Talks include up to 150 aircraft and interim supply of older jets as funding plans take shape

www.airdatanews.com

This would come too late to affect the war, wouldn't it? There is a consensus that Gripen suits Ukrainian needs better than other fighters, Early in the war Europe could have organised an initial Gripen capability for Ukraine by funding pilot and support staff training on Gripen C. Sweden could have supplied a couple of squadrons of SwAF Gripen C. SAAB could have completed and supplied the dozen incomplete Gripen C 'white tails' it was reported to have and more SwAF Gripen C aircraft could have been supplied as Gripen E entered SwAF service. Opportunity missed.

I see no urgency now for Ukraine to procure Gripen quickly since there is now a good number of used F-16 being passed on to Ukraine by European countries retiring them.

Ukraine to Receive 7 Belgian F-16s This Year, Total to Reach 53 by 2029 — Media | Defense Express

Belgian media have reported new details regarding Belgium's plans to supply F-16s to Ukraine. The number reportedly exceeds two dozen fighter jets — more than had been promised to Ukraine

en.defence-ua.com

However, if F-16 operation in Ukraine is very challenging it could be better to start the process of setting up for Gripen E operation ASAP.

 

[Spitfire9]

BBC reports that Putin has said the Ukraine war may be coming to an end.

Putin says he thinks Ukraine conflict 'coming to an end'

The Russian leader sees potential for Ukraine negotiations, but condemns the West's backing for President Zelensky.

www.bbc.co.uk

I don't see it. There are Russian oblasts (Kherson, Zaporizhia) partially held by Ukraine. Putin may regret annexing those oblasts - he can't agree to surrendering parts of Russia to Ukraine. Ukraine can't agree to surrendering Kherson, Zaporizhia to Russia. Impasse.

 

[mehmed beg]

BBC reports that Putin has said the Ukraine war may be coming to an end.

Putin says he thinks Ukraine conflict 'coming to an end'

The Russian leader sees potential for Ukraine negotiations, but condemns the West's backing for President Zelensky.

www.bbc.co.uk

I don't see it. There are Russian oblasts (Kherson, Zaporizhia) partially held by Ukraine. Putin may regret annexing those oblasts - he can't agree to surrendering parts of Russia to Ukraine. Ukraine can't agree to surrendering Kherson, Zaporizhia to Russia. Impasse.

He can scale down intensity of the operations

 

[contricusc]

BBC reports that Putin has said the Ukraine war may be coming to an end.

Translation: We are losing the war. Trump, please help us put an end to it while keeping the land we had already stolen. If the war continues like that, we will have no oil refining capability left, and our oil and gas exports would collapse. Trump, Help!

 

[Spitfire9]

Translation: We are losing the war. Trump, please help us put an end to it while keeping the land we had already stolen. If the war continues like that, we will have no oil refining capability left, and our oil and gas exports would collapse. Trump, Help!

Putin has the problem that he declared 2 Ukrainian oblasts to be part of Russia even though they were not completely occupied by Russian troops. How does he stop if that means leaving parts of these 2 new 'Russian' oblasts in Ukrainian hands?

A fine old mess Putin has got himself into.

The general view from what I read is that Putin is feeling less and less secure in his position and is starting to show signs of paranoid behaviour. Without some change for the better on the battlefield, in the country's economy and in the country's finances, where will Putin find himself in a few months' time? There seems to be growing uncertainty over what will happen with Putin and his war. While Trump may like and admire Putin, is it likely Trump will intervene to try to help Putin get out of the mess he has got himself into?

Personally I hope that Putin hangs on to power for a time and continues reducing Russia to an economic and financial wasteland. My hope is that if Putin goes his successor (a) will not want to continue the war (b) will not have the means to continue the war.