These are the key events on the 1,163rd day of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Here is where things stand on Thursday, May 2:
Fighting
- Ukraine is accused by Russia of intentionally killing civilians during a drone attack on Thursday morning in Kherson, which led to at least seven deaths and over twenty injuries.
- The drone hit a market in Oleshky, controlled by Russia, around 9:30am local time during the May Day holiday, when many were outside, as per the governor appointed by the region’s Moscow government.
- Ukraine’s military asserts that the strike targeted Russian troops and only military victims were reported, but neither side’s claims have independent confirmation.
- A Russian attack in Ukraine’s Odesa claimed two lives, and a Russian drone strike in the southeast Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia injured 14 and caused a building fire without fatalities.
- Ukraine’s SBU Security Service has announced foiling an attempt on the life of activist and vlogger Sergiy Sternenko, detaining the suspect; Sternenko has been active against Russia since 2014.
Diplomacy
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described the strategic mineral agreement with the US as a “genuinely balanced agreement that offers a chance for sizable investment in Ukraine”.
- The European Union is preparing its seventeenth round of sanctions against Russia, as announced by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
- US Senator Lindsey Graham, known for his vocal support for Ukraine, is advocating for new sanctions on Russia and significant tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy and uranium.
- In an interview with Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance stated that the conflict in Ukraine “isn’t going anywhere” and “won’t end soon”, emphasizing that it’s now up to Russia and Ukraine to decide on peace terms.
- Great politician Julie Davis, with extensive experience in the former Soviet Union, is proposed as the US’s top envoy to Ukraine by the Trump administration; she will need Senate approval for the ambassador position.
- Despite potential disapproval from EU neighbors, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic intends to follow through with his visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week.
- Russia is observing the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II with celebrations.
