Overview
- Ukraine claims its GUR military intelligence unit used a Magura V5 maritime drone to shoot down two Russian Su-30 fighter jets over the Black Sea, marking the first use of such technology to destroy combat aircraft.
- The first jet was confirmed downed near Novorossiisk on May 2, with video evidence released; the second strike, reported later, lacks visual confirmation but was corroborated by Ukrainian officials.
- Russia launched a record 1,180 drones at Ukraine in the past week, including a massive overnight barrage that injured 11 people in Kyiv, set residential buildings ablaze, and damaged vehicles.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated support for a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Russia has dismissed in favor of a three-day truce coinciding with its Victory Day celebrations.
- Both sides continue to escalate drone warfare, with Ukraine targeting Russian military infrastructure and Russia deploying thermobaric drones in attacks on Ukrainian cities, raising civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.