Russia launched more than 400 drones at Ukraine in a large-scale daytime assault on Friday, injuring at least 10 people in the western city of Ternopil, Ukrainian officials reported. The attack, which took place between 8 am and 3:30 pm local time, saw Ukrainian air force units shoot down or neutralise 388 of the drones across the north, south, centre, and west of the country.
Strikes on Energy Infrastructure
Russian drones also targeted energy infrastructure in several regions overnight. In Mykolaiv, Shahed-type attack drones hit energy facilities, according to regional head Vitaliy Kim. In Kryvyi Rih, an infrastructure facility was struck, with explosions heard across the city, though no casualties were immediately reported. The port city of Odesa was also attacked overnight, injuring at least 20 people and damaging residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, and a kindergarten.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Terminal
Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on Friday that its forces struck an oil terminal in the Russian Black Sea city of Tuapse for the fourth time in just over two weeks. The attack caused explosions and a fire at the terminal, with local Russian officials reporting no casualties. The facility had previously been hit on 16 April, 20 April, and 28 April. Regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev said a fire at the city's oil refinery had been extinguished on Thursday, less than 24 hours before the latest strike.
Ceasefire Proposal Dismissed
Russia announced it would implement a temporary ceasefire around Victory Day on 9 May, regardless of Ukraine's response. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the truce "will be implemented" and that "a response is not, in fact, required." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the proposal as insufficient, arguing that Ukraine supports a longer-term ceasefire rather than "a few hours of security for a parade in Moscow."
US Ambassador to Ukraine Steps Down
Donald Trump's acting ambassador to Ukraine will step down from her post and retire after less than a year in the role. The State Department confirmed on Tuesday that Davis would leave in June, following reports of differences of opinion with Trump. Sources familiar with her decision told the Financial Times that Davis, who has served as temporary chargé d'affaires since May, had grown frustrated by Washington's dwindling support for Ukraine as peace talks with Russia have stalled.
US Troops Withdrawal from Germany
In a related development, the United States is withdrawing 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, as a rift over the Iran war widens between President Trump and Europe. Trump had threatened a drawdown earlier this week after sparring with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said on Monday that the Iranians were humiliating the US in talks to end the two-month-old war. A senior Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said recent German rhetoric had been "inappropriate and unhelpful."
