Exclusives
Military
Frontline report: Alcohol consumption compromises Russian operational security in Belgorod. Over a dozen Russian bodies scattered in and around an anti-tank ditch mark the latest failed assault, as Ukrainian forces combine FPV drones, grenades, and machine gun fire to devastating effect.
So, like, there’s this crazy situation happening in Belgorod, where Russian soldiers are getting a little too loosey-goosey with their alcohol consumption, and it’s seriously messing up their whole operation. I mean, we’re talking about over a dozen bodies just lying around after a failed assault. Not a pretty sight, folks.
Drones strike Russian city of Murom, targeting facility that produces gunpowder. The governor of Vladimir Oblast confirmed a drone attack on Murom that caused a warehouse fire at what social media sources identify as a military production facility.
Oh boy, Murom is not having a good day. Drones swooped in and targeted a facility that makes gunpowder, causing a huge warehouse fire. Social media is buzzing with videos of the chaos, pointing fingers at a military production site as the epicenter of the drama.
Russian war casualties reach 105,000 identified dead, Russian investigation finds. The proportion of Russian officer deaths has steadily declined throughout the war, now representing only 2-3% of total casualties compared to 10% in the early stages of the war.
Wow, that’s a lot of casualties. The investigation found that a whopping 105,000 Russian soldiers have been identified as dead. Surprisingly, the number of officer deaths has gone down over time, now making up only a small percentage of the total. Progress?
Forbes: Russian military turns to school bus on frontline as their armor stocks deplete. Ukrainian drone operators struck a yellow school bus near the front lines in Donetsk Oblast, underscoring Russia’s growing reliance on civilian vehicles for military operations.
Can you believe it? The Russian military is so desperate for armor that they’re using a school bus on the frontline. I mean, a bright yellow bus in a war zone? Not really sure how effective that’s going to be, but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Kremlin says Russia can mobilize as in WWII if needed. Russia is recruiting 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers monthly through financial incentives rather than formal conscription, according to US and EU intelligence sources.
The Kremlin is talking big, saying Russia can mobilize like they did in WWII if they have to. They’re recruiting thousands of soldiers every month with cash incentives, skipping the whole conscription process. Money talks, I guess.
As of 30 APR 2025, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:
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• Personnel: 951960 (+1100)
Tanks: 10729 (+1)
APV: 22353 (+1)
Artillery systems: 27091 (+11)
MLRS: 1374 (+1)
Anti-aircraft systems: 1146
Aircraft: 370
Helicopters: 335
UAV: 34289 (+112)
Cruise missiles : 3196
Warships/boats: 28
Submarines: 1
Vehicles and fuel tanks: 46611 (+179)
Intelligence and Technology
Politico: Ukrainian drone operators get game-styled points for Russian kills, exchange them for more weapons. Ukraine developed a new online platform that allows soldiers to convert battlefield successes, documented through drone footage, into points that can be redeemed for equipment.
It’s like a video game come to life! Ukrainian drone operators are racking up points for taking out Russian soldiers and trading them in for more weapons. Who knew war could be so gamified?
South Korean intel: 600 North Korean soldiers killed fighting against Ukraine, bodies cremated before return. Bodies of North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine are being cremated in Russia’s Kursk Oblast before being shipped back to North Korea, South Korean intelligence officials told lawmakers.
They’re not messing around in Ukraine. Apparently, 600 North Korean soldiers got taken out in the fight and their bodies are being cremated before being sent back home. Talk about a grim homecoming.
International
Zelenskyy may visit Czech Republic on 4 May, media reports. The Presidential Office announced a high-level diplomatic meeting for Sunday but refuses to disclose which foreign leader will arrive in Prague.
Zelenskyy is making moves, with reports saying he might visit the Czech Republic soon. There’s a high-level diplomatic meeting in the works, but they’re keeping tight-lipped about who’s coming to Prague.
Zelenskyy holds phone conversation with Canadian Prime Minister, invites him to Kyiv. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy discussed the increasing production of Russian ballistic missiles and Ukraine’s defense needs with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Zelenskyy is working the phones, chatting it up with the Canadian Prime Minister about Russian missiles and Ukraine’s defense. Looks like he’s trying to rally some support from up north.
Trump says Putin might be misleading him on peace.
Uh-oh, Trump’s got doubts about Putin. He’s saying Putin might not be telling him the whole truth about peace talks. Can’t trust anyone these days, huh?
US State Dep: North Korea is responsible for Russia’s war against Ukraine. The United States has called for an immediate end to North Korean troop deployments in Russia, stating that such actions violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions.
The US is pointing fingers at North Korea, blaming them for Russia’s war in Ukraine. They want those North Korean troops out of there ASAP, citing UN resolutions. It’s getting messy, folks.
The Times: “Coalition of the willing” for Ukraine struggles to materialize amid Europe hesitation. The “coalition of the willing” formed in March 2025 to support Ukraine’s security amid Russian aggression is facing a critical shortage of actual willing participants apart from mainly the UK and France.
Turns out, not everyone is willing to join the party in supporting Ukraine against Russia. The “coalition of the willing” is looking a bit sparse, with only the UK and France really stepping up. Where’s everyone else at?
Politico: Leaders of Britain, France and Germany decide not to travel to Kyiv on 9 May. Ukraine’s attempt to organize a diplomatic counter-event to Putin’s Victory Day parade has hit a roadblock as multiple European leaders decline to attend.
Looks like the big shots from Britain, France, and Germany are giving Kyiv the cold shoulder. Ukraine wanted to throw a little diplomatic event on May 9th, but it seems like the invite got lost in the mail for these leaders.
Zelenskyy: Ukraine working with US on new Russian sanctions. President Zelenskyy announced Ukraine is preparing new sanctions against Russia with the US administration aimed at forcing Moscow to the negotiating table.
Zelenskyy isn’t playing around. He’s teaming up with the US to slap some new sanctions on Russia, hoping to push them to the bargaining table. It’s like a high-stakes game of poker, but with countries.
Russia signals openness to US involvement at occupied Ukrainian nuclear plant. This potential shift comes days after Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had categorically dismissed any transfer of control over Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant proposed in US peace deal.
Well, well, well, look who’s changing their tune. Russia is suddenly open to the US getting involved at the Ukrainian nuclear plant they’re occupying. Seems like someone had a change of heart after all.
Humanitarian and Social Impact
ISW: Russia prepares to forcibly remove and deport Ukrainian children this summer. Russian authorities will deport over 53,000 Ukrainian children to “summer camps” designed to erase their Ukrainian identity, according to a new ISW analysis.
This is just plain cruel. Russia is planning to snatch up over 53,000 Ukrainian kids and ship them off to “summer camps” to erase their Ukrainian roots. Talk about a dystopian nightmare.
Political and Legal Developments
Latvia jails citizen for fighting in Russian army against Ukraine. Latvia sentenced a man who illegally crossed back into Latvia after fighting in the Donetsk Oblast as part of Russian forces to six years
Latvia is cracking down on citizens who fought for Russia in Ukraine. They threw one guy in jail for sneaking back into Latvia after fighting in Donetsk. Harsh, but fair?
Ukraine criticizes proposal to advance Moldova EU accession talks separately. This separation is happening due to continued Hungarian obstruction, which has a pro-Russian government and opposes any support to Ukraine.
Ukraine isn’t happy about Moldova’s EU talks being separated. Hungary’s causing problems, with their pro-Russian government blocking support for Ukraine. It’s like a big geopolitical tug-of-war.
EU ambassador refutes reports of separating Ukraine-Moldova accession paths. Ukraine’s path to EU remains stalled by Russian-aligned Hungarian objections centered on minority rights concerns.
The EU ambassador is setting the record straight, saying Ukraine and Moldova aren’t being split up in their EU journey. But Hungary’s still throwing a wrench in the works, fighting over minority rights. What a mess.
New Developments
Strategic bridge over river to connect Russia and North Korea by 2026. A two-lane road bridge will span the Tumen River in Russia’s Primorsky Krai region, designed to handle 300 vehicles and nearly 3,000 individuals daily.
Russia and North Korea are getting cozy with a new bridge in the works. They’re building a fancy two-lane road bridge to connect them over the Tumen River. Looks like they’re planning some serious traffic flow between the two countries.
