(Image by NEIVANMADE)

All of eastern and most of central Ukraine is under air raid alert as of 7:30 PM EDT/2:30 AM local time in Ukraine. The alert maps indicate drone swarms moving east to west across Ukraine.

Here’s today’s air defense tally:

🇺🇦Ukrainian Air Defence shot down:

▪️69/165 Shahed UAVs;
▪️80 drones suppressed by EW.

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— MAKS 24 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 3:33 AM

There is an update on the naval drone the Ukrainians used to bring down the two Su-30s:

‼️New Ukrainian Magura V7 drone armed with AIM-9 missiles revealed as weapon behind downing of Russian Su-30 near Novorossiysk.

Magura V7 is a new enlarged and upgraded version of the Magura V5, extending approximately 8 meters in length (compared to 5.5 m in the V5).

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 5:18 AM

/2. Full article: www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 5:18 AM

Zelenskyy: Russia’s cynicism is staggering—they request silence for May 9 while striking Ukraine daily. This week: 1,180 drones, 1,360 guided bombs, 10 missiles.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 4:24 AM

Zelenskyy: “Some in Europe block Ukraine’s EU path for better seats at Red Square. We’re ready to open initial negotiation clusters, but certain figures stall progress not for their nations but for personal gain. European values must prevail.”

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 11:13 AM

President Zelenskyy travelled to Prague to meet with Czech President Pavel today. There is no daily address, but there was a joint press conference.

Zelenskyy: “We know who we’re dealing with. Russia may stage provocations on May 9. It’s their style. They talk of a partial ceasefire, but today’s assaults are the most intense in months.”

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 11:38 AM

First Lady Zelenska also met with Czech First Lady Pavlova:

Georgia:

Unity March – A protest rally was held in Tbilisi today.

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 158

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 11:58 AM

Citizens who did not participate in the march expressed support for the protest from their homes.

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 158

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM

Activist Magda Mamukashvili holds a protest banner calling policeman Lasha Salukvadze a law breaker – right in front of Salukvadze himself.

The faces are priceless! #GeorgiaProtests

📷 Basti Mgaloblishvili

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM

“Down with Russia’s rotten Empire!” – the slogans of the 1980s national liberation are revived by #GeorgiaProtests

“Until the end!”

When a few hundred people put several residential districts on fire.

📷 MOSE

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 12:44 PM

What a beautiful end to a beautiful day.

For the 158th consecutive day, Rustaveli avenue is blocked. ✅ #GeorgiaProtests

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 12:04 PM

Day 158. Between protests of the day, Tbilisi Metro is once again filled with people singing the national anthem of Georgia. #GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 12:01 PM

Another day – another march to the ministry of internal affairs building. People on the streets are supporting us with Georgian flags.
#GeorgiaProtests

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— Lika (@kleines.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 9:39 AM

On the 158th day of protest, there is march from Isani metro to Interior Ministry glass building.

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— Mariam Nikuradze (@mariamnikuradze.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 9:10 AM

As virtually always, people greet today’s protest march with admiration and hope.
Worth noting that there hasn’t been any protest yet that affected Isani-Samgori district in Tbilisi. This is the first.
#GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 9:05 AM

“The nation demands resignation” “We no longer trust police uniform” – March of Unity demanding Georgian Dream government resignation is heading from Tbilisi’s Isani metro station to Ministry of Interior headquarters. Day 158 of #GeorgiaProtests
🎥Nini Gabritchidze/Civil.ge

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— Civil.ge (@civil.ge) May 4, 2025 at 8:19 AM

“Zero policemen punished” – Many carry posters with photos of beaten activists, police officials, or police officers accused of false testimonies, pointing to systemic abuse by Interior Ministry. #GeorgiaProtests
📷 Nini Gabritchidze

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— Civil.ge (@civil.ge) May 4, 2025 at 8:23 AM

The US:

Are you any closer to reaching a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia:

“I do believe we are closer with one party, and maybe not as close with the other. I’d like to not say which one we are closer to”- Trump

Also: “350 billion”, “Biden war” etc. etc. etc.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 10:40 AM

Compare and contrast:

Trump: “We’re gonna have a big beautiful parade. We’re gonna celebrate our military. We have the greatest military in the world. We have the great missiles in the world. The greatest submarines. The greatest army tanks in the world. We have the great weapons in the world & we’re gonna celebrate it”

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) May 4, 2025 at 10:48 AM

Vladivostok, Russia:

In Vladivostok, 1,500 first-graders were paraded as soldiers. From a young age, they are being conditioned to worship violence and nationalism, to be ready to kill and die for the twisted ideas in Putin’s broken mind.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 1:34 PM

Somewhere in Russia:

Putin stated that “reconciliation with the Ukrainian part of the Russian people (and not with Ukraine as a sovereign state) is irreversible” — effectively confirming his imperial intentions to subjugate Ukraine.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 5:14 AM

In a documentary marking his 25th anniversary as president, Putin cynically pushes a propaganda narrative, claiming that Russia supposedly didn’t prepare for war with Ukraine, presenting it as a forced measure.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 5:44 AM

Putin, in an interview with Zarubin, claimed Russia “hopes” to avoid using nuclear weapons in Ukraine. “They provoked us, but we didn’t take the bait,” he says, insisting there’s enough strength to “logically conclude” what started in 2022.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 6:10 AM

Slovakia:

Fico seems to be conveniently forgetting that it was Russia who invaded a neighboring country, started the war, and jeopardized its own safety. Russia also chose to continue this war, declining the U.S. ceasefire proposal, which they could accept if they want their parade so bad

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 8:17 AM

Israel

A Patriot air-defense system that was based in Israel will be sent to Ukraine after it’s refurbished, the NYTimes reports: nytimes.com/2025/05/04/w…

We @financialtimes.com first reported nearly a year ago the US, Israel and Ukraine were in talks about patriot systems: www.ft.com/content/1c93…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) May 4, 2025 at 10:44 AM

The Ukrainians are getting one of the eight that the Israelis are retiring.

Back to Ukraine.

If I was a NATO navy I’d be investing in these as a short and medium term air defence option.

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— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 3:19 PM

Ukraine is going to be the go to weapons manufacturer and supplier as a result of the innovations in weapons design and use that have become necessary for their defense against Putin’s/Russia’s genocidal re-invasion of Ukraine.

🫡🇺🇦 Ukrainian women soldiers of the AFU stand like angels of war, with assault rifles in their hands and fire in their hearts.
Their braids, hidden under their helmets, once swayed in the peaceful breeze, but now they are steel lionesses, challenging the enemy with cold grace.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 3:45 PM

Borova, Izium, Kharkiv Oblast:

Russian strikes in Kharkiv Oblast killed a man in the village of Borova, Izium district, and injured four civilians in Kupiansk. Homes and civilian infrastructure, including a Nova Poshta warehouse, were destroyed. Does anyone still care?

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 8:56 AM

Izium, Kharkiv Oblast:

This is Nova Poshta in Izium, Kharkiv region, after last night’s russian attack.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 6:46 AM

The Kursk cross border offensive:

A spectacular strike by a Ukrainian FPV drone destroyed a Russian T-80BVM tank marked with “For Brother Lemon” and “Learn Russian ZOV” near the village of Huevo, Kursk Oblast.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 8:46 AM

Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast:

In Kharkiv Region, the russian army shells Kupiansk residential areas again, causing fires

The shelling ignited fires that engulfed the roof and three apartments of a five-story residential building, a garage, and a store.

A woman born in 1936 was injured. Paramedics hospitalized her.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM

Donetsk Oblast:

Fighters of the 12th “Azov” Brigade are testing the “Sych” strike UAV in Donetsk Oblast.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 9:12 AM

Kharkiv Oblast:

The Kharkiv region has been under russian glide bomb attacks all evening. The city remains quiet so far. We will likely get drones later. That is how our Sunday is going, and every day, really.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM

Novogrodivka, Donestk Oblast:

JDAM air strike by Ukrainian Su-27 on Russian base in Novogrodivka. t.me/soniah_hub/1…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 8:37 AM

Toretsk:

Ukrainian defenders reveal the destruction and horror brought by Russians everywhere. Toretsk, Ukraine.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 10:06 AM

Pokrovsk:

A rapid response team from the 4th Battalion of the 3rd National Guard Brigade “Spartan” carried out an operation near Pokrovsk — dismounting from an APC, they stormed and recaptured a Russian-held position.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 7:55 AM

Myrnohrad, Donetsk Oblast:

Russian terrorists struck civilian apartment buildings in Myrnohrad, Donetsk Oblast, causing extensive damage.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 12:48 PM

Bryansk Oblast, Russia:

There is a rumor that some drones visited Bryansk region of russia, and now a factory is on fire.

It is reported that it produces electronics for Russia’s defense industry and collaborates with the Rostec corporation.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 6:25 AM

Per Exilenova, Ukraine’s Armed Forces struck the Strela plant in Suzemka, Bryansk Oblast, again tonight, tied to Rostec and producing radar gear for Russia’s defense industry. The admin building is reportedly burning.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 4, 2025 at 3:05 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

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Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,165: A Brief Sunday Night UpdatePost + Comments (14)

Two quick housekeeping notes. First, I’m going to be very busy – not bad busy, just busy busy – for the next two weeks, so unless something really major happens I’m just going to be running through the basics.

Second, Rosie had her monthly post-chemo check in today. This is the sixth one since her last treatment. The vet is thrilled with how she’s doing. The lymph nodes are all normal, her weight is good, and despite being 14 and 1/2, her hips are hanging in there.The vets was also thrilled to hear that she wants to and does go for a 1.5 mile every night and wants plenty of attention. Thank you all again for the good thoughts, well wishes, and the donations last year to help cover the cost of her chemo.

Air raid alerts are up at 10:15 PM EDT/5:15 AM local time in Ukraine for almost all of eastern and north/north central Ukraine as Russian drone swarms move across Ukrainian skies.

What Ukraine is doin ova der is setting a new first in the annals of war:

And now it’s official: for the first time ever, Ukrainian naval drone destroyed warplane.

Magura sea drone struck Russian Su-30 near Novorossiysk — where Moscow hides what’s left of its Black Sea fleet.

Estimated loss: $50 million.

No place for Russia in the Black Sea.

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— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) May 3, 2025 at 6:30 AM

/2. A map shared by Russian sources indicates that the Russian Su-30, which was shot down, had taken off from the Saky airbase in Crimea on a mission to search for and destroy naval drones.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 3, 2025 at 4:51 AM

**UPDATE**

Significant that a Ukrainian Magura maritime drone (USV) has shot down a Russian Su-30 FLANKER jet. The first time a jet has been shot down by an uncrewed vessel.

Info on Ukr HUR’s ‘FrankenSAM’ USV:
www.hisutton.com/Ukraine-USV-…

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— H I Sutton (@covertshores.bsky.social) May 3, 2025 at 7:56 AM

From Covert Shores:

Footage has emerged, taken from the Russian side, of a Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessel (USV) armed with an improvised air-defense system. This is the first time anything like this has been observed. (UPDATE: The vessel was subsequently confirmed to be a Magura design used by GUR).

The system uses repurposed air-air missiles in an arrangement often termed a ‘FrankenSAM’. The USV was engaged by Russian helicopters.

The USV is armed with two AA-11 ARCHER (R-73) air-air missiles. They appear to be on their aircraft pylon rails but mounted upside down at a fixed elevation. This arrangement is simple and straightforward. The AA-11 is a late-Soviet dogfighting missile which is still used by both Ukraine and Russia today. It has an air-air range of 30-40km although theoretical surface to air range would be around half that. And the actual engagement ranges would be limited by onboard sensors, so likely much shorter. All the same it is likely generally effective as a surface to air missile.

More at the link.

Zelensky said Kyiv would not be “playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere” on May 9, when some foreign leaders are due in Moscow for WWII commemorations.

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— The Moscow Times (@themoscowtimes.com) May 3, 2025 at 7:29 AM

From The Moscow Times:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed a three-day truce ordered by Russian leader Vladimir Putin as theatrics but said Kyiv was ready for a full ceasefire.

Moscow said the truce, set to coincide with its World War II commemorations on May 9, was aimed at testing Kyiv’s “readiness” for long-term peace and accused Zelensky of making a “direct threat” to events on the holiday.

The Kremlin rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposed by Kyiv and Washington in March, and has since made only slim contributions to U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker an end to the three-year Russian invasion.

“This is more of a theatrical performance on his part. Because in two or three days, it is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian leader was speaking on Friday to a small group of journalists, including AFP, in remarks embargoed until Saturday.

Some in Ukraine have criticized the truce as an attempt to prevent Kyiv from disrupting the World War II anniversary celebrations with foreign leaders due in Moscow to watch a grand military parade on Red Square and an address by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky said Ukraine would not be “playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere to allow for Putin’s exit from isolation on 9 May.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters the ceasefire was aimed at testing “Kyiv’s readiness to seek ways to achieve long-term sustainable peace.”

Leaders of around 20 countries, including China’s Xi Jinping, have accepted invitations to join this year’s celebration, according to the Kremlin.

Zelensky said some countries had approached Kyiv, warning they were traveling to Russia and had requested safety.

“Our position is very simple towards all countries that have travelled or are travelling to Russia on May 9 — we cannot take responsibility for what is happening on the territory of the Russian Federation,” he answered.

“They are ensuring your safety,” Zelensky said, adding that Russia “may take various steps on its part, such as arson, explosions, and so on and then blame us.”

Zelensky did not say what Ukraine would do during the truce, but Russia jumped on the comments, accusing Kyiv of making a “direct threat” to its May 9 commemorations.

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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War for Ukraine Day 1,164: Ukraine Establishes a Another First in the Annals of WarPost + Comments (14)