Ukraine strikes Russian Su-30 fighter with sea drone as Zelensky rejects Putin’s “theatrical” ceasefire offer and overnight strikes hit Kyiv
Summary of the Day – May 3, 2025
Ukrainian forces claimed a historic victory in the Black Sea by downing a $50 million Russian Su-30 fighter jet using a missile launched from a Magura naval drone — the first such achievement in military history. President Zelensky firmly rejected Russia’s proposed three-day Victory Day ceasefire as a “theatrical performance” while maintaining his demand for a more substantive 30-day truce. Meanwhile, Russia launched fresh drone attacks on Kyiv overnight, injuring 11 people including two children. On the ground, Russian forces made confirmed advances near Lyman, Siversk, Novopavlivka, Kurakhove, and Velyka Novosilka as fighting intensified across multiple sectors of the frontline.
First responders work at the site of Russian drone attack in Kyiv overnight. (State Emergency Service / Telegram)
Black Sea Game-Changer: $50 Million Russian Fighter Jet Downed by Ukrainian Sea Drone
In an unprecedented military achievement, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Agency confirmed that its special forces successfully destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet using a missile launched from a Magura V5 naval drone. The operation, carried out on May 2 by the elite Group 13 unit in coordination with Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), marks the first time in warfare history that a sea drone has downed a combat aircraft.
The view from the targeting system of a Magura naval drone shows the moment of engagement with a Russian Su-30 fighter jet over the Black Sea near Novorossiysk, Russia. (Ukraine’s military intelligence agency / Telegram)
The Su-30 fighter, valued at approximately $50 million, was hit in mid-air near the Russian port of Novorossiysk—a key hub where Russia has relocated much of its Black Sea Fleet. According to Ukrainian officials, the aircraft burst into flames before plunging into the sea.
This innovative strike builds on Ukraine’s previous groundbreaking achievement from December 31, 2024, when the same type of naval drone was used to destroy two Russian Mi-8 helicopters. The development represents a significant evolution in asymmetric warfare capabilities, demonstrating Ukraine’s continued adaptation to counter Russia’s conventional military advantages.
“Theatrical Performance”: Zelensky Rejects Putin’s Short-Term Ceasefire Proposal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a three-day ceasefire during Victory Day celebrations from May 7-11, dismissing it as a “theatrical performance” designed primarily for Russian propaganda purposes.
Speaking to journalists on May 3, Zelensky characterized the offer as unserious and designed to create a comfortable atmosphere for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations rather than a genuine step toward peace. He reiterated Ukraine’s support for the U.S.-backed proposal of an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which Kyiv accepted over 50 days ago but Moscow has continued to reject.
“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 stated, adding that Russia’s pattern has been to “kill until the 7th, pause for a couple of comfortable days, then start attacking again on the 11th.”
The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, criticized Ukraine’s response as ambiguous, saying Moscow wanted a definitive answer to Putin’s ceasefire offer and suggesting Ukraine’s acceptance would serve as “a test of Kyiv’s readiness for long-term peace.”
Ongoing Russian Attacks: Kyiv Struck by Drone Barrage
Russia launched a significant drone attack on Ukraine’s capital overnight on May 4, injuring at least 11 people, including two children. The strikes damaged several residential buildings and vehicles across multiple districts of Kyiv, including Shevchenkivskyi, Obolonskyi, and Svyatoshynskyi. In the Obolonskyi district, the Dream Town shopping mall was damaged, and fires broke out on the top floors of a high-rise building and in several cars.
First responders work at the site of Russian drone attack in Kyiv overnight. (State Emergency Service / Telegram)
This latest assault comes amid continued Russian aerial campaigns against Ukrainian cities, despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Ukrainian air defenses were activated throughout the night, working to intercept the incoming drones. First responders were quickly dispatched to affected areas to provide assistance and contain fires.
The attack follows a series of significant strikes on Ukrainian civilian areas in recent weeks, with casualties reported in multiple cities including Kharkiv, where 51 people were injured on May 2 when Russian forces reportedly used thermobaric warheads in a mass drone attack.
Trump Administration Approves First Military Equipment Sale to Ukraine
The Trump administration has finalized its first military equipment sale to Ukraine since taking office. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on May 2 that the State Department approved and notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale worth an estimated $310.5 million for equipment and maintenance services for Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets.
The sale includes aircraft modifications and upgrades, personnel training, spare parts, repair support, software delivery, and various engineering and technical support services. This approval represents a significant development in U.S.-Ukraine relations under the Trump administration, which has been seeking to broker a ceasefire agreement while maintaining military support for Kyiv.
This equipment sale follows President Trump’s meeting with Zelensky at the Vatican on April 26, which the Ukrainian president characterized as “perhaps the shortest, but the most substantive” of their conversations to date. According to Zelensky, this encounter may have influenced Trump to “look at things a little differently.”
Lithuania Takes Strict Stance on Russian and Belarusian Residents
Lithuania has implemented new restrictions on Russian and Belarusian citizens residing in the country. According to a policy that took effect on May 3, those who travel to Russia or Belarus more than once within a three-month period will have their residence permits revoked.
Under the new regulations, Russian and Belarusian citizens must document valid reasons for additional trips within the three-month timeframe if they wish to maintain their Lithuanian residence status. The policy includes exceptions for employees involved in international freight and passenger transport.
Lithuania, which borders both Belarus and Russia (including the heavily militarized Kaliningrad exclave), remains one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters in Europe. The Baltic state has been at the forefront of regional security measures since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, viewing itself as a potential target for future Russian aggression.
Russian Forces Advance in Multiple Directions Across Eastern and Southern Fronts
Russian forces have made confirmed territorial gains in several areas along the front line, according to geolocated footage and reports from both Ukrainian and Russian sources. Significant advances were observed near Lyman, Siversk, Novopavlivka, Kurakhove, and Velyka Novosilka.
In the Lyman direction, geolocated evidence published on May 3 confirms that Russian forces recently advanced north of Torske (east of Lyman). In the Siversk direction, Russian troops made progress in northeast Hryhorivka as verified by geolocated footage from May 2.
Further south, in the Novopavlivka direction, Russian forces advanced east of Kotlyarivka, while in the Kurakhove direction, they gained ground in southeastern Bahatyr. Geolocated footage also confirmed Russian advances south of Vilne Pole in the Velyka Novosilka direction.
Fighting continued across multiple sectors with Russian forces conducting offensive operations in the Kharkiv, Kupyansk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Zaporizhzhia directions, though without confirmed advances in these areas. Ukrainian forces reportedly maintained positions in several contested settlements including Bohdanivka.
Casualties in Russian-Held Novorossiysk Following Ukrainian Drone Attack
In the aftermath of Ukraine’s unprecedented downing of a Russian Su-30 fighter, Russian officials declared a state of emergency in Novorossiysk, a strategic Black Sea port city in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai. Local authorities reported that a Ukrainian drone attack damaged a grain terminal and several residential buildings, resulting in four injuries, including two children.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 170 Ukrainian drones overnight on May 3, primarily over occupied Crimea and Krasnodar Krai, along with several missiles and 14 naval drones in the Black Sea. Debris from downed drones was reportedly found in several settlements, including the towns of Taman, Yurovka, Tsibanobalka, and Anapa.
This escalation in drone warfare comes as Ukraine continues to target Russian military and logistics facilities, particularly those supporting operations in the Black Sea region. The port of Novorossiysk has gained strategic importance for Russia after Ukraine’s successful attacks forced the relocation of many naval assets from Crimean ports.
A Phantom Truce: Ongoing Fighting Despite Ceasefire Discussions
The continued fighting and mutual accusations between Ukraine and Russia underscore the fragility of ceasefire proposals currently under discussion. Russia’s latest three-day ceasefire offer for Victory Day celebrations follows a pattern of short-term proposals that Ukraine and Western officials view with skepticism.
Previous Russian-declared ceasefires, including one over the Easter holiday in April, resulted in thousands of alleged violations according to Ukrainian officials. Similarly, Ukraine has reported over 30 violations of the partial truce on attacks against energy infrastructure that was brokered on March 25.
The U.S. has been leading efforts to establish a more substantial 30-day ceasefire agreement, with Ukraine accepting these terms more than 50 days ago. However, Moscow has consistently rejected this proposal, demanding instead a complete halt to Western military aid to Ukraine.
The deadlock in ceasefire negotiations reflects the fundamental divide in approaches to ending the conflict, with Russia seeking to freeze the conflict on advantageous terms while Ukraine insists on more substantial and monitored arrangements that could lead to meaningful peace talks.
Russia Faces Mounting Losses: 950,000 Casualties Since Invasion Began
Russia has likely incurred approximately 950,000 casualties (killed and wounded) since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to military analysts. In the first four months of 2025 alone, Russia is estimated to have sustained approximately 160,000 casualties, putting the country on track for potentially the costliest year of the war in terms of personnel losses.
The average daily Russian casualties during April 2025 was just over 1,200, totaling 36,000 over the course of the month according to Ukrainian General Staff reporting. While this represents a moderate decrease from the daily average of 1,300 in March 2025, it remains towards the high end in the overall context of the conflict.
Despite these significant losses, Russia has not been able to translate the human cost into substantial territorial gains in Ukraine so far in 2025, suggesting diminishing returns on its increasingly costly offensive operations.
UK Man Receives Suspended Sentence for Bringing War Souvenirs from Ukraine
A British man who fought as a volunteer in Ukraine received a suspended sentence on May 3 after bringing back a cache of grenades and ammunition. Stewart Wright, 45, from North Yorkshire, England, was discovered with four high-explosive hand grenades and multiple live rifle rounds at his home following a tip-off to local police.
Wright, who had traveled back and forth to Ukraine between 2020 and 2023, claimed he was unaware that another volunteer had hidden the weapons in his vehicle until he unloaded the car upon returning to the UK. Following his arrest, Wright experienced mental health issues that were reportedly exacerbated by his experiences in Ukraine.
The judge described Wright’s actions as “brave but foolhardy” and noted that the weapons were “some kind of macabre souvenir or trophy of the battlefield.” While acknowledging that a deterrent sentence was required, the judge suspended the prison term for 24 months due to mitigating factors and ordered Wright to complete 20 rehabilitation activity sessions.
Ukrainian Drones Eliminate Russian Motorcycle Assault Team in Kupyansk Sector
Ukrainian drones destroyed nearly a dozen Russian assault troops on motorcycles during an attempted attack in the Kupyansk sector of the Kharkiv region, the State Border Guard Service reported on May 3. Drone operators from the “Vengeance” unit successfully eliminated 10 motorcycles, two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and eight Russian soldiers during the engagement.
A war crimes prosecutor from the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office examines debris from a Russian drone following, attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office/Telegram)
According to Ukrainian sources, Russian forces have been increasingly using motorcycles in combat operations to enhance mobility and potentially evade drone detection, despite the noise making them potentially more vulnerable to detection. The Border Guard also reported that Russian troops are testing new battlefield tactics in the Donetsk region, including motorcycle columns and ground drones.
This successful defense highlights the ongoing adaptation of tactics by both sides as the war continues to evolve, with Ukraine effectively countering Russia’s attempts to increase the mobility of its assault units in the heavily contested Kupyansk direction.
Explosions Reported in Mykolaiv During Russian Overnight Air Raid
Explosions were reported in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv early on May 3 as Russian forces launched an overnight air raid, according to local officials. Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych confirmed the blasts and warned residents that “the threat persists” as Ukraine’s Air Force cautioned that several Iranian-made Shahed drones were approaching the region from the north.
Air raid sirens sounded across multiple parts of Ukraine, including Mykolaiv, as the attack unfolded. Despite the explosions, emergency services reported receiving no immediate calls for assistance, suggesting that major civilian infrastructure may have been spared in this particular assault.
Ukrainian forces reported intercepting 64 attack drones launched by Russia overnight, while another 62 drones, believed to be decoys designed to distract and deplete Ukraine’s air defenses, reportedly caused no damage on the ground. The attack on Mykolaiv follows a pattern of continued Russian aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities despite ongoing ceasefire discussions.
Second Russian Aircraft Destroyed: Zelensky Claims Strike on Crimean Airfield
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 3 that Ukrainian forces destroyed a second Russian military aircraft within a 24-hour period, having struck a military airfield in occupied Crimea. This claim followed the confirmed downing of the Russian Su-30 fighter jet by a naval drone near Novorossiysk.
While Zelensky did not provide specific details about the newly destroyed aircraft, he mentioned that military depots were also destroyed in the attack. The Ukrainian military has not released further information about the operation.
This intensification of attacks against Russian aviation assets represents a significant development in Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities, potentially threatening Russia’s air superiority over the Black Sea region and occupied territories.
EU Condemns Russia’s Unilateral Aviation to Occupied Georgian Territory
The European Union issued a statement on May 3 condemning Russia’s decision to launch passenger flights from Moscow to the Georgian city of Sukhumi, the capital of Russian-occupied Abkhazia. The EU characterized this move as “yet another step by the Russian Federation violating Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Spokesperson Anouar El Anouni emphasized that the action was taken without the consent of Georgian authorities and in absence of a necessary international aviation code for the Sukhumi airport, which was canceled by the International Civil Aviation Organization in 2006.
This development adds another dimension to Russia’s ongoing efforts to solidify control over territories it occupies beyond Ukraine, with the EU reiterating its “firm support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”
Ukrainian Actor-Turned-Soldier Maksym Kovtun Killed in Action
Maksym Kovtun, a beloved stage actor with the Dnipro Academic Oblast Youth Theater who volunteered to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was killed while defending Ukraine, the theater announced on May 3. Known for his vibrant performances in plays for both children and adults, Kovtun was remembered by colleagues for bringing “joy, laughter, and deep emotions” to the stage.
“His roles — bright, sincere, full of warmth — will remain in our hearts forever,” the theater’s statement read. “Kovtun went to the front to safeguard the nation and gave the most precious thing — his life — for a peaceful sky above us.”
The theater had publicly celebrated Kovtun’s birthday in December 2024, thanking him for his service and dedication both as a performer and a soldier. His death highlights the continuing human cost of the war across Ukrainian society.
Two Togolese Nationals Captured While Fighting for Russian Forces
Ukrainian forces have captured two Togolese nationals who were fighting alongside Russian forces, Ukrainian officials confirmed on May 3. According to Petro Yatsenko, spokesperson for the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the two individuals are currently in Ukrainian custody.
Togo’s Foreign Ministry stated that the detainees had been misled into leaving their country with promises of scholarships allegedly offered by entities claiming to represent Russian institutions. Most of those involved were reportedly young students who ultimately ended up in combat.
This case adds to the growing evidence that Russia is recruiting foreign fighters from multiple countries, with a recent investigation identifying over 1,500 foreign mercenaries from 48 countries in Russian military service. The captured Togolese nationals join fighters from other countries including China, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and several Central Asian nations who have been documented fighting for Russia.
Looking Ahead: Diplomatic Tensions Rise as War Intensifies
As Russia prepares for its Victory Day celebrations on May 9, with some 20 foreign leaders expected to attend, diplomatic tensions continue to rise. President Zelensky warned on May 3 that Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of foreign officials traveling to Moscow, stating that Kyiv “cannot be held responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation.”
Meanwhile, the Trump administration appears to be growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress toward a ceasefire. President Trump has recently expressed doubts about Putin’s willingness to end the war, given the continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas. This sentiment marks a shift in Trump’s approach, which had previously faced criticism for appearing to place more pressure on Ukraine than on Russia.
With Ukrainian forces showing continued innovation in asymmetric warfare tactics while Russian forces make incremental gains in the east, the conflict appears to be entering yet another complex phase. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether diplomatic efforts can gain traction or if the war will continue to escalate as it enters its fourth year.