Summary of the day: Russian forces advanced near Svatove, Kreminna, and Avdiivka, as well as in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area. They conducted extensive missile and drone strikes targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, exploiting Ukraine’s weakened air defenses before the arrival of large-scale Western military support. Satellite imagery and other reports reveal that Russia is sustaining its war efforts by tapping into Soviet-era equipment reserves, as current manufacturing is insufficient to replenish losses. Lithuania announced that its troops will participate in future training missions in Ukraine, while Russia faces diplomatic tensions with Armenia. Meanwhile, the Georgian government continues to employ pro-Kremlin tactics against protesters opposing the “foreign agents” bill.
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Beyond Ukraine – March Towards World War
Lithuania’s Prime Minister, Ingrida Šimonytė, stated that her country is ready to send troops to Ukraine for training, with parliamentary approval, but is awaiting a request from Kyiv. Despite potential Russian backlash, she emphasized that threats of nuclear weapons shouldn’t deter support.
Georgia’s State Security Service (SUS) is using Kremlin-style propaganda against Georgians protesting the “foreign agents” bill, aligning with ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream party. The SUS claimed that foreign-funded groups, including some Georgians fighting in Ukraine, plan violent provocations against Georgian authorities. This narrative mirrors Russian rhetoric, accusing the West of inciting anti-government protests to undermine domestic calls for democratization. The SUS and Ivanishvili’s adoption of these narratives suggest an intention to disrupt Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration and align more closely with Russia.
Armenia’s efforts to distance itself from Russia are straining their relationship, forcing the Kremlin to acknowledge the tension. During a meeting in Moscow, President Putin and Prime Minister Pashinyan admitted to unresolved security issues in the South Caucasus. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov conceded that there are problems but claimed both leaders remain optimistic about future relations. Armenia, meanwhile, announced it will no longer contribute to the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization’s budget, highlighting its gradual shift away from Russian influence.
A Kremlin-approved Russian blogger criticized Kazakhstan, alleging anti-Russian behavior and Western influence. The blogger cited documents suggesting Ukraine aims to strengthen ties with Central Asia and support ethnic Ukrainians there. They also condemned an exhibit in Almaty about Kazakh protest victims, linking its organizers to Western-funded groups.
The blogger highlighted strong Russian-Kyrgyz ties, emphasizing Kyrgyzstan’s continued appreciation for Soviet contributions and claiming Russia remains influential despite attempts to promote national identity. They claimed Russia plans nuclear drills in response to NATO exercises but misrepresented NATO’s defensive response to Russian aggression as a threat.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
Ukrainian officials stated that their forces successfully repelled a 10-person Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group near Pylna, on the Kharkiv Oblast-Russia border.
Russian sources reported that Ukrainian forces targeted an oil depot in Luhansk City with ATACMS missiles causing a large fire. A Russian blogger claimed that several fuel tanks were damaged, but the Luhansk People’s Republic stated that significant fuel shortages are not expected due to reserves.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative None
Russian forces have advanced northwest of Svatove amid ongoing ground attacks along the Kupyansk-Svatove line. Geolocated footage from May 6 shows progress south of Novoselivske. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that their troops captured Kyslivka and are preparing to attack nearby settlements. Russian bloggers also claimed advances near Berestove. However, these reports remain unconfirmed. Additionally, Russian forces continued attacks near Synkivka, Pishchane, and Stelmakhivka, while Russian regiments are actively fighting near Kyslivka, Kotlyarivka, and Tabaivka.
Russian forces made slight advances near Kreminna, moving east of Yampolivka and north of Bilohorivka, according to geolocated footage. They also continued attacks northwest of Kreminna near Makiivka, Nevske, and Novolyubivka, and south of Kreminna near Bilohorivka and the Serebryanske forest.
Russian forces continued their attacks northeast of Bakhmut in the Siversk area, but the frontline remained unchanged. They launched assaults near Verkhnokamyanske, Vyimka, Spirne, and Rozdolivka.
Russian forces continued attacks east of Chasiv Yar but didn’t advance the frontline. They focused on areas near Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and Niu York. A Ukrainian battalion chief noted on May 7 that Russian forces are using “turtle tanks” with extra armor, attacking at dawn and dusk. They also attempt to cross the Siverskyi-Donets Donbas Canal but are repelled or captured by Ukrainian forces. Another battalion commander reported that Russian forces hold a significant numerical advantage.
Russian forces recently made significant gains northwest of Avdiivka. Geolocated footage shows they advanced four kilometers north of Ocheretyne, reaching the outskirts of Novooleksandrivka, and moved to a windbreak south of Solovyove. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have seized Novokalynove. Unverified reports suggest further advances toward Prohres and Novopokrovske. They also continued attacks around Avdiivka, targeting areas like Oleksandropil, Ocheretyne, Arkhanhelske, and Netaylove.
Russian forces reportedly made slight gains west of Donetsk City but didn’t significantly change the frontline. A Russian blogger claimed they broke through Ukrainian defenses in Krasnohorivka and took Pershe Travnia Street, though there’s no visual confirmation. Attacks continued near Heorhiivka, Kostyantynivka, and other areas southwest of Donetsk City.
Russian forces advanced near the Donetsk-Zaporizhia border, particularly in southern Urozhaine, where they moved along Tsentralna Street. A Russian blogger claimed the 40th Naval Infantry Brigade gained 500 meters southwest of Urozhaine. Reports also suggest that forces have entered Staromayorske, although this hasn’t been visually confirmed.
Positional fighting continued in western Zaporizhia without confirmed frontline changes. A Russian blogger claimed that forces advanced 700 meters southeast of Robotyne, possibly referring to geolocated footage showing advances along Skidhna Street to new positions. Fighting also persisted near Robotyne and Verbove.
Positional fighting continued on the eastern bank of Kherson Oblast, including near Krynky. Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk reported that Russian forces attempt daily assaults on Nestryha Island using jet skis. Vladimir Saldo, head of Kherson’s occupation administration, claimed that Russian forces have taken control of some islands in the Dnipro River.
Ukrainian Civilian Victims Of War
The casualty count of Ukrainian civilians in the past 24 hours:
DEATHS: 2 INJURIES: 10
- Russian forces attacked the village of Bilozerka and the city of Kherson. A 65-year-old woman was killed at home in Bilozerka, and a 40-year-old man was hospitalized with serious injuries. Another 65-year-old woman was hospitalized with a concussion but is in stable condition.
- Russia attacked Kharkiv, injuring at least seven people, including four children. The strike hit a school stadium in the Saltivka district. Three boys aged 14 and 15, and an eight-year-old girl were injured, with one child in serious condition. Additionally, a 55-year-old man and two women sustained injuries.
- The death toll from a Russian missile attack on Odesa on April 29 has risen to seven after an injured man succumbed to his wounds in the hospital.
- Russian troops launched three strikes on the village of Veselianka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, injuring a woman.
Ukraine News
Overnight on May 8, Russian forces launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Despite Ukraine intercepting many of the 55 missiles and 21 drones fired, several energy facilities, including three thermal power plants, were damaged across Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, and Vinnytsia oblasts. An 8-year-old child in Kirovohrad Oblast and two adults near Kyiv were injured. The attack, launched from Crimea, Russian-held Zaporizhzhia, and regions in Russia, marks Russia’s fifth strike on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the past month and a half. President Zelensky urged allies to provide more air defense systems as attacks continue.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had a “lengthy and focused” call with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, inviting him to Ukraine’s peace summit in Switzerland on June 15-16. Zelensky emphasized Hungary’s crucial role in fostering peace and regional security and discussed resolving bilateral issues and Ukraine’s EU membership. Despite Hungary’s ties to the Kremlin, Zelensky stressed the importance of good-neighborly relations and cooperation in trade, energy, and logistics.
Russian Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
Satellite imagery reveals that Russia is maintaining its war effort by relying on old vehicle and weapon storage rather than producing new ones. Russia’s pre-war military vehicle reserves have dropped by about 32%, with multipurpose armored fighting vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles most affected. An analysis indicates that about 60% of stored artillery systems have been withdrawn, leaving many degraded or incompatible with modern ammunition. This shows Russia is struggling to maintain its military capabilities at scale.
Russia relies heavily on Soviet-era equipment to sustain its military operations in Ukraine, as its defense industry cannot produce new vehicles quickly enough. The British think tank IISS estimates that Russia has lost over 3,000 armored vehicles this year and close to 8,000 since February 2022. Russia has reactivated over 3,600 tanks and armored vehicles from storage to offset these losses, but the current production rate isn’t sufficient to replenish them fully. Without shifting to a wartime economy, Russia may struggle to maintain its equipment supply.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu praised two military units for their efforts in Ukraine: the 55th Motorized Rifle Brigade for securing Solovyove, and the 272nd Motorized Rifle Regiment for capturing Kotlyarivka.
A Russian blogger criticized the military’s bureaucratic hurdles in using civilian boats for the “Dnepr River Flotilla,” noting that servicemen avoid using private boats because the military won’t compensate families if they’re harmed while using unapproved vessels. Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk indicated the flotilla is under-resourced and not a threat.
Meanwhile, Rostec, a state defense company, reported that it delivered new Su-35S aircraft to the Ministry of Defense.
Ukraine’s Army of Drones reported on May 8 that Russia is working on a version of Ukraine’s Baba Yaga drone.
The UK Ministry of Defense stated that Russia’s Aerospace Forces modified some Kh-101 cruise missiles with secondary warheads. Although this reduces their range by half, they remain capable of hitting targets across Ukraine. The modification enhances fragmentation on impact, improving their effectiveness against non-hardened targets.
Source Materials
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com