🇷🇺🇺🇦 Russia-Ukraine War: Key Developments on Day 1,166 – May 5, 2025
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict enters its 1,166th day, both nations ramped up drone attacks amid diplomatic maneuvering and growing international concern.
🔥 Military Activity
- Drone warfare escalates: Russian air defenses intercepted four Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. No injuries or damage were initially reported.
- Ukrainian retaliation: Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed a factory in Russia’s Bryansk region, with no casualties, per Governor Alexander Bogomaz.
- Russian counteroffensive: Russia’s Ministry of Defence said it downed 13 Ukrainian drones across Rostov, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions overnight.
- Kyiv under fire: A Russian drone attack injured at least 11 people, including two children, in Kyiv’s Obolonskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts, said local military head Timur Tkachenko.
- Cherkasy strike: One person was injured in central Ukraine’s Cherkasy, where residential and civilian infrastructure was hit by Russian drones.
- Ukraine’s defense: The Ukrainian Air Force reported it shot down 69 of 165 Russian drones launched overnight.
🕊️ Politics and Diplomacy
- Zelenskyy skeptical of ceasefire: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Russia’s proposed three-day ceasefire for the May 9 Victory Day, citing past broken promises.
- Putin on nuclear arms: In a newly aired documentary, Russian President Vladimir Putin said there’s no current need for nuclear weapons in Ukraine, expressing hope they won’t be necessary.
- Trump weighs in: U.S. President Donald Trump stated he’s had “very good discussions” about the war, though gave no further details.
- Xi to visit Russia: China’s President Xi Jinping will visit Russia from May 7 to 10, joining Putin to commemorate World War II’s Allied victory.
- Romania’s political shift: Far-right candidate George Simion, who opposes Ukraine aid, won the first round of Romania’s presidential rerun election. He will face centrist Nicusor Dan on May 18.
🧭 Conclusion
As the war grinds on past 1,100 days, drone warfare has intensified and peace remains elusive. With global leaders like Xi Jinping and Trump entering the diplomatic stage and doubts cast on Russia’s ceasefire offer, tensions are expected to remain high in the days leading up to May 9.
