United 24 Media:
🔹 The total effect of sanctions on Russia and other forms of pressure is producing the necessary results, said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The president reported on a conversation with Alexander Stubb. The sides coordinated positions ahead of upcoming international meetings and negotiations.
According to President Zelenskyy, they also discussed cooperation with the United States and European partners. He emphasized that sanctions and other pressure tools against Russia are already yielding tangible results.
🔸 Ukraine has suffered more than 3,000 attacks on its healthcare system since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to the surveillance system of the World Health Organization.
About 80% of confirmed attacks have targeted clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.
Beyond direct casualties, such strikes disrupt medical services, damage critical infrastructure, and gradually undermine the capacity of the healthcare system.
“Each of these attacks is a violation of international humanitarian law. Each one means a patient who cannot be reached, a health worker in danger, a community left without help.
This cannot be normalized. Under international humanitarian law, healthcare is protected.
This is not a guideline or a recommendation. It is a binding obligation for all parties to any conflict.
WHO will continue to document every attack on the health system and advocate for the protection of health workers in Ukraine,” said Hans-Henry P. Kluge.
Around 20% of recorded attacks targeted ambulances and other medical transport. Nearly one in three of these incidents resulted in casualties or injuries, making medical transport one of the most dangerous sectors in terms of risk.
“Since the beginning of this year alone, 186 WHO-confirmed attacks on the health system have resulted in 15 deaths and at least 81 injuries, and these figures continue to rise.
Compared to the same period in 2025, the number of deaths has nearly quadrupled, while injuries have almost doubled,” said Jarno Habicht.
According to the United Nations, 12.7 million people in Ukraine require humanitarian assistance, including 9.2 million in need of health support.
Civilian casualties are estimated to have increased by 31% compared to 2025.
“According to the latest estimates, the cost of rebuilding the health sector over the next 10 years has already reached $23.6 billion. At the same time, we are doing everything possible to ensure patients have access to necessary medical care,” said Ukraine’s Minister of Health Viktor Liashko.
WHO operations in Ukraine continue to adapt to the evolving situation, supporting healthcare facilities, protecting medical workers, and strengthening the resilience of the system.
🔹 The Kremlin has effectively signaled that negotiations will not change the course of the war against Ukraine.
Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that even after multiple rounds of talks, there will be no progress unless Ukraine agrees to withdraw its troops from Donbas.
He reiterated this demand, stressing that without it “there will be no result.”
Ushakov also said that American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are planning to visit Moscow in the near future to continue the dialogue.
🔸 The war in the Middle East is beginning to affect global production of copper, nickel, and fertilizers due to a shortage of sulfuric acid, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Sulfuric acid is one of the world’s most in-demand industrial chemicals. It is used in fertilizer production, metal processing, semiconductor manufacturing, and water treatment.
It is typically produced during the processing of non-ferrous metals and oil. A significant share comes from refineries in the Persian Gulf, but shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are now increasingly disrupted.
China, the world’s largest producer of sulfuric acid, restricted exports in May over concerns about rising fertilizer prices and risks to food security.
According to Argus Media, sulfuric acid prices in Indonesia have risen by more than 80% since the end of February, while prices in Chile — the world’s largest copper producer — have more than doubled. Chile is also the largest importer of sulfuric acid, which it uses in copper mining.
The report notes that the shortage is already affecting nickel and copper output. In Indonesia, some nickel producers that rely on supplies from the Middle East are reducing production.
🔹 The May 9 parade on Red Square looked more like evidence of Russia’s decline than a true celebration of victory, according to The Telegraph.
The limited number of aging aircraft in the sky did little to conceal the strain on Russia’s military resources, which continue to be heavily consumed by the war. In several regions, particularly in the Far East, local parades featured tanks dating back to the Second World War.
There is speculation that some of this outdated equipment is being returned to service due to significant losses of modern armored vehicles in Ukraine, which could point to serious depletion of the Kremlin’s capabilities.
A shortage of personnel has also become evident. During the parade, Russian units were reinforced with military personnel from North Korea. According to The Telegraph, this appears unusual for a state that has long promoted an image of military self-sufficiency.
❗️ “Putin himself says he is finally ready for real meetings — we have been ready for them for a long time,” President Zelenskyy said.
“We pushed him a little, and we have long been preparing for such meetings — now we need to find the right format. We must end this war and reliably guarantee security,” the president added.
🔸 Russia has unveiled the Geran-5 cruise missile during a so-called “virtual parade” in Moscow, according to Defense Express.
Analysts say the launcher footage was shown as part of a video presentation of military equipment that was not displayed on Red Square this year. The recording was likely made in the Oryol region.
The missile is already being compared with other systems, though it reportedly has a smaller warhead and a range of about 1,000 km. At the same time, its jet engine allows it to reach speeds of up to 600 km/h, which could complicate air defense efforts.
Experts note that the Geran-5 is assembled from standardized components, including parts of Chinese and Western origin, and may represent a new line of low-cost Russian cruise missiles.
🔹 Russians have begun shipping drone components and other goods to Iran via the Caspian Sea to bypass a potential US blockade, — The New York Times.
In recent months, the Caspian Sea has gained importance as a key trade route between Russia and Iran, sources told the newspaper.
The United States cannot intercept ships in the Caspian Sea — unlike in the Persian Gulf — because access is limited to the five countries bordering it. As a result, the region remains a “blind spot” for the US.
Russian port data reviewed by journalists also shows a sharp increase in shipments along this route in recent months.
Around two million tons of wheat, previously delivered annually to Iran via the Black Sea, have been redirected through the Caspian. Goods that were typically shipped through the Strait of Hormuz are also increasingly using this route.
According to sources, Russian components are unlikely to be decisive for Iran’s ability to confront the United States and Israel, but continued supplies could help Tehran quickly replenish its drone arsenal.
Iran has also announced efforts to expand alternative trade routes. Four Iranian ports on the Caspian Sea are operating around the clock, receiving wheat, corn, animal feed, sunflower oil, and other goods from Russia.
🇩🇪🇺🇦 German Defense Minister arrives in Kyiv for talks on expanding defense industry cooperation with Ukraine, — DPA.
Earlier, Boris Pistorius said that under new projects, the main focus will be on the joint development of advanced unmanned weapons systems across all ranges.
🇪🇺 After the inauguration of the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, the European Union flag was raised above the Hungarian Parliament for the first time since 2014.
🇪🇺 EU to discuss potential talks with Russia at a Cyprus summit, — Kaja Kallas said.
“We need to discuss among ourselves what we want to talk about with them [the Russians]. That is why we have an upcoming informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, where we will consider the proposals I have put forward to address the issues we face,” the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy stated.
Kaja Kallas also emphasized that Europe “needs concessions from the Russian side.”
“There are Russian troops, for example, in Moldova. Their withdrawal could be one of the conditions for ensuring stability and security in the region,” she added.