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The Ministry of Defence must provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine with a large number of high-quality ground-based robotic systems. Serhiy ‘Flash’ Beskrestnov, an adviser to the Minister of Defence, stated that the procurement of these systems for the armed forces is to be centralised, so that brigades can allocate their subsidies to other needs.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that Ukraine is acting in self-defence when it attacks Russian port facilities. At the same time, he emphasised that drones and “war debris” must not enter Estonian airspace.
Between October 2024 and April 2026, Ukrainian content creators on OnlyFans submitted around 900 tax returns and declared income of 396.1 million hryvnias. Of this amount, 77.3 million hryvnias in taxes, including the military levy, were calculated, and 75.7 million hryvnias has already been paid into the budget.
Vitalii Gersak, the former head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) office in the Mykolaiv region, has been notified that he is under investigation for illicit enrichment. According to the investigation, between 2020 and 2021 he acquired assets worth more than 22.6 million hryvnias in excess of his family’s official income.
Andriy Pyshnyy, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, and his wife Lyudmyla Pyshna have been accused of using the Art Ukraine Gallery to allegedly obtain undue benefits from financial institutions. The authors of an investigation circulating online claim that this involves the purchase of lots and transfers via entities linked to Lyudmyla Pyshna.
Yuriy Gudymenko, chair of the NGO “Ukrainian Association Mriya” and head of the Public Anti-Corruption Council at the Ministry of Defence, stated that in order to demobilise the Ukrainian Defence Forces, it is necessary either to automate the army more actively or to recruit more personnel.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has confirmed that he will visit Moscow on 9 May 2026 and hold a brief meeting with Vladimir Putin. However, he stated that he would not be taking part in the military parade.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence is preparing systematic changes to the work of the Medical Examination Commission, data sharing and the notification of conscripts. The ministry has stated that the new approach is intended to improve the quality of the mobilisation pool and reduce errors in determining fitness for service.
On Monday, 4 May 2026, variable cloud cover and mainly dry conditions are expected across Ukraine. Rain is possible during the day only in the south-east of the country, whilst ground frost is forecast in the east overnight.
On 9 May, according to the new church calendar, Ukraine commemorates the transfer of the relics of Saint Nicholas, the martyr Christopher, the Venerable Shio of Mghvi, and the Venerable Joseph of Optina. In popular tradition, this day is known as Spring, Summer, or Warm Nicholas.
France supports Ukraine’s gradual rapprochement with the European Union, but does not see any scope for a simplified procedure for full membership. Benjamin Addad, Minister Delegate for European Affairs, stated that accession to the EU requires reforms, adherence to European values and compliance with the Union’s legislative requirements.
In spring 2026, some residents of the Mykolaiv region may receive financial assistance to support agriculture. As part of the “Caritas Mykolaiv UGCC” project, payments will amount to up to 37,800 UAH per household.
