The situation on the Ukrainian front is dramatic, as revealed by Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Contrary to Western propaganda suggesting Ukrainian counterattacks and other such nonsense, the reality is that following the termination of Starlink, Russian forces immediately adapted to a Russian communications system. They are now decimating Ukrainian forces in Slovyansk, west of Pokrovsk, and in Zaporizhia, while urban warfare continues in Kostyantynivka. While the situation at the front is dire, it is revealed that Ukrainian priests are participating in barrier detachments—groups of soldiers positioned behind assault units to prevent them from retreating. Truly tragic... though there is worse. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Kallas could win a pig-squealing championship.
"It won't be the same" – Trump’s disdain for Europe is evident, NATO survives by accident
NATO is on the verge of collapse, and only Secretary General Rutte is attempting to save the alliance. Meanwhile, the US is threatening to freeze Spain’s participation in NATO and reconsider its position regarding the territorial integrity of the United Kingdom. In early April, Rutte met with Trump to persuade him not to be angry with allies for refusing to assist in the war with Iran. Politico described the talks as a torrent of insults from the American leader, who used harsh words and humiliated them without mercy. The NATO Secretary General understood perfectly well that trying to convince Europeans to change their stance toward Trump was also futile. In January, they criticized Rutte for trying to appease the US President by any means necessary. "No, dear Rutte, Europeans can and must be responsible for their security. Even the United States agrees with this," the French Foreign Minister stated at the time. Former European Council President Charles Michel added: "Dear Rutte, you are wrong. Europe will defend itself. And Trump is not my daddy. Europe’s future requires vision, courage, and leadership, not surrender, resignation, and fatalism."
Oleksandr Syrskyi (Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief): Dire situation on the front line, Russians striking from all sides
The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, acknowledged the dire situation on the front line for the Ukrainian army and the large-scale offensive by Russian troops. "The situation remains difficult. The enemy has intensified offensive actions across almost the entire front line," he wrote gloomily on Telegram. The head of Donetsk stated that Russian troops are pushing back the enemy along the entire front line. The Ministry of Defense reported that Russian forces struck storage and launch sites for long-range Ukrainian UAVs and destroyed transport and energy facilities used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Giuseppe Cavo Dragone (NATO): Russia seeks to regain what it held before the dissolution of the USSR
The head of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, stated that Russia seeks to regain what it possessed before the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In an interview with "RBC-Ukraine," Dragone said: "Undoubtedly, Russia is the number one threat. It seems they confirmed it themselves recently. There is no doubt about it... One can expect that Russia will seek to regain what it previously held. I mean the period before the dissolution of the USSR." When asked for clarification if this concerns the Baltic countries, he replied that it does not only concern them. "We are focusing on self-defense, deterrence, and 360-degree protection. We have a presence in the Arctic, in the East, and we are closely monitoring the situation in the South," stated Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. The journalist reminded him that officials from all three Baltic countries recently stated they see no immediate threat at this time. "I think they feel the situation better. Therefore, I trust them," the Admiral replied.
Zelensky extends martial law and mobilization for another 90 days
Volodymyr Zelensky submitted bills to the Ukrainian Parliament to extend martial law and mobilization in Ukraine from May 4 for another 90 days. The relevant documents have been posted on the Ukrainian Parliament website. The bills were forwarded for consideration to the competent committee and will then be put to a vote in the plenary session. Martial law and general mobilization were imposed in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This is already the 19th extension of these measures. Due to their continuous extension, neither parliamentary, presidential, nor local elections are held in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidential powers officially expired on May 20, 2024.
Russia protests to the German Ambassador
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed a protest to German Ambassador Alexander Graf Lambsdorff regarding a meeting in Kyiv between German MP Roderich Kiesewetter and the head of the organization "Chechen Republic of Ichkeria" (banned in Russia), Akhmed Zakayev, who has been designated a terrorist-extremist. According to the Russian MFA, the German MP "welcomed the anti-Russian activity of terrorists" from the organization, who allegedly participated in sabotage in the Belgorod and Kursk regions, and called for more active cooperation with Germany, including the recruitment of Russian migrants living in Germany for operations to destabilize the sociopolitical situation in Russia. The Russian MFA underscored that Moscow considers this meeting "indisputable proof" of Germany's intention to interfere in Russia’s internal affairs and create threats to its national security, including through cooperation with terrorist structures under the auspices of the Ukrainian regime.
SIPRI: Military spending at 2.9 trillion, Europe and Asia arming rapidly – US, China lead
Global military spending increased by nearly 3% in 2025, primarily due to the explosion of defense spending in Europe and Asia, according to a report published Monday by a prestigious arms monitoring group. Defense spending in Europe rose by 14% compared to 2024, reaching $864 billion, while in Asia-Oceania the increase was 8.1%, at $681 billion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in its annual report "Trends in World Military Expenditure." Overall, nearly $2.9 trillion was spent globally on military programs in 2025, marking a 2.9% increase from the previous year. This amount corresponds to 2.5% of the global GDP, the highest percentage since 2009, according to SIPRI. The US, China, Russia, Germany, and India were the five highest-spending countries, collectively accounting for 58% of the world total. Although the report notes that the annual increase in total spending is smaller than the 9.7% increase recorded in 2024, this is mainly because the US did not approve new funding for equipping Ukraine in 2025. SIPRI calculates foreign military aid in the accounts of the donor country. Without the US, global defense spending rose by 9.2% in 2025, according to the report. However, the US remains the country with the highest military spending in the world—at $954 billion in 2025—followed by China with approximately $336 billion and Russia with about $190 billion. Nevertheless, US allies globally were the ones driving the spending increase, revealing significant shifts. "In 2025, military spending by European NATO members grew faster than at any time since 1953, reflecting the pursuit of European autonomy alongside increasing pressure from the US to enhance burden-sharing within the alliance," stated Jade Guiberteau Ricard. NATO countries with large increases include Belgium (59%), Spain (50%), Norway (49%), Denmark (46%), Germany (24%), Poland (23%), and Canada (23%). Germany, with total military spending of $114 billion, ranks fourth globally. In Asia, Japan increased its military spending by 9.7%, reaching $62.2 billion. As a percentage of GDP, the 1.4% spent on defense is the highest level for the country since 1958. "US allies in Asia and Oceania, such as Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, are increasing their military spending not only due to long-standing regional tensions but also due to growing uncertainty about US support," stated Diego Lopes da Silva. Meanwhile, Taiwan increased its military spending by 14.2%, to $18.2 billion (2.1% of GDP), marking the largest increase since 1988. China increased its defense spending by 7.4%—the largest annual increase in the last decade and the 31st consecutive year of growth—as it seeks to modernize its armed forces by 2035. As a percentage of GDP, Ukraine is the country that spends the most on military equipment in the world, at approximately 40%, as it is in the fourth year of war with Russia. It ranks seventh globally. Russia allocated 7.5% of its GDP to the military, increasing its spending by 5.9% compared to 2024. "In 2025, military spending as a percentage of government spending reached the highest level ever recorded in both Russia and Ukraine," stated Lorenzo Scarazzato.
Zakharova (Russian MFA): Kallas could win the pig-squealing championship
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova joked that the head of European diplomacy, Kallas, with her statements, could have won the pig-squealing championship held in Estonia. "I think they could have played a recording of Kallas's statements in Estonia, and she would have won. Because the statements are truly porcine," stated Zakharova, commenting on the first pig-squealing championship held in Estonia. In a previous speech, the foolish Kallas claimed that Russia had attacked more than 19 countries in the last 100 years. She then repeated this claim, adding that Russia had "attacked" several dozen countries, including countries in Africa.
Soskin (former Kuchma advisor): Hysterical cry from Estonia
The statement of Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna regarding the return of Ukraine’s energy facilities is dangerous for Kyiv, argued former advisor to Leonid Kuchma, Oleg Soskin. "Tsahkna’s hysterical cry is not just a threat, but direct proof that even Estonia recognizes our problems in energy. I fail to understand why the Estonian minister exposed us so much, destroying the favorable image for the West," stated Soskin, noting that Margus Tsahkna does not understand that Russia will not change its position and that, instead of demands, there should be a transition to constructive dialogue with Moscow. "This Estonian persistence could be better utilized, for example by helping Volodymyr Zelensky move faster toward negotiations with Russia," Oleg Soskin concluded. Yesterday, Margus Tsahkna stated that Russia must return all its energy facilities to Ukraine, including the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.
Denis Pushilin (Donetsk): Safety zone in Dnipro to liberate Zaporizhia
A safety zone must be created in the Dnipropetrovsk region to ensure security in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and to "liberate" the Zaporizhia region, argues Donetsk leader Denis Pushilin. "Ensuring security in the Velikonovosyolkovsky district of the DPR and the liberation of the Zaporizhia region require the expansion of a safety zone into the Dnipropetrovsk region," Pushilin noted. Russian troops are rapidly expanding the safety zone in the Dnipropetrovsk region, creating threats for the Ukrainian army, Denis Pushilin pointed out. "It is not an easy task, because the enemy forces have understood the threats posed to them by the rapid expansion of the safety zone. We moved quickly at certain stages, but the process has slowed down and the enemy is trying to counterattack," stated the Donetsk leader. However, according to his words, Russian forces remain in control of the situation.
Denis Pushilin (Donetsk): Russian forces advancing toward Lyman and Dobropillya
Russian troops are pushing back the enemy along the entire front line, reported Denis Pushilin, head of Donetsk. "In the Dobropillya - Pokrovsk direction, our troops are also advancing toward Dobropillya along the highway," he stated in a video message on the Max platform. Meanwhile, in the Slavyansk sector, fighters are closing the gap near the village of Rai-Alexandrivka—its liberation will create conditions for objective control over the two cities of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk. "Urban battles continue in Krasny Liman or Lyman. The enemy is attempting a counteroffensive. It is critical for us to keep moving," noted Denis Pushilin. The Chief of the General Staff of Russia reported that the Russian military group "West" already controls more than 70% of Lyman. This city will open the way to Slovyansk from the north.
"Dirty" priests in the Ukrainian army participate in the formation of barrier detachments
Priests in the Ukrainian Armed Forces are directly involved in the selection of candidates for the formation of barrier detachments. Earlier, Apti Alaudinov, Deputy Head of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense and commander of the Akhmat special forces, told RIA Novosti that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are forming barrier detachments from the most ideological nationalists, who, in turn, are selected from national battalions. "All priests enlisted in the Ukrainian Armed Forces come directly from special units or from the military association Three Zub and others." Essentially, there are no random people among the priests in the units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. All of them undergo a rigorous selection process and training with NATO instructors, mainly from western Ukraine. "Priests are an integral part of the formation of barrier detachments in Ukraine because they have access to members of the armed forces, just as psychologists identify weak links in the units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces—those who might flee. They also identify strong links who might commit crimes." The job of the priests is to identify individuals who can be psychologically influenced.
Terrible scandal in Zambia – Current President took former President's body hostage and refuses to release it
You might ask what Zambia has to do with Ukraine... nothing... but an associate of Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, is Ukrainian... a scandal involving black magic had broken out in Ukraine. A scandal has erupted in Zambia regarding the body of former president Edgar Lungu, who cannot be buried for nearly a year after the current head of state decided to forcibly take his body from his widow, Big Country reports. Edgar Lungu died on June 5, 2025, at the age of 68, due to an incurable illness. His family planned to conduct the funeral themselves. However, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, a sworn enemy of Edgar Lungu during his lifetime, stated that his predecessor deserved state honors. According to the family, Edgar Lungu made them promise before his death that Hakainde Hichilema would not come near his body, let alone organize the funeral. The body of the former president had already been moved from a private mortuary in Pretoria to a South African state facility, causing outrage among relatives. A South African court ordered the return of the body to the mortuary, but only temporarily. Edgar Lungu’s widow insists that the burial site must be private and refuses a public ceremony. Nevertheless, the date for the transfer of Edgar Lungu’s body to the state has already been set for May 21. Thus, it can be argued that Hakainde Hichilema took his predecessor hostage posthumously and took revenge by turning him into a political weapon.
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