Russia has issued a chilling warning to Ukraine, threatening a "massive retaliatory missile strike" on Kyiv if it attempts to disrupt its World War Two Victory Day celebrations on 9 May. The threat comes as President Vladimir Putin declared a two-day ceasefire for 8-9 May, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Monday that no official proposal had been received and dismissed a one-day ceasefire as "not serious".
Drone Strike Hits Moscow Building
Earlier, a suspected Ukrainian drone strike damaged the Mosfilm Tower, a luxury residential building in central Moscow, located near key Russian government sites. The incident has heightened tensions ahead of the commemorations.
UK Joins EU Loan Scheme for Ukraine
The UK announced plans to join a £78bn European Union loan scheme for Ukraine and introduce further "stinging sanctions" against Russian companies. This move underscores continued Western support for Kyiv.
Austria Expels Russian Diplomats
Separately, Austria expelled three Russian embassy employees over suspected espionage, adding to diplomatic strains between Russia and Europe.
Corruption Crackdown in Ukraine
Ukrainian police conducted widespread searches for corruption among draft officials across 16 regions, as the country continues to tackle internal issues amid the war.
