Russian forces conducted 843 strikes on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region in a single day, including two missile strikes, 29 airstrikes, 574 drone attacks, six MLRS strikes, and 232 artillery strikes. The attacks killed three people and injured 11, damaging homes, vehicles, and infrastructure across numerous settlements. Governor Ivan Fedorov reported the strikes, which targeted areas including Komyshuvakha, Orikhiv, Huliaipole, and others.

Russian forces conducted nearly 2,300 strikes on Ukraine's Sumy region in April 2026, killing 16 civilians and injuring 220, including 67 children. The attacks included 741 FPV drone attacks, 535 UAV strikes, over 500 guided aerial bomb strikes, nearly 300 artillery and mortar attacks, and 3 missile strikes. More than 420 facilities were damaged or destroyed, including 147 private houses, 84 apartment buildings, 8 educational institutions, and 4 medical facilities. Ukrainian forces neutralized over 2,000 enemy UAVs in the region during the month.

Ukraine's State Border Guard Service reported that the 'Hart' brigade stopped a Russian attempt to cross the state border near Zemlianky in northern Kharkiv region. Russian forces used small groups, motorcycles, drones, and artillery but were detected and destroyed, resulting in 47 killed and 32 wounded. The attack was repelled, and Russian forces are regrouping for further assaults.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that Russia lost 970 troops, four air defense systems, and significant equipment in the past day. Cumulative Russian losses since the invasion began include over 11,900 tanks and 274,000 UAVs. The update reflects ongoing heavy combat with 132 engagements on the front line.

On May 5, Russian UAVs struck railway infrastructure in three Ukrainian regions, damaging a railcar in Kharkiv, a diesel locomotive area in Poltava, and an electric locomotive in Dnipropetrovsk. No casualties were reported as personnel took shelter due to prior drone warnings. This attack highlights Russia's continued targeting of Ukraine's critical railway network.

Canada has contributed an additional 12.4 million euros to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, bringing its total contribution to over 57 million euros. The funds are directed to urgent needs of Ukrainian energy companies and restoration of energy infrastructure ahead of the autumn-winter period. Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal thanked Canada for consistent support, emphasizing the importance of this assistance for energy system resilience amid Russian attacks and for energy security before the heating season. Equipment worth about 260 million euros is in transit to Ukraine, expected to arrive before temperatures drop.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned that Russia is increasingly dragging Belarus into its war against Ukraine, turning it into a 'platform for aggression' against Europe. After talks with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Sybiha stressed that Belarusian citizens should not become hostages of the Lukashenko regime. The warning follows reports of increased military activity on the Belarusian border, including road construction and artillery deployment, and a decree by Lukashenko to conscript reserve officers.

Ukraine's Operational Command South reported the evacuation of about 2,000 people, including nearly 500 children and 32 persons with reduced mobility, from frontline areas in the south. Evacuations are conducted daily by government authorities with military assistance from Civil-Military Cooperation Department units, particularly when civilian services cannot reach populated areas due to intense enemy shelling.

On May 5, Russian forces shelled a port in the Greater Odesa area, damaging a civilian vessel flying the Cook Islands flag. The crew was unharmed, and the port continues operations with safety precautions. This attack is part of a broader Russian campaign targeting Ukrainian port infrastructure, threatening maritime trade and civilian shipping.

Russian forces attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia on the night of 4–5 May, injuring five people and causing a fire in a non-residential building. The attack also damaged windows and roofs in the Oleksandrivskyi district. All injured individuals are receiving medical assistance.

A Russian strike on an industrial facility in the Izium district of Kharkiv Oblast on the night of 4-5 May killed one worker and injured two others, including a State Emergency Service employee and a security guard. Residential buildings were also damaged.

A Ukrainian court sentenced a foreign former military instructor from an unnamed European country to 8.5 years in prison for spying for Russia's FSB. The man, who had trained Ukrainian recruits in 2024, was recruited through pro-Kremlin online forums, passed information on foreign instructors and training center coordinates, and was tasked with preparing terror attacks. He was detained in October 2025.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) detained a 45-year-old resident of Zaporizhzhia who was coordinating Russian strikes on Ukrainian Defense Forces positions. The suspect disguised himself as an older man to avoid suspicion, was recruited via Telegram, and transmitted coordinates of military targets to his FSB handler. He faces life imprisonment for treason under martial law.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna condemned Russia for continuing missile and drone attacks on Ukraine just days after Moscow unilaterally announced a ceasefire for Victory Day. He called on Russia to demonstrate genuine commitment to peace rather than symbolic gestures. The criticism follows Russian threats of a large-scale strike on Kyiv if the 9 May parade in Moscow is disrupted.

A Ukrainian chief mate aboard a container ship stranded near the Strait of Hormuz since late February 2026 described the crew's ordeal to Suspilne. The vessel was forced to anchor after Iran closed the strait at the start of the US-Israel war with Iran. Iran demands a $2mn fee for passage, but even vessels that pay are fired upon. The crew has been at anchor for over two months, with water and provisions running low. Most crew refused to attempt transit after reports of Iranian patrol boats opening fire on ships. The chief mate noted that US President Trump's offer of assistance has not changed the situation.

In the occupied Rubanivka community of Kherson region, residents are hiding satellite antennas to watch Ukrainian television, as Russian occupiers dismantled local antennas and installed their own, which later failed. The community faces constant power outages, poor communication, and rising prices, with residents complaining about ineffective medications and poor-quality Russian food products.

Russian strikes on the Chernihiv region injured two men, born 1966 and 1995, and caused a residential building fire in the Horodnia community. A separate strike on forest territory also occurred. The injured were hospitalized, and rescuers extinguished the fires.

The 5th Separate Special Purpose Detachment 'Omega' of Ukraine's National Guard shot down a Russian Knyaz Veshchiy Oleg reconnaissance UAV valued at $100,000. The drone, used for deep reconnaissance up to 45 km behind front lines, was destroyed in a combat operation. This marks approximately the fourth such drone downed in 2026.