Russia replaces Aerospace Forces commander after air-defence failures as Zelensky declares unilateral May 6 ceasefire
A leaked European intelligence document highlights heightened concern by Russian President Vladimir Putin over his personal safety and that of senior officials, the Institute for the Study of War said May 5, while noting it has not seen independent evidence supporting the document's broader coup-related claims. Russia's Defense Ministry appointed Colonel General Alexander Chayko commander-in-chief of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) after recent domestic criticism of air-defense and air-campaign failures. President Volodymyr Zelensky declared a unilateral Ukrainian ceasefire from the night of May 5 to 6, urging Russian forces to reciprocate, in response to Moscow's rhetoric around a May 9 Victory Day truce.
The Institute for the Study of War's May 5 update led with two threads inside the Kremlin and one decision in Kyiv.
A leaked European intelligence document, the ISW said, highlights Russian President Vladimir Putin's "increasing concern over his personal safety and the safety of his senior officials." The think tank said it had not observed independent evidence to support other aspects of the report, including claims of a coup plot in Russia.
The Russian Ministry of Defense appointed Colonel General Alexander Chayko commander-in-chief of the Aerospace Forces (VKS), the ISW reported, after recent domestic criticism of Russian air-defense and air-campaign failures. The change replaces top air leadership rather than adjusting deployments.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared a unilateral ceasefire on the night of May 5 to 6, urging Russian forces to reciprocate. The move responded to Russian rhetoric around a May 9 "Victory Day" ceasefire — a thread that has run since late April, when Zelensky asked the Trump administration to clarify Vladimir Putin's truce proposal.
On the battlefield, neither side made confirmed advances. Russian forces have not progressed meaningfully in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area despite first reaching the outskirts of Kostyantynivka in late October 2025. During the day on May 3, Russian forces launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, five Kh-59/69 cruise missiles and 234 drones at Ukraine, with another 155 drones launched overnight.
Outside the front line, Swedish authorities seized a Russian shadow-fleet oil tanker on May 3.