Brief facts:
- US officials: Biden to sign new $100 million weapons package for Ukraine.
- Last 20 Bushmaster PMV gifted to Ukraine. A number of M777 howitzers in Australia, en route to Ukraine.
- Almost 500 more civilians have been evacuated from the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.
- About 24900 agressor's troops eliminated, 678 air targets of invaders were shot down thousands of tanks, armored vehicles and tracks were destroyed by defenders of Ukraine.
- The Russian aggressor is trying to encircle the city of Popasna, which has almost been destroyed.
Side note: news are marked in accordance with the Kyiv time zone: Eastern European Time (EET), GMT/UTC+2
Read more: The 71st Day of the War: Russian Casualties in Ukraine
Latest news
Thank you for your attention! This feed is closed. But Defense Express has already started a new one: Day 73rd of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)
00:45 The Joint Forces Operation posted on Facebook end-of-the-day results.
"Today, May 6, the servicemen of the Joint Forces successfully repulsed eight enemy attacks. Thanks to their skilful actions, our soldiers inflicted losses on the Russian occupiers," the report states.
Read more in the article by Defense Express: In the Joint Forces Operation Area Ukrainian Troops Repel Eight Enemy Attacks
00:15 Operational-tactical Group "East" posted on Facebook end-of-the-day results.
Operational-tactical Group servicemen eliminated/destroyed:
15 invaders,
1 armored personnel carrier,
1 armored fighting vehicle,
1 infantry fighting vehicle,
5 artillery systems,
1 motor vehicle and two drones.
Read more in the article by Defense Express: Operational-tactical Group "East" Eliminated 15 Ocupiers on Friday
23:30 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has released an operational update on the state of warfare as of 18.00 on May 6, 2022.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff operational report, the greatest activity of russian occupiers continues to be observed in Slobozhansky and Donetsk directions.
The enemy does not stop the offensive in the Eastern Operational Zone in order to establish full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and maintain the land corridor between these territories and the occupied Crimea.
Find more details on the theme and key points of the report a publication by Defense Express:
Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: Enemy Pushes Hard in the Donetsk Direction
23:00 Odesa Oblast Governor Maksym Marchenko: russia shells Odesa’s outskirts with two missiles, no casualties reported.
22:30 US officials: Biden to sign new $100 million weapons package for Ukraine.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the latest package would likely include more munitions for systems such as the howitzers. The Pentagon says it has already sent about 184,000 artillery rounds. The package will likely include more munitions for howitzers, according to Reuters citing undisclosed U.S. officials, Kyiv Independent reports.
22:15 Australian Ambassador to Ukraine Bruce Edwards: The last of 20 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles gifted to Ukraine. A number of M777 Howitzers, has departed Australia, en route to Ukraine.
22:00 Russia’s missile quantity is not infinite, over 2000 of them have already been launched, but how many of them have left and what we should expect?
Find out in the article by Defense Express: How Many "Iskander" and "Calibr" Cruise Missiles Has Russia Left (Quantitative Research)
21:30 The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Further talks with Russia off table if Ukrainians remaining in Mariupol get killed.
"If they kill people who could now be exchanged along humanitarian lines if we’re talking about our military, or released – if we’re talking about civilians, or helped – if they’re the wounded, no matter if they’re military or civilian, there is nothing to talk about with them at the diplomatic level," the Head of State emphasized, Ukrinform reports.
21:00 Reuters: Putin to hint at nuclear war by displaying ‘doomsday’ plane at parade.
Russia’s annual May 9 Victory Day parade will include a flight by the Il-80 “doomsday” command and control plane, which would carry Russia’s top brass in the event of a nuclear war, Russia’s Defense Ministry said, as cited by Reuters. The plane will take part in a Victory Day parade for the first time since 2010. The parade will also feature supersonic fighters and Tu-160 strategic bombers, Kyiv Independent reports, citing Reuters.
20:00 The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: No quick end to Russia's war in Ukraine, says Zelenskyy.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 6 that he doesn’t see any desire from Russia to end the war after 72 days of fighting. He also called on the world to act more decisively and quickly because the scale of the damage and losses on a global scale will increase with each passing day, Kyiv Independent reports, citing Pravda.
19:50 Literally the only Ukraine-manufactured 155mm 2S22 Bohdana SPG which was saved during russia’s invasion and eventually now it’s annihilating russian occupiers.
Read more about Bohdana’s background story, specs and watch a combat video in the article: Ukraine’s Unique 155mm 2S22 Bohdana SPG in Combat Use
19:20 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted an operational update regarding the russian invasion on 18.00 on May 6, 2022. Key points:
- The greatest activity of russian occupiers continues to be observed in Slobozhansky and Donetsk directions.
- In the Bessarabian direction, the russian federation continues to provoke tensions in the transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The personnel of the operational group of the russian troops are in combat readiness "Full".
- In the Donetsk and Tavriya directions, in order to restrain the actions of Ukrainian units, the enemy fires along the entire line of contact. Continues airstrikes and missiles.
- Currently, units of the Armed Forces of the russian federation remain in the Republic of belarus, consisting of up to eight launchers of Iskander-M operational-tactical missile systems and up to six aircraft of various modifications that may be involved in air and missile strikes on Ukraine.
- As a result of the offensive, units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine regained control over the settlements of Oleksandrivka, Fedorivka, Ukrainka, Shestakovo, Peremoha, and part of the village of Cherkaski Tyshky.
- In the city of Mariupol, the enemy focused its efforts on blocking and defeating units of Ukrainian defenders in the Azovstal area.
- In the South Buh direction, the enemy focused the efforts on maintaining the occupied frontiers, replenishing ammunition and engineering equipment positions.
18:25 Ukrainian security service captured 11 russian snipers
Eleven russian snipers were taken prisoners as a result of a special operation carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), said the spokesperson of SBU Artem Dekhtyarenko. The detained troops are from the "115 regiment of DPR" that shelled Ukrainian positions in the Kharkiv region.
In general, SBU has neutralized over 140 russian sabotage groups and uncovered 4,000 collaborationists.
18:16 Another prisoner exchange took place today
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk reported on the new round of POW exchange on Friday, May 6. In total, 41 people returned to Ukraine. These include 28 servicemen and 13 civilians.
The official noted, that among the rescued there was a priest of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
17:47 President Zelensky greeted Ukrainian Land Forces with the Infantry Day
On May 6, Ukraine celebrates Infantry Day to commemorate and praise the hard but crucial work of the Land Forces. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky posted relevant greetings to the infantry servicemen on his social media:
"Ukrainian infantry bravely and professionally defend their homeland. The infantry faces many hardships during the war, but our boys and girls heroically perform difficult tasks on the battlefield and leave the enemy no chance. We are proud of you and thank you. Congratulations on your professional holiday!"
Apart from the President, many other officials expressed their gratitude to the military today. Those include Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk and his deputy Oleksandr Korniyenko, Commander of the Land Forces of Ukraine General Colonel Oleksandr Syrskyi and many others.
Also, NATO Allied Land Command published a greeting video for Ukrainian defenders in regard of the feast day:
17:13 russians try to surround Severodonetsk
Russian forces are trying to surround the city by capturing the nearby settlements and carry an assault, said Oleksandr Struk, head of the local administration, to the Ukrainian TV. Ukrainian military repel the attacks.
The evacuation from the city continues, but not as fast due to unwillingness of citizens to leave their homes. About 15,000 of civilians remain in Severodonetsk. Russian attacks on the city started at least a day prior.
16:46 Russian Black Sea frigate on fire
The frigate of the russian navy Black Sea Fleet "Admiral Makarov" is severely damaged and caught fire, as the Ukrainian state media "Dumskaya" reports. Frigates of the "Project 11356" are the most modern warships in the Black Sea Fleet of the russian navy. Each such frigate can carry up to 8 "Calibr" cruise missiles.
Learn why this warship is so important and so desired for the Ukrainian military to be destroyed in a story by Defense Express:
"Neptune" Missile Hit Russian Frigate "Admiral Makarov" – Media
15:40 More russian equipment destroyed by paratroopers
Ukrainian troops of the 79th Air Assault Brigade showed pictures of pieces of occupiers' equipment destroyed. According to the message attached, those were eliminated somewhere in the Mykolaiv region in the south of Ukraine.
15:15 russians opened fire on evacuation vehicle
The incident occurred during the ceasefire in Mariupol: russains fired on a civilian vehicle that was moving towards civilians to evacuate them from besieged Azovstal plant. That was reported by the Azov Regiment, one of the defending forces in the surrounded city. The car was hit with an anti-tank missile. One serviceman was killed and 6 were wounded.
"The enemy continues to violate all agreements and fail to adhere to security guarantees of of civilians evacuation," the defenders wrote on their Telegram channel.
During the ceasefire on the territory of the Azovstal plant a car was hit by Russians who used anti-tank guided weapon. This car was moving towards civilians in order to evacuate them from the plant. As the result of the shelling, 1 fighter was killed and 6 were wounded.
14:55 russians mobilize more conscripts to fight in Ukraine
Defense Intelligence of Ukraine informs that such cases are recorded more and more often lately. Desperate in their attempts to replenish manpower for further offensive operations, russian command engages conscripted young servicemen in the war despite being de-jure strongly against it. Consequently, the newbies receive less training than needed before deployment to the frontlines.
14:41 Popasna is under Ukraine's control
Serhii Haidai, Head of the Luhansk region administration, said, the situation in the area is difficult, but controlled. He also mentioned "russian fakes" about the alleged seizure of Popasna town, which is being defended by Ukrainian forces for quite a while.
He said, Popasna is totally in ruins, and russian troops have started to spread photos from the town, but their "victories" are nothing but "local advances". The official announced some "very good news" regarding the situation from the Ukrainian perspective.
14:12 Operational Command "South" showed the work of the Ukrainian drone Bayraktar TB2 on Russian technology on the island of Snake.
14:00 Russian forces actively used aircraft and artillery, attacking the town of Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region. That's according to the Telegram of the Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration.
"Today, at about 11:00, the enemy actively used aircraft and artillery against Huliaipole. With massive artillery shelling, the Russian army destroys the peaceful infrastructure of Orikhiv, launching missile and air strikes," the statement said.
Until recently the enemy did not conduct active hostilities in the Zaporizhzhia area, but opened fire in order to limit the actions of Ukrainian troops and destroy their artillery units.
13:45 The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia — Gabrielius Landbergis, Edargs Rinkevics and Eva-Maria Liimetz — arrived in Kyiv.
13:15 The Ukrainian military has shot down an enemy drone over the Dnipropetrovsk region. Valentyn Reznichenko, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, said this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. "Everything is fine. Our military shot down a drone over Dnipro," the report reads.
No details have been released so far. An air raid warning was issued for the region.
13:00 The Dumskaya newspaper reports that a Russian frigate project 11356R is burning near Zmiyiny Island. According to preliminary information, an explosion occurred on the frigate. Now enemy aircraft are circling over this area in the Black Sea, and rescue ships have left the occupied Crimea.
It is noted that the ship was hit by the Ukrainian complex "Neptune".
The publication does not indicate the name and number of the frigate, but users on social networks and Peopleʼs Deputy Oleksiy Honcharenko report that the frigate "Admiral Makarov" (number 799) is on fire.
"Neptune" Missile Hit Russian Frigate "Admiral Makarov" – Media
The South Operational Command has not yet confirmed this information, but the General Staff said in its report that the Russians had lost another ship or boat in the past 24 hours.
12:29 The Operational Command "South" informed on Facebook, that Ukrainian air defense forces in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky region shot down a missile. Russian occupiers were trying to strike another blow to the infrastructure of Odesa Oblast.
12:08 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has posted the new summary of total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 06.05. Find them in an infographic by Defense Express:
So far, the list of enemy's combat losses is the following:
Personnel - more 24 900 (+200),
Tanks ‒ 1110 (+8) units,
APV ‒ 2686 (+35) units,
Artillery systems – 502 (+3) units,
MLRS – 171 (+2) units,
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 83 (+0) units,
Aircraft – 199 (+3) units,
Helicopters – 155 (+0) units,
Vehicles and Fuel tanks – 1926 (+19) units,
Boats / cutters – 11 (+1) units,
UAV operational-tactical level – 324 (+12) units,
Special equipment – 38 (+0),
Cruise missiles – 90 (+1).
Data are being updated. The calculation is complicated by the intensity of hostilities.
11:05 Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal says that according to partner intelligence services, Russia has intentions to declare a full-fledged war on May 9.
"According to partner intelligence services, Russia has such intentions to declare a full-fledged war on May 9. Such conversations, we understand that there are, such opportunities are being discussed in the top political leadership, according to partner intelligence services. We will see if this happens," Shmyhal said on briefing on the results of the working visit to Poland.
10:20 António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, on Twitter post said, that almost 500 more civilians have been evacuated from the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.
Quote from Guterres: "2 safe passage convoys successfully evacuated nearly 500 people from the Azovstal plant, the city of Mariupol & surrounding areas. I hope that continued coordination with Moscow and Kyiv will lead to more humanitarian pauses in order to allow civilians safe passage."
09:28 According to Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the Security Service, the Russians are preparing a "parade of prisoners" in Mariupol for May 9. To do this, in addition to prisoners of war, they plan to change into civilian clothes.
Podoliak reminded that on August 24, 2014, a "parade of prisoners" took place in Donetsk. Then 50 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine took to the streets of the city, throwing garbage at them.
08:49 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted operational update regarding the Russian invasion on 06.00 on May 6, 2022. Key points:
In the Volyn and Polissia directions, Russian troops did not take active actions. The Armed Forces of Belarus continued the inspection of operational readiness.
In the Siverskyi direction, no signs of the formation of the enemy offensive group were revealed. Russian troops are keeping a small number of personnel, ammunition and military equipment within the areas, which are close to the state border with Ukraine (Bryansk Region, Kursk Region, Belgorod Region).
In the Slobozhsnkyi direction, Russian invaders did not take active actions. The enemy continued to launch rocket and cannot artillery strikes on the residential areas and suburbs of Kharkiv.
According to the General Staff, Russian troops are expanding air defense, logistic support and fire damage systems. The enemy is regrouping and restoring the combat capacity of its units.
Up to 300 wounded enemy soldiers are reported to be staying at a hospital created by Russian invaders on the base of Kupiansk City Hospital.
Russian troops are conducting air reconnaissance to reveal the positions of Ukrainian forces and their further advance routes.
In the Donetsk and Tavriiskyi directions, the enemy conducted active hostilities.
In the Lyman direction, Russian troops were firing on the positions of Ukrainian defenders.
In the Popasna direction, the enemy focused efforts to gain full control over Popasna and resume the offensive on Lyman and Siversk.
In Mariupol, Russian invaders continue to block the Ukrainian defense units within the Azovstal plant. In separate areas, with the support of aviation, the enemy is storming the plant.
In the Sievierodonetsk, Avdiivka, Kurakhove, Novopavlivka and Zaporizhzhia directions, Russian troops did not take active actions. The enemy opened fire to restrain Ukrainian forces and destroy artillery units.
In the Southern Bug direction, Russian invaders did not take active actions. The enemy continued to maintain the captured frontiers and enhance air defense and electronic warfare systems. Russian troops opened fire on the positions of Ukrainian forces. In northern Kherson Region and Mykolaiv Region, Russian invaders shelled the settlements they had retreated from.
The enemy was conducting air reconnaissance near such settlements ass Oleksandrivka, Serhiivka and Volodymyrivka.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: russia Provokes Tensions in the Self-Proclaimed Transnistria and in the Territory of Belarus
08:17 Ukraineʼs Permanent Representative to the UN Serhiy Kyslytsia criticized the Security Council for failing to respond to the missile attack on Kyiv during Antonio Guterresʼ visit.
"The Security Council did not react to this deliberate attack. Therefore, the inaction of the Security Council, the ability only to express deep concern, continues to irritate the international community, undermine its authority and create an atmosphere of impunity," said the Ukrainian representative.
08:00 UK Defense Intelligence released update information on the situation in Ukraine on May 6, 2022
According to the statement on Twitter, russian forces in Mariupol have continued their ground assault on the Azovstal steel plant for a second day, despite Russian statements claiming they would seek only to seal it off.
The renewed effort by Russia to secure Azovstal and complete the capture of Mariupol is likely linked to the upcoming 9 May Victory Day commemorations and Putin’s desire to have a symbolic success in Ukraine.
This effort has come at personnel, equipment and munitions cost to Russia. Whilst Ukrainian resistance continues in Azovstal, Russian losses will continue to build and frustrate their operational plans in southern Donbas.
07:13 The Armed Forces of Ukraine have destroyed one Russian aircraft and 14 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the past day. The relevant statement was made by the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.
“The enemy’s combat aviation continues to act on distance, without entering the air space controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the report states.
On May 5, 2022, the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense units hit at least 15 enemy air targets, at least 14 Orlan UAVs and one plane, reportedly Su-30SM.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
Nine russian Air Targets Hit on May 4
05:35 The Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed another artillery unit of the russian army.
Artillerymen of the 59th Motorized Brigade named after Yakov Gandziuk showed a successful counter-battery fight, destroying three self-propelled artillery systems of the enemy.
The video of the strike was taken by a drone that was adjusting the fire. The use of UAVs for reconnaissance and fire adjustment is currently a regular practice for all artillery units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The gunners posted a video showing their work on the Internet, adding an accompanying entry: "Catch another series of blockbusters "Orcs, welcome to Hell".
Watch the video and find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
Ukrainian Gunners Showed a Good Result in Counterbattery Combat (Video)
01:00 Ukrainian military have repulsed 11 attacks of russians in the area of the Joint Forces Operation, on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
The JFO press service announced this on Facebook
"Today, May 5, the Joint Forces have successfully repulsed 11 enemy attacks. Thanks to their skillful actions, our soldiers inflicted losses on the Russian occupiers," the post reads.
According to the press service of the Joint Forces Operation, defenders of Ukraine destroyed eight enemy tanks, 11 armored combat vehicles, 5 trucks.
At the same time the air defense units shot down seven russia/s Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
In JFO Area Defenders of Ukraine Repulsed 11 Russian Troop’s Attacks
00:45 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky: Russia has already fired more than 2,000 missiles on Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian troops have fired 2,014 missiles on Ukraine, and enemy warplanes have made 2,682 sorties into Ukrainian territory.
"In total, during this war, the Russian army has fired 2,014 missiles on Ukraine, 2,682 sorties of Russian warplanes in our skies have been recorded. Each of these sorties is the death of our people, the destruction of our infrastructure," President Volodymyr Zelensky said via video link at the Brave Ukraine charity event, broadcasted live on the UA together nationwide marathon, Ukrinform reports.
00:30 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky: 150 people from Azovstal, another 300 from Mariupol, suburbs evacuated this week.
During this week, 150 people have been evacuated from Azovstal steelworks, and more than 300 – from Mariupol and its suburbs.
The rescue operation has been continued on Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said via video link at the Brave Ukraine charity event, Ukrinform reports.
The speech was broadcast live on the UA together nationwide marathon.
"Today, we have continued the rescue operation from Mariupol with the help of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. People are on their way to safe territory. More than 150 people from Azovstal and more than 300 from Mariupol and its suburbs have escaped thanks to the humanitarian corridor this week," Zelensky noted.
According to him, people are provided with medical and financial assistance, support in restoring documents and connection with relatives.
00:05 Deputy Prime Minister: Evacuation from Mariupol to resume on May 6. Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk posted on Telegram that the Ukrainian government would continue to evacuate civilians from Mariupol on May 6 starting at noon local time.
Read more: Day 71st of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)
