Day 75th of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)

Brief facts:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked U.S President Joe Biden for signing the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 and called it a historic step.
• U.S. President Joe Biden has signed into law the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022.
• American 155 mm M777 Light Towed Howitzers, which were sent to Ukraine as part of US military aid, are already shelling russian troops.
• Invaders continue to storm Azovstal, trying to blow up evacuation bridge.
• Russian missiles hit Odesa while EU’s Charles Michel was in town.
• Luhansk Regional Military Administration Head Serhii Haidai: Ukraine Army keeps defense in Popasna, reinforcements arrive.
• Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzianyk: кussia’s aviation launched 53 strikes on Ukraine over past day.
• UK, Canada impose new sanctions on Russia.
• Ukrainians on occupied territories are forced to participate in the Victory Day celebrations.
• Canada will provide Ukraine with NLAW anti-tank weapons.
• President Zelensky: It is impossible to unblock Mariupol through military means now.

Side note: news are marked in accordance with the Kyiv time zone: Eastern European Time (EET), GMT/UTC+2

Read more: It is Appeared New Evidences of the russian T-90 Tank Destruction in Ukraine

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01:00 Several fires have broken out as the result of a Russian missile attacks in Odesa.

At least one of the fires is at a shopping center, the Kyiv Independent reports, citing Suspilne Odesa.

The city is referred to as Ukraine’s “mother city” and has been a target for Russian forces because of its port access.

00:40 Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal Lend-lease act will help Ukrainian soldiers defeat Russian invaders.

The lend-lease law, signed by U.S. President Joe Biden on May 9, will help Ukrainian soldiers defeat Russian invaders.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"During World War II, a lend-lease act became a major factor in the anti-Hitler coalition's victory over Nazism. Eighty years later, history repeats itself. U.S. President Joe Biden has just signed into law a bill introducing a lend-lease program to support Ukraine. That means more weapons and more aid for Ukrainian soldiers in order to defeat the Russian occupiers," Shmyhal said.

He added that the supply of American weapons will now not be limited by any additional procedures, which will speed up the process.

00:20 Ukrainian military continues to destroy enemy equipment, using all possible means.

New spectacular footage of the destruction of russian occupation forces' equipment on the territory of Ukraine has appeared on the Internet

Thus, warriors of the 503rd Separate Battalion of the Marines of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "sent congratulations" to the Russian occupation forces and aimed an enemy tank by "minibombs" dropped from copter.

At the same time, paratroopers from the 25th Separate Sicheslav Airborne Brigade demonstrated the defeat of enemy equipment with an anti-tank missile system in a video accompanied by the message "Lightning work of Sicheslav paratroopers from Javelin ATGM on an enemy tank!".

Watch the video and find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:

Ukrainian Marines Sent "Hello" to russian Tank from Drone, While Paratroopers Reminded Occupiers How Javelin Works (Video)

00:05 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky: Signing of lend-lease act for Ukraine a historic step.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked U.S President Joe Biden for signing the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 and called it a historic step.

According to Ukrinform, Zelensky wrote this on Twitter.

"Grateful to U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. people for supporting Ukraine in the fight for our freedom and future. Today's signing of the law on Lend-Lease is a historic step. I am convinced that we will win together again. And we will defend democracy in Ukraine. And in Europe. Like 77 years ago," Zelensky said.

23:25 The Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed 13 tanks and up to 250 invaders in the east of the country on Monday, May 9.

The Operational and Tactical Group East stated this on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

"Today, May 9, in the area of responsibility of the Operational and Tactical Group East, Ukrainian soldiers repelled eight attacks by Russian fascist troops," the statement said.

Ukrainian defenders destroyed up to 250 invaders, 13 tanks, ten infantry fighting vehicles, an armored personnel carrier, an armored fighting vehicle, a howitzer, two mortars, six artillery tractors, and a drone.

Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:

Operational-tactical Group "East": Eight russian Attacks Repulsed, 250 Invaders Eliminated

23:00 Ukrainian armed forces destroyed rare BMO-T armored transporter for specialized flamethrower squads. That is according a statement of Ukraine’s Land Forces Command on its official page on Facebook.

22:40 U.S. President signs Ukraine lend-lease act into law.

U.S. President Joe Biden has signed into law the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022.

The signing ceremony took place at the White House on Monday, May 9, Ukrinform reports.

The Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act was passed last month by both chambers of the U.S. Congress. The Senate unanimously supported the document on April 6, and the House of Representatives voted for the measure on April 28.

The document allows the U.S. president to use the military lend-lease program to speed up the transfer of weapons, military equipment, medicines, food, etc. to Ukraine. It is expected that the recipient country will pay their cost later.

The military lend-lease program was used during World War II. It allowed the United States to quickly provide weapons to its allies.

22:20 American 155 mm M777 Light Towed Howitzers, which were sent to Ukraine as part of US military aid, are already shelling russian troops.

A video with the American howitzers in action was published by Yuriy Butusov, the editor-in-chief of Censor.NET Urainian Internet source.

The text to the video states that those are "the first shots fired by the Ukrainian Armed Forces from American M777 howitzers at russian troops in eastern Ukraine."

Watch the video and find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:

They Already Destroying Russian Troops: Video with "First Shots" of 155 mm M777 Howitzers in Ukraine Appeared

21:45 Russia strikes Odesa with Kinzhal missiles, casualties, destruction reported

Three Kinzhal missiles fired from a Russian Tu-22 strategic aircraft have struck the Odesa region, injuring two people and destroying five tourist infrastructure buildings.

Odesa City Council's press service reported this on Telegram, referring to the Operational Command South, Ukrinform reports.

"Another missile strike hit the Odesa region. Three Kinzhal-type missiles were fired from a Tu-22 strategic aircraft. Tourist infrastructure buildings were hit. Five buildings were destroyed. The fire was extinguished, two people were injured and taken to hospital," the statement said.

On May 9, Russian troops fired at Odesa during a visit to the city by European Council President Charles Michel and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

21:25 Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz: “We stand side by side with Ukraine as part of the European family”.

Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz, met with Emmanuel Macron in Berlin today during the French president’s first trip abroad since being re-elected for a second term last month, The Guardian reports.

Speaking at a press conference between Franco-German talks, Scholz told reporters “we stand side by side with Ukraine as part of the European family”.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “turning point in history” that required European countries to work together, the chancellor said, adding:

We support Ukraine morally, financially, and militarily — with weapons. It cannot be the case that borders in Europe can be moved around with violence. And we will do everything we can to ensure the war does not spread to other countries and to enhance our defence capabilities.

Macron said the two countries would work together to “create a Europe that is stronger, that is prepared to tackle great challenges” and that European countries would continue to support Ukraine while increasing sanctions on Moscow.

The war that Russia launched in Ukraine has a deep impact on all of us, on our citizens, on Europe, and it has led to joint action in order to try and ... achieve some sort of cessation of hostilities and protect Ukraine.

21:00 Invaders continue to storm Azovstal, trying to blow up evacuation bridge.

In Mariupol, Russian invaders continue to storm the Azovstal steelworks, focusing on blowing up the bridge where the evacuation was taking place earlier.

The adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, reported the news on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

The official published a video of explosions on the plant’s premises.

"While some occupiers are walking with their ‘sheets’ along the avenues of Mariupol, others continue to storm Azovstal. Today, the Russians focused on blowing up the bridge on which the evacuation was taking place, trying to cut off our defenders from any possibility of exit as much as possible. Hell continues," Andriushchenko wrote.

He added that he sincerely hopes that "our Heroes will be rescued."

"We all owe them indefinitely," said the mayor's adviser.

20:10 US official: Some Russian troops refusing to obey orders in Ukraine.

The United States has seen “anecdotal reports” that some Russian troops in Ukraine are not obeying orders, according to a senior US defence official, The Guardian reports.

The US believes that Russian troops and “mid-grade officers at various levels, even up to the battalion level” are refusing to obey orders to move forward in the new Donbas offensive in Ukraine, the official said.

These officials “have either refused to obey orders or are not obeying them with the same measure of alacrity that you would expect an officer to obey”, the US official said.

Russian forces have struggled with widespread morale problems since its invasion of Ukraine, the official added.

From The Guardian Foreign Policy’s Jack Detsch:

As Defense Express reports, the losses of russian enemy exceed the indicators of manning, which significantly affects the overall moral and psychological state and becomes a prerequisite for the refusal of personnel to continue to participate in hostilities against Ukraine.

Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:

Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: Losses of russians Exceed Indicators of Manning

19:30 Russian missiles hit Odesa while EU’s Charles Michel was in town.

The Russian military continues to strike Odesa, including during a visit by European Council President Charles Michel and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

That’s according to Shmyhal’s press service, Ukrinform reports.

"Russian missiles strike Odesa almost every day, as they did today - right during my joint visit with Charles Michel," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram.

He added that such strikes kill civilians.

Shmyhal and Michel came to see an apartment block destroyed by a Russian missile, where a three-month-old girl, her mother, and grandmother were killed as a result of the attack.

"This is terrible grief that has befallen this Ukrainian family and thousands of others. We must stop Russia and bring it to justice. The European Union is with us in this fight," Shmyhal said.

As reported, on May 9, Michel and Shmyhal arrived in Odesa.

18:40 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted an operational update regarding the russian invasion on 18.00 on May 9, 2022. Key points:

• The greatest activity of russian occupiers is observed in Slobozhansky and Donetsk directions.
• Almost along the entire line of contact, russian occupiers continue to use all available artillery and aircraft to fire on the positions of Ukrainian troops, the destruction of civilian and military infrastructure. In the city of Mariupol, despite the declared "silence", the enemy resumed shelling and assault on the Azovstal plant.
• There is a high probability of russian missile strikes on civilian and military infrastructure throughout Ukraine.

• In the Izyum direction, the replenishment of material and technical means is being replenished, and russian units are being prepared for further offensive operations in the Izyum-Barvinkove and Izyum-Slovyansk directions. russian enemy is conducting air reconnaissance.
• The battle for Rubizhne continues in the Severodonetsk direction.
• In the Lyman direction, the enemy is trying to advance in the areas of Oleksandrivka and Shandryholove.
• In the Avdiivka direction, it is trying to improve the tactical situation in the areas of the settlements of Novoselivka, Novoselivka Druha, and Verkhnotoretske. The fighting continues.

18:10 Luhansk Regional Military Administration Head Serhii Haidai: Ukraine Army keeps defense in Popasna, reinforcements arrive.

The relevant statement was made by Luhansk Regional Military Administration Head Serhii Haidai on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

17:40 Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office: Odesa hotel on the coast ‘demilitarized’ in Russia’s missile strike.

On May 8, 2022, the Russian military launched a missile strike on a hotel and restaurant complex, which is situated on the coast in the city of Odesa, Ukrinform reports.

16:15 Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzianyk: russia’s aviation launched 53 strikes on Ukraine over past day.

“The occupiers’ operational and tactical aviation launched 48 strikes on Kharkiv Region and Donetsk Region. Meanwhile, Russia’s long-range aircrafts were used to launch five strikes on Mykolaiv Region and Odesa Region. The threat of Russia’s cruise missile strikes from the Black Sea on military and civilian objects within the territory of Ukraine is persisting,” Motuzianyk told, Ukrinform reports.

15:25 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports:The Mykolayiv paratroopers destroyed the russian Tiger armored vehicle together with crew.

“This is how the Mykolayiv paratroopers "congratulated" the russian occupiers on the Day of Victory over Nazism in the Second World War. In particular, the next combat armoured vehicle "Tiger" together with the crew was destroyed”, the report says.

14:45 The Air Command “South”: Air defense forces down enemy Orlan-10 drone over Odesa region.

"On May 9, an enemy attempt to conduct air reconnaissance in Odesa region ended with the destruction of a Russian Orlan-10 drone by an anti-aircraft missile unit of the Air Command ‘South’," the press service of the Air Command “South” posted on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

14:00 Canada has always been supportive towards Ukraine and done a lot of help already, but Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced even more help while his visit of Kyiv.

Defense Express offers to read more in the article: Canada Provides $50 Million in Small Arms and Ammunition for Ukraine

13:00 Media: Russia forces Soviet-style Victory Day 'celebrations' in occupied Ukrainian cities.

Russian state-controlled RIA Novosti news agency reported that Russia held “festivities” in occupied Kherson and Skadovsk. People were gathered in central areas of the cities and given Soviet red flags to march. Limited victory day events were held in occupied Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and bombed-out Mariupol, over 95% of which is controlled by Russia, Kyiv Independent reports, citing Pravda.

12:30 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has published the new summary of total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 09.05.

According to the report, about 25650 agressor's troops eliminated, 734 air targets of invaders were shot down thousands of tanks, armored vehicles and tracks were destroyed by defenders of Ukraine.

Find them in an infographic by Defense Express:

11:45 The 25th Separate Airborne Brigade press service shared successful destruction of russia’s tank by means of the US Javelin ATGM.

11:37 russian missiles hit Odesa

Four russian "Oniks" coastal defense supersonic missiles fired from "Bastion" system struck southern Odesa city on May 9 morning, Serhiy Bratchuk, Spokesperson of the regional administration reported. The missiles came from the territory of the russia-occupied Crimea.

11:23 Ukrainian paratroopers continue to destroy russian equipment

The first video features the troops of the 25th Airborne Brigade eliminating russian tank with a Javelin anti-tank missile:

Russian forces "burned" their positions with a TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower system. This was reported by the 97th Infantry Battalion of the 60th Separate Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As reported, it is not the first time when russian occupation forces have suffered from "friendly fire."

"Using the Soncepek heavy flamethrower system in the Zaporizhia direction, they used it against their positions and in fact fired the ruzzist occupiers from Ukrainian soil," the statement said.

More details:

The russians Fired Own Positions by TOS-1A Solntsepek MLRS

10:32 russia runs out of high-precision missiles

British Intelligence update from the Ministry of Defense suggests russia uses less reliable and less accurate aged munitions because it struggles to replace the precision weaponry it has already expended. The report assumes russian stockpiles significantly depleted since the war lasted far more that russian command planned.

"At the onset of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia publicly promoted its ability to conduct surgical strikes and limit collateral damage," as it says, but ended up indiscriminately bombarding regardless of civilian casualties.

10:00 UK, Canada impose new sanctions on Russia

The UK is today announced a new package of sanctions on Russia and Belarus targeting trade sector. The sanctions presented by the International Trade Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer include import tariffs and export bans. The new import tariffs will cover £1.4 billion worth of goods – including platinum and palladium, the UK government portal said. Also, the package bans the export of more than £250 million worth of goods in sectors of the Russian economy most dependent on UK goods. Key materials such as chemicals, plastics, rubber, and machinery will no longer be available and strike russia’s manufacturing and heavy machinery sectors.

Canada on its part adopts sanctions against personalities close to Putin and entities of russian defense industry sector:

"We're bringing forward new sanctions on 40 Russian individuals and five entities, oligarchs, and close associates of the regime in the defense sector, all of them complicit in Putin's war," said Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Radio Free Europe reports.

09:45 Ukrainian Kyiv defenders destroyed russians in the east

Soldiers of the Kyiv Territorial Defense Forces, who repelled russian offensive on the capital from the north in February – March are now fighting in the eastern regions. 2nd Battalion "Azov" Kyiv (do not confuse with Azov Regiment of the National Guard) along with paratroopers of 81st Airmobile Brigade engaged in combat with russian forces in the Zaporizhzhia region.

The occupiers have lost a tank and three BTR-82 armored personnel vehicles and retreated from their positions. While Ukrainian troops managed to seize a few pieces of russian equipment.

09:24 Russian tank rolled over a mine twice

Ukrainian Land Forces posted a video of an occupiers' tank rolling over a mined area, triggering two traps in a row. Here's the footage:

09:11 Russians occupiers force locals to participate in the Victory Day

The latest operational update from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine unveils russian occupiers forcing Ukrainian people to participate in their Victory Day celebrations, while there is no such memorable date in Ukraine. The occupiers take documents from locals, the papers are said to be returned if they agree to participate in events held by the occupational "authorities".

At the same time, russians continue their military operation in Donbas, most actively in the Sloboda and Donetsk directions.

More details:

Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: russians Force Locals Participate in Victory Day Celebration

08:16 russian occupiers don't give an opportunity to rescue civilians

Eleven people remain under the rubble of ruined buildings in the Luhansk region, and rescuers cannot approach them due to russian shelling. Serhii Haidai, Head of the Luhansk region administration said russians opened fire on local residential areas 24 times on May 8, they "practically don't stop shelling peaceful households".

The invaders continue the destruction of industry and critical infrastructure objects. That day russians hit the oil refining plant for the third time, ruined the water supply system of the Popasna district.

07:55 Russian military are to blame as much as Putin

The thesis from the upcoming speech by Ben Wallace was announced Monday, May 9, as russia celebrates Victory Day over Nazis in WW2. British Defense Secretary is to give a speech at the National Army Museum in London, the defense ministry's press office revealed. Speaking of atrocities committed by russian army nowadays in the war against Ukraine, Wallace will say:

"All professional soldiers should be appalled at the behavior of the Russian army. Not only are they engaged in an illegal invasion and war crimes but their top brass have failed their own rank and file to the extent they should be court-martialled," as goes the speech script.

The speech also condemns the "absurdity" of russian generals "hijacking" the history of defending against Nazism in the WW2 in the coming celebration of Victory Day in russia.

07:26 Risk of russia's use of tactical nuclear weapons has decreased significantly

This is the assessment of the Information Defense Project foundation, Interfax-Ukraine reports. Analyst Ihor Zhdanov says, there are several reasons for such a conclusion.

First, the United States and the NATO allies have radically changed their policies toward the russian-Ukrainian war. The United States has come all the way from "preventing Ukraine's defeat" to "helping Ukraine to defeat russia". Massive supplies of modern offensive and heavy weapons, political support, and economic sanctions against russia are evidence of that.

"The change in policy is due not only to the heroic actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but also to the fact that the US military and political leadership has made a fundamental decision - not to respond to russia's nuclear blackmail and convey to putin as clearly as possible that the response of the West will be crucial and adequate," Ihor Zhdanov said.

The other indicator is the rhetoric of official russian spokesmen from threatening to a more peaceful one. At the same time the expert warns that risks of using nuclear weapons by russia in this war remain.

"For example, such a development of events will be quite probable in the event of a decisive victory of the Ukrainian armed forces and an offensive attack to liberate the Crimea from the occupiers."

04:30 According to the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine post on Facebook, on May 8, the Air Defense forces of the Land Forces and the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed ten air targets of the Russian occupiers: 7 UAVs and 3 cruise missile.

“On May 8, the air defense of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit 5 unmanned aerial vehicles: 4 Orlan-10s, one Forpost, and 3 cruise missiles. Two more Orlan-10s were destroyed by anti-aircraft missile units of the Army Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” – said in Facebook post.

More details:

Ten Enemy Air Targets Shot Down by Ukraine Troops Previous Day

As Defense Express reported, russians are facing non-stop military losses on Ukrainian soil. About 25500 agressor's troops eliminated, 715 air targets of invaders were shot down thousands of tanks, armored vehicles and tracks were destroyed by defenders of Ukraine, on May 7.

01:00 The U.S. Department of the Treasury has published a list of Russian companies and individuals, on which new sanctions were imposed on May 8, 2022. The relevant statement was made on the website of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

“Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated individuals and entities critical to Russia’s ability to wage war against Ukraine. These include the board members of two of Russia’s most important banks, a Russian state-owned bank and 10 of its subsidiaries, a state-supported weapons manufacturer, and three of Russia’s state-controlled television stations that generate revenue for the state,” the report states.

On February 24, OFAC designated the First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Public Joint Stock Company Sberbank of Russia (Sberbank). Today, OFAC has designated eight other current and recent members of the Executive Board of Sberbank. In addition, OFAC designated 27 members of Gazprombank’s Board of Directors.

The sanctions list also included Moscow Industrial Bank (MIB), which is a state-owned bank actively involved in Russia’s financial services sector, and 10 of its subsidiaries, namely Agropromyshlenny Kompleks Voronezhski OOO, Anninskii Elevator OOO, Auditkonsalt OOO, Belinveststroi OOO, Dve Stolitsy OOO, Kontrakt OOO, Ladoga OOO, Nekommercheskaya Organizatsiya Fond Khimicheskoe Razoruzhenie I Konversiya, Azovskaya Zernovaya Kompaniya OOO, Ekspluatiruyushchaya Kompaniya Tsentr OOO.

Sanctions were also introduced against Promtekhnologiya LLC, which produces rifles under the ORSIS brand and supplies Russia’s military and intelligence services with its products. Promtekhnologiya has long been associated with the Russian government.

OFAC also designated three of Russia’s most highly viewed state-owned television stations, namely Channel One Russia, Russia-1 and NTV.

In addition, the U.S. Department of the Treasury took action to “cut off Russia’s access to certain key services from U.S. companies, which Russian Federation companies and Russian elites use to build wealth, generating revenue for Putin’s war machine, and evade sanctions”.

00:30 On May 8, in the east of the country, the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled four attacks of the russian troops. Besides, according to the Operational and Tactical Group East reported on Facebook, Ukrainian defenders killed 190 russian invaders and destroyed an 15 enemy tank, 12 infantry fighting vehicles, 12 armored personnel carriers, 1 MT-LB tracked multi-purpose tractors, 1 armored vehicle and 2 unmanned aerial vehicles.

As Defense Express reported, russians are facing non-stop military losses on Ukrainian soil. About 25500 agressor's troops eliminated, 715 air targets of invaders were shot down thousands of tanks, armored vehicles and tracks were destroyed by defenders of Ukraine.

Find figures and an infographic of enemy total combat losses from 24.02 to 08.05 in a publication by Defense Express:

The 74th Day of the War: Russian Casualties in Ukraine

Read more: ​Day 74th of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)