Ukraine's 413th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment Raid struck three Russian air defense systems—two Pantsir-S1 and one Tunguska—in the first six days of May 2026 using Ukrainian-made mid-strike kamikaze attack drones, all at significant distance from the front line. The regiment reported the strikes on Facebook and released video footage. This operation is part of Ukraine's ongoing campaign to degrade Russian air defenses.

A drone crashed several kilometers from two Russian military-industrial complex facilities in Rzhev, Tver Oblast: Elektromekhanika JSC (producing equipment for aviation and missile technology) and the 55th Arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate. Tver Oblast Governor reported no casualties but damage to houses and evacuation of 350 people. Separately, Moscow Mayor claimed over 20 drones were downed approaching Moscow, and Russia's Defense Ministry reported intercepting over 300 drones nationwide.

Russian Gerbera UAVs are dropping FPV drones carrying warheads more than 30 km from the border inside Ukrainian territory, as reported by an adviser to Ukraine's defense minister. The tactic was first observed in February. Civilians are warned not to touch unknown objects.

On 7 May, two drones entered Latvian airspace from Russia and crashed in the eastern Latgale region. One drone struck an empty oil storage tank at the Rēzekne branch of East-West Transit, causing a smouldering cladding fire that was quickly extinguished. The second drone's location remains unknown. Latvia's National Armed Forces issued airspace alerts for Ludza, Balvi, and Rēzekne municipalities, and NATO air-policing fighters were scrambled from Šiauliai, Lithuania. Defence Minister Andris Sprūds suggested the drones may have been Ukrainian strikes targeting Russia, though this is unconfirmed. The incident is being investigated as a criminal case under section 10 of the Criminal Code. Schools in Rēzekne and Ludza districts switched to remote learning. The event coincides with a massive Russian-reported Ukrainian drone attack involving 347 UAVs across multiple regions.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian officials, lawmakers, military and law enforcement representatives, civil society, and businesses are drafting a comprehensive law to regulate civilian firearm ownership. The move follows a series of shootings, including a deadly attack in Kyiv that killed seven people. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko supports the legislation, while some officials, including Kyrylo Budanov, caution against easing restrictions. The bill aims to balance self-defense rights with public safety and would establish Ukraine's first comprehensive legal framework for civilian firearms.

A Russian attack on Dnipro caused a fire and shattered windows at a food processing plant, damaging a car. No casualties were reported. The incident underscores continued Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure in Ukrainian cities.

Background: Since May 2, Russian drone attacks have targeted civilian and energy infrastructure across Ukraine, causing casualties and power outages. On May 5, new drone strikes on energy infrastructure caused partial power outages in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kharkiv oblasts. On May 7, Russian shelling caused new power outages in Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Sumy regions. Ukrenergo reported emergency repairs underway where safety permits. Electricity consumption is 1.9% higher than the previous day due to hot weather, and the operator urged consumers to shift usage to daytime hours (10:00-17:00) and limit high-power appliances from 18:00-22:00. No scheduled rolling blackouts are forecast for May 7.

A 2,400-hectare forest fire in northern Chernihiv region, ignited by Russian military activity, is burning in areas potentially contaminated with explosives. Firefighting is hampered by security threats, including enemy drones, and efforts are focused on containing the fire within the border zone to prevent spread to settlements.

Background: Russian shelling in the Krasnopillia community of Sumy region previously killed one civilian and injured 18 others. On 7 May, a 52-year-old woman was killed by a Russian shell explosion while herding cows in the same area, and livestock was also affected. Local authorities reiterated calls for residents to evacuate the dangerous border area.

Russian forces conducted 41 strikes, primarily with FPV drones, on border areas of Ukraine's Chernihiv region over the past 24 hours. The attacks destroyed a grocery store in the Semenivka community, damaged a communications facility in the Koriukivka district, and hit residential buildings and vehicles in multiple villages. Three people were injured. The strikes targeted the Novhorod-Siverskyi, Koriukivka, and Kulykivka districts.

Russian forces launched nearly 30 artillery and drone attacks across five districts of Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, injuring four civilians. Damage was reported to apartment buildings, garages, vehicles, a supermarket, a gas station, and a church in Dnipro, Nikopol, Kamianske, Synelnykove, and Pavlohrad districts.

On 7 May, Russian drone attacks on Kherson, Komyshany, and Zelenivka injured three civilians: a 59-year-old man with shrapnel wounds to the chest and concussion, a 73-year-old man near a cemetery, and another 59-year-old man with blast injury and shock. A suburban bus was damaged by shrapnel, leading to the suspension of bus route No. 3 due to high drone activity; no passengers were injured. The attacks underscore continued Russian targeting of civilian infrastructure in southern Ukraine.

A Russian drone strike on Dnipro overnight injured a 21-year-old pregnant woman and a 45-year-old man. A fire broke out in a five-story apartment building, and several cars were damaged. Both victims received medical care at the scene.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Congress in Paris expelled the Russian Union of Journalists (RUJ) for collaborating with the Russian state and operating branches in occupied Ukrainian territories. The decision, based on an Appeals Commission recommendation, finalizes a process that began after Russia's full-scale invasion. The RUJ did not attend the Congress or submit a proper appeal. The expulsion is seen as upholding IFJ standards on professional ethics and freedom of speech.

The European Association of Ukrainian Women is hosting the third 'Power. Voice. Legacy' forum at the European Parliament on 11 May, as the EU prepares to phase out temporary protection for 4.4 million Ukrainian refugees by 2027. The forum covers gender policy, cultural diplomacy, veterans' reintegration, and rule of law, aiming to release a public statement. Only 43% of refugees say the end of the war would motivate return, according to a 2025 LSE report.

Ukraine's Security Service (SSU) detained a Russian agent in Kyiv who recruited drug addicts to set fire to military vehicles. The agent, a deserter from the Kharkiv region, coordinated arsons for the FSB. Two perpetrators were caught in March. The suspect faces up to 8 years in prison.

A Russian FPV drone struck a vehicle carrying a DTEK electrician crew heading to a frontline town for restoration work in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The crew escaped without injury, but the vehicle was severely damaged. DTEK reports this as the 264th Russian attack on power grid facilities in the region, highlighting ongoing targeting of energy infrastructure.

Ukraine's Special Operations Forces released footage of a raid by the 6th Ranger Regiment on a building occupied by Russian troops. Using grenade launchers, assault rifles, and drone support, they eliminated two Russian servicemen and exfiltrated successfully. The operation highlights ongoing Ukrainian tactical assaults on Russian positions.

Alyona Shevtsova, a Ukrainian fintech executive sanctioned by Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council and linked to a $110 million money-laundering scheme, appeared as a speaker and her company Sends as a platinum sponsor at PAY360, a major UK compliance event in London. The case highlights gaps between formal regulatory standards and real-world enforcement of sanctions and anti-money laundering rules.

Ukraine's parliament is considering a bill to strictly regulate commercial surrogacy and effectively ban foreign intended parents, who make up 95% of clients. The move follows criticism of the industry for exploiting poor, vulnerable women, particularly amid the war's economic devastation. Cases of abandoned children, including disabled infants, have been reported. Supporters argue Ukrainian women should not bear children for foreigners during a wartime birthrate crisis, while opponents say the ban would deprive women of vital income.

On 7 May, a Russian drone dropped fake banknotes and propaganda leaflets over the city of Sumy, Ukraine. The drone was shot down, and police confirmed the incident. This follows similar leaflet drops in April in Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts, where leaflets contained malicious QR codes. The event highlights ongoing Russian information warfare tactics targeting Ukrainian civilians.