Day 1,168.

Today, as Friedrich Merz suffers a “humiliating and unexpected setback” on his way to becoming German Chancellor, we report how the Kremlin is preparing for Friday’s Victory Day parade, all while nervously watching the skies for Ukrainian drones, after two successive nights of attacks on Moscow.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnely on X.

With thanks to Ash Bhardwaj, an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and author, who specialises in blending defence, security and travel.

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Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

Video Special of Ukraine: The Latest Answering Your Questions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9szTxRfF7TU

'Taras' Film Screening with Dom Nicholls on Wednesday:

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-theatre/events/2025/may/ua-x-ucl-taras-film-screening

Edgelands: Stories from the Russian border (Ash Bhardwaj’s Telegraph Podcast):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/edgelands/

Ash’s Event in London on Thursday:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-travel-builds-purpose-resilience-and-emotional-fitness-tickets-1321565882129?aff=oddtdtcreator

Starmer prepares for attack by Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/05/05/starmer-prepares-for-attack-by-russia/

Russia used thermobaric weapons in drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukrainian prosecutors say (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-used-thermobaric-weapons-in-drone-strike-on-kharkiv-ukrainian-prosecutors-say/?mc_cid=fa397ac35b&mc_eid=08d0680a95

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'World first' as sea drone shoots down Russian fighter jet & Putin cancels Victory Day parade in Crimea

Ukraine: The Latest

'World first' as sea drone shoots down Russian fighter jet & Putin cancels Victory Day parade in Crimea