Russian drones leave parts of Mykolaiv Oblast without power

"Russian forces attacked energy infrastructure facilities in Mykolaiv Oblast with Shahed drones.
Several populated areas were left without electricity following the strike.
No casualties were reported. Restoration work is currently underway." KI

Trump thanks Lukashenko after release of foreign political prisoners

"According to the U.S. president, two Moldovan citizens and three Poles, including Andrzej Poczobut, were released. Polish President Karol Nawrocki asked Trump to help secure Poczobut’s release from a Belarusian prison, the U.S. leader said.

“We worked very hard to make this release happen … Today Poczobut is free thanks to our efforts. The United States helps its allies and friends. Thank you to President Alexander Lukashenko for the cooperation and friendship. So nice!” Trump wrote.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko held talks in Minsk with a delegation led by U.S. special envoy John Cole. After the meeting, Lukashenko said the United States had proposed a deal to him “on various issues.” It later emerged that Belarus had released 250 political prisoners.
Trump later thanked Lukashenko for releasing more than 500 political prisoners and said he was “looking forward” to meeting him at the Peace Council." msn

Zelensky's former second-in-command, Yermak, charged in major corruption probe

"President Volodymyr Zelensky's former chief of staff has been charged with money laundering tied to the construction of a luxury residential compound outside Kyiv, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) said in a statement.

Although not named in SAPO's statement, the chief of staff in question is Andriy Yermak, a source in law enforcement familiar with the case told the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) allege that more than Hr 460 million ($8.9 million) was funneled through the project over several years using a network of shell companies, cash transactions, and fictitious financial documents.
Law enforcement alleges that the group planned to construct four private mansions, each roughly 1,000 square meters in size, along with a shared wellness complex featuring a spa and swimming pool. The estimated cost of each residence exceeded millions of dollars." KI

Putin seen with swollen face during Victory Day parade

"Over the weekend, Russia celebrated the 81st anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union

over Nazi Germany in 1945 with an unusually muted parade that, for the first time in years, featured no armoured vehicles or ballistic missiles.
But few listened to Putin's claims at the rally of fighting a 'just' war against Ukraine's 'aggressive force[s]', instead focusing on his bulging cheeks.
Ukrainian commentator Anton Gerashchenko pointed to one unflattering image of the 73-year-old ex-spy, posting: 'The face of a 'victor' and the leader of a 'superpower'.
He joked: 'It seems sanctions have even reached Putin's Botox'." msn

5.1 Earthquake - Philippine Sea, 66 km northeast of Taitung, Taiwan

"A strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in the Philippine Sea near the coast of Taiwan in the early afternoon at 2.53 pm local time (Asia/Taipei GMT +8). The quake had a very shallow depth of 26 km (16 mi) and was felt by many near the epicenter." VD

5.2 Earthquake - Solomon Sea, Honiara

"A strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred in the Solomon Sea near Mbanika Island island, Solomon Islands, in the evening at 8.48 pm local time (Pacific/Guadalcanal GMT +11). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was felt by many near the epicenter. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would." VD

174 combat clashes over past day

"174 combat engagements between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian troops.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Russian troops carried out 65 shelling attacks, including three with MLRS. Four enemy assault actions were recorded.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Russian forces launched 11 attacks near Vovchansk, Starytsia, and Krasne Pershe.

In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy attacked twice near Radkivka and Kivsharivka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian troops attempted 17 times to break through Ukrainian defenses near Lyman, Drobysheve, Zarichne, Ozerne, and Stavky.
In the Sloviansk sector, Russian forces conducted nine assault operations near Riznykivka, Kryva Luka, and Zakitne.
No offensive actions were recorded in the Kramatorsk sector.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Russian troops carried out 16 attacks near Pleshchiivka, Kostiantynivka, Illinivka, Ivanopillia, Novopavlivka, Toretske, and Kucheriv Yar.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled 32 Russian assault attempts near Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Hryshyne, Bilytske, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Muravka, Novopidhorodnie, Molodetske, and toward Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian forces attacked twice toward Kalynivske and Verbove.
In the Huliaipole sector, Russian troops launched 20 attacks toward Dobropillia, Staroukrainka, Zaliznychne, Nove Zaporizhzhia, Vozdvyzhivka, Charivne, Hirke, and near
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy carried out four assaults near Stepnohirsk." Ukrin