Ukraine War Latest News Today: Russia Losses, Putin Approval

For anyone following the war in Ukraine, the news cycle rarely slows down: Russian attacks over the past day killed 2 people and injured 23 across the country, according to The Kyiv Independent (independent news outlet based in Ukraine). Meanwhile, the war has entered what analysts call a more dangerous phase as both sides intensify drone and missile strikes.

Casualties in latest attack: 2 dead, 23 injured (The Kyiv Independent) ·
Days since invasion: Over 1,150 ·
Russian casualties (reported): More than 330,000 killed (low confidence)

Quick snapshot

1Key Developments Today

Large-scale Russian missile attack on Kyiv kills four (YouTube news report)
Russia holds scaled-down Victory Day parade (YouTube news report)
Ukraine intercepts hypersonic missile (DW News analysis)

2Russia’s Military Losses

Over 330,000 Russian soldiers reportedly killed (DW News analysis)
Armor and equipment shortages forcing use of older models (DW News analysis)
Air losses: Ukrainian claim of 300+ aircraft destroyed (unconfirmed) (DW News analysis)

3Ukrainian Defense

Successful drone strikes against Russian air bases (DW News analysis)
Western-supplied air defense systems in use (YouTube news report)
Zelensky appeals for more missile interceptors (The Kyiv Independent)

4International Reaction

Ukraine identifies 500 potential targets inside Belarus if Minsk joins the war (YouTube news report)
Putin signs law authorizing military force to protect Russian citizens abroad (The Kyiv Independent)

Several facts stand out from the latest reports. Here’s a table of confirmed and repeated claims:

Fact	Detail
Date of latest attack	May 9, 2025
Casualties (Kyiv attack)	2 dead, 23 injured (The Kyiv Independent)
Victory Day parade	Scaled-down, no foreign leaders (YouTube report)
Hypersonic missile used	Zircon-type, speed over Mach 10 (DW News)
Tank loss (T-90M)	Destroyed within 24 hours of deployment (YouTube footage)
Putin public approval	Disputed: state polls ~70%, independent ~50% (various)

Who is winning the war in Ukraine?

Assessing the overall trajectory requires looking at territory, losses, and strategic goals. The war is shifting according to recent reports.

Territorial control changes

Both sides claim gains; DW News analysis notes that open data indicates the character of the war is shifting in favor of Ukrainian forces, at least for now.
Ukraine’s defensive drone strikes have slowed Russian offensive operations (DW News analysis).
The next six months will be critical for Ukraine to improve frontline positions (DW News analysis).

Military losses ratio

Credible reports suggest more than 330,000 Russian soldiers killed, though the figure is low confidence (DW News analysis).
Casualties have reportedly outpaced recruitment since December 2025 (DW News analysis).

Strategic goals assessment

Russia’s military is described as exhausted by a senior Ukrainian commander (DW News analysis).
Ukraine identifies 500 potential targets inside Belarus if Minsk joins the war (YouTube news report).

Bottom line: The war is not clearly won by either side, but momentum appears to be shifting toward Ukraine. For policymakers in the West, the next months are crucial to support Ukraine’s defense; for Russia, the cost is mounting faster than replacements.

Why this matters

Russia’s inability to replace casualties at the pace they are taking them means that even without major territorial losses, the Russian army is degrading. For European leaders, the implication is that continued sanctions and aid could push the conflict toward a strategic inflection point.

The pattern suggests that Ukraine’s defensive strategy is creating opportunities for counteroffensives.

Is Russia’s army weakening?

Signs of fatigue on the front lines and behind them are becoming harder to ignore.

Signs of fatigue on the front lines

A senior Ukrainian commander quoted by DW News (international news outlet) said Russia’s military is becoming exhausted.
Open-source data shows reduced Russian offensive tempo (DW News analysis).

Manpower and equipment shortages

Russia was reportedly using older T-62 tanks and has lost modern T-90M tanks within days of deployment (YouTube news report).
Artillery supplies are degraded, according to Western intelligence reports (DW News analysis).

Performance of Russian offensive operations

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed capture of settlements in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions (YouTube news report).
However, these gains are incremental and costly, with high casualty rates (DW News analysis).

The catch

While Russia is weakening, it still retains significant artillery and missile capacity. For Ukrainian forces, the window of opportunity to push back is narrow — perhaps the next six months, per DW News analysis.

What this means: Russia’s operational capacity is eroding, but a decisive breakthrough remains uncertain.

How bad is Russia losing the war?

Even if territorial losses are limited, the economic and military toll is severe.

Economic sanctions impact

Russian GDP contraction and inflation have eroded living standards (DW News analysis).
Independent polls show war fatigue is eroding support at home (see later section on public opinion).

Military equipment losses

Verified visual evidence shows thousands of armored vehicles destroyed (DW News analysis).
Russia is now relying on decades-old T-62 tanks to fill gaps (YouTube news report).

Strategic failures (e.g., Kyiv, Kharkiv)

The failure to capture Kyiv in 2022 remains a defining strategic loss (The Kyiv Independent).
Ukraine’s defense has forced Russia to scale down ambitions (DW News analysis).

Bottom line: Russia is losing in terms of equipment, morale, and strategic position. For the Kremlin, the cost is becoming unsustainable without a major change in tactics or mobilization. For Ukraine’s allies, the priority is to maintain pressure through sanctions and military aid.

The implication for the Kremlin is that sustaining the war effort requires increasingly costly trade-offs.

How many tanks has Putin lost?

Quantifying tank losses is difficult, but open-source intelligence provides some verification.

Verified vs claimed tank losses

Open-source analysts visually confirm thousands of destroyed and abandoned Russian tanks (DW News analysis).
Ukrainian claims of over 8,000 tanks destroyed cannot be independently verified, but visual evidence supports a high number (YouTube news report).

Most destroyed tank models

T-90M ‘Invincible’ was lost within a day of deployment, as seen in YouTube footage (YouTube news report).
Older models like T-62 are increasingly used (YouTube news report).

Impact on Russian armored force capability

Russia’s armored divisions are depleted; many units are understrength (DW News analysis).

The pattern is clear: Russia is losing tanks faster than it can replace them. For Ukrainian forces, the lack of Russian armor gives them a mobility advantage in some areas.

How many Russian planes has Ukraine destroyed?

Air power has been a critical domain, with Ukraine claiming significant successes.

Ukrainian air defense successes

Ukraine claims over 300 aircraft destroyed, including Su-34 and Su-35 fighters (YouTube news report).
Western intelligence estimates are lower, around 100 fixed-wing losses (DW News analysis).

Russian aircraft losses by type

The loss of an A-50 AWACS command plane was a major blow (YouTube news report).
Su-34 and Su-35 are among the most costly lost (DW News analysis).

Impact on Russian air operations

Russian aircraft now rarely operate deep in Ukrainian airspace, reducing ground attack capability (DW News analysis).

What to watch

Ukraine’s ability to sustain air defense is dependent on Western supplies of interceptors. Any delay in aid could open the skies to Russian bombers.

The catch here is that Western support for Ukraine’s air defense remains critical to sustaining this advantage.

What percentage of Russia agrees with Putin?

Public opinion inside Russia is a contested subject, with vastly different numbers coming from state-controlled and independent pollsters.

Recent polling data

State-controlled Levada Center polls show approval around 70% (The Kyiv Independent).
Independent polls (Chronicles) suggest only about 50% support the war (DW News analysis).

Factors influencing public support

War fatigue and economic hardship are eroding support, especially among younger Russians (DW News analysis).

Regional and demographic variations

Rural and older demographics show higher support; urban centers show more opposition (The Kyiv Independent).

The implication: while Putin retains a solid base, the erosion of support among urban and younger populations is a long-term risk for the Kremlin.

What happened to Putin’s wife?

Lyudmila Putina’s public appearances and marital status have drawn curiosity.

Lyudmila Putina’s public appearances

She has rarely been seen in public since the 2013 divorce announcement (The Kyiv Independent).

Divorce announcement in 2013

Putin and Lyudmila divorced amicably, citing the demands of public life (The Kyiv Independent).

Current whereabouts and status

She lives a private life away from the Kremlin, with no confirmed involvement in politics (The Kyiv Independent).

Timeline: Key events (May 5–9, 2025)

May 9: Russia holds scaled-down Victory Day parade; missile attack hits Kyiv, killing four (YouTube news report).
May 8: Ukraine war briefing: Russia tells its banks to shoot down drones (The Kyiv Independent).
May 7: Zelensky sends urgent letter to Trump requesting missile defense (The Kyiv Independent).
May 6: Large-scale Russian drone and missile attack across Ukraine (YouTube news report).
May 5: Putin’s T-90M tank reportedly destroyed within hours of deployment (YouTube news report).

Clarity: Confirmed facts vs what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

Russian missile attack on May 9 caused casualties in Kyiv (The Kyiv Independent)
Victory Day parade occurred with reduced scale (YouTube news report)
T-90M tank was destroyed and footage verified (YouTube news report)

What’s unclear

Exact number of Russian tanks lost (only verifiable via open-source intelligence)
True level of Russian public support (polling data disputed)
Effectiveness of new Russian offensive in Kharkiv region (DW News analysis)
EU prepares new sanctions package (source not specified)
US Senate debates additional aid (source not specified)
China maintains neutral stance (source not specified)

Quotes from key voices

“Ukraine’s air force successfully intercepted a hypersonic missile during the attack, demonstrating the effectiveness of Western-supplied air defense.”

— Ukrainian Air Force commander, as reported by DW News

“Russia’s military is becoming exhausted. They cannot replace casualties at the pace they are taking them.”

— Senior Ukrainian commander, quoted by DW News

“Only about 50% of Russians currently support the war, according to our independent polling.”

— Independent pollster (Chronicles), as cited by DW News

“Russian forces have destroyed Ukrainian drone production facilities near the front lines.”

— Russian Defense Ministry, reported by YouTube news report

Summary: What this means for the next phase

The war in Ukraine is at a critical juncture. Russia’s military is showing signs of exhaustion and equipment degradation, but still retains enough firepower to sustain attrition. Ukraine’s defense relies heavily on continued Western support, especially air defense interceptors. For the Kremlin, the cost of the war is rising without a clear path to victory. For the United States and Europe, the choice is narrowing: either double down on assistance, or risk a shift in momentum that could extend the conflict for years. For Zelensky, the immediate priority is securing enough missile interceptors to protect cities, or the civilian toll will continue to climb.

For the most recent battlefield and diplomatic developments, readers can explore Ukraine War Latest News Today from Canada Perspective.

Frequently asked questions

How long has the Ukraine war been going?

Over 1,150 days since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.

What triggered the Russian invasion in 2022?

Russia cited NATO expansion and the protection of Russian-speaking populations in eastern Ukraine as justification; independent analysts view it as an attempt to prevent Ukraine’s integration with the West (The Kyiv Independent).

What is the current role of NATO in the conflict?

NATO provides military aid, intelligence, and training to Ukraine but is not a direct party to the conflict.

Are there any ongoing peace negotiations?

Peace talks have been stalled since 2022; neither side is currently engaged in formal negotiations (DW News analysis).

How many refugees have fled Ukraine?

Over 6 million refugees have been recorded by the UN, with millions more internally displaced.

What is the economic impact of the war on global energy?

The war has caused volatility in global energy markets, with significant price spikes and shifts away from Russian gas (DW News analysis).

How is China positioning itself in the conflict?

China maintains a neutral public stance while increasing economic ties with Russia and refusing to condemn the invasion.

Related reading: Ukraine war latest news: Russia losses, military equipment destroyed, Putin approval — A comprehensive analysis of battlefield losses and political dynamics.