May 3, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

By Kathleen Magramo, Sophie Tanno, Adrienne Vogt, Aditi Sangal and Maureen Chowdhury, CNN

Updated 12:02 a.m. ET, May 4, 2023
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10:18 a.m. ET, May 3, 2023

Russia claims Ukraine targeted Putin in an attempted drone attack on the Kremlin

From CNN's Seb Shukla and Nathan Hodge in London

A sign prohibiting drones is pictured near the Kremlin in Moscow, on May 3.
A sign prohibiting drones is pictured near the Kremlin in Moscow, on May 3. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images)

Moscow alleges Ukraine flew two drones toward the Kremlin last night in what it claims was an attempt to kill President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian president was not in the building at the time, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. Ukraine has denied any involvement and accused Moscow of a "trick." 

The Kremlin said the attack was foiled. "No one was injured as a result of their fall and scattering of fragments," state media RIA Novosti reported.

A social media video appears to show some smoke in the vicinity of the Kremlin, but it is unclear what the source of the smoke is.

The Kremlin Press Service called the drone attack an "attempt on the President’s life" and a "terrorist act."

"Russia reserves the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit," it added

Some background: Kyiv is approximately 862 kilometers (about 535 miles) from Moscow. Russia has accused Ukraine of multiple attempted drone strikes deep inside Russian territory, including one earlier this year when the governor of the Moscow region claimed a Ukrainian drone had crashed near the village of Gubastovo — southeast of the capital.

State media later posted a photograph of what it said was the crashed device, which appeared to resemble a Ukrainian-made UJ-22 attack drone, a relatively small and versatile drone with the ability to fly through poor weather and to travel up to 500 miles (800 kilometers). It’s unclear where or when the photo of the crashed drone was taken.

9:23 a.m. ET, May 3, 2023

Russian regions reduce Victory Day celebrations, citing lack of military equipment and security concerns

From CNN's Seb Shukla and Anna Chernova

Russian service members line up before a rehearsal for a military parade marking the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two in Moscow, Russia, on April 27.
Russian service members line up before a rehearsal for a military parade marking the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two in Moscow, Russia, on April 27. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters)

More Russian regions have announced a reduction in Victory Day celebrations on May 9 due to security concerns and a lack of military equipment to display. 

CNN has counted nine regions of the Russian Federation and the declared annexed territory of Crimea have all canceled facets of their Victory Day celebration plans — from military parades and fireworks celebrations to the traditional Immortal Regiment march marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. 

Those regions are: Pskov, Oryol, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Saratov, Lipetsk, Kaluga and Krasnodar, plus Crimea. Many either share a border with Ukraine or are located close to Ukraine’s border. 

The latest region to change its plans is Saratov. The regional governor, Roman Bysargin, said on Telegram Tuesday that the Immortal Regiment procession — a walking march where relatives of fallen soldiers hold pictures of servicemen killed fighting in the Second World War — will be canceled, as will a fireworks display. He ended his message by saying that "it is better to direct the saved funds to support our fighters in the zone of the special military operation," using Russian officials' term for the war in Ukraine.  

The governors of Oryol and Pskov regions also announced at the end of last week that they were making changes to their plans. Andrey Klychkov of the Oryol region said in a live broadcast on his VK social media page last Friday that they had decided to call off the parade, citing safety risks and a lack of military equipment.

"We are forced to cancel the parade [on May 9]. This is due to the fact that yes, we do not have military units, we do not have equipment in the region, but this is the participation of child cadets, and veterans - and we cannot risk them, even knowing that there are some hypothetical threats," he said.

The governor of Pskov region, Mikhail Vedernikov, wrote over the weekend that his region will also not hold the traditional parades or march.  

Some background: Last month, CNN reported that Belgorod, Kursk and Crimea had made similar decisions. The governor of the Belgorod region announced that this year's Victory Parade would not take place so as not to "provoke" Ukrainian forces with a significant concentration of military personnel and equipment.

Authorities in the Kursk region made a similar decision for "security reasons," they said.

The authorities of the Lipetsk and Voronezh regions confirmed a parade on May 9 will be held, but they decided against the traditional fireworks display.

Vladislav Shapsha, the head of the Kaluga region, also canceled fireworks and mass events due to safety concerns, adding that security forces will be present on Victory Day. 

All cities in the Krasnodar region except one, Novorossiysk, discontinued preparations for the military parade, according to the local administration.

Certain regions, including Belgorod and Crimea, have seen recent consistent alleged drone attacks.

The organizers of the Immortal Regiment, which is a government-backed initiative, announced in April that there will be no procession held this year, suggesting people express their sentiment online. 

"We cannot name the exact reasons for this decision, especially since we have nothing to do with it," the official message on their website said.

More context: Speculation has grown in recent weeks that the march could end up exposing the number of fallen Russian soldiers in Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense has not released updates on the casualties since last September, when Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that 5,937 Russian soldiers have been killed. The White House on Monday estimated that the Russian military has suffered at least 100,000 casualties in Ukraine in the past five months, including more than 20,000 dead, half of which were Wagner fighters, which Russia has rejected.

8:21 a.m. ET, May 3, 2023

It's mid-afternoon in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know

From CNN staff

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto address the media during a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, on Wednesday, May 3.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto address the media during a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, on Wednesday, May 3. (Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva/AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Finland where he will hold a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto and other Nordic premiers.

Elsewhere, Turkish officials have said that grain initiative extension talks will start on Friday in Istanbul. Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti quoted an unnamed Russian Foreign Ministry official as saying a deal “is yet to be agreed” upon.

Here are the latest developments:

  • Oil depot blaze: An alleged drone strike ignited a fire that engulfed an oil storage facility in southwestern Russia's Krasnodar region on Wednesday, according to Russian state media. Without offering any evidence, state-run news agency TASS said the blaze in the port of Volna near a bridge linking Russia to annexed Crimea was "due to the fall of drone."
  • Drone strikes: Russia has unleashed another wave of drone attacks against multiple regions of Ukraine, including the capital, Ukrainian authorities said. Ukraine’s Air Force Command said 21 of 26 Iranian-made Shahed fired by Russia had been destroyed, with no casualties or extensive damage reported yet.
  • Grain deal: The Deputy Defense Minister of Turkey, Russia and Ukraine will meet in the Turkish capital on May 5 for talks about the extension to the grain deal, which expires on May 18. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, said in a statement on Wednesday, "during the meeting, some issues, especially the grain initiative, will be discussed. Ukraine has not commented on the meeting proposal. Last month, Russia threatened to scrap the Black Sea grain deal if the G7 nations ban exports to the country.
  • Supermarket attack: The Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that three people have lost their lives, and a further five were injured as a result of a Russian missile strike on a supermarket in the city of Kherson. Writing on Telegram, the Ministry said the rocket hit at 11 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) in the “only working hypermarket” in the city.
7:18 a.m. ET, May 3, 2023

President Zelensky makes surprise visit to Finland

From CNN's Seb Shukla

President of Ukraine Volodymir Zelensky, left, and President of Finland Sauli Niinisto meet at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, on May 3.
President of Ukraine Volodymir Zelensky, left, and President of Finland Sauli Niinisto meet at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, on May 3. (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva/Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Finland for his meeting with Finnish and other Nordic counterparts.

A live stream of his arrival showed him standing with the Finnish President Sauli Niinisto outside the Presidential Palace listening to the Ukrainian national anthem and later shaking hands with Finnish dignitaries.

Sergiy Nikoforov, Zelensky's spokesperson, previously confirmed on Facebook that Zelensky would be traveling to Finland Wednesday. 

Nikoforov confirmed that Zelensky will hold talks with the Finnish president and take part in a Nordic-Ukrainian summit.

Some background: Finland ascended to NATO membership in April. The development marked a major shift in the security landscape in northeastern Europe that added some 1,300 kilometers (830 miles) to the alliance’s frontier with Russia.

6:09 a.m. ET, May 3, 2023

3 killed and 5 wounded in supermarket attack in Ukrainian city of Kherson

From CNN's Olga Voitovych

The Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that three people have lost their lives, and a further five were injured as a result of a Russian missile strike on a supermarket in the city of Kherson

Writing on Telegram, the Ministry said the rocket hit at 11 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) in the “only working hypermarket” in the city.

The injured include employees and shoppers.

An image circulating on social media, and geo-located by CNN, show the destruction of the building with a dead body lying in the foreground.

6:13 a.m. ET, May 3, 2023

President Zelensky travels to Finland and will attend a Nordic-Ukrainian Summit

From CNN's Olga Voitovych and Seb Shukla

The motorcade with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky leaves the Helsinki-Vantaa airport, as Ukraine's President arrives on a surprise visit to Finland, in Vantaa, Finland, on May 3.
The motorcade with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky leaves the Helsinki-Vantaa airport, as Ukraine's President arrives on a surprise visit to Finland, in Vantaa, Finland, on May 3. (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva/Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will pay an official visit to Finland on Wednesday, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto announced.

In a press release, Niinisto said Zelensky will travel to Helsinki for “official discussions” that will include “Ukraine’s defence struggle and Finland’s support for Ukraine.”

The statement also went on to say that a Nordic-Ukrainian summit will be held between the prime ministers of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.

The summit, Niinisto statement said, would “discuss the situation of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the Nordic countries’ continued support for Ukraine, the developments in Ukraine’s relationship with EU and NATO and Ukraine’s initiative for a just peace.��

Sergiy Nikoforov, Zelensky's spokesperson, confirmed on Facebook that the president is traveling to Finland on Wednesday. 

Some background: Finland ascended to NATO membership in April. The development marked a major shift in the security landscape in northeastern Europe that added some 1,300 kilometers (830 miles) to the alliance’s frontier with Russia.

CNN's Victoria Butenko contributed to this post.

7:38 a.m. ET, May 3, 2023

Grain initiative extension talks to start on Friday in Istanbul, Turkish official says

From CNN's Irene Nasser

Maltese-flagged ship Rojen passes through the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, carrying 13,000 tons of corn from Ukraine to the United Kingdom on August 7.
Maltese-flagged ship Rojen passes through the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, carrying 13,000 tons of corn from Ukraine to the United Kingdom on August 7. (Cem Tekkesinoglu/dia images/Getty Images)

The Deputy Defense Minister of Turkey, Russia and Ukraine will meet in the Turkish capital on May 5 for talks about the extension to the grain deal, which expires on May 18. 

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, said in a statement on Wednesday, "during the meeting, some issues, especially the grain initiative, will be discussed.

"It is our hope that the grain deal will continue as it is. Because this agreement is very important for regional peace and stability and for countries in need. In this context, we can say that the parties are willing to extend the deadline.
"Our wish is to extend this initiative without any problems."

Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti quoted an unnamed Russian Foreign Ministry official as saying a deal “is yet to be agreed” upon.

Ukraine has not commented on the meeting proposal.

Some context: Last month, Russia threatened to scrap the Black Sea grain deal, viewed as critical for solving the world hunger crisis, if the Group of Seven nations ban exports to the country.

3:51 a.m. ET, May 3, 2023

Russian state media claims oil depot blaze near Crimea was caused by a drone strike

From CNN's Josh Pennington and Seb Shukla

A view across the Kerch Strait shows smoke rising above a fuel depot near the Crimea bridge in Russia's Krasnodar region as seen from a coastline in Crimea, on May 3.
A view across the Kerch Strait shows smoke rising above a fuel depot near the Crimea bridge in Russia's Krasnodar region as seen from a coastline in Crimea, on May 3. (Stringer/Reuters)

An alleged drone strike ignited a fire that engulfed an oil storage facility in southwestern Russia's Krasnodar region on Wednesday, according to Russian state media.

Without offering any evidence, state-run news agency TASS said the blaze in the port of Volna near a bridge linking Russia to annexed Crimea was "due to the fall of drone."

Videos published on social media and geolocated by CNN show the oil storage tanks burning.

The facility is located close to the Kerch bridge that was set ablaze by Ukrainian forces in October 2022. It is unclear how the fuel storage tank caught fire and Ukraine has not commented on the incident.

Krasnodar Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev said in a Telegram post that nearly 200 firefighters were trying to extinguish the blaze.

There were no casualties and residents were not in danger, he added.

4:04 a.m. ET, May 3, 2023

Russia launches new wave of drone attacks across Ukraine

From CNN's Duarte Mendonca

Traces of explosions are seen in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike in Kyiv on May 3.
Traces of explosions are seen in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike in Kyiv on May 3. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters)

Russia on Wednesday launched another wave of drone attacks against multiple regions of Ukraine, including the capital, Ukrainian authorities said. 

Ukraine’s Air Force Command said 21 of 26 Iranian-made Shahed fired by Russia had been destroyed, with no casualties or extensive damage reported yet.

Kyiv attacks: The capital was hit with Shahed drones on Wednesday for a third time in six days, according to Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv city military administration

“The enemy's tactics also remain usual and unchanged — with the onset of darkness, the terrorist country launched its barrage munitions from different directions,” Popko said on Telegram. 

In eastern Ukraine: Another drone attack set fire to a building in the Dnipropetrovsk region, according to regional military chief Serhiy Lysak. He said the Ukrainian air force had shot down seven drones over Dnipropetrovsk and emergency services were working to determine the impact of the attack.

In central Ukraine: Three drone strikes hit the Kirovohrad region, setting an oil depot on fire.