Russia

Economic crisis in Russia is reportedly eroding Putin’s immense popularity, but he would still be well above 60%; official and independent polls agree on the decline of approval ratings since the start of economy's contraction, from 2025 onwards

Ukrainian drone strikes on key Russian oil export terminals and refineries disrupted global energy flows, caused billions in losses, brought critical environmental damage to Black Sea holiday spots and air pollution as far as St. Petersburg and Tuapse

Russia exchanged prisoners with Ukraine, freeing 205 each; the announcement came from the Defense Ministry who also thanked the United Arab Emirates for their mediation and the news was reported by media

A drone attack hit a building in the air traffic control center in Rostov-on-Don, which manages air traffic in southern Russia; flights to and from over 10 airports in the area have been suspended up to 11 May, international links are also disrupted

The Russia/Sahel Region teleconference was organized by Lomonosov Moscow State University with other institutions and focused on socio-political cooperation, personnel training, interaction between Russia and Sahel countries in the field of security

The Kremlin has denied Russia poisoned Navalny; the declaration follows the forensic analysis presented by five European countries that said poisoning with frog toxin was “likely the cause of his death”

Health workers in Kemerovo are reporting delayed and reduced salaries as the region registers record-breaking budget deficit due to coal industry crisis; delayed payments have been recurrent across Russia, particularly in areas reliant on state funding

Two maritime patrol aircraft have made a 30-hour Arctic flight, including a mid-air tanking that would account a the first-ever North Pole aerial refueling; for the unique mission, the crews reportedly entered the Book of Records of the Armed Forces

A hypersonic, nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile was among 36 other missiles and over 200 drones launched in one of Russia's largest attacks on Ukraine; Kyiv and Lviv were hit, homes damaged, water supplies and heating disrupted in freezing temperatures