Ukrainian troops in the Sumy region near the border with Russia’s Kursk region, August 11, 2024 (Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Reuters)
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UPDATE 1701 GMT:
At least two civilians have been murdered and 40 injured by Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day.
In addition to fatalities from a drone attack on a bus in Kherson city (see 0709 GMT), casualties were reported in Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv and the region in the northeast and in the Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk regions.
In Kherson city, two teenage boys were severely wounded by a drone, with shrapnel wounds and traumatic brain injuries.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that over the week, Russi launched around 1,600 attack drones, nearly 1,100 guided aerial bombs, and three missiles.
The Russians are trying to overwhelm our air defense with massive attacks, which is why the daily supply of interceptor missiles is critically important. It is equally important that pressure on the aggressor does not weaken, because any easing of existing sanctions only results in Russia’s war chest being replenished, which it then spends on the war.
Seven people wounded in Kherson after a Russian FPV drone strike on an ordinary city minibus are receiving the necessary medical assistance. Tragically, two people were killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones.
All those injured in the attack are civilians, and… pic.twitter.com/3LWO3t0Lx3
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 2, 2026
UPDATE 0709 GMT:
At least two civilians were murdered and eight injured by a Russian drone attack on a bus in Kherson city in southern Ukraine around 7 a.m.
A municipal worker and a woman were slain.
Ukraine’s air defenses downed 142 of 163 drones fired by Russia overnight. Seventeen UAVs hit 12 locations.
Early this morning, Russian terrorists attacked a minibus in Kherson with a drone.
As a result of the strike, a woman and a municipal worker were killed at the scene.
Six more men and one woman were injured. They are currently in hospital receiving medical care. pic.twitter.com/zD97eDA0SQ— Oleksandr Prokudin (@Prokudin__) May 2, 2026
ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced plans for reforms of the army this summer, addressing problems with infantry shortages, extended duty on the frontlines, and recruitment.
Ukraine has used developments in drone warfare and defensive maneuvers to halt Russia’s gradual advance on the frontline. However, it faces Moscow’s massive advantage in manpower amid the Kremlin’s high-casualty attempts to seize more territory.
Zelensky said “all key details will be finalized” in May. “In June, the reform will begin – and the first results must already be delivered.”
He said, “Combat missions on the frontline, real combat and leadership experience, and the effectiveness of a servicemember must guarantee increased pay.” There would be a focus on the infantry as the “Ukrainian infantryman who holds the front line must feel that our state truly respects him”.
We are launching an army reform. Throughout April, the key areas of the reform were agreed – the military command and the Government defined the framework for change. Now, in May, all key details will be finalized. In June, the reform will begin – and the first results must… pic.twitter.com/pvK6eZ1sTd
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 1, 2026
Zelensky also said that “approaches to staffing our units and managing personnel will be changed” with phased discharges for long-serving soldiers. Clear terms of service will be established for all troops.
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said the changes are a “systemic” transformation of the army.
