Diplomatic Oddities Over Victory Day Attendance

Day 1,534.

Today, as President Zelensky said he "doesn't recommend" that foreign representatives attend tomorrow’s May Day parade in Moscow, we report on the Kremlin’s cool and measured response to the threat of Ukrainian strikes, with Russian State Duma deputies threatening the use of Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles against Kyiv whilst, for reasons known only to them, warning that these statements are Russia’s “last warning to Brussels”. And, as the Azov Corps say they have returned to occupied Mariupol - albeit using strike drones - somewhat fittingly we have our regular update of resistance activity in the occupied areas. 

Help shape the future of Ukraine: The Latest. Share your thoughts in this quick survey:

https://tinyurl.com/ukrainethelatest

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @adeliepjz on X. 

Dom Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Dr Jade McGlynn (Occupied Territories Expert, King’s College London).

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Will Ukrainian drones spoil Putin’s Victory Day parade? (The Spectator)

https://spectator.com/article/will-ukrainian-drones-spoil-putins-victory-day-parade/

Rosenberg: Russia's Victory Day parade with no tanks a sign Ukraine war not going to plan (BBC)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy2gj2jlr8o

Is Frustration With Armenia’s Pashinyan Enough to Bring the Pro-Russia Opposition to Power? (Carnegie Endowment)

https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2026/04/vojna-mir-i-socseti-kuda-vedet-predvybornaya-kampaniya-v-armenii

'They are stealing the election': How Armenia became the next Russia-EU battlefield

https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20260419-stealing-election-how-armenia-became-next-russia-eu-battlefield

EU prepares for ‘potential’ talks with Vladimir Putin, says official (Financial Times) 

https://www.ft.com/content/b093dae1-939b-47b4-96e4-40f212e87430?shareType=nongift&syn-25a6b1a6=1

Ukraine war 'led me to surrogacy' to earn money but a new law could end those plans (BBC)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyp4kp687go

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Putin running scared with pared back V-Day parade plans 
• Zelensky visits brigades on the frontline

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.