The Kyiv Independent

⚡Zelensky: Ukraine facing 'new stage' in war as Russia preparing to expand offensive. Ukraine is facing "a new stage" in the Russia's full-scale war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a meeting with border guards in Khmelnytskyi Oblast on May 3. Zelensky's statement came amid a deteriorating situation on the battlefield. Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR), said that Ukraine should expect to face a renewed Russian offensive in late spring or early summer, with the offensive intensifying around eastern Donbas region.

⚡Media: Investigation links SBU official to luxury real estate purchases. An investigation by the Ukrainian investigative media outlet Slidstvo.info released on May 3 revealed that the mother of Anatolii Loif, head of the economic department of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), purchased luxury real estate.

⚡Governor: Russian missile attack on Kirovohrad Oblast injures man. Russian troops attacked Kropyvnytskyi district in Kirovohrad Oblast on May 3, injuring a man, Governor Andrii Raikovych said.

⚡Ukraine rises in World Press Freedom Index despite constraints of full-scale war. Ukraine rose from 79th to 61st place in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on May 3. "The war launched by Russia on 24 February 2022 threatens the survival of the Ukrainian media. In this information war, Ukraine is on the front line of resistance against the expansion of the Kremlin’s propaganda system," Reporters Without Borders said.

Daryna Shevchenko: It’s time we stop waiting for the Russian people to stop the war "As Ukraine fights a war to protect the future of the world’s liberal democratic values, it is often treated as collateral damage," writes Kyib Independent's CEO Daryna Shevchenko in her guest op-ed. "Ukraine has only been given enough support to sustain the front line, not to win the war. Believing that Russians are the answer to winning this war doesn’t help Ukraine." Read the full op-ed here. Photo: Konstantin Zavrazhin/Getty Images

⚡Russian media: Raiffeisen Bank will begin exiting Russia in summer 2024. Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) is making plans to begin its exit from the country in the summer of 2024, Russian media reported on May 3, citing the company's chairman, Johann Strobl.

⚡️ Media: Latvia starts digging anti-tank ditch near border with Russia. The Latvian army has started to dig an anti-tank ditch as part of its first defensive line near the border with Russia, Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported on May 2.

Today, May 3, marks World Press Freedom Day, and we want to take a minute to say thank you to our readers. In a world where disinformation and propaganda are weapons of war, we aim to continue to be able to put up a good fight for truth. And it’s your support that allows us to keep reporting, bringing the world the truth about Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine, without having to rely on a wealthy owner. As the war rages on, now it’s more important than ever to have a strong press. Support us in this fight. Donate or become a member here.

⚡️ Updated: Russian attack on Kharkiv kills woman, injures man. The attack destroyed several buildings, trapping people under the rubble, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. A tram, which had been carrying passengers at the time of the attack, was also damaged. Photo: Courtesy/Anya Korzun

⚡EU, NATO denounce Russia's cyberattacks on Germany, Czechia. The EU and NATO condemned Russia's "malicious cyber campaign" against Germany and Czechia in public statements on May 3.