As Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares for his heavily choreographed May 9 “Victory Day” military parade, he’s been clear who’s at the top of his guest list: Xi Jinping.

Ukrainian forces are reported to have launched a new incursion into Russia's Kursk border region, where Kyiv officials had hoped to gain leverage in peace negotiations. Russian military Telegram channels reported that Ukrainian troops breached the Russian border near the village of Tetkino.

Vladimir Putin has reportedly been forced to cancel the upcoming Victory Day parade in Crimea, just days after a Ukrainian sea drone destroyed a Russian fighter jet worth €41 million. The celebration was scheduled to take place on May 9 in the city of Sevastopol,