Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine will retaliate against Russia's oil industry, military production, and those responsible for "committing war crimes against Ukraine and Ukrainians" following the latest Russian attacks that killed at least 24 people in Kyiv. In a statement, Zelenskyy declared: "Ukraine will not allow any of the aggressor's strikes that take the lives of our people to go unpunished. We are entirely justified in our responses against Russia's oil industry, military production, and those directly responsible for committing war crimes against Ukraine and Ukrainians." He also warned of Russian plans for "new missile and drone strikes against Ukraine," targeting "decision-making centres" involving political and military commands. Additionally, Zelenskyy claimed Ukraine "continues to document Russia's attempts to draw Belarus deeper into the war against Ukraine," with growing contacts between Moscow and Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko to "persuade him to join new Russian aggressive operation." This could involve an attack on Ukraine or "one of the Nato countries," he suggested. "Ukrainians deserve their sovereignty just like any other nation. The people cannot be defeated. Russia must end its war and negotiate a dignified peace, rather than searching for new ways to intimidate Ukraine," Zelenskyy added.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump suggested the recent Russian strikes on Kyiv could set back efforts to end the war, saying the Ukrainians "took a big hit" after attacks that killed at least 24 people. "It's one [war] that we'd like to see settled. Until last night, it was looking good, but they took a big hit last night. So it's gonna happen [the end of the war]. But it's a shame," Trump told reporters, per Reuters. Kyiv officials declared Friday a day of mourning, with national flags at half-mast across the city of 3 million. Residents brought flowers, stuffed animals and sweets to a makeshift memorial at the destroyed housing block. Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the western Ukrainian city also lowered its flag as a sign of respect.
Ukraine launched a large-scale long-range drone attack targeting several regions in Russia, including the huge Ryazan oil refinery, after three days of massive strikes by Moscow against Ukraine. The attack followed a series of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, including a cruise missile hitting an apartment block in Kyiv on Thursday, killing 24 people including three children. The final death toll emerged as emergency teams finished digging through the rubble of a nine-storey block hit in what the Ukrainian air force said was Russia's biggest barrage since its all-out invasion in February 2022. Russia launched more than 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles in attacks across Ukraine this week over three consecutive days, Ukrainian officials said.
In related developments, 36 countries and the European Union backed plans for the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine during a Council of Europe meeting in Chișinău, Moldova. Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset said the tribunal "represents justice and hope" and "the time for Russia to be held to account for its aggression is fast approaching."
Elsewhere, the WHO's Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the hantavirus outbreak from the MV Hondius cruise ship, praising Tenerife's solidarity. The operation to transfer passengers was completed successfully, with more than 120 people being cared for in home or host countries. Captain Jan Dobrogowski and his crew remain on board, symptom-free, and are expected to dock in the Netherlands. There have been 10 cases total, with eight confirmed as the Andes variant and two probable. No further deaths have been reported since 2 May, though more may emerge due to the six-week incubation period.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs began political consultations to form a new government after Prime Minister Evika Siliņa's administration collapsed. MP Edvards Smiltēns cautioned that a minority government could be an option. Latvia holds parliamentary elections in October. Also, 46 Council of Europe member states signed the Chișinău declaration, aiming to clarify the European Convention on Human Rights, which critics fear will weaken migrant protections. The declaration is not legally binding but pressures courts to apply the law more restrictively in asylum and immigration cases.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke with US President Donald Trump, agreeing that "Iran must come to the negotiating table now" and open the Strait of Hormuz. They also discussed a peaceful solution for Ukraine ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara. Earlier, Merz told a German Catholic meeting he "would not recommend to my children today that they go to the US to get an education and to work," adding, "I am a great admirer of America, but right now my admiration is not increasing."
Poland and Lithuania continue questioning US plans on military presence in Europe, including the cancellation of 4,000 US-based troops' temporary deployment to Poland. Polish PM Donald Tusk said he "received assurances that these decisions are logistical in nature and they will not directly affect the deterrence capabilities and our security." Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said Lithuania is exploring hosting more US troops, possibly some withdrawn from Germany. However, a survey showed Poland is the only EU country where the public favors a permanent US military base (51% for, 23% against), while Lithuanian voters are more skeptical (29% for, 43% against).
In other news, the Eurovision second semi-final saw Australia through to the grand final on Saturday. Delta Goodrem performed her power-ballad "Eclipse." Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Malta, Romania, Ukraine and Norway also qualified. Finland and Latvia stepped up air defences after early alerts about potential drone incursions, but no incursions were reported. Latvia's army issued an alert after midnight, with NATO Baltic air policing fighters scrambled; the risk later passed. Finland also reported no incursion.