In Lugansk, during the shelling, State Duma deputy from the United Russia faction Viktor Vodolatsky was injured, Interfax reports, citing a statement by representatives of the annexed LPR. Viktor Vodolatsky holds the post of First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots.

US Ambassador Ruben Bridgety, who announced that South Africa was supplying arms and ammunition to Russia, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of South Africa. Bridgety, Reuters quoted the South African Foreign Ministry as saying, "a strong protest" was expressed. The ambassador apologized and "admitted that he had crossed a line," the foreign ministry said. The US State Department has not yet made any statements about this, the agency notes.

Russia-based airline Azimuth and Georgian Airways are completing the “last formalities” before starting direct flights between Russia and Georgia later this month, says Russian state broadcaster RBC. The two airlines have already notified the Tbilisi airport about flights from Russia, according to RBC. A source for the outlet says that Azimuth is planning six flights weekly to Tbilisi from Moscow-area airport Vnukovo.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky announced new packages of sanctions against the Russian military industry. The Ukrainian publication Economic Pravda writes that 493 legal entities and 208 individuals are included in the sanctions lists. “Hundreds of individuals and legal entities of a terrorist state and those associated with Russia are becoming the target of global isolation.

Singer Zemfira Ramazanova has filed a lawsuit against Russia’s Justice Ministry, requesting that her inclusion on the ministry’s list of “foreign agents” be declared illegal. State broadcaster RBC reports that a representative of the singer filed the suit on her behalf on May 10. At the time of publication, Zemfira had not responded to Meduza’s request for comment.

An explosion occurred in Melitopol, a city in the Russian-annexed part of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region. The state-owned Russian news outlet RIA Novosti reported the incident. According to the publication, power went out around 9:50 p.m. local time in the Mikroraion quarter of Melitopol. The sound of an explosion was heard shortly afterwards. Electric and water supply have failed in parts of the city. The cause of the blast has not yet been reported.

In the Ukrainian Melitopol, annexed by Russia, there was an explosion, according to RIA Novosti. According to correspondents of the Russian state agency, at about 21:50 in the Mikrorayon quarter in the north of the city, the power was turned off. Later, the sound of an explosion was heard. Information about the explosion was confirmed by the legitimate head of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov. Electricity was cut off in part of the city, the water supply was interrupted.

Your browser does not support the audio element. Ukraine’s fight inside Russia, behind enemy lines Bloggers and news outlets in Russia are abuzz with speculation about what could be the start of Ukraine’s long-awaited spring counteroffensive.

The authorities in Buryatia are prosecuting Natalia Nizovkina, a civil liberties activist and defense attorney representing the Ulan-Ude resident Natalia Filonova in a separate overtly political case.

Cyprus and Malta revoked citizenship obtained in exchange for investment from dozens of Russian nationals, and members of their families, who are subject to E.U. sanctions. Der Spiegel reports that, in response to a request by European Parliament member Moritz Kerner, Cyprus annulled nine “golden passports” issued to Russian nationals who have been sanctioned, as well as another 34 passports belonging to their relations. Malta revoked two sanctioned Russian nationals’ citizenship.

The Russian airline Azimuth and Georgian Airways are preparing to launch direct flights between Russia and Georgia in mid-May, RBC reports. However, for the start of flights, it is still necessary to complete the “last formalities”. So, according to the publication, Azimut and Georgian Airways have already notified Tbilisi airport about flights from Russia. According to RBC's source, Azimut plans to fly to Tbilisi six times a week from Moscow's Vnukovo airport.

State Duma deputy from the United Russia faction Viktor Vodolatsky was injured by artillery fire in Luhansk, reports Interfax, citing an announcement by the Russian-appointed authorities of the annexed LNR. Viktor Vodolatsky serves as the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs. He has consistently supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has been sanctioned by the E.U., U.S., U.K., and a number of other countries.

A criminal case has been opened against Buryat human rights activist Nadezhda Nizovkina for refusing to testify against her client Natalya Filonova, Dozhd reports, citing the Soft Power movement. As Nizovkina herself stated, according to the law, she had no right to be interrogated, but the ban was ignored.

Pernod Ricard, which produces Martell cognac, Chivas Regal, Jameson and Ballantineʼs whiskeys, Beefeater gin, Absolut vodka, Olmeca tequila and a number of other world-famous brands of strong alcohol, has announced the cessation of work in Russia. The French company said in a statement that since April 2023 it has not supplied its products to the Russian market. The parties of alcohol already brought to Russia will be sold out "within a few months," Pernod Ricard said.

Singer Zemfira Ramazanova filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation demanding that the inclusion in the list of “foreign agents” be illegal. The statement of claim, RBC writes, was filed on May 10 through a representative of the singer. Zemfira herself did not respond to the publication's request for comment at the time of publication of the news.