Putin Tightens Security Over Safety Fears as Ukraine Frontlines See Slow Progress
A leaked European intelligence report claims Putin is increasingly worried about his personal safety and that of senior officials, prompting tighter security; ISW notes there is no independent evidence of a coup risk but confirms heightened security around Putin and senior figures. On the battlefield, Russian forces have not achieved meaningful gains around Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk, while Ukrainian forces counterattack and conduct strikes against Russian assets with drones. Zelensky announced a unilateral ceasefire for May 5–6 in response to Russian Victory Day rhetoric, and Sweden seized a Russian shadow fleet tanker, underscoring Western efforts to disrupt Moscow’s oil shipments. Russia also conducted long-range missile and drone strikes that damaged civilian infrastructure in several oblasts.
