Russia plans to attack Moldova and admits it won't get "victories" by May 9 (LAST NIGHT'S HIGHLIGHTS)

Chief of the General Staff of the RF Gerasimov visits the front-line in East Ukraine, which means the Russian offensive tactics have many problems, while Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov says the RF won't have "victories" by May 9. Here is what you may have missed from the night of May 2.

Russia plans to attack on Moldova

The Ukrainian military leadership believes that the Kremlin has already taken the decision to attack Moldova. If the Russians seize control of Moldova, Ukraine will be in a more vulnerable position, writes The Times.

Russia can recognize the breakaway state Transnistria and then even try to join it. The possible date of such recognition is May 9. According to the Ukrainian military, Russia may provoke protests in Moldova to justify the attack. The RF may also try to land troops in Tiraspol, but first, this action will require passing the Ukrainian air defenses.

Explosions in Belgorod

On the night of May 2, explosions were reported in a Russian Belgorod, a city 60 km away from near Ukrainian. The governor of Belgorod Oblast said that there were "two strong explosions," but with no injuries or casualties.

The day before, on May 1, there was a fire at one of the facilities of the Russian Ministry of Defense on the border of three municipalities: Borisovka, Belgorod and Yakovlevo.

Evacuation bus driver from Luhansk Oblast in captivity

After two days of searching, the driver of one of the two evacuation buses that came under fire on April 29 in Popasna, (Luhansk Oblast) was found. He is now a prisoner of the occupiers — the Russian media recorded a propaganda video with him. Mykhailo Pankov is a history teacher at Vrubivka school in Luhansk Oblast. He has been helping people get to safe places and bringing food to others for many weeks.

Lavrov: There will be no "victories" by May 9

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has indirectly acknowledged that Russia won't get victories in the war against Ukraine by May 9.

He says the pace of the Russian military's offensive allegedly "depends on the need to minimize any risks to civilians and the Russian military."

"Our military will not artificially adjust their actions to a particular date, including Victory Day," Lavrov said.

Grain is blocked in Ukrainian seaports

Almost 4.5 million tons of grain are blocked in Ukrainian seaports. Products cannot be exported because the sea routes are closed due to the war. Before the war, Ukraine was one of the world's largest suppliers of wheat and corn.

Many countries depend on Ukrainian wheat, and supply shortages could lead to a food crisis.

Sweden and Denmark talk to Russian ambassadors

Sweden and Denmark have summoned Russian ambassadors to their foreign ministries for talks. The reason for this was that on the evening of April 29, a Russian reconnaissance aircraft An-30 violated the airspace of these countries. The plane has initially been on the east of Bornholm, an island in the Baltic Sea belonging to Denmark. Then it headed towards the Swedish side.

US Army in Ukraine

US Congressman Adam Kinzinger announced "his introduction of a joint resolution that would authorize the President of the United States to utilize U.S. forces to respond to a scenario in which the Russian Federation uses chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons against Ukraine."

For the resolution to work, it must be approved by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and then by the President. It is unknown how long the proposal will be considered.

Visit of the Chief of the General Staff of the RF to Ukraine

Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov visited the front line in East Ukraine. In particular, the city of Izium (Kharkiv Oblast), where the Russians set up their base. On the evening of April 30, the Ukrainian military attacked a military base in Izium, but by that time, Gerasimov had managed to leave Ukraine.

The visit of the Russian top officer may indicate that Russia has not yet resolved its problems with logistics, coordination between units and has difficulties during the offensive in Donbas.