Return of 45 soldiers from captivity, confirmed downing of Kinzhal and coronation of Charles III: highlights of May 6

Air Force confirms destruction of Russian “Kinzhal” missile

The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has confirmed the destruction of a Russian hypersonic missile “Kinzhal”. It happened during a night attack on May 4 in the sky over Kyiv Oblast.

“I congratulate the Ukrainian people on this historic event! Yes, we have shot down the ‘unparalleled’ ‘Kinzhal’,” wrote Mykola Oleshchuk, commander of the Ukrainian Air Force.

Return of Mariupol defenders

Ukraine has returned 45 more Azov servicemen from captivity - 42 male and three female defenders of Azovstal. All of the released soldiers are National Guard members. Among them are 35 privates and sergeants, as well as 10 officers. Azov fighter Yevhen Chudnietsov, who had been held captive by the Russians for 2.5 years before the large-scale invasion was also released.

At the same time, the Russians claimed that they were able to return three of their military pilots from Ukrainian captivity.

Six SES employees were killed under shelling in Kherson Oblast

In Kherson Oblast, six employees of the State Emergency Service who were clearing the region of mines were killed by Russian shelling. Two more were injured. One of the victims is a woman who works as a paramedic for the State Emergency Service. The wounded were hospitalized. Russian shelling also destroyed SES equipment.

Occupiers are conducting “rapid evacuation” in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

The mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, said that the evacuation, or “temporary relocation” of the occupiers on the occupied lands of Zaporizhzhia Oblast is happening too quickly. There is speculation that they may be preparing for a provocation involving civilians.

Every 20-30 minutes a bus or a convoy of buses leaves Tokmak. Only one-third of the passengers are civilians, the rest are Russian military in disguise. The occupiers say that in case of an offensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, there will be no food and medicine delivered; Melitopol will be cut off from electricity and water supply.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Digital Transformation called on residents of Zaporizhzhia Oblast to report Russian troops' equipment in the region through a special chatbot called “eVorog”. Particularly important settlements are Vasylivka, Tokmak, Kamianka-Dniprovska, Dniprorudne, Enerhodar, and Polohy.

Coronation of Charles III in London

Westminster Abbey in London hosted one of the biggest events of this year – the coronation of the new British King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.

This is the first coronation in the UK in almost 70 years – the last one was for his mother in June 1953. And Charles III became the oldest of those who were crowned the new monarch.

Among the guests who attended the coronation were members of the royal family, international representatives from 203 countries, including about 100 heads of state, as well as civic and charitable activists. At the same time, a group of protesters took to the streets with posters reading “Not my king”, “Privatize them”, and “This is our country”.

Other important news

• Moldova's president said that if Russia successfully seized Ukraine, it would not stop at the border, but would invade her country as well.
• A car carrying propagandist Zakhar Prilepin was blown up in Russia. The suspect in the bombing was detained by the Russians.
• Russia continued to attack Ukraine with drones, and UAVs became more active along the entire front line.
• Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba awarded a 13-year-old Ukrainian girl who refused to perform at a festival in Italy because of the participation of Russians.
• The Coordination Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War held a charity event for children whose mothers are now in Russian captivity.
• Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko spoke about the first stage of dismantling the USSR coat of arms on the Motherland.