Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

The lower house of the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann) ratified the Convention Establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine on Wednesday. “russia must be held accountable for the severe damage it has caused in Ukraine”, emphasized Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne. Ireland became the 5th country to ratify the document establishing the commission on reparations for Ukraine.

The government of New Zealand has imposed new sanctions against 20 russian individuals and entities for their support of russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Among them there are entities that support the kremlin’s hybrid tactics by facilitating russian cybercrime that supports the war and spreading anti-Ukrainian propaganda aimed at legitimizing moscow’s illegal aggression.

Sweden, Canada, and Lithuania are ready to join the Ukraine Transport Support Fund.

Berlin has officially banned soviet and russian symbols on May 8 and 9.

The European Union does not intend to take any action regarding its diplomatic mission in Kyiv ahead of May 9, despite so-called warnings from russian aggressors to evacuate due to possible attacks on the Ukrainian capital. “russia’s public threats to attack Kyiv are part of its reckless escalation tactics. russia is once again outrageously attempting to blame Ukraine for its own aggressive war – russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine. As for us, the EU, we will not change our position or presence in Kyiv,” said European Commission Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Anouar El-Anouni.

According to Swiss intelligence, the rf remains the greatest threat to security, stability, and peace in Europe, and its goals extend far beyond Ukraine.

France has identified “30 zones of information warfare” and is creating a digital diplomatic reserve to help its embassies counter information attacks, discrediting and disinformation campaigns, particularly from russia.

The union of journalists of russia has been expelled from the International Federation of Journalists.

The economic slowdown, falling demand, and high interest rates have sharply reduced russian businesses’ investment activity. In industry, it has fallen to a 16-year low. Only 38% of companies in April rated investment levels as “normal”. This is half the figure from 2024.

russia’s construction sector will soon be hit by a severe crisis that will last two to three years. This forecast was issued by the center for macroeconomic analysis and short-term forecasting, an organization close to the kremlin. Rising loan servicing costs are putting additional pressure on construction companies. The aggregate debt of construction firms is nearly five times their profits.

The federal antimonopoly service of the rf has banned russian economists from forecasting price increases for food and petrol.

The number of unprofitable banks in russia has risen sharply: while there were 34 such banks as of January 1, 2026, their number had risen to 60 by early March. Thus, one in five (19.7%) banking market participants began operating in the red.

The total revenue of russian manufacturers of home appliance fell by 11.6% in 2025.

Foot traffic at shopping centers during the May holidays in russia dropped by 5–7%.

Due to rising alcohol prices, russians began switching to cheaper spirits, primarily vodka. In April, retail sales of vodka increased by nearly 3%, to 5.97 million deciliters (dal). Spirits also showed growth (+14%, to 1.59 million dal) as did cognac (+2%, to 1.01 million dal). From January through April, russians purchased 38.33 million deciliters of strong alcoholic beverages – by 3.6% more year-on-year. This accounts for more than half of total alcohol sales, which reached 64 million deciliters, excluding beer, cider, poire, and mead.

Foreign tourists have canceled 50% of their booked tours to russia, which they were supposed to take during the May holidays.

russian authorities are preparing to block russians’ access to Steam – the international digital game distribution service.

russian authorities also plan to deport foreigners from the country for unauthorized meetings, “discrediting” the army, and “abusing media freedom”.

prime minister mikhail mishustin has stated that radio remains the “most convenient, reliable, and accessible” source of communication for russians.

In moscow, mobile internet will be completely shut down on May 9, including sites that are supposed to be accessible via the “whitelist”. This was reported by the ministry of digital development of the rf. Additionally, SMS messages will not work. According to russian president’s spokesperson dmitry peskov, measures to support businesses due to the mobile network shutdown are not being considered.

In a number of russian regions, celebrations on May 9 have been canceled this year. In at least 15 regions of the rf, authorities have announced the complete cancellation of “Victory Day parades”.

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been officially confirmed in novosibirsk region.