Russia has cancelled its Victory Day parade in occupied Crimea due to safety concerns, authorities have said according to state-controlled media.
The parade in the Black Sea port city of Sevastopol, which is held on May 5 to commemorate the Soviet Victory in World War 2, will not take place due to safety risks, Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said.
It comes days after Kyiv claimed that two Russian fighter jets were downed by Ukrainian sea drones over the Black Sea, near the port city of Novorossiysk in Russia proper.
Volodymyr Zelensky has said he Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of foreign officials who attend Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, warning that Russia could orchestrate provocations such as "arsons, explosions, or other actions” and attempt to blame Ukraine. Moscow is responsible for safety on Russian territory, he added.
Meanwhile, Washington has announced that Ukraine will receive a fresh round of refurbished Patriot air defence systems from the US. The Times reported that Mr Trump's personal view on the decision to send the Patriot systems remains unclear.
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Key Points
- Russia cancels Victory Day parade in Crimea 'due to security concerns'
- US 'sending refurbished Patriot missile system from Israel to Ukraine'
- Zelensky says ceasefire possible 'even from today' if Moscow is serious about peace
- Ukraine launches Kursk offensive, pro-Russian war bloggers say
- Putin 'hopes' there will be no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine
Trump says he has not thought about meeting Putin this month
Monday 5 May 2025 20:30
,
Alex Croft
US president Donald Trump has said he is not sure if he will be meeting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later this month in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to reporters as he returned to the White House after a weekend in Florida, Mr Trump was asked whether he planned to meet Mr Putin when he travels to the Middle East later this month where he will meet several Gulf leaders.
He said he had not thought about this but "we've had some very good discussions" about Russia and Ukraine in recent days.
"There's a lot of hatred there," he said.
Russia cancels Victory Day parade in Crimea 'due to security concerns'
Monday 5 May 2025 19:50
,
Alex Croft
Russia has cancelled a Victory Day parade in occupied Crimea, Russian state-controlled media reported on May 5.
The parade in the port city of Sevastopol, which is held on May 5 to commemorate the Soviet Victory in World War 2, will not take place due to safety risks, Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said.
It comes after Volodymyr Zelensky said he Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of foreign officials who attend Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, warning that Russia could orchestrate provocations and attempt to blame Ukraine. Moscow is responsible for safety on Russian territory, he added.
The cancellation comes after the Ukrainian military claimed to strike down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet with a sea drone near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk on Friday.
Sevastopol is a major naval base in the Black Sea which has been under Russian occupation since its illegal annexation of the peninsula in 2014.
'Heavy battle' on Kursk border after Ukrainian troops break in, say Russian milbloggers
Monday 5 May 2025 18:57
,
Alex Croft
Ukrainian troops “blew up bridges at night” as it smashed into the Kursk region, Russian military bloggers have claimed.
The bloggers earlier reported that Ukrainian forces had attacked the region, from which Russia has been working for months to expel Kyiv’s troops after they broke through the border and seized a large pocket of land last August.
"The enemy blew up bridges with rockets at night and launched an attack with armoured groups in the morning," Russian "RVvoenkor" war blogger said on Telegram.
"The mine clearance vehicles began to make passages in the minefields, followed by armoured vehicles with troops. There is a heavy battle going on at the border."
The Ukrainian attack in Kursk was reported by multiple other Russian bloggers including "The archangel of special forces" and Russian state television war correspondent Alexander Sladkov.
Kyiv has not commented and the Ukrainian military has not confirmed whether it has broken into the Kursk region.
Hungarian PM warns he will not lead a 'Ukraine-friendly' government
Monday 5 May 2025 18:15
,
Alex Croft
A war of words between Volodymyr Zelensky and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has continued, with the latter warning that a “Ukraine-friendly” government will not be established in Hungary.
Kyiv and Budapest have clashed over the past week due to Hungary’s veto against Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
Mr Orban, the hard-right leader who has advocated a softer stance towards Russia and Donald Trump, was quoted by his spokesman as saying Ukraine has agreed with Brussels on “accelerated EU accession”.
"Zelensky wants a Ukraine-friendly government in Hungary. Those who are agents of Brussels are also friends of Zelensky," he added, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
"There will never be a situation where Kyiv or Brussels dictates how Hungarians exercise their rightful sovereignty," Mr Orban said, claiming that Ukraine’s accession to the EU would lead to Hungary’s bankruptcy.
Pictured: Ukrainian troops join London's VE Day commemorations
Monday 5 May 2025 17:38
,
Alex Croft
Ukraine strikes Russia's drone unit in Kursk region, military says
Monday 5 May 2025 17:02
,
Alex Croft
Ukrainian forces struck Russia’s drone command unit in the Russian Kursk region on Sunday, Kyiv’s military said.
The unit, where reconnaissance and strike drone operators were based, was located near the village of Tyotkino, the military said.
“The crews of unmanned reconnaissance and attack drones were based there. As a result of the strike, up to 20 occupiers were killed and their equipment was destroyed,” it added on Facebook.
Russian military bloggers reported on Monday that Kyiv's forces were trying to advance towards the village.
Trump speaks with Turkish president about Ukraine
Monday 5 May 2025 16:24
,
Alex Croft
Donald Trump has revealed that he discussed the Ukraine war during a phone call with Turkish president Recep Erdoğan.
“I look forward to working with President Erdoğan on getting the ridiculous, but deadly, War between Russia and Ukraine ended - NOW!” the US president wrote on Truth Social.
He added that the two presidents invited each other for visits to Washington and Turkey.
Evacuation orders issued for two towns in northeastern Ukraine
Monday 5 May 2025 15:32
,
Alex Croft
Residents of two towns in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, which borders Russia, have been ordered to urgently evacuate by the region’s authorities.
"I urge the residents of Bilopillia and Vorozhba to evacuate to a safe place immediately! Evacuation buses leave every morning at 08:00,” said Mykhailo Melnyk, head of the Sumy District State Administration, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
It is unclear why they were ordered to evacuate, but Russian troops are now near the Ukrainian border after pushing large numbers of Kyiv’s troops out of its neighbouring Kursk region.
Zelensky has reached a deal with Trump – but it won’t stop the war in Ukraine
Monday 5 May 2025 15:00
,
Alexander Butler
Recap: Man injured by grenade explosion in Kyiv building
Monday 5 May 2025 14:00
,
Alexander Butler
A 41-year-old man was hospitalised overnight after a grenade explosion inside an apartment in Kyiv’s Obolon district, Ukrainian police reported early this morning.
The blast triggered a swift response from law enforcement, bomb technicians, medics, and firefighters, who rushed to the scene.
According to a preliminary police investigation, the explosion was caused by a grenade detonating inside the residence, reported the Kyiv Independent.
The injured man, whose condition has not been disclosed, was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances leading to the incident or the man’s identity.
The origin of the explosive is under investigation as authorities are still working to determine the legal classification of the incident.
Watch: Zelensky breaks silence on Ukraine US minerals deal
Monday 5 May 2025 13:35
,
Alexander Butler
Ukraine launches Kursk offensive, pro-Russian war bloggers say
Monday 5 May 2025 12:54
,
Alexander Butler
Ukraine has launched another offensive inside Russia’s Kursk region, according to pro-Russian war bloggers.
Kyiv’s troops fired missiles into Kursk and used vehicles to cross minefields, according to Russian Telegram channels.
Bridges were blown up before an armoured assault was launched in the morning, they reported.
Analysis: Ukraine's Kursk attack not a surprise
Monday 5 May 2025 12:50
,
Sam Kiley
The attack by Ukrainian forces on the Western edge of Kursk is dramatic but not a surprise, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley writes.
Ukraine has maintained a foot hole in the salient it captured last August but lost most of earlier this year to prevent Russian incursions into its territory.
It is also conducted commando raids and semi-covert operations further east around the Russian city of Belgorod amid claims from President Volodymyr Zelensky that Russia was building up its own forces on his northern border for a potential invasion.
The latest Ukrainian attacks on Kursk draw focus and energy away from a potential Russian attack and serve political purpose in reminding the Russian population that there is a price to pay at home for Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
But there are only Russian sources reporting the Ukrainian attack on Kursk and there has been no official confirmation from Kyiv on these reported operations.
Recap: Ukrainian strike 'destroys' electrical factory in Russia
Monday 5 May 2025 12:30
Ukrainian forces launched a strike on the Strela factory in Suzemka, Bryansk region, near the Ukraine-Russia border, leaving the facility largely destroyed, according to Bryansk governor Alexander Bogomaz.
Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation chief, Andriy Kovalenko, confirmed the plant, which specialised in electronics for Russia’s defence industry, is “no longer operational.”
Mr Bogomaz, whose region borders both Ukraine and Belarus in the far west of Russia, said on Sunday that the Ukrainian strike had destroyed workshops and administrative buildings at the factory in the village of Suzemka.
The Russian Telegram channel Mash, linked to security services, reported the factory, a producer of electrical equipment, was hit by a Grad rocket system.
Ukrainian allies seek more Patriot missiles, say reports
Monday 5 May 2025 12:00
,
Alexander Butler
Ukraine's western allies are in discussions about supplying additional Patriot air defence systems to Kyiv, aiming to reach an agreement before a Nato summit in June, a source familiar with the matter said.
The US and Greece are among the potential suppliers of these systems, according to the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
It comes after Trump administration officials reportedly said Ukraine was set to receive a fresh round of refurbished Patriot air defence systems from the US.
It would be one of the biggest American-provided boosts the Ukrainian military since Mr Trump’s meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican during Pope Francis's funeral.
Putin hopes there will be no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine
Monday 5 May 2025 11:30
,
Alexander Butler
Russian president Vladimir Putin has said that the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine had not arisen and that he hopes it will not.
In comments aired yesterday in a film by Russian state television about his quarter of a century in power, Mr Putin said Russia has the strength and the means to bring the conflict in Ukraine to a "logical conclusion."
Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Mr Putin said: "There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons ... and I hope they will not be required."
"We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires," he said.
Putin’s endgame in Ukraine – and why it won’t finish there
Monday 5 May 2025 11:00
,
Alexander Butler
Dismissing Vladimir Putin’s offer of a brief ceasefire in May as yet “another attempt at manipulation” is an understatement. The Russian president is – according to the former head of MI6 – intent on taking much more than just Ukraine.
Far from being worried by recent mini-threats from Donald Trump to increase sanctions or stung by the US president’s irritation at Russia’s stalling over a ceasefire, Putin is cupping his ears in a pantomime of attention and carrying on doing as he pleases.
Such behaviour chimes with the uncharacteristically stark message from ex-spy chief Sir Alex Younger who, after a lifetime in the shadows of espionage, has a simple message: “If you don’t stand up to him, he comes back for more – how many more times do we need to be told this?”
World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley looks at the current state of the conflict, the likelihood of a lasting ceasefire and what Russian leader Vladimir Putin is planning next:
Recap: Ukraine downs 42 drones after huge Russian barrage
Monday 5 May 2025 10:30
,
Alexander Butler
Ukraine downed 42 drones out 116 launched by Russia overnight.
At least 21 drones were lost, and it is unclear what happened to the remaining 53.
Russia also launched two ballistic missiles which were not shot down by Ukrainian defences.
Ukrainian strike 'destroys' electrical factory in Russia
Monday 5 May 2025 10:00
,
Shweta Sharma
Ukrainian forces launched a strike on the Strela factory in Suzemka, Bryansk region, near the Ukraine-Russia border, leaving the facility largely destroyed, according to Bryansk governor Alexander Bogomaz.
Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation chief, Andriy Kovalenko, confirmed the plant, which specialised in electronics for Russia’s defence industry, is “no longer operational.”
Mr Bogomaz, whose region borders both Ukraine and Belarus in the far west of Russia, said on Sunday that the Ukrainian strike had destroyed workshops and administrative buildings at the factory in the village of Suzemka.
The Russian Telegram channel Mash, linked to security services, reported the factory, a producer of electrical equipment, was hit by a Grad rocket system.
Man injured by grenade explosion in Kyiv building
Monday 5 May 2025 09:30
,
Shweta Sharma
A 41-year-old man was hospitalised overnight after a grenade explosion inside an apartment in Kyiv’s Obolon district, Ukrainian police reported early this morning.
The blast triggered a swift response from law enforcement, bomb technicians, medics, and firefighters, who rushed to the scene.
According to a preliminary police investigation, the explosion was caused by a grenade detonating inside the residence, reported the Kyiv Independent.
The injured man, whose condition has not been disclosed, was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances leading to the incident or the man’s identity.
The origin of the explosive is under investigation as authorities are still working to determine the legal classification of the incident.
Slovak prime minister slams Zelensky over Victory Day parade warning
Monday 5 May 2025 09:00
,
Shweta Sharma
In a sharp rebuke, Slovak prime minister Robert Fico criticised Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for cautioning foreign leaders against attending Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May.
On Saturday, Mr Zelensky warned that Ukraine could not guarantee the safety of foreign officials attending the parade, citing the risk of Russian-orchestrated provocations such as “arsons, explosions, or other actions” designed to pin blame on Ukraine.
He emphasised that Russia bears sole responsibility for ensuring security within its borders.
Mr Fico dismissed Mr Zelensky’s warning as an attempt to intimidate foreign delegations into boycotting the event.
“I reject such threats for security reasons,” Mr Fico said.
“While I respect that participant safety is Russia’s internal matter, if Mr Zelensky thinks his words will deter foreign leaders from attending, he is gravely mistaken.”
Marking the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end, Mr Fico called for an “armistice” and urged Mr Zelensky to “remain silent” on the issue, framing the Ukrainian leader’s remarks as divisive.
Russia attacks Ukraine with two ballistic missiles that weren't shot down, military says
Monday 5 May 2025 08:30
,
Tara Cobham
Russia also attacked Ukraine with two ballistic missiles overnight, which were not shot down, the Ukrainian military has said.
Of the 116 drones fired by Russia, it said Ukraine's air defence units shot down 42, while another 21 drones were lost. However, it did not disclose the fate of the remaining 53.
Sumy and Donetsk hit in overnight Russian drone attack, Ukraine's military says
Monday 5 May 2025 08:08
,
Tara Cobham
An overnight Russian drone attack hit the regions of Sumy and Donetsk, Ukraine’s military has said.
It noted on Monday that Sumy and Donetsk "suffered as a result of the attack".
Watch: Ukraine claims to shoot down Russian warplane using sea drone for first time
Monday 5 May 2025 07:32
,
Arpan Rai
Ukraine downs 42 drones launched by Russia overnight
Monday 5 May 2025 07:27
,
Arpan Rai
Ukraine's air defence units shot down 42 of 116 drones launched by Russia in an overnight attack, its air force said this morning.
It said 21 drones were lost – in reference to the Ukrainian military using electronic warfare to redirect them – or they were drone simulators that did not carry warheads.
Czech leader says Putin 'has all the cards to end Ukraine war'
Monday 5 May 2025 07:26
,
Arpan Rai
Czech president Petr Pavel has backed Ukraine and said Russian president Vladimir Putin is yet to show any signs of wanting to end the war in Ukraine.
"If someone has all the cards in their hand to end the war then it is president Putin, who can do it with a single decision," he told reporters. "But so far the will has not appeared,” he said.
Volodymyr Zelensky, who is accompanied on the trip by first lady Olena Zelenska, meets Czech prime minister Petr Fiala today, with a plan for Ukraine to receive large volumes of Czech ammunition among the topics on the agenda.
The Ukrainian leader said on X on Saturday that he was preparing for upcoming foreign policy meetings focused on helping push Russia into a ceasefire.
US 'sending refurbished Patriot missile system from Israel to Ukraine'
Monday 5 May 2025 07:07
,
Arpan Rai
The US is sending a fresh round of military aid to Ukraine, including a refurbished Patriot air defence system used in Israel, according to US officials.
Another Patriot missile system from Germany or Greece is also likely to follow with its logistics being discussed, four current and former US officials told the New York Times.
The Times said sources declined to comment on whether the decision came from US president Donald Trump, who has previously been hesitant of helping the war-hit nation.
A White House official declined to share any details. “President Trump has been clear: he wants the war in Ukraine to end and the killing to stop,” said James Hewitt, a spokesperson for the White House’s National Security Council.
China’s Xi to pay official visit to Russia on 7 May ahead of Victory Day Parade
Monday 5 May 2025 06:52
,
Arpan Rai
Chinese leader Xi Jinping will pay an official visit to Russia from May 7–10, the Kremlin confirmed Sunday.
Mr Xi was already among the leaders set to attend the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9.
The Kremlin said Mr Xi was visiting at the invitation of Russian president Vladimir Putin and, as well as taking part in Victory Day celebrations, the leaders would discuss “further development of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction” and “issues on the international and regional agenda”.
Mr Putin and Mr Xi will sign a number of bilateral documents, it said.
Russia's air defence systems destroy 26 Ukrainian drones
Monday 5 May 2025 06:42
,
Arpan Rai
Russia's air defence systems destroyed 26 Ukrainian drones overnight, Tass news agency reported today citing Russia's defence ministry data.
Of these, 17 drones were downed over Bryansk region near the Russia-Ukraine border, five over the Kaluga region and four over Moscow region, the defence ministry said on its Telegram channel.
Zelensky says Ukraine to receive three million shells from allies
Monday 5 May 2025 06:28
,
Arpan Rai
Ukraine is hoping to receive at least three million shells from its international supporters, Volodymyr Zelensky said during talks in Prague yesterday.
"Russia should know that we are expecting three million artillery shells from our allies. Not only North Korea is capable of helping in the war, we have allies who are helping Ukraine," Mr Zelensky said.
Of the total three million shells, a Czech ammunition initiative will deliver up to 1.8 million artillery shells to Ukraine by the end of 2025, the country’s president Petr Pavel said on the first day of the Ukrainian president’s visit.
The Czech government has been a strong backer of Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and has led an initiative to supply Ukraine with large-calibre ammunition.
Mr Pavel said in February that Ukraine had received 1.6 million rounds of large-calibre ammunition in the past year.
Starmer discusses defence cooperation and Ukraine with Australia's re-elected Albanese
Monday 5 May 2025 05:55
,
Arpan Rai
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has congratulated his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on his re-election.The two had a phone call and agreed to bolster defence and security cooperation, No 10 said yesterday.
"Discussing defence and security, including our shared support for Ukraine, the leaders also agreed to increase ambition on our joint submarine programme, Aukus," a Downing Steet readout said.
Aukus is a trilateral security partnership shared between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States with an aim to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific along with the defence needs of its partners.
Sir Keir has said he will ask London's special representative to the Aukus defence project, Stephen Lovegrove, to travel to Australia in the coming weeks to discuss the programme further, the statement added.
Putin’s endgame in Ukraine – and why it won’t finish there
Monday 5 May 2025 05:26
,
Arpan Rai
Dismissing Vladimir Putin’s offer of a brief ceasefire in May as yet “another attempt at manipulation” is an understatement. The Russian president is – according to the former head of MI6 – intent on taking much more than just Ukraine.
Far from being worried by recent mini-threats from Donald Trump to increase sanctions or stung by the US president’s irritation at Russia’s stalling over a ceasefire, Putin is cupping his ears in a pantomime of attention and carrying on doing as he pleases.
Such behaviour chimes with the uncharacteristically stark message from ex-spy chief Sir Alex Younger who, after a lifetime in the shadows of espionage, has a simple message: “If you don’t stand up to him, he comes back for more – how many more times do we need to be told this?”
World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley looks at the current state of the conflict, the likelihood of a lasting ceasefire and what Russian leader Vladimir Putin is planning next:
Zelensky demands more sanctions on Russia
Monday 5 May 2025 04:45
,
Arpan Rai
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded “more sanctions” on Russia with a peace deal still appearing far from being reached.
"Three things are needed. More sanctions against Russia, continued support for Ukraine, and a significant increase in defence cooperation across Europe," Mr Zelensky said.
"Russia must know that Europeans will defend themselves."
Mr Zelensky was speaking from Prague alongside Czech president Petr Pavel, who he met on Sunday to discuss artillery and F-16 support.
Mr Pavel said Russia had yet to show any indication it wanted to proceed with measures to end the war.
"If someone has all the cards in their hand to end the war then it is President Putin, who can do it with a single decision," he told reporters. "But so far the will has not appeared”.
Zelensky says ceasefire is possible 'even from today' if Moscow is serious about peace
Monday 5 May 2025 04:37
,
Arpan Rai
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky has said a ceasefire is possible "even from today" if Moscow is serious about ending the war.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Czech president Petr Pavel yesterday, Mr Zelensky noted that Russia has ignored a US proposal for a full ceasefire for 54 days and thanked the Czech Republic for backing Ukraine's call for a 30-day ceasefire.
"Putin is very eager to show off his tanks at the (Victory Day) parade," Mr Zelensky said, "but he should think about ending his war."
He again expressed deep skepticism over Russia's proposal of a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Victory Day in the Second World War, saying Moscow continues to launch hundreds of assaults despite publicly signaling interest in a partial truce.
"Even during Easter, despite promises — including to the United States — Russia carried out more than a hundred assaults," Mr Zelensky said, referring to Russian attacks during the 30-hour Easter ceasefire unilaterally declared by the Kremlin leader.
Putin 'hopes' there will be no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine
Monday 5 May 2025 04:33
,
Arpan Rai
Russian president Vladimir Putin has said that the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine had not arisen and that he hopes it will not.
In comments aired yesterday in a film by Russian state television about his quarter of a century in power, Mr Putin said Russia has the strength and the means to bring the conflict in Ukraine to a "logical conclusion."
Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Mr Putin said: "There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons ... and I hope they will not be required."
"We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires," he said.
What is the Su-30 Russian fighter jet which Ukraine says it shot down?
Monday 5 May 2025 04:21
,
Arpan Rai
Ukraine says it destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet using a missile fired from a seaborne drone, in what it said was the world's first downing of a combat plane by a maritime drone.
Its GUR military intelligence agency said on social media that the fighter had been shot down by a military intelligence unit called Group 13 on Friday over waters near Novorossiisk, a major Russian port city on the Black Sea.
Ukraine's seaborne drones, which are much cheaper and smaller than conventional ships, have wrought havoc on Russia's Black Sea fleet, with the Sukhoi-30 only the latest reported casualty.
According to its manufacturer, serial production of the aircraft began in 2022.
Designed in the "pixelated" camouflage colour scheme, the Sukhoi fighter jet’s body has a colour mix of dark and light grey with and black pixels, which experts say is designed to add to its stealth capabilities.
It can be developed for carrying missiles and bombs in cargo compartments and has a major onboard defence complex. The jet also features an internal weapons bay, giving the pilot a choice between long-range or close-combat missiles.
Chief test pilot Sergei Bogdan Bogdan claims the fifth-generation fighter jet’s agility could give it an edge over its American competitor, the F-35.
Watch: Ukraine claims to shoot down Russian warplane using sea drone for first time
Monday 5 May 2025 03:49
,
Arpan Rai
