Putin is preparing Russian society for a prolonged war in Ukraine and potentially with the West

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle appear to be actively preparing the Russian public for a prolonged war in Ukraine and potential future conflicts with the West, according to an analytical report published by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on May 4.

The ISW points to a Kremlin-produced documentary by state TV propagandist Pavel Zarubin, aired on the state-run Rossiya 1 channel on May 4, as key evidence of this shift in messaging. In the broadcast, Putin claimed that Russia possesses sufficient manpower and technology to bring the war in Ukraine to what he called a "logical conclusion"—a conclusion that aligns with Russia's strategic goals.

The documentary also featured Putin's assertion that reconciliation with what he described as the “Ukrainian part of the Russian people” is "inevitable." According to ISW analysts, such statements suggest the Kremlin remains committed to its original objectives from the start of the full-scale invasion—chief among them, the demilitarization of Ukraine.

The report emphasizes that much of Putin’s recent messaging is designed to resonate with a domestic audience. “Putin continues to promote ideals of sacrifice both on the frontlines and at home,” the ISW notes, likely as part of an effort to condition Russian society for a drawn-out conflict and future geopolitical clashes.

The report also highlights Putin’s narrative that Russia is unable to negotiate with the West and must therefore persist with its military efforts. This rhetoric has accompanied broader state efforts to militarize Russian society since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Putin recently announced a set of initiatives for 2025 aimed at expanding social and financial support for military veterans. These efforts, ISW argues, are part of a broader strategy to elevate veterans as a new societal elite—reinforcing militarism as a core national value.

Finally, the analysts underscore Russia’s heavy investment in "military-patriotic education" programs targeted at youth, indicating the Kremlin’s long-term goal of cultivating a new generation of militarized and ideologically loyal citizens.

205 POWs returned to Ukraine in a prisoner swap with Russia

Ukraine has successfully brought home 205 service members in a one-for-one prisoner exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Telegram on May 6. The swap was facilitated with the help of the United Arab Emirates.

"Ukraine has returned 205 soldiers—young men and older men from nearly every branch of the military. Among them are defenders of Mariupol and fighters from across the front line," Zelensky said.

This marks the fifth known prisoner exchange in 2025 and the 64th overall since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

"Every day, we fight for our people. We will do everything to bring each and every one of them home," Zelensky emphasized.

The latest exchange comes just weeks after a larger deal on April 19, when 277 Ukrainian soldiers were released in time for Easter.

While Kyiv does not publicly disclose the total number of its troops still held by Russia, Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has stated that more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians are currently being detained by Russian forces.

In 2024, Ukraine proposed a comprehensive "all-for-all" prisoner swap, which Moscow ultimately declined.

Kharkiv's largest market was engulfed in fire due to the Russian drone attack

A major Russian drone assault on Kharkiv overnight triggered a large fire at the city’s largest market and caused widespread damage to homes and vehicles, injuring at least 11 people across the region.

Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, reported that Russian forces launched 20 Iranian-made Geran-2 drones, targeting four districts in the city—Shevchenkivskyi, Kyivskyi, Industrialnyi, and Kholodnohirskyi. The drones struck eight locations in total.

"One of the main hits was on Barabashovo, the city's largest market," Syniehubov said on Telegram. The attack destroyed roughly 20 retail units and damaged nearly 80 more. Fires broke out across the market area, and nearby residential buildings and parked vehicles were also hit.

In addition to the drone barrage, Russian forces also launched eight guided bombs and seven first-person-view (FPV) drones on Kharkiv Oblast. The widespread assault affected several districts:

In Izium, 14 homes were damaged.

In Kupiansk, drone strikes hit two houses, a warehouse, and two vehicles.

In the Kharkiv district, eight homes and a fire station sustained damage.

The attack comes amid an intensifying wave of strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, as Russia continues to escalate pressure on the country's major population centers.

Russian forces struck Sumy with a ballistic missile, resulting in the death of a child and injuries to seven others

The suburbs of Sumy were attacked by a Russian ballistic missile around 5:30 pm. So far, it is known about 7 victims: 1 adult woman and 6 children. One child was killed