Morning reports confirmed Ukraine's historic achievement of using naval drones to shoot down two Russian Su-30 fighter jets within 24 hours - the world's first USV aerial kills. Commander Syrskyi declared the nine-month Kursk operation had achieved most objectives, creating a buffer zone.

EU officials threatened to double military aid if Putin refuses peace, positioning this as leverage for Trump's negotiation efforts. Julie Davis, the new U.S. chargé d'affaires, arrived in Kyiv amid reports of a potential Israeli Patriot system transfer to Ukraine pending U.S. approval.

Zelensky announced plans for a Ukrainian-Czech F-16 training school during his Prague visit while dismissing Putin's proposed three-day May ceasefire. Trump expressed optimism about negotiations and mentioned wanting Erdogan's involvement, while evaluating falling oil prices as helpful for ending the war.

Drone warfare continued with Ukrainian forces striking a Russian drone control center in Kursk region, while Russian drone attacks killed several in Sumy border towns and one civilian in Odesa region.