Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Port of Tuapse Again; Peru Investigates Alleged Recruitment of Citizens for Russia's Ukraine War

Ukrainian drones targeted Russia's Black Sea port of Tuapse on Friday for the fourth time in 16 days, striking the seaport and refinery that serve as a key hub for Russian oil exports, according to Ukraine's SBU security service. Local Russian officials reported a major operation to extinguish a fire at the port, with no casualties noted.

The refinery has been hit and set ablaze at least twice since April 16, halting production.

Attacks on Tuapse have produced dense black clouds over the town and oil slicks along the coastline, damaging beaches in the popular resort area. Russian authorities cleared more than 13,300 cubic meters of fuel oil and contaminated soil along the coast.

Russia launched nearly 410 drones at Ukraine in a daytime attack on Friday, injuring 10 people in the western city of Ternopil, where industrial and infrastructure facilities were hit, according to Ternopil's mayor.

Ukraine's air force downed or neutralized 388 drones across the north, south, center and west of the country. In the Cherkasy region, 19 drones were downed, causing damage to a nursery, a school, seven private houses and a power line, as reported by the regional governor. A woman was injured in the central Vinnytsia region, where a building was destroyed, according to the local governor.

Ukraine announced plans for army reforms this summer to address infantry shortages and the discharge of longest-serving soldiers. All key details of the reforms will be finalized in May, with implementation starting in June and first results expected that month, Zelenskyy stated.

The reforms include higher pay for infantry. "A Ukrainian infantryman who holds the front line must feel that our state truly respects him," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. The changes amount to a systemic transformation of the army, according to Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's defense minister since January.

Peru launched an investigation into an alleged human trafficking network that lured citizens with false promises of employment in Russia, leading them to fight in Russia's war against Ukraine, according to Peru's public prosecutor's office. Individuals were recruited through deceptive job offers to work as security agents and other roles in Russia, with promises of financial compensation.

The probe focuses on crimes of human trafficking and aggravated human trafficking.

Public prosecutors in Peru are investigating an alleged trafficking network offering fake jobs in Russia to Peruvians before forcing them to fight in Moscow's war on Ukraine. Victims were reportedly taken to Russia and, once there, forced to take part in combat operations in the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, based on information provided to the police.

Thirteen Peruvians have died in the war in Ukraine, according to Percy Salinas, a lawyer for the victims’ families. Individuals were reportedly offered monthly salaries of between $2,000 and $3,000, Salinas said. An estimated 600 Peruvians have been lured since last October to fight for Russia, per Salinas.

Moscow's embassy in Lima acknowledged that Peruvians had signed contracts to join the Russian armed forces. The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked the Russian embassy to clarify the situation and provide information about the location and wellbeing of citizens serving in the Russian military.

Peruvian citizens are required to seek permission from the Foreign Ministry before serving in a foreign military.

Families of some victims, who claimed they were recruited under false pretenses to fight in Ukraine, protested outside the ministry in Lima on Thursday, demanding their loved ones be repatriated. More than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries are believed to be fighting alongside Russian forces, according to Ukrainian estimates from February.

Russia has acknowledged enlisting soldiers from North Korea, thousands of whom are estimated to have been killed or wounded in battle as part of a military pact between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Lebanon's health ministry said 13 people were killed on Friday in Israeli strikes in the south, including in a town where Israel's army had issued an evacuation. S. S.

The Pentagon is planning to withdraw roughly 5,000 American troops from Germany in the near future, according to senior defense officials. The troop withdrawal is part of the Trump administration’s retaliation against European allies who refused to join or aid in the Iran War, per senior defense officials. ” Trump said regarding Iran, 'we will not leave early and have the problem arise again.

We will get this thing done properly'. President Trump to increase tariffs on European Union cars and trucks to 25%. Venezuela's oil exports are taller than Iran's for the first time in six years. BRENT’s futures contract for July has replaced June as the front-month.

The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz causes oil supplies to tighten. President Trump sent letters to Congress explaining that because of the ongoing ceasefire, he doesn't need its authorization for ongoing military operations in Iran. Trump says authorization for Iran operations not needed.

Trump tells Congress Iran hostilities have terminated. President Trump says Iran has delivered a new proposal to end the war. President Trump said he isn’t satisfied with the terms presented in Iran's proposal.

Police arrested a QB from a major college program for alleged underage drinking and fake ID. Today is the first day of May. S. S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest peace proposal, saying “they’re asking for things I can’t agree to” and warning against an “early” end to the war.

Trump says he will raise tariffs on EU autos to 25% for 'not complying' with trade deal. S. President Trump has ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany amid growing tensions over the Iran war.

Trump tells Congress ceasefire means he does not need their approval for Iran war. Donald Trump told a Florida crowd that it is “treasonous” to say the US is not winning the war in Iran. Donald Trump was speaking at The Villages in Florida, the world’s largest retirement community.

The Middle East conflict has largely halted shipping via the Strait of Hormuz, impacting the trade of a wide range of energy products. The US will withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany, about 7% of the total force in country. The withdrawal will be completed in the next 6-12 months.

Russia is deploying post WWII-era tanks, according to Western officials. Jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was denied detention appeal in Moscow. Putin visited Russian troops at military headquarters in Kherson.

U.K. whiskey after meeting with King Charles III. Six people were injured in a school stabbing at Foss High School in Washington state.

Five students and one security guard were taken to hospital following the attack at Foss High School.