Ukraine’s 24th Brigade eliminated Russian motorcycle and ATV assault troops and destroyed their vehicles. Footage shows the unit breaking up another light-vehicle push before it could develop against Ukrainian defensive positions.
NATO chief Mark Rutte said Russia would face a “devastating” response if it used nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine. He said Moscow knows what would follow if that happened, while NATO is monitoring Russian nuclear exercises. Russia’s Defense Ministry said drills on preparation and use of nuclear forces run from May 19 to 21.
❗️NSDC Secretary Umerov said Ukraine is simplifying controlled defense exports and preparing new contracts under the Drone Deal. Agencies agreed on a shared position to streamline permit procedures and shorten processing times. The first contracts are already awaiting approval, with more partnerships expected at the turn of May and June. Coordination will be handled by the NSDC Office, while imple...
A drone strike hit a Russian troop location in occupied Snizhne, Donetsk Oblast, with reports claiming 12 Russian troops killed and 15 wounded. Footage from the site shows aftermath damage.
Ukraine’s HUR released an intercepted call in which Russian troops discuss a mass alcohol poisoning on the Zaporizhzhia axis. One speaker says 8 to 10 bodies were lying at an observation post and were not collected for 5 to 6 days, adding that both Russian troops and allied personnel were stacked and covered with sleeping bags.
Unmanned Systems Forces commander Magyar said 10 major Russian oil sites were hit in the first 20 days of May, with 6 forced to halt operations. He listed Moscow, Ryazan, Perm, Kirishi, Samara and Tuapse among stopped or partly disrupted facilities, while Primorsk and Yaroslavl also temporarily halted. He said several oil pumping stations were also hit in Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan and Yaroslavl regi...
❗️Bloomberg reports the US is pressing Ukraine to convince European countries to ease restrictions on Belarusian potash. Washington has already lifted part of its own limits after Lukashenko’s regime released hundreds of political prisoners, but the effect remains limited without European sanctions relief and access to Baltic Sea transit routes through countries including Poland and Lithuania.
Russia staged nuclear strike drills using Iskander systems, with state media publishing footage of the exercises. The weapon is designed for strikes on European targets, including airfields, headquarters, air defenses and EU infrastructure, they said.
Photos show the aftermath of a drone strike on an airfield, likely Belbek in occupied Crimea, after attacks overnight from May 16 to 17. The damage follows earlier confirmed strikes on Belbek’s infrastructure, UAV control systems and air defense assets.
❗️China confirmed its citizens were aboard a vessel hit by a Russian Shahed in the Black Sea near Odesa, saying its embassy contacted the Chinese sailors and no one was killed or wounded. Beijing repeated that dialogue and negotiations are the only path to resolving the war.
Ukrainian forces struck the Kstovo oil refinery in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Oblast with long-range drones leading to a fire at the facility, likely at the AVT-6 atmospheric crude distillation unit.
Ukrainian long-range drones attacked Kstovo in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, with locals reporting UAVs over the area and air defenses operating. An ELOU AVT-6 unit is burning at the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery after the strike.
Russian attacks hit Odesa and Konotop overnight, with a residential building burning in Odesa and part of a high-rise destroyed in Konotop, Sumy Oblast. Odesa also reported partial power outages.
Ukraine downed or suppressed 131 of 154 Russian drones overnight into May 20, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas and other types launched from Russia. Moscow also fired an Iskander-M ballistic missile, with hits recorded at 20 locations.
Russian losses per 20/05/26 reported by the Ukrainian General Staff+920 men+3 tanks+2 ACVs+60 artillery+3 MLRS+2 AD systems+1873 UAVs+6 GRCs