It has been the 1178 th day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression.
What happened in Ukraine today:
Here is operational information of the General Staff as of 6 pm:
The Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding back the advance of russian occupiers. Terrorists continue to destroy Ukrainian cities and villages with rocket, air and artillery strikes. The Defense Forces are taking measures to prevent the enemy from advancing deep into Ukrainian territory.
On 16 May, there were 61 combat clashes on the frontline.
Communities of border settlements were affected by enemy artillery fire, in particular Dmytrivka, Studenok, Myropilske, Chuikivka, Oleksandrivka in Sumy oblast; Tymofiivka in Kharkiv oblast.
Towards Kharkiv, the Defense Forces repelled two enemy attacks near the settlement of Vovchansk, and another enemy attack is currently underway.
Towards Kupiansk, russian occupiers twice tried to break through Ukrainian defenses in the vicinity of Kolisnykivka and Novoosynove.
Towards Lyman, the invading army carried out four attacks on the positions of Ukrainian forces near the settlement of Kolodiazi and towards Olhivka, Ridkodub and Zelena Dolyna. One battle is still ongoing.
Towards Siversk, one enemy assault was repelled by Ukrainian defenders near Verkhniokamianske.
Towards Kramatorsk, Ukrainian defenders stopped one enemy attack near Chasiv Yar, and one battle is still ongoing near Kurdiumivka.
Towards Toretsk, the enemy carried out 11 assault actions near Toretsk and towards Diliivka, Katerynivka and Novospaske. Six battles are still ongoing.
Towards Pokrovsk, russian invaders made 21 attempts to push Ukrainian defenders from the occupied positions in the vicinity of the settlements of Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Zaporizhzhia, Troitske, Bohdanivka, Andriivka and towards the settlements of Stara Mykolaivka and Nova Poltavka. The defense forces are holding back the onslaught and repelling 15 enemy attacks, six battles are still ongoing. The settlements of Oleksandro-Kalynove, Novoukrainka and Shevchenko Pershe were hit by airstrikes.
Towards Novopavlivka, the enemy tried to break through the defense of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinity of Konstantinopol, Shevchenko, Novoselka and towards Bahatyr and Zelene Pole. The defense forces successfully repelled nine enemy assaults, two more attacks are still ongoing.
At the same time, enemy aircraft struck the vicinity of the settlements of Novodarivka, Novoukrainka, and Dachne.
Towards Huliaipole, airstrikes hit Malynivka, Vysoke, and Huliaipole.
Towards Orikhiv, the enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders four times in the vicinity of the settlements of Shcherbaky and Maly Shcherbaky.
The settlement of Novodarivka was hit by an air strike.
Towards Kherson, the enemy did not conduct offensive operations.
Towards Kursk, there were seven clashes. In addition, the enemy launched four air strikes, dropping eight guided bombs, and also carried out 101 shelling of the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including four from multiple launch rocket systems.
In the remaining directions, there were no significant changes.
According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the bodies of 909 fallen soldiers were returned to Ukraine. Law enforcement investigators, together with expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will establish the identities of the deceased as soon as possible.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says that during 2025, Ukraine plans to put about 1 GW of generation into operation.
Recent war events in the east of Ukraine
Kharkiv oblast
Frontline
The operational-strategic group of troops Khortytsia reported that the russian army intensified assault operations towards Kharkiv. Near Hlyboke, Lipetsk community, the Defense Forces destroyed a car and six motorcycles on which the invaders were storming.
On May 15, there were 165 combat clashes. Towards Kharkiv, the enemy carried out offensive operations six times near the settlements of Vovchansk, Hlyboke and towards Vysoka Yaruha, Dovhenke and Kudiivka. There were four attacks by the invaders towards Kupiansk. The Defense Forces repelled the enemy’s assault operations towards Pishchane and in the vicinity of Zahryzove and Krugliakivka.
Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the RMA, informs that towards Kharkiv, on May 15, russian troops stormed using armored vehicles, buggies, motorcycles and other means of transportation. All enemy armored vehicles, motorcycles, and infantry were destroyed.
Shelling
Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the RMA, informs that at around 8:00 a.m., the enemy carried out an FPV drone strike on the city of Kupiansk. As a result of the attack, a 55-year-old woman was killed, four more people were injured, three of them were hospitalized. All the victims were employees of the local municipal service. A company car of a landscaping company was also damaged.
Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office says that at around 9:30 p.m. on May 15, Malyi Burluk in the Kupyansk district was hit by an airstrike. An 88-year-old woman was injured by an explosive device. Private households and business premises were damaged in the settlement.
The regional prosecutor’s office reported that at approximately 10:00 p.m. on May 15, the russian army carried out an airstrike on Kupiansk with a FAB-1500 from the UMPK. At least 15 private homes and three high-rise buildings were damaged as a result of the impact.
Oleh Syniehubov, head of the RMA, reports that over the past day, 4 settlements in Kharkiv oblast were subjected to enemy strikes. The enemy used various types of weapons in Kharkiv oblast: 3 unguided aircraft missiles, and 4 GABs.
As a result of russian shelling on May 15, a private house, library premises and power grid were damaged in Kupiansk district, 5 private houses and a recreation center in Izium region, and a private house in Kharkiv region.
Other
Over 305 hectares of the Kharkiv region were demined in a week, – reported the OVA. Over the past week, 1,851 explosive devices were defused in the Kharkiv region.
Donetsk oblast
Frontline
Colonel Pavlo Yurchuk, Commander of the 63rd brigade, says that the village of Torske in Lymansk community, which russian occupiers claimed control over, is under the control of the 63rd brigade. Only a few occupiers managed to slip into the village to record a video with the russian flag.
Dmytro Zaporozhets, Spokesman for Luhansk operational-tactical grouping, informs that russian troops have carried out eight assaults towards Toretsk – four in urban areas and four more on the northern flank of the city near Diliivka and Druzhba. According to him, the occupying russian army has suffered heavy losses in Toretsk. Due to a lack of infantry, fighters from the russian brigade command are storming Ukrainian positions. At least 15 thousand russian soldiers are considered missing in the ten months of fighting in this direction.
Shelling
Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office reported that on the morning of May 16, the russian army shelled a residential area of the city of Pokrovsk at least twice. The occupiers struck Pokrovsk at 5 a.m. and hit a residential building, injuring two people. A second strike hit a private sector, injuring three more residents of the city and damaging three houses.
At 11:30 a.m. on May 16, russian troops struck a civilian car in Kostiantynivka with a Molniya-1 drone. A 55-year-old driver and a 57-year-old man standing near a shelter were killed. Two more people were injured. They were diagnosed with shrapnel wounds, burns and a mine-explosive injury.
At 11:45 a.m., russian troops struck a drone in Kostiantynivka and wounded a 72-year-old local resident who was at the market. She suffered a mine-explosive injury and shrapnel wound, and doctors assess her condition as serious.
In Andriivka, russians attacked a civilian car with an FPV drone, injuring one person.
Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk RMA, reports that on May 15, russians killed 1 resident of Donetsk oblast – in Oleksandro-Kalynove. Another 6 people in the region were injured. During the day, russians shelled settlements in Donetsk region 48 times.
Consequences of tussian shelling in Donetsk oblast on May 15:
Kramatorsk region: a person was wounded in Yampol of Lyman community; 6 houses were damaged in Zarechne; in Rai-Oleksandrivka of Mykolaivka community, industrial and administrative buildings were damaged; in Sloviansk, 2 administrative buildings, 5 garages and 3 cars were damaged; in Kramatorsk, the enemy shelled the industrial zone; in Illinivka 22 houses, 3 power lines, a gas pipeline, a bus and a car were damaged; in Oleksandro-Kalynove 1 person died, 15 objects were damaged; 21 objects were damaged in Yablunivka and 1 in Zoria; in Kostiantynivka a person was injured, 4 high-rise buildings and 3 private houses were damaged; in Novodmytrivka a person was injured, 2 high-rise buildings and an administrative building were damaged; in Ivanopillia 18 private houses, 2 warehouses, a garage and a bus were damaged.
In Siversk, Bakhmutske region, 8 houses were damaged.
In Pokrovsk, a person was injured and a high-rise building was damaged.
Other
285 children are planned to be evacuated from Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka. This decision was made at a meeting of the regional commission on technogenic and environmental safety and emergencies of Donetsk oblast. In addition, a decision was made to forcibly evacuate families with children from the villages of Vesele, Hruzke, Zolotyi Kolodiaz, Kucheriv Yar, Lidyne, Maryivka, Novotroitske and Petrivka of Shakhiv community, from where 47 children are to be evacuated.
Mariupol City Council reports that in temporarily occupied Mariupol, schoolchildren were forced to swear allegiance to russia as part of a propaganda campaign by the “Youth Army”, which was led by Vladislav Golovin, a participant in the blockade of the city. The department noted that the occupiers are actively creating children’s and youth ideological organizations. They are used to instill russian ideology and instill hatred for everything Ukrainian in children.
Luhansk oblast
The enemy launched three assaults towards Seversk. In particular, in the area of Bilohorivka, where Ukrainian defenders stopped russian attacks. The enemy also tried to advance near Hrekivka towards Lyman. The regional military administration reported that the occupiers sent 168 unmanned aerial vehicles, used cannon artillery 17 times and struck twice with rockets. As a result of russian shelling in 2022, Lysychansk gelatin plant was completely destroyed. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine reported that this contaminated more than 16 hectares of land and caused environmental damage of almost UAH 8 billion. Buildings, production facilities and technological equipment were destroyed there. Significant amounts of debris and production residues littered 16.3 hectares of land. The consequences for the environment were calculated using satellite images.
Oleksiy Kharchenko, Head of Luhansk regional military administration, informs that the russian authorities are organizing mass production of drones for the russian army on the territory of one of the factories in temporarily occupied Luhansk. According to him, the invaders are increasingly involving Luhansk and its residents in the war and committing war crimes.
What is happening now in the north of Ukraine
Kyiv oblast
The RMA reported that at night, the russian military attacked Kyiv oblast with UAVs once again. In Bila Tserkva district, an administrative building, a shop, a non-operational cultural centre and an educational institution were damaged as a result of falling debris. In Bucha district, the attack damaged the windows of a private house.
KCMA reported that in Kyiv, as a result of a night attack, debris fell on a boiler house in Sviatoshyno district. In addition, windows and cars in a residential area were damaged.
A 57-year-old deputy of the Vyshgorod City Council, martial arts master Oleksandr Kladienko (“Uncle Sasha”) was killed in the war. He had been a volunteer since 2014, and when the full-scale invasion began, he enlisted at the army. According to the Rubizh Brigade, the Hero fought his last battle on 14 April 2025 in the East of Ukraine.
Kyiv City State Administration announced that the Kyiv City Council has amended the city’s Defender of Kyiv programme, increasing funding by UAH 500 million. The funds will be used to purchase drones, train UAV operators, build shelters in educational institutions, and provide logistical support for the capital’s defence forces.
Kyiv oblast is implementing a unique project to treat war victims with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder using VR technology. The project “Innovative VR Therapy to Overcome PTSD” is being implemented by the NGO “Kyiv Oblast is Us” with the support of the Visegrad Fund in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
Zhytomyr oblast
The renovated surgical unit of the city hospital in Zhytomyr, which was severely damaged by a russian air strike in March 2022, has been opened. The medical facility was rebuilt as part of the Ukraine Recovery Programme with financial support from the European Investment Bank (EIB). This is one of 13 projects being implemented in Zhytomyr oblast with the support of the EIB.
Sumy oblast
Yurii Zarko, Head of Bilopillia community, reported that dozens of houses were damaged as a result of a powerful russian airstrike on Bilopillia on the evening of 15 May. At the impact site, a ten-metre crater was formed. Nearby houses suffered damage to windows, roofs, and facades.
The Regional Military Administration informed that from the morning of 15 May to the morning of 16 May, russian forces carried out over 90 attacks on 30 settlements across 11 territorial communities in the oblast. The highest number of attacks was recorded in Sumy and Shostka regions. The enemy actively used FPV-drones (more than 30 strikes), multiple launch rocket systems (nearly 20 strikes), and UAV-dropped fragmentation munitions (30 strikes).
As a result of russian shelling on 15 May in Sumy oblast, a non-residential building in Velyka Pysarivka community was damaged. Additionally, two private houses in Nova Slobidka community and two private residential buildings in Bilopillia community were affected.
Since the beginning of May, 287 strikes by guided aerial bombs have been recorded across 22 settlements in Sumy oblast. Additionally, missile strikes have targeted Konotop, Sumy, and Velyka Chernechchyna, Sumy community.
Oleh Hryhorov, Head of the Regional Military Administration reported that Sumy Defence Council has decided to strengthen air defence. According to him, the primary steps include enhancing the logistical and technical support for air defence units and increasing the number of personnel involved in protecting the skies.
Over the past day, local authorities, together with units of the State Emergency Service, the National Police, and civil society organisations from border communities, evacuated 148 people.
Chernihiv oblast
The Regional Military Administration reported that during the night, russian forces attacked Novhorod-Siverskyi, Koriukivka, and Chernihiv regions.
The Department of Civil Protection and Defence Work of Chernihiv Regional State Administration informed that as a result of a russian attack using a ‘Geran-2’ UAV during the night of 16 May in Chernihiv region, a hangar was damaged.
According to the National Police of Chernihiv oblast, as a result of an attack by a russian strike drone, the roof and windows of a house in one of the villages of Pryluky region were damaged.
Chernihiv Border Detachment reported that throughout 15 May, russian forces attacked three border communities in Chernihiv oblast: Novhorod-Siverskyi, Semenivka, and Horodnia. The enemy conducted grenade launcher shelling (29 strikes), barrel artillery strikes (25 hits), carried out an FPV-drone attack (1 strike), and dropped explosive devices from UAVs (5 strikes). Five settlements came under enemy fire.
Near Sosnytsia, a shelter for animals is planned for construction. Its capacity will be sufficient to address the issue of stray animals, particularly in the combat zone along Chernihiv border oblast. According to Andrii Portnyi, Sosnytsia village Head, the project’s donor is Swiss non-governmental organisation Green Cross Switzerland.
Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine
Dnipropetrovsk oblast
Mykola Lukashuk, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council, said that from evening until morning, the enemy continued shelling Nikopol region. The occupiers used kamikaze drones and fired from Grad multiple rocket launchers. They targeted the district centre and Marhanets community. In Nikopol, a kindergarten, a school, a religious institution, 2 private houses, cars and businesses were damaged. According to the updated information, last night the enemy attacked Malomykhailivka community of Synelnykove region with multiple rocket launchers. A 64-year-old woman was killed. 5 private houses were damaged.
Kirovohrad oblast
Andrii Raikovych, Head of Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration, reported that at night in Kirovohrad oblast, the air defence forces shot down a russian UAV.
Poltava oblast
Poltava Regional Military Administration, reported that the air defence was on alert in the oblast. As a result of the fall of UAV debris in Kremenchuk and Poltava regions, the roof of an outbuilding and the glazing of a residential building were damaged.
Cherkasy oblast
Ihor Taburets, Head of Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, said that at night, defenders shot down 32 russian UAVs in Cherkasy oblast.
Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia oblast
On 16 May, the russian army attacked the village of Bilenke using drones. As a result of the strike, houses and non-residential buildings were damaged. There are no casualties or injuries.
On 15 May, the occupiers launched 402 attacks on 12 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. russian forces carried out 23 airstrikes on Novoiakovlivka, Zaliznychne, Mali Shcherbaky, Chervone, and Temyrivka. 221 UAVs of various types targeted Kamianske, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, and Novodarivka. Three MLRS attacks struck Kamianske. There were also 155 artillery strikes on Kamianske, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, and Novodarivka. Six reports were received about damage to apartments, houses, and farm buildings.
According to the General Staff, as of 4:00 pm, the enemy attacked the positions of our defenders four times near the settlements of Shcherbaky and Mali Shcherbaky towards Orikhiv.
Mykolaiv oblast
On 16 May, an explosion was heard in Snihurivka community. An air raid alert was declared in the region at 08:31. According to the head of Snihurivka Military Administration, Ivan Kukhta, the details of the explosion are currently being clarified.
During the night of 16 May, air defense forces were active in Mykolaiv oblast. Yesterday, 15 May, the enemy attacked Kutsurub community twice with FPV drones. No casualties were reported.
Odesa oblast
During the night, russian forces attacked Odesa and Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi regions. As a result of the strike, civilian infrastructure was damaged, including residential buildings and private cars. Fires broke out in several locations. Three people were injured: one man is continuing outpatient treatment after receiving medical aid, another man is in moderate condition, and a woman is in critical condition.
The home of the director of the Odesa Zoo was completely destroyed due to the russian attack during the night of 16 May. At the time of the attack, only Ihor Biliakov was inside — he managed to run out in time. Three pets went missing during the attack, and one dog was injured.
As of 6:00 am on 16 May, 3 enemy ships were stationed in the Mediterranean Sea, including 1 carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles, with a total salvo capacity of up to 8 missiles.
Over the past day, 7 vessels passed through the Kerch Strait into the Black Sea in russia’s interests, while 4 more ships entered the Sea of Azov.
Kherson oblast
Kherson was being shelled for the whole day. At present, it is known that seven people were injured due to russian strikes. Three social workers from Kherson City Military Administration were wounded in the shelling in Tsentralnyi district. Another resident sustained blast and traumatic brain injuries, a concussion, and a shrapnel wound to the leg.
A 46-year-old man was injured in today’s russian strikes on Kherson. He went to the hospital on his own. He was diagnosed with a blast injury and a concussion. Later, another injury was reported following a russian drone attack in Kherson’s Tsentralnyi district. A 61-year-old man is currently undergoing surgery at the hospital. He sustained a blast injury and a shrapnel wound to the leg.
Around 6:00 pm, russian troops again attacked Kherson using UAVs. A 28-year-old man was hit in Tsentralnyi district and diagnosed with a blast injury.
According to Kherson Regional Military Administration, russian occupation forces dropped explosives from a drone on a 72-year-old man in Beryslav. He suffered a blast injury, concussion, and a forearm wound.
Around 11:30 am today, a russian FPV drone attacked a truck delivering humanitarian aid from the organization ADRA Ukraine in the village of Urozhaine.
A resident of Bilozerka sought medical help after being injured in the russian shelling on 14 May. The 34-year-old man was diagnosed with blast and traumatic brain injuries, a concussion, and a chest contusion.
A resident of Antonivka also sought medical help after being hit by a russian drone yesterday. The 76-year-old man was diagnosed with a blast injury and concussion.
Police evacuated an injured man from Beryslav. The 72-year-old local suffered leg injuries from a russian drone attack and was in critical condition. He is now under medical supervision.
Yesterday, the enemy attacked numerous settlements using drones, artillery shelling, and airstrikes: Antonivka, Sadove, Stanislav, Shyroka Balka, Veletenske, Kizomys, Inhulets, Beryslav, Tarasa Shevchenka, Novovorontsovka, Dudchany, Mykhailivka, Kozatske, Vesele, Havrylivka, Osokorivka, Dniprovskе, Mykilske, Mykolaivka, Odradokamianka, Poniativka, Sofiivka, Tokarivka, Tomyna Balka, Tiahynka, and the city of Kherson. Three apartment buildings, seven private houses, a gas pipeline, utility buildings, and private cars were damaged. One person was killed, and one more was injured due to russian aggression.
The Defense Forces repelled one enemy attempt to advance on Prydniprovskyi front. Over the past day, russian losses amounted to 87 personnel, 4 artillery systems, 17 vehicles, a Strela-10 air defense system, 2 drones (Supercam, Zala), 1 electronic warfare station, 1 boat, 6 motorcycles, 2 ATVs, 2 generators, 8 UAV antennas, 3 communication antennas, 6 Starlink antennas, 3 ammunition storage sites, and 3 field warehouses. Additionally, 89 shelters, 3 observation posts, and 3 firing positions were destroyed.
Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine
Volyn oblast
The Military Unit A5003 received 3 DJI MAVIC 3 PRO quadcopters, 2 EcoFlow Delta 2 charging stations, 2 MaXpeedingRods MX3500 inverter generators, and 10 DJI MAVIC 3 Intelligent Flight Batteries from Lutsk community.
Zakarpattia oblast
The implementation of the international project Secure and Effective Borders in the Carpathian Region has officially begun in Zakarpattia oblast. The initiative is implemented within the framework of the Interreg VI-A NEXT Hungary–Slovakia–Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 Cross-Border Cooperation Programme and is funded with the support of the European Union. The project aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation, in particular through the sustainable exchange of experience and information between professional institutions and expert groups from Ukraine and Hungary.
Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
Ivano-Frankivsk community sent Shaheda-type training drones to the Air Defense Forces. Firing at them allows the military to train.
Lviv oblast
Lviv community sent 5 electronic warfare systems, 135 FPV drones, 5 Mavic 3, generators, charging stations, EcoFlow and Starlinks worth UAH 5.8m to the front thanks to the city budget.
As part of the Birds of Victory project, the oblast sent over 300 FPV drones to the military. The necessary reinforcements have already left for the front.
Rivne oblast
The RMA held an online meeting of the regional commission. Representatives of regions and communities joined the event. In Rivne oblast, premises that could potentially become temporary housing for IDPs will be inspected.
Ternopil oblast
The Support the Armed Forces of Ukraine – Plant a Name Tree rally has ended in Ternopil. 84 trees were planted that will decorate the city. During the campaign, a fundraiser was held, all funds raised will go to purchase drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Khmelnytskyi oblast
Khmelnytskyi community sent 500 FPV drones and 60 UAVs worth almost UAH 11.5m to the Defense Forces.
A mural First, with honor! has appeared in Khmelnytskyi. The mural is dedicated to the heroism of the soldiers of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Chernivtsi oblast
The RMA met with the famous Bukovina chaplain Vasyl Hasynets. They discussed the army’s priority needs, the development of volunteerism, and the role of spiritual mentors in the fight against the enemy.
International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)
Great Britain is sending Ukraine mock-ups of air defense systems and tanks. These imitate MLRSs, air defense, tanks, and artillery and assemble them on site in just a few hours. Their goal is to force russia to spend missiles and drones on cheap mock-ups instead of real equipment.
Trilateral talks between delegations from Ukraine, Turkey and the US were held in Istanbul. They discussed joint work on real mechanisms that should lead to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, met with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, during his visit to Turkey. They discussed support for Ukraine and the establishment of a just peace.
Materials compiled by Tetyana Pidgorna, Olena Reka, Yana Hushchyna, Tamara Moshkovska, Sofia Ratynska, Ioanna Kryvenko, Helena Albahachiieva, Kristina Maknynia
Translated by Tetyana Pidgorna, Yana Hushchyna, Alla Litrovnyk, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Ilona Korolevska, Tetiana Moiseienko, Marharyta Koval, Tetiana Kurbatova
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