It has been the 1179 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 kill Ukrainians and destroy Ukrainian cities and villages.
On 17 May, there were 81 combat clashes on the frontline.
Communities of the settlements of Nova Huta, Zarichne, Maryine, Vovkivka, Malushyne, Oleksandrivka, Pokrovka, Brusky, Bachivsk, Starykove, Porozok, Novodmytrivka, Shalyhyne, Petrushivka, Katerynivka, Bilokopytove, Progress, Boyaro-Lezhachi in Sumy oblast; Huta-Studenetska in Chernihiv oblast; enemy aircraft also struck the settlement of Bunyakyne in the Sumy oblast.
Towards Kharkiv, the enemy attacked twice near Vovchansk and towards Stroivka.
Towards Kupiansk, russian occupiers carried out an attack near Zahryzove.
Towards Lyman, the invading army has launched 12 attacks on Ukrainian positions in the vicinity of Novoiehorivka, Lozova, Ridkodub, Hrekivka, Katerynivka, Yampolivka and Zelena Dolyna. Three clashes are currently ongoing.
Towards Kramatorsk, the enemy is trying to advance in the vicinity of Chasiv Yar, Kurdyumivka and near Predtechyne. Three of the four attacks were repelled by the Defense Forces units, and the battle is ongoing.
Towards Toretsk, the enemy is trying to wedge into Ukrainian defenses in the vicinity of Toretsk, Ozarianivka, Diliivka and Druzhba. Two attacks are ongoing, Ukrainian defenders repelled eight assault actions of the invaders.
Towards Pokrovsk, russian occupiers made 23 attempts to push Ukrainian soldiers from the occupied positions in the vicinity of the settlements of Stara Mykolaivka, Yablunivka, Vozdvizhenka, Nova Poltavka, Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Novoserhiivka, Troitske and Andriivka. The defense forces are holding back the onslaught and repelled 17 attacks, five clashes are still ongoing.
Towards Novopavlivka, Ukrainian defenders stopped nine assault actions by enemy troops, three more clashes are currently ongoing. The enemy tried to advance in the areas of Konstantinopol, Bahatyry, Vilne Pole, Rivny Pole, Novopol and Zelene Pole. Airstrikes were carried out on Temyrivka and Novopol.
Towards Huliaipole, enemy aircraft launched strikes with unguided air missiles on Huliaipole.
Towards Orikhiv, Ukrainian defenders repelled three enemy attacks near Stepove and Mali Shcherbaky. Kamianske was subjected to airstrikes.
Towards Kherson, the terrorist country launched strikes with unguided air missiles on Mykolaivka, in addition, enemy units tried to advance twice, the battle is ongoing.
Towards Kursk, Ukrainian soldiers repelled seven enemy attacks today, another battle is ongoing. The invaders’ aviation launched five strikes, dropping five GABs. In addition, the enemy carried out 119 artillery attacks on the positions of our troops and settlements.
Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defense for Digitalization, says that in the application “Reserve +” already more than 333 thousand military personnel have issued a deferment from mobilization.
The SSU has begun preparations for the implementation of the agreement on the exchange of prisoners between russia and Ukraine in the format “1000 for 1000”. In parallel, the SSU, together with the Ministry of Health and other state structures, is preparing all the necessary infrastructure to receive Ukrainian military personnel from captivity – from logistics to medical personnel, support and rehabilitation.
Recent war events in the east of Ukraine
Kharkiv oblast
Frontline
Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv RMA, says that on May 16, there were 145 combat clashes. Towards Kharkiv, the enemy stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the vicinity of Vovchansk, Stroivka and Kamianka five times. Towards Kupiansk, there were four attacks. The defense forces repelled the enemy’s assault actions in the vicinity of Kolisnykivka, Novoosynovo and near Zahryzove.
Over the course of two weeks, russian troops attacked the defensive lines of the Third Assault Brigade in Kharkiv oblast 80 times with the active support of artillery, airstrikes, strike drones and airdrops, the brigade’s press service reported. In order to make a breakthrough, the enemy, consisting of two russian armies, is ineffectively using the tactics of small infantry groups.
Shelling
Kharkiv State Emergency Service reported that on the night of May 17, a russian strike UAV hit an administrative building in Semenivka, Shevchenkivka community. As a result of the strike, fires broke out in structural elements and the building of a former agricultural enterprise.
Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv RMA, says that as a result of shelling by the russian army in Kharkiv oblast, one person was killed and nine civilians injured. On May 16, 10 settlements were hit by enemy strikes.
As a result of shelling in the city of Kupiansk, a 55-year-old woman died, and 6 men were also injured. In the village of Kutkivka, Dvorichanske community, 3 people were injured from russian strikes.
The enemy used various types of weapons in Kharkiv oblast: 12 unguided aircraft missiles; 4 GABs; 3 UAVs (type to be specified); 1 Lancet UAV; 7 Geran-2 UAVs; 1 Molniya UAV; 2 FPV drones.
The following civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged as a result of enemy shelling in the oblast:
in Kupiansk region – 2 administrative buildings, premises of a municipal enterprise, a company car, 8 private houses, gas and electricity networks, a shop;
in Izium region – 2 private houses, a garage, outbuildings;
in Chuhuiv region – a fence and a special vehicle.
On May 16, according to the State Emergency Service, five fires broke out in Kharkiv oblast due to russian shelling. In particular, this is the burning of a house in Kupiansk, reeds and grass in Katerynivka of Velyi Burlak community, and in Pidlyman in Borova region, the remains of a house hit by an air bomb were burning.
Other
The RMA reported that within the framework of the eReconstruction program, which provides compensation for housing destroyed as a result of shelling, residents of the Kharkiv region purchased 2,183 homes. 509 of them were purchased in the last month – from April 17 to May 16. The cost of the purchased housing is over UAH 3.8 billion.
Three years ago, on May 16, Ukrainian soldiers who were holding Azovstal in the already occupied Mariupol were captured by russians. About a hundred people gathered in Kharkiv for a memorial event for the prisoners of war of the Mariupol garrison, as well as other prisoners and missing persons. Among the participants were relatives and friends of the prisoners of war, as well as caring Kharkiv residents.
Donetsk oblast
Frontline
The 100th separate mechanized brigade reported that for ten months, russian troops have been unable to capture the city of Toretsk in Donetsk oblast. However, during this time, the russian federation has lost about 50 thousand soldiers killed and wounded. The russian army does not stop shelling day or night. They use all possible types of weapons, and also conduct assaults.
The DeepState project says that Ukrainian soldiers of the 33rd Brigade cleared the village of Bahatyr, located near Novopavlivka, by 95%. The brigade continues to hold the village. According to analysts, the 33rd Motorized Rifle Brigade continues to hold the village, despite the statements of Russian military intelligence officers.
The Khortytsia military unit reported that towards Lyman, the Ukrainian soldiers destroyed the Pion self-propelled gun. The self-propelled artillery mount was destroyed by pilots of the Signum unit of the Prince Volodymyr Monomakh Pion brigade.
Shelling
Serhii Horbunov, Head of the military administration, says that on the morning of May 17, the russian military struck Kostiantynivka. The enemy shelling of the city with a Molniya-1 attack UAV took place at 06:30. As a result of the strike, the facade of the administrative building of a healthcare facility was damaged.
Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk RMA, reports that due to russian shelling of Donetsk oblast on May 17, 1 person was killed and 8 wounded. In the morning, russians attacked Yablunivka in Illinivka community with an FPV drone, where they killed a 27-year-old woman and damaged a shop. In Andriivka community, due to a hostile strike by a drone on a civilian car, 5 people were injured, including 1 minor. 2 people were injured in Pokrovsk and 1 person in Myrnohrad.
The Department of Culture, Tourism and Cultural Heritage Protection of Pokrovsk City Council reports that in Donetsk oblast, russians destroyed the Holy Ascension Church in Novotroitske. It was a unique monument of wooden church architecture on a brick foundation, which survived during World War II, but was damaged in October 2024 and destroyed in the spring of 2025.
Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk RMA, says that on May 16, two civilians were killed and nine others injured as a result of russian shelling. In total, russians shelled settlements in Donetsk oblast 18 times. 181 people, including 38 children, were evacuated from the front line.
The regional police reported that on May 16, russian troops launched 3,025 strikes on the front line and residential areas in Donetsk oblast. 28 civilian objects were destroyed, including 17 residential buildings. The russian army attacked the cities of Kostiantynivka, Lyman, Pokrovsk, and the villages of Andriivka, Zaporizhzhia, Nove Shakhove, Novodmytrivka, Semenivka, and Shandryholove.
The russian military struck Kostiantynivka with four UAVs – two civilians were killed and three more wounded. An apartment building, an administrative building, and a civilian car were damaged.
Five people were injured as a result of the shelling of Pokrovsk. 7 private houses were destroyed.
russian troops attacked the estuary with a Molniya-2 drone and covered it with the Uragan MLRS – one person was injured, 6 houses, a garage, and a car were damaged.
The russian army dropped a GAB-250 bomb on Novodmytrivka – 3 private houses were destroyed. Another bomb exploded in Semenivka – an agricultural building was damaged.
The occupiers hit the village of Shandryholove with the Uragan MLRS and destroyed an administrative building. In the village of Nove Shakhove, an FPV drone damaged a civilian car. Another car was damaged as a result of a drone attack on the highway near Andriivka, Kramatorsk region.
Other
Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk RMA, says that in Rodynske, which is less than 12 km from the front, 850 people still live. These are mostly elderly residents who have been without electricity, gas and water since September 2024.
Luhansk oblast
Referring to Luhansk RMA, on May 16, the russian military, with air support, struck the oblast. 14 times to carry out combat missions, they involved artillery, and directed 165 drones. russians tried to find weak points in the defense of Ukrainian fighters in the vicinity of Hrekivka and Bilohorivka.
The occupation authorities in Luhansk announced the verdict of the Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins, who fought on the side of Ukraine. He was sentenced to 13 years in a strict regime colony.
What is happening now in the north of Ukraine
Kyiv oblast
KCMA reported that over the past week, air alert was declared in Kyiv 8 times. A total of 130 attack UAVs were spotted on the outskirts and in the airspace of the capital. Of these, 43 were destroyed, while the rest were lost or left the airspace. As a result of the enemy attack and the fall of the wreckage of the downed UAVs in the Sviatoshynskyi district of the city, 3 residential buildings, a non-residential building and 1 car were damaged.
The official Kyiv portal announced the consttuction of a Memorial Square in Kyiv near the Berkovetskyi cemetery, with a separate sector for honorary burials of soldiers killed at the front. There will also be places for columbarium burials and memorial plaques for soldiers whose bodies have not been found.
Kyiv Animal Rescue Group reported that a cat named Alya died in a veterinary clinic after being found under a destroyed house in Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv following an attack by russian drones on 7 May 2025. Due to severe burns and lung damage, the cat was in intensive care in an oxygen chamber. Despite the efforts of the doctors, Alya died of respiratory failure. Doctors tried to resuscitate the cat three times, but failed to save her.
In Kyiv oblast, sappers of the Mobile Rescue Centre of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine seized and neutralised a warhead of a Russian X-101 cruise missile. The dangerous discovery was found in the middle of agricultural land.
The State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine reported that the Taras Shevchenko Institute of Literature of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine recently hosted a presentation of the anthology “Victory and Courage. Poems and Prose from the War”. The anthology presents the works of participants of the russian-Ukrainian war who defended and are defending Ukraine with arms in their hands.
Zhytomyr oblast
Bishop Paisiy of Zhytomyr and Ovruch announced that two more religious communities in Zhytomyr oblast have left the Moscow Patriarchate and joined the Local Ukrainian Orthodox Church since the beginning of March.
In Zhytomyr oblast, Ukrainian scholars discussed the preservation of national historical monuments in times of war. On 16 May, the All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Local History Conference was held in Zviahel, with 165 participants from Ukraine, Norway and Germany.
Sumy oblast
The RMA reported that in the morning of 17 May, russian military attacked a civilian bus near Bilopillia. As a result of the enemy UAV strike, 9 people were killed and 4 were injured.
On the night of 17 May, the russian army struck Putyvlia. Rescuers were twice involved in extinguishing fires that broke out due to enemy strikes on the territory of the community. As a result of the hits, the explosion wave damaged residential buildings of citizens.
According to the RMA, at night, the enemy attacked the civilian infrastructure of Myropillia community by guided aerial bombs, MLRS and artillery. As a result of enemy shelling, 4 houses of civilians were destroyed, and 8 more were damaged.
The RMA reported that during the day, from the morning of 16 May to the morning of 17 May, russian troops carried out 85 attacks on 31 settlements in 13 territorial communities of the oblast. The largest number of attacks was recorded in Sumy, Konotop and Shostka regions. The enemy actively used guided aerial bombs (over 10 strikes), MLRS (almost 20 strikes) and dropping VOG from UAVs (over 10 strikes).
In Sumy oblast, five private houses, a hotel, non-residential premises, a civil infrastructure facility in Putyvl community, and a private house in Nova Slobidka community were damaged as a result of russian shelling over the past 24 hours.
Over the past 24 hours, local authorities, together with units of the State Emergency Service, the National Police, and public organizations from border communities, evacuated 69 people.
Chernihiv oblast
Chernihiv border detachment reported that the russian army attacked five villages in the border Semenivka community in Chernihiv oblast during the day on 16 May. The enemy fired mortars (3 hits) and dropped explosive devices from drones (13 hits).
Viktor Khropost, Headman of Dihtiarivka staroshyn region, informed that the commission recorded all the damage caused by the fall of the Shahed in Ivankivtsi village in Chernihiv oblast on 16 May. In addition to state assistance, people will be able to receive compensation for damaged property from the community budget – up to UAH 50,000.
Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine
Dnipropetrovsk oblast
In the evening and in the morning, the occupiers continued their attacks in the Nikopol region. They targeted the region centre and Marhanets community with kamikaze drones. There were no casualties.
The enemy attacked two regions of the oblast, Nikopol and Sinelnykivka. Nikopol region was attacked with kamikaze drones and artillery. The region centre, Marhanets and Pokrovske communities were targeted. A multi-storey building, a private house and 2 outbuildings were damaged. There were no casualties. The occupants also attacked Mezhivka, Novopavlivka and Velykomykhailivka communities of Sinelnykivka region. They used drones and anti-aircraft guns. Women aged 48 and 52 were injured. Agricultural enterprises, outbuildings, machinery, 2 administrative buildings, shops, and 12 residential buildings were damaged.
Kirovohrad oblast
Paintings by the murdered artist from Donetsk oblast, Ihor Hrytsenko, were presented in Kropyvnytskyi. The exhibition of works in memory of her brother was organised by his sister Anna Stanovova, who moved to Kirovohrad oblast after the full-scale invasion in 2023. The artist Ihor Hrytsenko disappeared on 28 July 2014 in Avdiivka, Donetsk oblast. Later, his burnt body was found in his trunk. During his life, Ihor Hrytsenko created 300 paintings. His sister managed to take 32 of them out of Avdiivka.
Poltava oblast
Ihor Shostak, an entrepreneur from Luhansk oblast, has restarted his own garment production in Kremenchuk. He now employs nearly 20 people who make clothes, including for European countries. Currently, the site of his company in Luhansk oblast is a military base of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic.
A veterans’ hostel will be set up at one of Poltava’s railway stations. The lounge will be equipped with an air conditioning system, heaters, charging stations and wardrobes. The project is planned to be implemented within two months.
In Poltava, a car rally and action was organised to support the military who were captured or went missing, as well as their families. Relatives and friends of the soldiers and other residents of the region came. People brought posters calling for the release of prisoners and the search for missing persons. They also brought flags with photos of the soldiers and the names of the Ukrainian defenders’ units.
Cherkasy oblast
Ihor Taburets, Head of Cherkasy RMA, reported that in Cherkasy region, the air defence forces destroyed one russian UAV. There were no casualties or damage.
Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia oblast
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainian Defence Forces repelled 3 russian attacks in Orikhiv region near Stepove and Mali Shcherbaky. Also, Kamianske and Huliaipole came under russian airstrikes.
Ivan Fedorov, Head of the Regional Military Administration, 2 women, aged 52 and 72, sustained injuries as a result of a russian attack on Orikhiv. Both suffered concussions and blast-fragmentation injuries. They are being transported to the hospital.
As reported by the General Staff, Ukrainian Defence Forces in Orikhiv region repelled 2 russian assaults near Shcherbaky and Mali Shcherbaky. No combat clashes were recorded in Huliaipole region.
Ivan Fedorov, Head of the RMA, stated that on 16 May, russian forces launched 434 strikes on 15 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. Among these were 224 drone attacks targeting Bilenke, Zapasne, Mahdalynivka, Lobkove, Kamianske, Prymorske, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne and Novodarivka.
Mykolaiv oblast
Referring to Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, on 16 May, russian forces launched 5 FPV drone attacks on Kutsurub community. There were no casualties reported.
Odesa oblast
According to Odesa Regional Military Administration, as of 6am, no russian warships were observed in the Black Sea or the Sea of Azov. However, 3 russian ships are present in the Mediterranean Sea, one of which is a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total volley capacity of up to 8 missiles.
A woman who had been in critical condition following yesterday’s attack on Odesa oblast has died in hospital. She had sustained burns to nearly 80% of her body.
Kherson oblast
Based on the information provided by the City Military Administration, russian forces dropped an explosive device from a drone in Dniprovskyi district of Kherson. A 57-year-old man sustained a blast injury and cerebral infarction. He was hospitalised in the neurology department.
The Regional Military Administration reported that on 16 May, a 57-year-old man was injured in a drone attack in Tomyna Balka. He suffered a blast injury and a fractured arm.
As reported by the CMA, on the morning of 17 May, russian troops used a drone to attack a service truck belonging to the ME Kherson Parks in Dniprovskyi district. A 59-year-old worker sustained a blast injury and is receiving medical assistance. 2 other municipal workers were wounded.
Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of the RMA, stated that on 16 May, russian forces shelled 25 settlements in Kherson oblast. 1 person was killed and 13 injured. Damage was inflicted on 2 high-rise buildings, 10 private houses, a gas station, cell towers, gas pipelines, a humanitarian aid truck and several civilian vehicles.
Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine
Volyn oblast
The memory of Senior Sergeant Fedor Shiliuk, fallen defender of Ukraine, soldier of the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush, was honored in Tekla. The soldier was killed on 18 May 2023, while performing a combat mission to defend the Motherland in Prechystivka, Bakhmut region, Donetsk oblast.
Zakarpattia oblast
Another humanitarian shipment arrived in the oblast from the Pardubice Region, the Czech Republic. Czech benefactors sent 3 trucks with medical beds, mattresses, and tables to the municipal enterprise of the Regional Institution for Providing Psychiatric Care in Berehovo regional council. This shipment will significantly improve patient care at this medical institution.
Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
Ivano-Frankivsk community has allocated financial support within the framework of the Side by Side: United Communities project for Huliaipole. The amount of assistance is UAH 5.8m.
Lviv oblast
The annual veterans’ bicycle race Honoring the Memory of the Defenders of Ukraine passed through Lviv. The event is dedicated to honoring fallen soldiers. It will last 9 days and will end in Kyiv on 23 May. 2 war veterans, Ivan Balashov and Anatolii Veresenko, have joined the main team for the first time to ride the entire route of the bicycle race.
18 Ukrainian military surgeons began gaining experience working in combat conditions at Danylo Halytskyi Lviv National Medical University. The course was organized by the Medical Clinic of the Ukrainian Catholic University and the HuSoMe public organization with the support of the American College of Surgeons.
Rivne oblast
Memorial plaques in honor of fallen soldiers Yurii Leshuk, Volodymyr Voznyuk and Yan Ovdiychuk were solemnly unveiled at the Penkiv branch of the Piskivsk Lyceum named after Heroes-Compatriots.
Ternopil oblast
Ternopil military will receive a one-time cash grant for equipment. Since the beginning of the year, 1,468 defenders have already received such financial support,
Khmelnytskyi oblast
6 households in Khmelnytskyi community that were affected by russian attacks will receive financial assistance. The total amount of assistance is UAH 300,000.
Chernivtsi oblast
The Teplovodokanal municipal enterprise, which provides water supply to Novodnistrovsk, has received a powerful generator from the German district of Swabia. The equipment, with a capacity of 100 kW, will ensure uninterrupted operation of pumping stations in emergency cases of lack of centralized power supply.
International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, met with Jakov Milatovic, President of Montenegro. They agreed to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and Montenegro in various areas.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, met with Ulf Kristersson, Swedish Prime Minister. They discussed talks in Istanbul, increased pressure on russia and further joint actions.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, met with Dick Schoof, Prime Minister Netherlands. They discussed the needs of Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, met with Mette Frederiksen, Danish Prime Minister. They discussed continuing military support.
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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