War in Ukraine today: latest news, 20 May 2025 (photo)

It has been the 1182 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:   

91 combat engagements took place in the frontline. Our defenders are stopping the enemy, holding the line and disrupting the russians’ plans.

During the day, the enemy fired artillery from the territory of the Russian Federation in the areas of Serhiivske, Arkhipivka, Zaliznyi Mist, Logy in Chernihiv oblast; Zarichne, Dmytrivka, Bila Bereza, Riasne, Rudak, Porozok, Mykolaivka, Turia, Maryne, Miropilske, Pokrovka, Hirky in Sumy oblast.

Towards Kharkiv, Ukrainian defenders repelled an aggressor’s attack towards Stroivka.

Towards Lyman, 16 firefights took place near Kopanky, Ridkodub, Novyi Myr, Hrekivka, Zelena Dolyna, Yampolivka and Torske. Six firefights are currently ongoing.

Towards Kramatorsk, the enemy attacked six times in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Kurdiumivka and towards Predtechyne and Bila Hora. Two firefights are currently underway.

Towards Toretsk, the militants attacked nine times in the areas of Druzhba, Petrivka and Toretsk. Three combat engagements are ongoing.

The enemy is still highly active towards Pokrovsk. Thirty-one times today, clashes of varying intensity started near Yablunivka, Novooleonivka, Malynivka, Shevchenko Pervoe, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Zvirove, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Troitske, Kotliarivka and Andriivka. Four battles are still ongoing. Berestok, Zoria, and Myrnohrad were hit by UAVs.

Towards Novopavlivka, the aggressor tried to advance 18 times in the area of Vilne Pole, Pryvilne, Zelene Pole, Kostiantynopil, Bahatyr, Burlatske, Vesele and in the direction of Odradne. Six firefights are ongoing. Piddubne and Tolstoy came under airstrikes with guided bombs.

The invaders twice tried to advance to the positions of Ukrainian troops in the areas of Novoandriivka and Mali Shcherbaky towards Orikhiv, but were rebuffed.

Towards Kursk, Ukrainian defenders are repelling the invaders’ attacks, with a total of eight engagements recorded so far. The enemy conducted 8 air strikes, downing 16 drones and fired 139 artillery rounds, including three from multiple launch rocket systems.

The enemy did not conduct any active offensives towards Kupiansk, Siversk, Huliaipole and Kherson.

Ukrainian troops are depleting the enemy along the entire frontline and in the rear.


Deputy Minister Liudmyla Suhak reported that Ukraine launched the Register of Information on Children Deported or Forcibly Displaced by Russia. The register helps to identify each child and create personal files based on data from the authorities, the public and international organisations. It has already been technically launched, and the first cases will soon be reviewed by a special interagency commission. The register is part of Ukraine’s efforts to return children and restore justice. 

Ukraine has contracted 8,000 ground robots for the army. More than 200 private companies in Ukraine are already involved in the production of ground robotic systems, more than 40 of which have been codified.

Recent war events in the east of Ukraine

Kharkiv oblast

Frontline

The RMA reported that yesterday, 177 combat engagements were registered. Towards Kharkiv, the enemy tried to advance three times in the vicinity of Vovchansk and towards Kutkivka in vain. Three enemy attacks took place towards Kupiansk yesterday. Ukrainian defence forces repelled the enemy’s assault near Zahryzove and towards Pishchane.

Attacks 

In the afternoon, an enemy UAV was spotted falling into a forest belt near a house in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kharkiv. 

Around 12pm, a 55-year-old woman was wounded in Kupiansk as a result of artillery shelling, and 2 other civilian women suffered acute stress reactions.

Kharkiv city and 3 settlements ame under hostile attacks over the last day.

A 73-year-old and a 45-year-old woman were injured in Starovirovka village as a result of shelling. The enemy fired a UAV at the Kyivskyi district of Kharkiv. 

The enemy used various types of weapons in Kharkiv oblast: 

▪️ 7 KAB

▪️ 18 Shahed UAV

▪️ 1 Molniya UAV

▪️ 1 FPV drone

In Kupiansk region, 13 private houses, an administrative building, 6 apartment buildings, power lines, a post office building, and 2 cars were damaged;

In Bohodukhiv region, 3 private houses, an outbuilding and a car were damaged.

Donetsk oblast

After midnight, russians attacked 4 towns with drones. Private houses were damaged in Bilytske and Mykolaivka. In Kramatorsk, 9 UAVs hit an industrial area, causing destruction. In Sloviansk, an enterprise was damaged.

Donetsk oblast. Photo: police

Yesterday russians attacked 10 settlements in Donetsk oblast – one person was killed, 6 were wounded Over the past day, police recorded 3,152 attacks on the frontline and residential areas. 

Russian troops shelled the towns of Konstiantynivka, Kramatorsk, Lyman, Rodynske, Siversk, the village of Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, the villages of Berestok, Kindrativka, Kryva Luka, and Stepanivka. Fifty civilian objects were destroyed, including 43 residential buildings.

The occupiers shelled Siversk with artillery, killing a civilian and damaging a private house.

Russia dropped a FAB-250 bomb on Kramatorsk, injuring three people and damaging 29 private houses.

In Lyman, shells hit a petrol station – two civilians were injured and a car was damaged.

The enemy shelled Kostiantynivka with an aerial bomb, artillery and drones – one person was wounded, three private houses and a fire and rescue vehicle were damaged.

Five private houses were damaged in Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka as a result of shelling from Uragan MLRS, and another in Kindrativka. Three private houses were damaged in Berestka of Illinivska community.

An enemy UAV hit an apartment building in Rodynske.

Donetsk oblast. Photo: police

Luhansk oblast

The enemy continues to exert pressure along the entire contact line. According to the Regional Military Administration, 144 drones were used in this area of the frontline over the last day. They also used multiple launch rocket systems. They fired 13 times from cannon artillery. The enemy is attacking at both, Lyman and Siversk directions. In Luhansk oblast, Ukrainian soldiers repelled a russian attack near Bilohorivka. 

47,000 children and adolescents in the occupied Luhansk oblast have been recruited by the russians into their propaganda “movement of the first”. Earlier, the invaders said they intended to revive pioneering. However, during the invasion of Ukraine, they began to involve the younger generation in war-related activities more and more often. In particular, they hold regular meetings with the military of the russian army, insist on continuing to communicate with them in the future, and teach them to fly drones. They register children in this area on the russian portal of public services.

In Aidar, the invaders once again decided to find “traitors” among the population. The russian security forces have been checking vehicles, documents and personal belongings of drivers and passengers. Special attention was paid to the contents of smartphones.

What is happening now in the north of Ukraine

Kyiv oblast

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon arrived in Kyiv on 20 May, the first royal visit from Norway to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war. The Prince was accompanied to the capital of Ukraine by Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland. Prince Haakon visited wounded Ukrainian soldiers undergoing rehabilitation and paid tribute to the fallen defenders in Moshchun.

A therapeutic garden for veterans will be opened in Kyiv, designed by a multidisciplinary team of experts together with veterans, soldiers and their families. The space will combine gardening, body and art therapy, areas for individual relief and a location for children. Specialists will work there with the military, veterans and their families.

Recently Kyiv hosted a conference entitled “The Road to Resilience: Strategies for Assisting Victims of Explosive Ordnance in the Community”. The event brought together representatives of government agencies, international organisations, the public sector and local authorities from all over Ukraine to discuss effective models of assistance to the population affected by explosive ordnance contamination.

The photo exhibition “The Last Year” by Kostiantyn and Vlada Liberov, which they took in frontline cities and in the war zone, will be shown in Kyiv. This is a documentary diary of the war, in which the photographers combined photos from the end of 2024 and 2025, the years of the full-scale invasion. The exhibition will run from 21 to 25 May at MacPaw Space. 

Zhytomyr oblast

Vitalii Bunechko, Head of the RMA, announced that in Zhytomyr oblast, philanthropists have opened a sports and rehabilitation centre that meets barrier-free standards. The centre was opened with the support of the Caritas-Spes religious mission and their partners from Italy, Spain and Slovenia.

Zviahel’s Veteran Space informed that the Family Hub, a protection and support centre for internally displaced persons, women and children affected by war or domestic violence, as well as for people who have lost their families due to armed aggression, has started its work. Anyone can apply for psychological, legal and social assistance.

Sumy oblast

The Regional Prosecutor’s Office reported that in the morning of 20 May, russian forces attacked a location where residents of Velyka Pysarivka, Okhtyrka region, were receiving humanitarian aid. As a result of the strike, a 57-year-old man was wounded and hospitalised. Another 51-year-old man received medical assistance without hospitalisation.

The Regional Prosecutor’s Office informed that as a result of an enemy attack on the Esman community in Shostka region, a 60-year-old village elder was injured. russian forces struck the community by a drone around 10am on 20 May.

According to the Regional Military Administration, as a result of another attack by russian forces, hydraulic structures in Velyka Pysarivka community were damaged. Currently, there is no flooding of settlements. According to the Regional Water Resources Office in Sumy oblast, the enemy destroyed a hydraulic structure on one of the tributaries of Vorskla River. Due to the security situation, inspecting the site of destruction or carrying out repairs is impossible.

russian military destroyed a bridge in Velyka Pysarivka community. Photo: from social networks

The Regional Police reported that during the night, russian forces carried out another attack on Bilopillia, using drones. As a result of the strike, a government building caught fire, along with pavilions at the local market.

The Regional Military Administration informed that late in the evening, the enemy dropped guided aerial bombs on a village in Yunakivka community. As a result of the strikes, two residential houses were destroyed.

Consequences of the russian strike on Bilopillia on 20 May, 2025, Sumy oblast. Photo: National Police

According to the Regional Military Administration, from the morning of 19 May to the morning of 20 May, russian forces carried out over 80 attacks on 34 settlements across 13 territorial communities in the oblast. The highest number of attacks was recorded in Sumy and Shostka regions. The enemy actively used multiple launch rocket systems (30 strikes) and UAV-dropped fragmentation munitions (nearly 30 strikes).

As a result of russian strikes on Sumy oblast over the past day:

  • In Velyka Pysarivka community, two civilian infrastructure facilities were destroyed.
  • In Druzhba community, a private residential house was damaged.
  • In Bilopillia community, non-residential premises were affected.

Yurii Zarko, Head of Bilopillia community, said that as a result of russian attacks on Bilopillia, a 19th-century historic building — the house of merchant Balatsenko — was struck. It is the oldest brick building in the city, built in 1819. On 5 May, russian forces attacked this site by a guided aerial bomb.

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 47 people.

Serhii Minakov, Head of Esman community, announced that out of more than five thousand people in Esman community, only 480 residents remain. The rest have evacuated. Currently, only three of the 22 settlements have electricity. Shops are not operating, and schools, educational complexes, and cultural centres have been damaged or completely destroyed.

Chernihiv oblast

Chernihiv Border Detachment reported that throughout 19 May, russian forces attacked three border communities in Chernihiv oblast: Novhorod-Siverskyi, Semenivka, and Snovsk. The enemy carried out mortar shelling (19 explosions), a UAV strike (1 explosion), FPV-drone attacks (7 explosions), and dropped explosive devices from UAVs (50 explosions). Thirteen settlements came under enemy fire. 

The North Operational Command informed that in Novhorod-Siverskyi community, on 19 May, an FPV-drone strike damaged a private house in Hremiach village. In Snovsk community, a private house was damaged by a fixed-wing UAV strike.

According to the Department of Civil Protection and Defence Work of Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, as a result of russian UAV-dropped explosives in Koriukivka region, Chernihiv oblast, fires broke out. In Tykhonovychi village, a residential house and farm buildings caught fire due to the attack. Roofs on two houses were destroyed, and windows were damaged in six homes. In Ivanivka village, a residential house and farm buildings also burned.

Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine

Dnipropetrovsk oblast

During the night, Ukrainian air defence forces were active and shot down 3 enemy UAVs.

A fire broke out in Synelnykove region as a result of an enemy attack, damaging an industrial facility. In Pavlohrad region, a farm was hit. Overnight and into the morning, russian forces continued to strike Nikopol region by kamikaze drones and artillery. The regional centre, Myrove and Pokrov communities, came under attack. In Pokrov community, a private house and a power line were damaged. There were no casualties reported.

During the day, russian forces launched nearly 30 attacks on Nikopol region, by artillery and drones. The targets included the regional centre, Marhanets, Myrove, Chervonohryhorivka and Pokrov communities. 3 apartment buildings, a private house, an administrative building and civilian infrastructure were damaged. In Synelnykove region, Mezhova community was struck by a drone and the Novopavlivka community was attacked by KABs, damaging a cultural centre and infrastructure.

Kirovohrad oblast

A memorial ceremony was held in Kropyvnytskyi for 30-year-old serviceman Viktor Bereza, who was killed on 7 May near Cherkaski Tyshky village in Kharkiv oblast. He was buried at the Alley of Glory.

In Kropyvnytskyi, war veterans with disabilities can now receive free driving lessons at Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs. The Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine will cover the cost of their training.

Myroslava Kryzhanovska, Recruitment Officer of Kropyvnytskyi Territorial Centre of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR and SS), reported that more than 20 brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are currently being staffed with contract soldiers aged 18 to 57 through the TCR and SS. There are special service conditions for contract soldiers aged 18 to 24.

Poltava oblast

A Memorial Alley has been opened in a city park in Brailky neighborhood of Poltava to honour students from Lyceum №13 who were killed in a russian missile strike on 1 February 2025. Family, friends, teachers and classmates gathered to commemorate Sofiia Yavorska, Diana and Danylo Zapishni. A plaque with their names and a commemorative poem was installed near a cherry blossom tree planted earlier.

Alley of Memory by students of Lyceum No.13. Photo: Suspilne Poltava

22-year-old serviceman Andrii Kovalets from Velyka Bahachka died on 18 May 2025, in a medical facility due to wounds sustained while performing a combat mission.

An informational plaque with a QR code has been installed in honour of Hero of Ukraine and Poltava City Council member Yulian Matviichuk. The plaque was created as part of the Streetcode project, supported by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, and mounted on the facade of the Children’s Creativity Palace.

Poltava is organising meetings with residents whose property was damaged or destroyed during a massive UAV attack on the night of 23 April. The meetings will address the aftermath of the strike and the restoration process. Clarifications and guidance will be provided to affected residents.

Cherkasy oblast

A memorial ceremony was held in Cherkasy for fallen defender Dmytro Izraikin, who died in Kharkiv oblast from injuries sustained while carrying out a combat mission.

Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine

Zaporizhzhia oblast

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on Orikhiv region, Ukrainian Defence Forces repelled 4 russian attacks near Stepove and Mala Tokmachka. On Huliaipole region, russian forces did not engage in active assault operations.

Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia RMA, stated that on 19 May, russian forces launched 360 strikes on 16 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. These included 36 airstrikes targeting Stepnohirsk, Plavni, Huliaipole, Mala Tokmachka, Temyrivka, Novodarivka and Malynivka.

Mykolaiv oblast

According to Mykolaiv RMA, on 19 May at 11:25am, russian forces attacked Ochakiv city in Ochakiv community by an FPV drone.

At 2:30pm, the russian military shelled Kutsurub community and conducted 9 FPV drone strikes. As a result of one attack in Dmytrivka village, a farm vehicle was damaged. There were no casualties reported.

Odesa oblast

Referring to the Ukrainian Navy, as of 6am on 20 May, no russian naval ships were present in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. However, 3 russian ships were stationed in the Mediterranean Sea, 1 of which is equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles, capable of launching up to 8 missiles.

Kherson oblast

According to Kherson City Military Administration, at midday, russian forces struck a critical infrastructure facility in Kherson. The attack caused no significant damage and no injuries were reported.

Based on the information provided by Kherson RMA, in Korabelnyi district of Kherson, a russian UAV was found on the premises of a preschool. Specialists have removed the drone for further neutralization.

The russian forces shelled Korabelnyi district of Kherson by artillery. A shell exploded near a residential apartment building. 2 civilians sustained explosive and shrapnel injuries. A 76-year-old man was inside his apartment at the time. Doctors assess his condition as moderate. Also, an 88-year-old woman was wounded and received medical assistance.

The russian forces attacked a passenger bus in Dniprovskyi district of Kherson. The vehicle was damaged and 5 passengers were injured. A 56-year-old man sustained an explosive injury and a concussion.

Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson RMA, reported that on 19 May, russian forces shelled 36 settlements across Kherson oblast. 5 civilians were wounded. Damage was reported to a cellular tower, agricultural equipment, a high-rise building, 7 private houses and a vehicle.

Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine

Volyn oblast

The RMA held an operational meeting. They discussed mechanisms for receiving compensation for psychological services provided to veterans and their family members. To care for the mental health of veterans and military personnel, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine has developed a Government resolution that reimburses the cost of services provided to specialized institutions of various forms of ownership, as well as individual entrepreneurs.

Zakarpattia oblast

A closed meeting of Denys Shmyhal and Petr Fiala, the prime ministers of Ukraine and the Czech Republic, took place in Uzhhorod. They discussed military support, integration into the EU, the restoration of Ukraine, and the training of F-16 pilots.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast

In Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, oak trees were planted in memory of the fallen Heroes as part of the Living Without You project. Relatives plant young oak trees in memory of each Hero. Such groves in each community of the oblast will become living memorials.

Lviv oblast

An interregional conference Local Economic Development: Crisis Response, Recovery and Sustainable Growth was held in Lviv, organized by the United Nations Development Programme with the support of the Government of Sweden within the framework of the Enhanced Partnership for Sustainable Recovery project.

The 29th Lviv Medical Forum and Specialized Exhibition HalMed has started. The event will last for 3 days. Lviv Medical Forum is one of the largest medical events in Ukraine, which brings together scientists, specialists in various fields of medicine, and representatives of medical equipment manufacturers from Europe and all over Ukraine.

Rivne oblast

75 veterans took part in the CrossFit competition held in Rivne oblast. The tournament was held within the 1st stage of the Veterans Games. The next stages will be held in Poltava and Vinnytsia. And the final will be in Kyiv.

Ternopil oblast

A memorial plaque was unveiled and consecrated on the facade of Hnatiuk Buchach Gymnasium in honor of its graduate, Hero Ruslan Hrytsiv, who was killed in the russian-Ukrainian war. For his courage and heroism, Ruslan was awarded the Golden Cross breastplate.

Khmelnytskyi oblast

The 41st rotation of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency, who carry out constant monitoring of nuclear and radiation safety and security, took place at Khmelnytskyi NPP site. The new team includes specialists from Canada and Argentina.

Chernivtsi oblast

An interregional conference Local Economic Development: Crisis Response, Recovery and Sustainable Growth was held in Lviv, organized by the United Nations Development Programme with the support of the Government of Sweden within the framework of the Enhanced Partnership for Sustainable Recovery project. Chernivtsi oblast is an active participant in the EPSR project, which allows communities in the oblast to join relevant programs, practices and opportunities for development.

International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)

The EU Security Council and the EU Foreign Affairs Council met in Brussels. The agenda included military aid to Ukraine, approval of the 17th package of sanctions against russia, and discussion of the next, more powerful 18th package, which the EU wants to approve in response to putin’s rejection of the proposed ceasefire.

The European Union approved the 17th package of sanctions against russia. The restrictions apply to almost 200 ships of the russian shadow fleet, and are also aimed at addressing hybrid threats and protecting human rights.

Britain following the EU, the EU has imposed new sanctions against russia. The new restrictions will affect 100 sanctioned targets in the russian military, energy, financial sectors and those waging information warfare against Ukraine. The russian deposit insurance agency has been added to the sanctions list.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, had a phone conversation with Donald Trump, US President, and European leaders: Emmanuel Macron, Giorgia Maloney, Friedrich Merz, Alexander Stubb, Ursula von der Leyen. The discussed on establishing a just peace in Ukraine.

A closed meeting of Denys Shmyhal and Petr Fiala, Prime Ministers of Ukraine and the Czech Republic, took place in Uzhhorod. They discussed military support, integration into the EU, the restoration of Ukraine, and the training of F-16 pilots.


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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