War
Ukrainian drones have brought most oil refineries in central Russia to a standstill
Following a series of drone strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, major oil refineries in the central part of the country were forced to halt operations either completely or partially. The restrictions affected facilities responsible for a significant proportion of petrol and diesel production in Russia.
Ukrainian drones attacked the Syzran oil refinery, causing a fire at the Russian plant
A fire broke out at the Syzran oil refinery in Russia’s Samara Oblast following a drone attack.
Russian attacks on regions across Ukraine have resulted in fatalities and dozens of injuries
During the night of 21 May and over the past 24 hours, Russian forces have attacked a number of regions in Ukraine using drones, artillery and aerial bombs. The strikes have resulted in casualties and damage to residential buildings, businesses and infrastructure.
The General Staff reported 233 combat engagements and an attack by nearly 9,000 kamikaze drones over the past 24 hours
Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces have engaged in 233 combat encounters on the front line, carried out nearly a hundred air strikes and deployed over 8,900 kamikaze drones. The highest number of attacks was recorded in the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole sectors.
The General Staff has reported that the Russian army has suffered over 910 casualties in the past 24 hours
Over the past 24 hours, the Russian army has lost a further 910 troops in the war against Ukraine. Total Russian personnel losses since the start of the full-scale invasion have exceeded 1.35 million.
Iran has threatened to escalate the conflict in the event of further strikes by the US and Israel
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that it would escalate the conflict beyond the Middle East should the US and Israel resume their attacks. The statement came amid mixed signals from Washington regarding possible agreements with Tehran.
Radioactive materials have been found in the wreckage of a Russian missile that was fired at the Chernihiv region
Elevated radiation levels have been detected on the debris of a Russian missile used by the enemy to attack the Chernihiv region on the night of 7 April 2026. The Russians launched the missile from a ‘Geran-2’ drone.
The Kremlin is preparing Russians for the end of the war without the previously announced ‘great victory’
Following the large-scale attacks by Ukrainian drones on Moscow and Russian infrastructure, discussions in Russia about the future of the war have intensified. At the same time, although officials are drawing up plans for the post-war period, Vladimir Putin has not publicly indicated any readiness to bring the hostilities to an end.
Ukraine has paved the way for long-range strikes against Russia by destroying frontline air defences
The large-scale attacks by Ukrainian drones on Russian oil refineries, ports and military installations have been made possible by new tactics employed by the Ukrainian Defence Forces. This involves the active use of medium-range drones to strike at Russian air defence systems and rear infrastructure.
Ukrainian drones attacked a chemical plant in the Stavropol Krai and an oil refinery in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
On the night of 20 May, Ukrainian drones attacked the industrial zone of the city of Nevinnomyssk in the Stavropol Krai of the Russian Federation. An oil refinery in the city of Kstovo in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast was also targeted.
A Moscow oil refinery has suspended operations following a drone attack
A Moscow oil refinery halted oil processing following an attack by Ukrainian drones on 17 May.
China has been secretly training Russian military personnel
Towards the end of last year, China secretly trained around 200 Russian military personnel, some of whom subsequently returned to take part in the war against Ukraine. This is according to Reuters, which cites three European intelligence services and documents seen by the agency.
