War
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.
Russia launched attacks on Dnipro, the Sumy region and Odesa overnight; there are reports of casualties
On the night of 20 May, Russian forces attacked Dnipro, Konotop, the Shostka district and Odesa. The attacks resulted in casualties, injuries and damage to residential infrastructure.
The General Staff reported 250 engagements over the past 24 hours and the destruction of enemy command posts
Over the past 24 hours, 250 combat engagements were recorded on the front line. Defence forces carried out strikes on command posts, areas where personnel were concentrated, and enemy drone control systems.
Demobilisation in the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Syrskyi explains the new discharge procedure
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi has stated that the Ukrainian army is working on a mechanism for discharging military personnel from service during wartime. According to him, this issue must be balanced and controlled, and will depend on the situation on the battlefield. The Armed Forces also plan to introduce short-term contracts and increase military pay. The minimum pay level is to be 30,000 hryvnias.
Russian military casualties have exceeded 1.35 million
Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces have lost 920 troops in the war against Ukraine. The Defence Forces have also destroyed dozens of pieces of military equipment and nearly 1,900 drones.
Ukrainian medium-range attacks are dealing a double blow to the Russian war machine
Ukraine is stepping up its use of medium-range drones to strike at Russian logistics, air defence systems and oil infrastructure. According to military officials, this is hampering Russia’s offensive operations and paving the way for long-range attacks on strategic targets.
