Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck the Belets oil depot in the town of Unecha in Russia’s Bryansk region overnight on May 25, along with several other enemy targets.
The simulation of a negotiation process around Ukraine in its 2025 form has effectively ended, as U.S. President Donald Trump has shifted attention to other issues. The only factor that could force Russian leader Vladimir Putin to enter genuine negotiations is increased military assistance to Kyiv.
Five countries, including the United Kingdom and France, have rejected a proposal by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to allocate 0.25% of GDP to military assistance for Ukraine.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has condemned Russia’s massive attack on Ukraine today and announced assistance to reinforce Ukraine’s air defense.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed two decrees imposing sanctions—one targeting Russians responsible for missile strikes on Ukraine, specifically on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, and another targeting Russia’s naval logistics.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, plans to discuss cooperation with Ukraine and the challenges that Belarusian citizens sometimes face in Ukraine during her visit to Kyiv.
On Saturday, May 23, Ukraine marks the Day of Heroes, a commemorative occasion established to honor Ukrainian defenders who fought and continue to fight for the country’s freedom and independence – from past generations to the present day.
The total combat losses of Russian forces in the war against Ukraine from February 24, 2022, to May 23, 2026, have reached approximately 1,354,810 personnel, including 950 troops killed over the past day.
The situation on the battlefield is improving for Ukraine, and continued assistance from the European Union could prompt Russian leader Vladimir Putin to reassess his expectations regarding the war.