"The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) confirms that a warehouse in Dnipro, which was being used for the organization's humanitarian operations, was deliberately struck today by a high-precision Iskander ballistic missile", - the Ukrainian representation of the United Nations (UN) reported.

According to the statement, a significant amount of food intended to support people living near the front line was destroyed in the attack.

At the time of the strike, the facility contained humanitarian food assistance sufficient to support 130,000 people, with an estimated value of $1.4 million. WFP teams are currently on site assessing the extent of damage to the premises, vehicles, and humanitarian aid stocks. All WFP personnel are safe.

"Deliberate attacks on humanitarian workers trying to save innocent civilians affected by war are a crime and a violation of international humanitarian law. This warehouse has now been struck for the second time. In November 2025, it was damaged in a drone attack. Over the past 18 months, WFP has recorded more than 84 incidents affecting its warehouses, vehicles, aid distribution points, and the property of local humanitarian partners across Ukraine", - said Richard Ragan, WFP Representative in Ukraine.

Commenting on threats by the russian federation to carry out "systematic strikes on targets in Kyiv", the diplomat called on the "relevant parties" to refrain from escalating military actions.

"We urge the relevant parties to work together to bring an end to the escalation as soon as possible and create conditions for the resumption of dialogue and negotiations", - she said, without answering a question about whether China would evacuate the staff of its embassy in Kyiv.

As previously reported, russia officially declared its intention to conduct systematic heavy strikes on Kyiv, allegedly targeting defense industry facilities and "decision-making centers".

Ninety-nine civilian objects were damaged, including 47 residential buildings.

Russians dropped a KAB-250 bomb on Yasnohirka in the Kramatorsk territorial community, killing two people and injuring three others. Seven private homes and an outpatient clinic were damaged.

The enemy carried out 15 strikes on Kramatorsk, including 9 guided bomb attacks. Sixteen civilians were injured, including a child. Thirty apartment buildings and three private houses were damaged, along with two educational institutions, two administrative buildings, an express delivery service building, a non-residential facility, and more than 20 vehicles.

One person was injured in Oleksiive-Druzhkivka and another in Mykolaivka. Three apartment buildings were damaged.

Drone attacks damaged two apartment buildings and a private house in Druzhkivka, civilian infrastructure in Sloviansk, and an educational institution in Ocheretyne.

Troops of the russian federation attacked Bilenke with a KAB-250 bomb, damaging a private home and an infrastructure facility.

In addition, during the night, russia struck Druzhkivka, Sloviansk, Bilenke, and Ocheretyne. Private homes and civilian vehicles were damaged. Information regarding casualties is being clarified.

"Yesterday at 17:52, the enemy dropped two KAB-250 bombs on the city center. Twelve civilians were injured, including a child. Among the victims were 7 women and 4 men aged between 28 and 86, as well as an 8-year-old boy. The child suffered a foot injury caused by glass", - the Donetsk oblast police reported on May 26.

Sixteen apartment buildings, an educational institution, an administrative building, and 20 vehicles were damaged.

"Investigative and operational teams, explosive ordnance specialists, paramedics, patrol police officers, representatives of military administrations, and municipal services worked at the impact sites. Present at the scene were the head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Donetsk oblast, Mykola Matviienko, and the head of the Kramatorsk Police Department, Artem Kuznetsov", - the statement added.

"The amendments are aimed at protecting the rights of russian citizens in cases of their detention, arrest, or criminal prosecution based on decisions of foreign courts or international judicial bodies, if their jurisdiction is not based on international treaties of the russian federation or resolutions of the UN Security Council", - propagandists wrote.

The law will enter into force in russia ten days after its official publication.

— An enemy UAV attacked the territory of a private household in the Poltava district, injuring a woman.

— The number of people injured as a result of another strike by russian guided aerial bombs (KABs) on Kramatorsk in the Donetsk oblast has risen to 12.

— During a meeting of the Servant of the People faction on Monday, Zelensky spoke about the prospects for ending the active phase of the war, according to Servant of the People MP Olha Vasylevska-Smahliuk.

— The embassies of the European Union, France, and Poland strongly condemned intimidation by russia and stated that they do not intend to leave Kyiv following moscow's threats.

— Marco Rubio and Sergey Lavrov held a phone conversation regarding the russian-Ukrainian war.

— Russians have begun receiving "mobilization orders" on a mass scale.

— The United States carried out strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch positions and Iranian boats in self-defense, according to a statement by CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins to Fox News.

— The President of Iran ordered the restoration of Internet access in the country after a three-month restriction.

He noted that Kyiv residents continue to seek medical assistance following yesterday's attack.

"Today at around 5:00 a.m., the army of the russian federation struck the city with five FAB-250 bombs equipped with guidance modules. Police paramedics immediately arrived at the impact sites. They searched damaged buildings, looked for victims, and provided assistance", - the Donetsk oblast police reported.

As a result of the enemy attack, two women aged 76 and 69, and a 69-year-old man were injured.

Thirteen apartment buildings, five civilian vehicles, a school, a post office, and an administrative building were damaged.

The russian army has also lost:

11,953 tanks (+3 over the past day);

24,608 armored combat vehicles (+5);

42,687 artillery systems (+47);

1,802 multiple launch rocket systems (+2);

1,396 air defense systems;

436 aircraft;

353 helicopters;

310,245 operational-tactical UAVs (+1,924);

4,687 cruise missiles (+55);

99,000 vehicles and fuel tanks (+302);

4,218 units of special equipment (+2);

1,465 ground robotic systems (+14).

In addition, 33 ships and boats, as well as two submarines, have been destroyed.

The General Staff noted that the figures are being updated.

"I have instructed all our missions to international organizations to make full use of multilateral instruments in response to ... russia's barbaric missile strike on Kyiv. The UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, and UNESCO must provide an adequate and decisive response to the aggressor, which is trying to compensate for its lack of military progress on the battlefield through terror against the civilian population", - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.

According to him, international institutions must respond to the fact that "putin is trying to intimidate Ukraine by attacking civilians and destroying residential buildings, museums, schools, and critical infrastructure". Sybiha stated that all of this requires decisive and coordinated action by the international community.

"We call on our partners to take decisive multilateral action aimed at deterring russia and forcing it toward a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace", - the foreign minister emphasized.

A brief official statement on Lukashenko's website says that the conversation took place "at the initiative of the French side" and that the leaders "discussed regional issues and Belarus's relations with the EU and France in particular".

However, an AFP source, described by the agency as "a source close to Macron", stated that the French president urged Lukashenko "not to become involved in moscow's war against Ukraine".

"Macron emphasized the risks for Belarus if it allows itself to be drawn into russia's aggressive war against Ukraine", - the agency quoted its source as saying. "He also called on Alexander Lukashenko to take the necessary steps to improve relations between Belarus and Europe", - the source added.

This was Macron's first conversation with Lukashenko since February 2022, when the French leader called his Belarusian counterpart twice: immediately before the start of the full-scale russian invasion and shortly afterward.

In recent weeks, Kyiv has warned that russia may be preparing new attacks on Ukrainian territory from Belarus.

— Explosions were heard in Chernihiv during a drone attack.

— The number of people injured in Kyiv following russia's combined attack has risen to 87.

— In russia, authorities reported an attack on energy infrastructure facilities in Belgorod.

— The exit from the russian city of Yaroslavl toward moscow was closed due to a drone attack.

— A suicide bomber blew up a train in Pakistan: at least 24 people were killed and 70 wounded.

The strike on occupied Starobilsk during the night of May 22 was reported by occupation media, all occupation “LNR administrations”, and OstroV’s sources.

The strike hit, among other locations, the buildings of the former Pedagogical Institute (as of 2022 — Taras Shevchenko Luhansk National University). According to the occupiers’ version, including that of the so-called “LNR” leader Leonid Pasechnik, 86 students were living there, 35 of whom sustained various injuries, and some allegedly died. Occupation public channels are filled with speculative headlines.

There has been no comment from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine so far; only information about strikes on enemy targets has been reported.

According to OstroV, russian occupiers had been “mixing” their personnel with local students in the buildings in question.

It should be recalled that on April 6, 2026, a strike hit the building in Starobilsk that had housed the district administration and district council before 2022, and where the occupiers later placed their “administration of the Starobilsk municipal district”.

According to intelligence data, enemy troops had been using Starlink terminals from SpaceX, the company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, to coordinate operations and drone strikes.

“Russian military capabilities in Ukraine were temporarily but significantly weakened following efforts by Ukrainian officials in February to deactivate thousands of Starlink terminals that russian forces had been illegally using to coordinate troop movements and drone aviation strikes in areas where communications were unreliable or easily jammed”, - the intelligence report states.

It is noted that after Ukraine raised concerns about the use of Starlink on russian drones, SpaceX published instructions on how to officially register terminals in order to prevent their use by russian forces.

“On May 21, russian troops carried out 1,421 strikes along the front line and on the residential sector of the oblast. Twelve settlements came under fire: the cities of Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, Sviatohirsk, Sloviansk; the settlements of Oleksiive-Druzhkivka and Shabelkivka; and the villages of Verivka, Dmytrivka, Dolyna, Kindrativka, Marivka, and Maiaky”, - the Donetsk oblast police report.

According to the report, 88 civilian objects were damaged, including 64 residential buildings.

Russians attacked Druzhkivka 16 times with guided bombs and drones, killing four people and injuring nine others. Two apartment buildings, eight private houses, a store, and a civilian vehicle were damaged.

The enemy targeted Kramatorsk with four KAB-250 bombs and six drones of various types. One person was injured. One apartment building and 49 private houses, two enterprises, a store, a non-residential building, an infrastructure facility, and three vehicles were damaged.

In Dmytrivka, a civilian was injured as a result of an FPV drone strike, and a vehicle was damaged.

The occupiers struck Sloviansk with four drones, damaging a private house and a civilian vehicle. In Sviatohirsk, a post office was damaged; in Shabelkivka, a private house, a store, an outbuilding, and a vehicle were damaged; and in Marivka and Maiaky, one private house was damaged in each village.

In addition, Sloviansk and Cherkaske came under fire during the night. A private house and a gas station are known to have been damaged. No information about casualties has been reported.

As noted, Ukraine and its Western allies are increasingly convinced that russia’s offensive potential is being exhausted. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have managed to stabilize the front line and stop another wave of offensive operations by the occupation forces.

The publication notes that drones have become the key factor that changed the course of hostilities:

The large-scale and effective use of drones is helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine compensate for a shortage of personnel and inflict heavy losses on the enemy.

Regular Ukrainian drone attacks on rear facilities and directly on moscow have brought the war onto the aggressor’s territory.

European diplomats describe the mood in the russian capital as “gloomy”. Along with declining economic indicators and tighter internet restrictions, this is leading to deep war fatigue among ordinary russians and fueling internal criticism of vladimir putin.

According to Bloomberg’s sources, the russian dictator is seeking to end the war before the end of this year, but only on terms that he can present to the population as a victory. This involves the full capture of Donbas and the signing of a security agreement with Europe that would de facto legitimize the annexation of Ukrainian territories.

Despite russia’s obvious problems, the situation remains difficult for Ukraine as well. Kyiv has not yet achieved its main strategic goals — deoccupying most of its territories or reaching an acceptable peace agreement.

Diplomatic efforts that were being pursued under U.S. auspices are also currently at a standstill. At the same time, the administration of Donald Trump has made it clear to the European Union that it does not oppose parallel negotiations between European leaders and the kremlin.

As of May 22, 2026, the total combat losses of the russian army are estimated to be:

personnel — about 1,353,860 (+880) people;

tanks — 11,944 (+1) units;

armored combat vehicles — 24,594 (+3);

artillery systems — 42,511 (+57);

MLRS — 1,798 (+1);

air defense systems — 1,390 (+1);

aircraft — 436;

helicopters — 353;

ground robotic systems — 1,440 (+4);

operational-tactical UAVs — 304,659 (+1,872);

cruise missiles — 4,632;

ships and boats — 33;

submarines — 2;

vehicles and fuel tanks — 98,205 (+135);

special equipment — 4,207.

— The U.S. State Department approved the sale to Ukraine of equipment for the Hawk missile system worth more than $108 million.

— In the russian city of Yaroslavl, authorities reported a drone attack and closed the highway to moscow.

— Donald Trump stated that the U.S. will deploy 5,000 troops to Poland.

— The U.S. Congress canceled a vote on limiting Trump’s war against Iran.

A significant breakthrough in negotiations to end the war should not be expected in the near future, although the process itself may become noticeably more active. This opinion was expressed in a comment to OstroV by political analyst and head of the Center for Analysis and Strategies, Ihor Chalenko.

According to the expert, in the near future one can expect an intensification of the negotiation track, but it will concern form rather than the real substance of the process.

“If we are talking about form — yes, I expect intensification. If about content — not really. Because a long-term POW exchange process in the ‘1000 for 1000’ format has been launched again. We already see that this process will take place in stages within the framework of the general intensification of contacts. The issue of new contacts with the American side and whether new visits and negotiations will take place also remains”, - Ihor Chalenko noted.

According to the political analyst, the main problem remains that Washington’s position regarding the conditions for ending the war has effectively not changed.

“The negotiating position of the United States has not changed significantly. The U.S. continues trying to push Ukraine toward decisions on voluntarily withdrawing from the territory of Donetsk oblast. And in my opinion, this is the biggest problem”, - Ihor Chalenko said.

At the same time, the expert believes that the current negotiation format may be revised through the involvement of new participants.

“Right now there are more and more opportunities for a certain reformatting of the process itself and the involvement of other parties. And it would be good if China joined this process. If this does not happen, the russian Federation will always retain the opportunity to delay or block further work within the framework of the negotiation process”, - he emphasized.

According to Ihor Chalenko, Europe could conditionally become an additional representative of Ukraine’s interests, while for russia such a participant could be China.

“If Europe can act as an additional participant on the Ukrainian side, then China could do so on the russian side. At least theoretically, this could give momentum to advancing negotiations. But if we are talking specifically about the substantive part, then in my opinion no serious breakthroughs should be expected. At least not until autumn of this year”, - the political analyst concluded.

“On May 20, police recorded 1,340 enemy strikes along the front line and on the residential sector of the oblast. Twelve settlements came under fire: the cities of Bilozerske, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, Mykolaivka, Sviatohirsk, Sloviansk, and the settlements of Bilenke, Malotaranivka, Novodonetske, Oleksiive-Druzhkivka, and the villages of Kindrativka and Tetianivka. Forty-one civilian objects were damaged, including 25 residential buildings”, - the Donetsk oblast police reported on Telegram on May 21.

In Kindrativka of the Druzhkivka community, a russian FPV drone killed a civilian.

In Kramatorsk, the enemy troops carried out 14 strikes: 4 aerial bomb strikes and 10 using various types of drones. Two civilians were injured, and at least 1 apartment building and 4 private houses, a hospital, an administrative building, 2 civilian vehicles, and a state flag were damaged.

Six people were injured in Druzhkivka, which the enemy attacked 10 times, mostly with FPV drones. Two apartment buildings and 4 private houses, as well as a vehicle, were damaged.

In Malotaranivka, an FPV drone hit a civilian vehicle — two people were injured. Another drone damaged a private house.

Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka was attacked by russians using Smerch MLRS — one person was injured.

Three impacts were recorded in Mykolaivka — 4 apartment buildings, a private house, an administrative building, and an educational institution were damaged.

In Sviatohirsk, a private house was damaged, and a forest fire broke out.

In Tetianivka, 4 private houses were damaged.

In Bilozerske, an apartment building was damaged, and in Novodonetske — a private house.

The Donetsk Oblast Military Administration reports that another 190 people, including 18 children, were evacuated from the front line over the past day.

“NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned russia against carrying out a nuclear strike on Ukraine. He said this at a press conference, responding to a question about the possibility of putin using such weapons”, - “The Moscow Times” Telegram channel reported on May 21.

“They know: if this happens, the [Alliance’s] response will be devastating”. - Rutte emphasized.

He also added that NATO is closely monitoring russia’s nuclear exercises, which began on May 19. More than 64,000 servicemen and over 7,800 units of equipment are taking part in the three-day maneuvers, including nuclear submarines, missile systems, and strategic aviation. These are the largest exercises of this kind in the country’s modern history. The russian Ministry of Defense stated that their goal is to prepare for the use of nuclear forces “in conditions of threat of aggression”.

“For centuries we were enchanted by its pattern, but now it is our turn to create it ourselves — through our lives, our struggle, every new step. Ukrainians embroider it with their own hands every day, defending what is dear to them. Rebuilding what was destroyed. Healing wounds. Teaching children and learning themselves. We preserve memory and build the future. Happy Vyshyvanka Day, Ukraine! Happy destiny that we embroider independently!” - Volodymyr Zelensky stated on social media on May 21.

“Despite the fact that Ukraine’s accession process to the European Union is dragging on, the German Chancellor has outlined a special plan according to which Kyiv would already now be granted more rights, including the right to apply the EU’s defensive strategy”, - “DW Glavnoe” writes on May 21, citing the publication “Der Spiegel”.

It is specified that in his message to the EU leadership, Friedrich Merz proposes granting Ukraine the status of an “associate member”, under which Kyiv would not immediately receive full membership rights and voting rights, but would be more closely integrated into European institutions. Merz justified such an initiative by Ukraine’s special position due to the fact that it is in a state of war.

In addition, according to the Chancellor, there is significant progress in negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, and therefore his proposal should also contribute to peace negotiations initiated by Donald Trump, including through the political commitment of EU member states to apply EU mutual support provisions to Ukraine as well.

According to Merz’s plan, associate member status would allow Ukraine, among other things, to participate in meetings of the Council of the EU and the European Council with voting rights, as well as to participate without voting rights in the work of the European Commission and the European Parliament. In addition, Ukraine could be gradually included in the EU budget and receive extensive security guarantees.

According to the agency, in 2026 the number of attacks on the russia’s energy infrastructure has increased, while the number of oil refineries targeted has effectively doubled since the beginning of the year.

In the second half of May, plants in central russia that supply the domestic market and a significant share of exports practically stopped operations.

Among the facilities that came under attack are refineries in moscow, Kirishi, Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan, and Yaroslavl.

In particular, the Ryazan refinery has been completely shut down since May 15, and the moscow refinery since May 17. According to sources, “Yaroslavnefteorgsintez” is operating at about a quarter of its capacity.

One of the largest plants, “Kirishinefteorgsintez”, with a capacity of 20 million tons per year, has been shut down since May 5. “Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez”, with a capacity of 17 million tons, has also come under attack, but its current condition is not precisely known.

The combined capacity of the enterprises that have fully or partially stopped operations exceeds 83 million tons per year. This is about a quarter of all oil refining capacity in russia.

“According to the agency’s calculations, from January to May about 11% of primary refining capacity in russia was idle due to UAV attacks”, - the article states.

These plants collectively accounted for more than 30% of gasoline production and about 25% of diesel fuel production.

Some other enterprises that could compensate for the losses are also operating in a limited mode or have been shut down due to similar attacks.

He added: “Today, police units are primarily focusing on all frontline territories. And unfortunately, we have repeated cases, such as in Lyman, where previously evacuated residents returned together with children, and we had to evacuate them again. Such cases are repeatedly recorded across all frontline territories of our oblast”.

— The enemy attacked Kryvyi Rih with Shahed drones: there is an injured person, an enterprise was damaged.

— Enemy drones attacked settlements in the Kharkiv oblast, there are injured people.

— Ukrainian UAVs successfully attacked an oil refinery in russian Syzran.

— In russia, airports in Tambov, Saratov, Nizhny Novgorod, Penza, Samara, Makhachkala, and Kaluga were temporarily closed due to drone threats.

— Ukraine’s representative to the UN called for russia to be stripped of its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

— The NATO Secretary General threatened russia with a “devastating” response in the event of the use of nuclear weapons.