Zelensky: Russia achieved no significant battlefield results in May

Ukraine's positions on the frontline are currently strong, and Russia did not achieve any significant results on the battlefield in May, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

He made the remarks in an address to participants of the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting in Kyiv on Wednesday, Ukrinform reports.

"You can all see that our positions on the frontline are strong and that we are gradually taking back occupied territory. In May, Russia achieved almost no meaningful results on the battlefield. And that, I think, that matters. Please also pay attention to Russia's losses. They're losing 30,000 to 35,000 troops every month. And the nature of those losses is very interesting, by the way. It changed during this last year or year and a half. No, last year, I think. Yes. About 63 percent are killed and another 37 percent are seriously wounded. These are massive irreversible losses," Zelensky said.

He noted that even for Russia, this is becoming a serious problem, as the overall size of its occupation forces is shrinking.

"We have also achieved very important results through our mid-range and deep strikes. Russia is facing clear fuel shortages in the temporarily occupied territories and in parts of central Russia, as well as serious damage to its logistics," he said.

Zelensky added that this pressure is forcing Russia to choose between diplomacy and further losses.

"And now, Russia has only one final argument left – ballistic missiles. Only one," he said.

In March 2026, Zelensky said that over the three winter months, Ukrainian forces destroyed 30,000, 35,000, and 28,000 Russian troops respectively, nearly 100,000 in total.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine