War update: 115 clashes on frontline, fiercest fighting in Pokrovsk sector
On May 16, Ukrainian Defense Forces engaged in 115 combat clashes with Russian forces, with 49 of them taking place in the Pokrovsk sector alone.
War
16 May 2025
Civilians injured as Russians shell Kharkiv region
Throughout the day, Russian forces shelled the town of Kupiansk and surrounding areas in Kharkiv region, injuring four civilians and damaging residential buildings.
DIU preparing lists for “1000 for 1000” prisoner exchange
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has started working on the lists of people who will be returned to their homeland under the “1000 for 1000” exchange.
Russians drop explosives on civilian in Beryslav
Russian invaders used a drone to drop explosives on a 72-year-old resident of Beryslav, Kherson region.
Russia conducts ethnic cleansing in occupied territories through eviction, assimilation
The Russian Federation is carrying out ethnic cleansing in the temporarily occupied territories by evicting Ukrainians and assimilating them, which, according to international law, is a form of genocide. This policy of the Russian Federation requires an immediate response from the international community to stop this practice. Regardless of whether the hostilities continue or are stopped, it is necessary to introduce mechanisms of international control over the observance of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories, in particular through the deployment of a UN mission.
New deadly attack drone added to AFU arsenal
A new Ukrainian-made strike drone has been approved for use in the Armed Forces.
Russian drone targets electricians' team in Donetsk region
DTEK's repair team came under enemy fire near the front line in Donetsk Oblast.
Ukraine's defense minister: '1,000-for-1,000' prisoner exchange may take place soon
A "1,000-for-1,000" prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia could take place in the near future.
Fatalities, injuries reported as Russians shell Kostiantynivka
Russian invaders shelled the town of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region from a drone, killing two civilians and injuring three others.
Ukraine-Russia talks begin in Istanbul
A meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations has started in Istanbul.
Bodies of 909 fallen Ukrainian defenders returned to Ukraine
The bodies of 909 fallen Ukrainian defenders have been returned to Ukraine as a result of repatriation efforts.
Ukrainian forces wipe out 27 Russian vehicles on eastern front
Ukraine’s Defense Forces have destroyed a total of 14 Russian military vehicles and damaged 13 more on the eastern front, including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, motorcycles, and buggies.
Injuries, damage reported as Russians shell Kherson
Explosions have been heard in Kherson since early morning; Russian forces attacked a civilian vehicle with a drone; civilians were injured and residential buildings damaged.
Russians advancing in urban combat in Toretsk – military
Over the past 24 hours, in the area of responsibility of the Luhansk Operational Tactical Group (OTG), there were 20 combat engagements. The enemy was most active in the Kramatorsk and Toretsk sectors.
Russian missile and bomb attack wounds 88-year-old woman in Kharkiv region
An 88-year-old woman was injured in the village of Malyi Burluk, Kharkiv region, as a result of Russian strikes.
Russian strike hits Odesa region, three injured
In Odesa region, a Russian strike destroyed private houses and outbuildings, and injured three people.
Russian drone attack damages two districts in Kyiv region
There are damages in Bila Tserkva and Bucha districts of Kyiv region as a result of an attack by Russian drones.
Russians strike at Sloviansk, damages buildings of sanatorium
Russian troops conducted an air strike on Sloviansk in Donetsk region.
Russian troops kill one, wound six in Donetsk region
On May 15, Russian troops killed one resident of Donetsk region and injured six others.
Guerrillas report blasts at Russian military sites in Crimea
ATESH agents recorded explosions in the Perevalne district in the temporarily occupied Crimea, including the Russian military base of the 126th Separate Coastal Defense Guards Brigade and the 8th Separate Artillery Regiment.
War update: Ukrainian forces repel 165 Russian assaults in past day
Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces engaged in 165 combat clashes with Russian troops.
Ukrainian Air Force reports loss of contact with F-16 jet, pilot ejects
The Ukrainian Air Force reported the loss of contact with an F-16 fighter jet in the early hours of Friday, May 16. The pilot successfully ejected.
Russia's war casualty toll in Ukraine rises by 1,100 in past 24 hours
Russia suffered approximately 971,690 casualties in Ukraine between February 24, 2022 and May 16, 2025, with 1,100 soldiers killed or wounded in the past 24 hours.
Russian forces launch over 400 strikes on Zaporizhzhia region over past day
Russian forces carried out 402 strikes on 12 settlements in Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhia region on May 15.
Ukrainian drones destroy enemy tank, Grad system in Pokrovsk sector
In the Pokrovsk sector, drones operated by Ukraine's Defense Forces have destroyed a Russian tank, a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system, a mortar, a self-propelled artillery piece, and a field gun.
4,700 residential buildings damaged by Russian attacks in Sumy region
A total of 4,700 residential buildings have been damaged in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region as a result of ongoing Russian attacks.
Ukraine’s intel chief comments on possibility of Russian strike with Oreshnik missile
The Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense always issues warnings when something is about to happen.
15 May 2025
CinC Syrskyi at NATO-Ukraine Council: active front line spans 1,100 kilometers
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi took part in a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in a military format at the level of the Commanders-in-Chief via video conference.
Large-scale fire at Sumy region’s infrastructure facility extinguished after Russian strike
Rescuers from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine have successfully extinguished a fire spanning approximately 6,000 square meters, which erupted following a Russian strike on a civilian infrastructure facility.