As of May 23, 2025, the full-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has reached day 1,185. Over the past day, combat activity remained intense — 141 combat clashes were recorded, along with massive attacks involving aviation, drones, and artillery. The Armed Forces of Ukraine effectively repelled enemy assaults in key directions, inflicting significant losses on the enemy, destroying command posts, military-industrial facilities, and enemy equipment.
Frontline Situation
As of May 23, 2025, a total of 141 combat clashes were recorded. The most intense fighting took place in the Pokrovsk, Kursk, Novopavlivka, and Lyman directions. The enemy also carried out more than 5,800 attacks, including airstrikes, kamikaze drones, and guided aerial bombs.
- Kharkiv direction: 8 enemy attempts to break through near Vovchansk, Mala Shapkivka, and towards Dovhenke — all repelled.
- Kupiansk direction: 6 enemy attacks in the areas of Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Kindrashivka, Nova Kruhlakivka, and towards Pishchane.
- Lyman direction: 12 attacks near Hrekivka, Novyi Myr, Torske, Lypove, and Ridkodub.
- Siversk direction: 3 attacks in the areas of Hryhorivka, Vyiimka, and Bilohorivka.
- Kramatorsk direction: 4 enemy attacks near Chasiv Yar and Bila Hora.
- Toretsk direction: 9 attacks near Romanyvka, Toretsk, Dachne, Dyliivka, Ozarianivka, Krymske, and Druzhba.
- Pokrovsk direction: 44 assaults near Nova Poltavka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Malynivka, Zvirrove, Kotliarivka, Dachenke, Udačne, Troitske, Andriivka, and also towards Oleksiivka, Promin, Shevchenko Pershe, and Myroliubivka. Four clashes are still ongoing.
- Novopavlivka direction: 14 attacks near Kostiantynopil, Vilne Pole, and towards Shevchenko and Novopil.
- Huliaipole direction: 1 attempt near Vysoke repelled by Ukrainian forces.
- Orikhiv direction: 3 enemy advances in the areas of Stepove and towards Novodanylivka were stopped.
- Dnipro direction: No active offensive actions by the enemy.
- Kursk direction: Defense Forces repelled 19 assaults. 3 clashes are still ongoing. The enemy launched 3 airstrikes, dropping 5 guided bombs, and carried out 160 shellings, including 9 from MLRS.
- Volyn and Polissia directions: No signs of formation of enemy offensive groups detected.
Ukrainian defenders continue to hold the line and do not allow the enemy to break through in any direction.
Russian Losses
According to the official data of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on May 23, 2025, Russian forces suffered the following losses:
- Personnel — total losses since the beginning of the war — approximately 978,700 (personnel losses — 1,050);
- Tanks — 10,841 (tanks — 2 units);
- Armored vehicles — 22,575 (armored fighting vehicles — 1);
- Artillery systems — 28,165 (artillery systems — 43);
- MLRS — 1,390 (multiple launch rocket systems — 2);
- Air defense systems — 1,167 (air defense systems — 0);
- UAVs — 36,945 (operational-tactical UAVs — 148);
- Cruise missiles — 3,197 (cruise missiles — 0);
- Aircraft — 372 (aircraft — 0);
- Helicopters — 336 (helicopters — 0);
- Vehicles and tankers — 49,407 (vehicles and fuel tanks — 139);
- Special equipment — 3,895 (special equipment — 0).
Such daily and cumulative losses significantly constrain the Russian army’s capacity to launch and sustain large-scale offensives, particularly on the most intense frontline axes. The scale of destroyed artillery and UAVs especially highlights Ukraine’s tactical advantage in counter-battery warfare and air defense.
Ukrainian Military Achievements
Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have delivered a series of precise and coordinated strikes on critical enemy targets, particularly focusing on command centers, logistical hubs, and defense-industrial assets.
- On the night of May 23, units of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces, struck PJSC “Enerhiya” in the city of Yelets, Lipetsk Oblast. The target was hit; a series of explosions and a fire were reported. PJSC “Enerhiya” is one of the largest Russian producers of chemical power sources and the only manufacturer of batteries for planning and correction modules used on aerial bombs. It also produces batteries for the Iskander-M missile system and cruise missiles. Disabling this facility may deprive Russian forces of critically important components for its long-range precision munitions.
- On May 21, the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully struck the forward command post of the 3rd Army Corps of the Russian occupiers in Bakhmut (temporarily occupied Donetsk Oblast). The strike caused significant damage to the structure housing the enemy. This strike severely limits the Russian Federation’s ability to plan and conduct operations in the Pokrovsk direction.
- Ukrainian aviation, missile forces, and artillery hit 14 areas of enemy personnel and equipment concentration, 11 artillery pieces, 4 command points, and 1 ammunition depot.
- On the night of May 23, air defense neutralized 150 enemy Shahed-type drones and others across eastern, western, northern, southern, and central Ukraine — 91 were shot down by fire, and 59 suppressed via electronic warfare without consequences.
The Defense Forces of Ukraine continue their focused combat efforts against high-value enemy targets to compel Russia to stop its aggression against Ukraine.
Diplomatic Initiatives and Negotiations
As of May 23, 2025, diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine intensified, though they remain complex and contradictory.
- Ukraine and Russia launched a large-scale prisoner exchange in a “1000 for 1000” format. On the first day, May 22, 390 Ukrainians were freed, including 270 servicemen and 120 civilians. The exchange occurred at the border with Belarus and was the result of agreements reached during the negotiations in Istanbul on May 16.
- Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated its willingness to hold peace talks while simultaneously accusing Ukraine of mass drone attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure. Russia promised retaliation but reiterated a “principled commitment to dialogue.”
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed skepticism about the Vatican as a venue for Russia–Ukraine negotiations, calling it unacceptable for the Orthodox side.
- U.S. President Donald Trump conveyed through diplomatic channels that Vladimir Putin does not currently consider ending the war feasible, believing in Russian battlefield superiority, yet remains open to peace talks on Russia’s terms.
- As of May 22, no new direct talks were scheduled between Ukraine and Russia. The previous Istanbul meeting did not yield a ceasefire, and the Kremlin has not confirmed any future date.
Despite some progress, particularly in the prisoner exchange, diplomatic initiatives remain limited. Russia continues to push unacceptable conditions, and the international community has not unified around a single mediation format.
International Support for Ukraine
On May 23, 2025, the international community continued to provide active support to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The key developments included new financial initiatives from the European Union, changes in U.S. military aid coordination, and increased efforts to counter cyberattacks.
- EU’s SAFE Program: The European Union approved the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program, allocating €150 billion to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities and support Ukraine.
- Joint Ammunition Production with KNDS: Ukraine signed a memorandum of understanding with the European company KNDS to co-produce medium-caliber ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- Pentagon Audit: The U.S. Special Inspector released a Q1 2025 report on aid to Ukraine. The U.S. remains committed to support but is considering reorganizing the aid coordination office.
- Cybersecurity Threats: The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency reported large-scale Russian hacker attacks attempting to disrupt Western aid supply chains to Ukraine.
- Military Training: The UK continued its training program for Ukrainian troops. Since 2022, more than 54,000 soldiers have completed training under Operation Interflex.
International support for Ukraine remains stable. Partners are providing critical military, economic, and technological assistance that enables Ukraine to maintain defensive operations and deliver strikes deep behind enemy lines.
Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine
On May 23, 2025, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remained difficult due to heavy shelling, which caused civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
- Kherson region: Artillery strikes killed two civilians in Kherson. In Dnipro district, a 61-year-old man was killed by a drone attack.
- Donetsk region: Russian forces shelled 15 settlements. Three people were killed, and four were injured.
- Odesa region: Two ballistic missiles struck Odesa port infrastructure. One person was killed, eight injured, four in critical condition.
- Kharkiv region: A drone attack on Pechenihy caused large fires at civilian sites.
- Massive night drone and missile attack: On the night of May 23, Russia launched one Iskander-M ballistic missile and 175 strike UAVs and decoys from Millerovo, Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.
Ukrainian air defense destroyed 150 enemy drones — 91 by direct fire, 59 through electronic warfare (without consequences).
- Affected regions: Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Odesa, Chernivtsi, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions suffered damage to residential buildings, critical infrastructure, schools, and hospitals.
International humanitarian organizations (UN, Red Cross) and Ukrainian volunteers continue to supply food, medicine, and hygiene items. Evacuations from dangerous areas, temporary housing, and psychological support are being provided.
Despite the challenges, Ukrainian authorities and international partners respond quickly to attacks, minimizing humanitarian disaster in affected regions.
Domestic Situation in Ukraine
On May 23, 2025, the domestic situation in Ukraine remained tense but under control. Government and local authorities responded to the aftermath of attacks, restored rear infrastructure, and launched new programs to support the military and civilian population.
- Security in Kharkiv: City authorities announced the completion of new shelter installations in schools and medical facilities. By month’s end, all educational institutions will have certified shelters.
- Crackdown on looting: The National Police intensified patrols in de-occupied areas of Kharkiv and Kherson regions. Seventeen individuals were detained for looting humanitarian aid.
- Infrastructure: In Lviv region, eight critical infrastructure objects damaged by the May 19 attack were repaired. Energy supply was fully restored in Sambir and Chervonohrad districts.
- Mobilization centers: A pilot project was launched in Ternopil to provide mobile legal, medical, and mobilization consultations to individuals receiving draft notices.
- Veterans rehabilitation: A new physical and psychological rehabilitation center opened in Kyiv. Over 120 veterans from combat brigades have already received care.
The Ukrainian government continues to adapt internal systems to wartime conditions. Recovery, security, and veteran support efforts reflect the resilience of governance and the mobilization of resources even in crisis.
Conclusion
On May 23, 2025, Russian forces continued intensive assaults and launched massive air and drone strikes across Ukraine. Despite this, Ukrainian troops effectively repelled the enemy on all axes and delivered targeted blows to command centers and military infrastructure in Russia.
At the center of global attention was the potential for new talks in Istanbul and the progress of the prisoner exchange. Western partners also unveiled new aid packages. Internally, Ukraine remains stable due to systemic government action, military support, and public unity.
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