Russia's war on Ukraine. 20.05.25
Operational situation
On the Kursk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced on the southern outskirts of Tetkino, attacked near Novyi Put.
Russian troops advanced to the international border checkpoint southeast of Tetkino.
On the Belgorod direction, Russian troops repelled attacks by Ukrainian Defense Forces near Popovka.
On the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops conduct clearing operations in areas northeast of Vovchansk, attempted to advance toward Vovchanski Khutory.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Lyptsi.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian troops continued assaults along the international border near Stroyivka and Kutkivka, attempted to break through to the southern outskirts of Hrekivka, advanced southwest of Makiivka, attacked near Nova Kruhlyakivka, in the direction of Kopanky, Tverdokhlibove, Novoserhiyivka and in the direction of Olkhivka.
Ukrainian Defense Forces attacked and advanced west of Serhiivka.
On the Lyman direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced in Torske.
Russian troops advanced within Lypove, northeast of Novomykhailivka, east of Kolodiazi, attacked in the direction of Ridkodub, Novyi Myr, Karpivka, Zelena Dolyna, Yampolivka, Hlushchenkove, Torske.
On the Siversk direction, Russian troops advanced near Bilohorivka, Hryhorivka, Verkhnyokamianske.
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian troops advanced in the south of Chasiv Yar, southeast of Ozaryanivka, advanced in the direction of Mayske, Kurdyumivka, near Bila Hora, in the direction of Stupochky.
On the Toretsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced along the railway southeast of Dyliivka, counterattacked near Stara Mykolaivka and Hnativka.
Russian troops advanced northwest of Toretsk. The 68th Tank Regiment of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Army is fighting for Romanivka. The enemy attempted to advance between Druzhba and Krymske, southwest of Zoria, south and west of Hnativka, north of Nova Poltavka, north of Myrne, near Novooleksandrivka, to the western outskirts of Yablunivka, to the southern outskirts of Popiv Yar and Poltavka, attacked near Druzhba, Stara Mykolaivka, Shevchenkove Pershe, Zoria, Novospaske.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian troops advanced north and southwest of Myroliubivka, continued assaults near Malynivka, Yelyzavetivka, Novotoretske, Lysivka, Dachenske, Zvirove, Udachne and Kotlyne.
On the Novopavlivka direction, Russian troops advanced north of Kotlyarivka, attempted to advance further north of Kotlyarivka, near Novooleksandrivka, toward Muravka, south of Oleksiivka, northwest of Bahatyr, east of Odradne, advanced near Troitske, Orikhove, Andriivka, Konstyantynopil, Bahatyr.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Novomykolayivka, Novoserhiyivka, Odradne and Bahatyr. Ukrainian Defense Forces hold their positions in Bahatyr, Konstyantynopil, Andriivka, Rozlyv, pushed Russian troops back beyond the H15 road Bahatyr–Komar south of Bahatyr.
On the Huliaypole direction, Russian troops advanced on the eastern and southern outskirts of Zelenyi Pol and Novopil, near Vilne Pole, east of Fedorivka, advanced in the direction of Komar, near Pryvilne, Shevchenkove, Rivnopillya.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Zelenyi Pol and Novopil.
On the Orikhiv direction, Russian troops attacked in the direction of Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, near Stepove, in the direction of Lukyanivske.
General conclusion:
The enemy is concentrating forces in Kursk Oblast and continues attacking with small infantry groups along the international border within Sumy and Kursk Oblasts.
Russian forces have reduced the size of their assault groups from 5–6 to 2–3 servicemen, using buggies, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles (quad bikes) for assaults, and have increased the frequency and scale of air and artillery strikes in the Kupyansk area, using Shahed UAVs for strikes on targets on the Kupyansk direction.
Russian forces continue fighting for Torske, attempting to enter the village with assault groups of 2–3 fighters. Ukrainian Defense Forces eliminate 80–90% of these groups.
On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces near Romanivka have cut off the logistics route of Ukrainian Defense Forces fighting in Zoria, Hnativka, and Stara Mykolaivka. Their units operating on the bridgehead between Novoolenivka and Toretsk are forced to conduct logistics via the only dirt road from Oleksandro-Kalynove.
Change in the line of contact (LoC):
There were 177 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Kharkiv direction, the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to advance three times in the areas of Vovchansk and toward Kutkivka.
On the Kupyansk direction, there were 3 enemy attacks. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled Russian assault actions near Zahryzove and toward Pishchane.
On the Lyman direction, 23 combat clashes occurred. The enemy attempted to advance near Yampolivka, Kopanky, Novomykhailivka, Zelena Dolyna, Torske and in the direction of Hlushchenkove, Karpivka, Serebrianka, Yampil, Hryhorivka, Novyi Myr, Ridkodub and Olhivka.
On the Siversk direction, 4 enemy attacks were repelled in the areas of Verkhnyokamianske, Bilohorivka and toward Hryhorivka.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy carried out 6 attacks in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora, Kurdyumivka and in the direction of Predtechyne.
On the Toretsk direction, the enemy attacked Ukrainian units 13 times in the areas of Toretsk, Novospaske, toward Dyliivka and Ivanopillya.
On the Pokrovsk direction, 72 assault actions of the aggressor were stopped in the areas of Myroliubivka, Zvirove, Yelyzavetivka, Malynivka, Lysivka, Udachne, Novoserhiyivka, Troitske, Kotlyarivka, Andriivka and toward Zoria, Novoukrainka, Stara Mykolaivka, Shevchenkove Pershe, Nova Poltavka, Popiv Yar, Myrnohrad, Novomykolayivka.
On the Novopavlivka direction, 22 attacks of the invaders were repelled in the areas of Konstyantynopil, Pryvilne, Rivnopillya, Vilne Pole and toward Novopil, Bahatyr and Zelene Pole.
On the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4 attacks in the direction of Mala Tokmachka and near Stepove.
On the Prydniprovske direction, enemy units attempted to advance once and were unsuccessful.
On the Kursk direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 10 attacks of the invaders. The enemy also carried out 14 airstrikes.
In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
Mediterranean Sea: 3 ships, including 1 cruise missile carrier; the total salvo is 8 cruise missiles.
Supporting operation:
There were no strikes.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The 217th Airborne Regiment of the 98th Airborne Division operates near Tetkino.
The 275th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 18th Motorized Rifle Division of the 11th Army Corps conducts defense near Popovka and Demidovka.
The 4th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 3rd Army operates near Druzhba.
The 5th Separate Tank Brigade and the 30th Separate SOF Company of the 36th Army advance toward Shakhtarske, while the 37th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the army operates near Rozdolne.
The 11th BARS unit "Kuban" operates near Mala Tokmachka.
Possible operation situation developments:
The military command of the enemy's "Sever (North)" Operational Grouping is currently focused on its immediate operational objective: breaking through to the Yunakivka–Sudzha road, which is already under its fire control. The next operational goal may be to reach the line of dominant heights in the Yunakivka area. Securing these positions would support further expansion of the bridgehead in the border zone—both east of Yunakivka and to the north and northwest of it, particularly along both banks of the Snagost River. In the near future, intensive assault operations are expected both toward Yunakivka and along both banks of the Snagost River, generally advancing from north to south. The enemy will likely attempt to simultaneously reach the Oleksiivka–Yablunivka line and the Yunakivka area. To achieve this, the enemy may deliver a supporting strike in the Troitske–Volodymyrivka direction.
On the Kupyansk direction, the command of the enemy's "Zapad (West)" Operational Grouping intends to encircle the tactical group of "Khortytsia" OSG which is defending along the Novoyehorivka – Hrekivka line. To achieve this, they plan to advance with the 144th Motorized Rifle Division from the bridgehead near Nove towards the heights near the village of Cherneshchyna, and with the 4th Tank Division advancing in converging directions: Raihorodka – Cherneshchyna and Pershotravneve – Kopanky.
On the Lyman direction, the forces of the "Zapad (West)" Operational Grouping will advance towards Karlivka and Drobysheve, aiming to reach the Karlivka – Shandryholove – Drobysheve line while simultaneously advancing near Torske to approach Lyman from the east. The 25th Combined Arms Army will attempt to break through the communication lines of the "Khortytsia" OSG tactical group, which is defending in the Dibrova – Yampil direction and in the area of the Serebriansk Forest. The enemy will attempt to advance on both banks of the Chornyi Zherebets River, moving towards the general directions of Yampolivka – Torske and Ivanivka – Zarichne. The main grouping of the army will operate on its right flank, attempting to break through from the north to the Lyman – Kreminna road in the Zarichne – Torske section, while simultaneously tying down the "Khortytsia" OSG forces in the center and on the left flank of the operational zone with frontal engagements.
On the Siversk direction, the command of the enemy's "Yug (South)" Operational Grouping will attempt to eliminate the Siversk salient held by "Khortytsia" OSG and break through towards the Sloviansk – Kramatorsk agglomeration and to Kostyantynivka, delivering its main strike in the area of Chasiv Yar. The 3rd Combined Arms Army of the enemy will try to break through to Kostyantynivka from Chasiv Yar, but it is unlikely to achieve its operational goals without reinforcements, such as the return of the 106th Airborne Division from the Kursk direction or strategic reserves. The 3rd Army will attempt to advance to the northern bank of the Siverskyi Donets River between Yampil and Hryhorivka and from the southeast towards Siversk. The command of the "Yug" Operational Grouping is also concentrating forces in the areas of Soledar, Rozdolivka, and Zaliznyanske to strike from the south along the Bakhmutka River towards Siversk. The offensive may begin with the advance of the forward units of the 127th and 6th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 3rd Army towards Siversk from the east and southeast. The immediate objective for the enemy is to capture Pereyizne and Fedorivka, with the subsequent goal of advancing to the Zvanivka – Vyimka line.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the command of the enemy’s “Yug (South)” Operational Grouping and the 3rd Army, in particular, may soon change the direction of their main strike and shift it to the north of Chasiv Yar, launching an offensive on both sides of the Bakhmut–Sloviansk road along the Orikhovo-Vasylivka–Minkivka and Blahodatne–Pryvillya directions, which would allow them to break through to the forward approaches of Sloviansk directly from the southeast and create a real threat to the “Siversk” Operational Tactical Grouping (OTG) of Ukrainian Defense Forces by executing a deep flanking maneuver on its right flank. If the enemy manages to achieve operational surprise in these directions and advance to tactical depth, the situation in the Kolodyazi–Hryhorivka sector on the Lyman direction could radically deteriorate for the “Khortytsia” OSG.
Follow-on actions of the 8th Combined Arms Army south of Kostyantynivka could include a rapid advance from the southwest and west towards the forward approaches to Kostyantynivka or a breakthrough in the direction of Pokrovsk from Novoekonomichne and Myrnohrad. It should be considered that a breakthrough along the road towards Novoekonomichne and Myrnohrad would require the command of the "Tsentr (Center)" Operational Grouping to involve elements of the 51st Combined Arms Army in the Vozdvyzhenka–Hrodivka sector and activate its forward units in the Mykolaivka–Promin direction. An attempt to achieve both objectives simultaneously, namely breaking through to Kostyantynivka and Myrnohrad, essentially advancing in diverging directions, would result in the collapse of the offensive. Within the week, the final choice of offensive direction is expected. The reassignment of the 150th and/or 20th Motorized Rifle Divisions to the "Tsentr (Center)" Operational Grouping should not be ruled out, as this would indicate a choice to prioritize a breakthrough towards Myrnohrad and further towards Pokrovsk from the east.
Russian operational losses from 23.02.22 to 20.05.25
Personnel - almost 975,800 (+1,030);
Tanks – 10,834 (+1);
Armored combat vehicles – 22,567 (+5);
Artillery systems – 28,067 (+58);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,388 (+1);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,167 (0);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 49,093 (+105);
Aircraft - 372 (0);
Helicopters – 336 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 36,621 (+118);
Intercepted cruise missiles – 3,197 (0)
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
Starting on 19:00 on Monday, May 19, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine using 108 Shahed-type loitering munitions and various decoy drones. By 09:00 on Tuesday, May 20, 35 drones were shot down, while 58 were lost from radar or suppressed by electronic warfare with no adverse consequences. The effects of the attack were recorded in Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, and Zhytomyr Oblasts.
Overnight, Russian forces launched another drone strike on the city of Bilopillya in the Sumy District, causing a fire at a state institution building and pavilions at a local market. There were no reported civilian casualties, though the infrastructure sustained significant damage.
In the night, nine strike drones targeted the industrial zone of Kramatorsk, Donets Oblast with reported damage but no casualties. Around 03:00, drones also attacked central Sloviansk.
On the morning of May 20, Russian troops attacked Kherson. At around 07:00, a drone hit a minibus carrying passengers, injuring five people. Starting at 08:30, Russian artillery shelled the city, wounding another five civilians. As of 10:00, ten people were reported injured, most of them elderly residents in their homes.
At approximately 11:00 on May 20, Russian forces attacked a humanitarian aid distribution site in the village of Velyka Pysarivka, Okhtyrka District, Sumy Oblast. A 57-year-old man was hospitalized with injuries, and a 51-year-old man received medical aid on-site.
During the previous day, Russian forces attacked the Ochakiv and Kutsurubska communities in Mykolaiv Oblast with drones and artillery. While no casualties were reported, damage was done to a farming facility in the village of Dmytrivka in the Kutsurubska community.
In Chuhuiv District, Kharkiv Oblast, a 62-year-old woman stepped on an anti-personnel mine and was hospitalized with a blast injury to her foot.
At approximately 15:30 on May 20, in the Yunakivka community, Sumy District, Russian shelling hit civilian homes, killing a 33-year-old man.
At 17:19 on May 20, Russia launched a missile strike on the Shostka community, Sumy Oblast, damaging the infrastructure of a local enterprise. Emergency response operations are ongoing.
In the Nikopol and Synelnykove Districts of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russian attacks using drones, artillery, and aerial bombs throughout May 20 damaged an administrative building, a cultural center, and several five-story residential buildings.
In the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic," Russian occupiers involved 47,000 children in the propaganda group "First Movement," conducting war-related activities. Children are regularly brought into contact with Russian military personnel, taught to operate drones, and registered on the Russian government services portal, according to the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration.
A new propaganda center named "Pioner" was established in temporarily occupied Luhansk Oblast. In just two months, over 1,500 schoolchildren attended courses disguised as media and creative workshops, where they were indoctrinated with Kremlin narratives, the National Resistance Center of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reports.
Fake social media accounts impersonating President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, First Lady Olena Zelenska, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, and SBU Chief Vasyl Maliuk have appeared, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council. In some cases, old cryptocurrency community pages were renamed and repurposed for disinformation.
Russia has lost 185,000 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of the year, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.