Russia's war on Ukraine. 21.05.25
Operational situation
On the Kursk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces carried out several local attacks near Tetkino and Volfino. The enemy is unable to hold positions in Tetkino.
On the Belgorod direction, Russian forces unsuccessfully tried to dislodge Ukrainian Defense Forces units from Demidovka and Popovka and to advance west of Prilesie.
Ukrainian Defense Forces attacked near Demidovka and Popovka.
On the Sumy direction, Russian forces advanced on the southwestern outskirts of Loknia and west of the village, attempted to advance across the international border near Turiya, and attacked near Bilovody and Vodolaha.
Reconnaissance groups of the 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 44th Army Corps operate near Bilovody and Vodolaha.
On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces crossed the Vovcha River in the northwestern part of Vovchansk but failed to hold new positions and continued assaults near Vovchansk.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces unsuccessfully attempted to advance into the forest and along the railway line near Kolisnykivka, attacked in the direction of Kutkivka, near Stroyivka, toward Pishchane, near Zahryzove, Kopanky, and Hrekivka.
On the Lyman direction, Russian forces attacked near Novomykhailivka, Ridkodub, Novyi Myr, Hlushchenkove, Zelena Dolyna, Yampolivka, Torske, in the direction of Olkhivka and Karpivka.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked in Torske.
On the Siversk direction, Russian forces unsuccessfully attempted to advance southeast of Hryhorivka, north of Verkhnyokamianske, and attacked near Serebrianka and Bilohorivka.
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces advanced north of Kalynivka, attacked near Chasiv Yar, near Bila Hora, Kurdyumivka, and in the direction of Predtechyne.
On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces advanced west of Toretsk, east of Nova Poltavka along highway T0504 Pokrovsk–Kostyantynivka, and north of Toretsk.
The enemy also attempted to move further north of Toretsk near Romanivka, to reach the southern outskirts of Stara Mykolaivka and Poltavka, and to enter Yablunivka from the east.
The enemy attacked near Toretsk, Ivanopillya, Pleshchiivka, Druzhba, Dachne, Dyliivka, Zoria, and Popiv Yar.
On the Pokrovsk direction, units of the 68th Army Corps are attempting to advance toward the outskirts of Shevchenkove and north of Malynivka.
Russian forces continued assaults near Yelyzavetivka, Myroliubivka, Hrodivka, Myrnohrad, Promin, Lysivka, Novoukrainka, Dachenske, Zvirove, Chunyshyne, Udachne, Zelenivka, and Pershotravneve.
On the Novopavlivka direction, Russian forces attacked near Novoserhiyivka, Troitske, Kotlyarivka, Konstyantynopil, Andriivka, Oleksiivka, in the direction of Novomykolayivka, and attempted to advance west of Bahatyr and north of Odradne.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked north of Odradne.
On the Huliaypole direction, Russian forces attempted to advance near Fedorivka and attacked Zelenyi Hai, Pryvilne, Burlatske, Vesele, Novopil, and Rivnopil.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Zelenyi Hai, Novopil, and Komar.
On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces advanced southwest of Bilohirya and attacked near Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaky, Novoandriivka, and Stepove.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Robotyne.
General conclusion:
Russian forces had been accumulating troops in the area of Chasiv Yar and are now beginning to use them to complete urban combat and continue the advance on Kostyantynivka. The enemy actively destroys buildings in the center of Chasiv Yar to facilitate their advance. The enemy struck the center of Sloviansk with Geran-2 drones, which are typically used to hit targets deep in the rear.
Russian forces attempt to advance on the flanks of Toretsk to bypass urban areas on the Toretsk direction, attacking near Dyliivka, Dachne, and Romanivka.
The enemy’s “Dnepr” Operational Grouping can supply its units on the islands in the Dnipro River delta only with the help of drones.
Change in the line of contact (LoC):
There were 164 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Kharkiv direction, the enemy attempted three times to breach Ukrainian defensive lines in the area of Vovchansk and toward Stroyivka.
On the Kupyansk direction, there was an attack by the invaders in the area of Nova Kruhlyakivka.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy carried out 30 attacks, attempting to penetrate Ukrainian defenses in the areas of Kopanky, Ridkodub, Novyi Myr, Hrekivka, Zelena Dolyna, Yampolivka, and Torske.
On the Siversk direction, the enemy attempted to advance in the area of Bilohorivka.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the occupiers attacked six times in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Kurdyumivka, and toward Predtechyne and Bila Hora.
On the Toretsk direction, the enemy carried out 14 attacks in the areas of Druzhba, Petrivka, and Toretsk.
On the Pokrovsk direction, 44 Russian assault actions were stopped in the areas of Yablunivka, Novoolenivka, Malynivka, Shevchenko Pershe, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Zvirove, Udachne, Novoserhiyivka, Troitske, Kotlyarivka, and Andriivka.
On the Novopavlivka direction, the enemy carried out 33 attacks in the areas of Vilne Pole, Pryvilne, Zelene Pole, Konstyantynopil, Bahatyr, Burlatske, Vesele, and toward Odradne.
On the Huliaypole direction, Ukrainian units repelled two assaults in the area of Vysoke.
On the Orikhiv direction, occupying forces advanced twice near Novoandriivka and Mali Shcherbaky.
On the Prydniprovske direction, the occupying forces made one unsuccessful attempt to advance.
On the Kursk direction, the enemy carried out 19 airstrikes. Ukrainian Defense Forces stopped 13 Russian assault actions.
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:
Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Bolkhov Semiconductor Device Plant in Oryol Oblast, the Aleksin Chemical Plant of the Rostec Corporation in Tula Oblast, and targets in Ryazan Oblast.
The airports of Grabtsevo, Kubinka, and Yermolino near Kaluga are closed, and flights over Tula are prohibited.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The Chechen volunteer battalion “Sheikh Mansur” operates near Stroyivka.
The 255th and 33rd Motorized Rifle Regiments of the 20th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Combined Arms Army advance toward Kostyantynivka; other units of the division are engaged in combat near Nova Poltavka.
The volunteer detachment “Maksym Kryvonos” operates near Novoukrainka, Udachne, and Oleksiivka.
The 5th Separate Tank Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army and the 336th Separate Marines Brigade of the Baltic Fleet advance toward Shakhtarske.
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 21.05.25
Personnel - almost 976,780 (+980);
Tanks – 10,835 (+1);
Armored combat vehicles – 22,569 (+2);
Artillery systems – 28,090 (+23);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,388 (0);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,167 (0);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 49,169 (+76);
Aircraft - 372 (0);
Helicopters – 336 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 36,692 (+71);
Intercepted cruise missiles – 3,197 (0)
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
During the night of May 21 (from 00:30), Russian forces launched an attack using 76 strike UAVs. Of these, 22 were shot down and 41 were classified as "lost from radar." The attack affected Kharkiv and Sumy Oblasts.
In the morning of May 21, Russian Shahed drones attacked the city of Sumy, injuring one person, destroying industrial facilities, and sparking fires. Parts of the city were left without electricity. The enemy launched at least seven Shahed drone strikes on two industrial sites—five hits on one and two on the other.
Five people—a family with three children—were injured after debris from a downed Russian target struck a residential house in Boryspil district, Kyiv Oblast. The explosion shattered windows and damaged the roof of the building.
On May 21, at around 9:40 a.m., the Russian army attacked the Kupyansk district of Kharkiv Oblast. As a result, two women were injured, residential buildings were destroyed, and a man remains trapped under the rubble.
Around noon, Russian artillery struck the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson. An 86-year-old man who was inside a building was injured in the attack.
On May 21, Russian forces attacked Kherson and the village of Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast with drones, injuring six civilians.
Russian forces attacked a “Ukrposhta” postal service employee vehicle in Vasylivka district, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The vehicle was damaged, and both the driver and a female passenger were injured.
On May 21, Russian forces attacked a village in the Semenivka community of Chernihiv Oblast, dropping explosives from a drone onto a farm. A 28-year-old civilian man working on the farm was killed.
On May 20, a Russian missile strike on a training range in Sumy Oblast killed six servicemen and injured over ten others.
A new underground school for 1,000 students has opened in Zaporizhzhia. It will also accommodate preschool children. This is the seventh such facility in the region, according to Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov.
In the temporarily occupied Donetsk Oblast, schools have introduced the study of the “scientific legacy” of controversial Russian politician and populist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who died in 2022. This was stated in so-called “orders of the DNR Ministry of Education” sent to educational institutions in occupied Donetsk.