Russia's war on Ukraine. 23.05.25
Operational situation
On the Kursk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces attacked near Novyi Put, their reconnaissance groups operate in the Glushkovo district. A missile strike was carried out on the concentration of military equipment around Lgov.
On the Sumy direction, Russian forces unsuccessfully advanced near Loknia.
On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces advanced on the northeastern outskirts of Vovchansk, continued attacks near Vovchanski Khutory and Tykhe.
Ukrainian Defense Forces carried out UAV strikes southeast of Shebekino, Belgorod Oblast.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces attacked near Kamyanka, Kindrashivka, Mala Shapkivka, Petropavlivka, Nova Kruhlyakivka, Zahryzove, Hrekivka, Novoserhiyivka and Olkhivka.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Zahryzove.
On the Lyman direction, Russian forces attacked near Ridkodub, Novyi Myr, Zelena Dolyna, Karpivka, Torske, in the area of the Serebriansk Forest.
On the Siversk direction, Russian forces attacked near Bilohorivka, Hryhorivka, Verkhnyokamianske.
On the Kramatorsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced southeast of Bila Hora.
Russian forces attacked near Chasiv Yar, Predtechyne and Bila Hora.
On the Toretsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced southeast of Bila Hora.
Russian forces attacked near Chasiv Yar, Predtechyne and Bila Hora.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces attacked in the direction of Shevchenkove, near Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Dachenske, Kotlyne, Udachne.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Novoukrainka.
On the Novopavlivka direction, Russian forces attempted to advance northeast of Novomykolayivka, east, south and southwest of Odradne, attacked near Novoserhiyivka, Troitske, Orikhove, Andriivka, Bahatyr, Konstyantynopil.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Bahatyr and Odradne.
On the Huliaypole direction, Russian forces advanced north of Dniproenerhiya and northwest of Novosilka, attempted to advance east of Fedorivka, Vilne Pole, Vysoke, on the line Zelene Pole – Novopil, attacked in the direction of Komar, near Shevchenkove.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Burlatske, Zelene Pole and Novopil.
On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces attacked near Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Shcherbaky, Stepove, Kamianske, in the direction of Pavlivka.
General conclusion:
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces use various assault tactics, including the use of heavy tracked vehicles, cars, and motorcycles.
On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces drop at least 10 guided aerial bombs on Kostyantynivka daily; the enemy's FPV drones maintain fire control over all roads leading to the city.
Change in the line of contact (LoC):
There were 141 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Kharkiv direction, the enemy attempted to break through Ukrainian defensive lines 8 times in the areas of Vovchansk, Mala Shapkivka, and toward Dovhenke.
On the Kupyansk direction, 6 enemy attacks took place in the areas of Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Kindrashivka, Nova Kruhlyakivka, and toward Pishchane.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked 12 times, attempting to break into Ukrainian defense in the areas of Hrekivka, Novyi Myr, Torske, Lypove, and Ridkodub.
On the Siversk direction, the enemy made 3 attempts to advance in the areas of Hryhorivka, Vyimka, and Bilohorivka.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the occupiers attacked 4 times near Chasiv Yar and Bila Hora.
On the Toretsk direction, the enemy carried out 9 attacks near Romanivka, Toretsk, Dachne, and Dyliivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, 44 Russian assault actions were stopped in the areas of Nova Poltavka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Malynivka, Zvirove, Kotlyarivka, Dachenske, Udachne, Troitske, Andriivka, as well as in the directions of Oleksiivka, Promin, Shevchenko Pershe, Myroliubivka.
On the Novopavlivka direction, the enemy carried out 14 attacks near Konstyantynopil, Vilne Pole, and toward Shevchenko and Novopil.
On the Huliaypole direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully stopped the invaders’ attempt to advance near the settlement of Vysoke.
On the Orikhiv direction, the occupying forces advanced twice toward Novodanylivka
On the Kursk direction, the enemy carried out 16 airstrikes. Ukrainian Defense Forces stopped 21 enemy 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 carried out strikes on the ammunition plant of the Scientific and Production Association "Splav" of the state defense corporation "Rostec" and the Scientific and Production Association "Bazalt" in Tula, the military airfield "Severny" in Ivanovo, and the chemical power source plant "Energiya" in Yelets, Lipetsk Oblast.
A fire at the Ryazan oil refinery has been ongoing for the second day.
Temporary restrictions on takeoffs and landings of aircraft were introduced at the airports of Moscow and the region: Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The 2nd Separate Artillery Brigade of the 3rd Army Corps operates near Serebrianka.
Units of the 7th Military Base of the 49th Army operate near Bila Hora. The 200th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 14th Army Corps is deployed near Virolyubivka, the 215th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the 98th Airborne Division fights in the area of Chasiv Yar.
The volunteer battalion "Dostovalov" (Republic of Bashkortostan) operates in Nova Poltavka. The 33rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 20th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Army advances in the direction of Kostyantynivka, the 238th Artillery Brigade of the 8th Army operates near Dyliivka, the 4th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 3rd Army Corps fights near Druzhba.
The 430th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 29th Army and the 30th Artillery Brigade of the 36th Army operate near Odradne, the 14th Separate SOF Brigade is active near Novoukrainka.
The 5th Tank Brigade of the 36th Army advances in the direction of Komar, the 60th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 5th Army operates near Vilne Pole, the 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 35th Army fights in the direction of Polohy.
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 conducts offensive operations with the 144th Motorized Rifle Division from a bridgehead near Nove toward the high ground near Cherneshchyna. At the same time, the 4th Tank Division is advancing along converging directions —Raihorodok to Cherneshchyna and Pershotravneve to Kopanky—attempting to encircle the tactical group of the "Khortytsia" Operational-Strategic Grouping, which holds defensive positions along the Novoyehorivka–Hrekivka line.
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 23.05.25
Personnel - almost 978,700 (+1,050);
Tanks – 10,841 (+2);
Armored combat vehicles – 22,575 (+1);
Artillery systems – 28,165 (+43);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,390 (+2);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,167 (0);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 49,4078 (+139);
Aircraft - 372 (0);
Helicopters – 336 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 36,945 (+148);
Intercepted cruise missiles – 3,197 (0)
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
Starting at 22:30 on May 22, Russia launched a large-scale air assault on Ukraine using an Iskander-M ballistic missile, 175 Shahed-type UAVs, and various drone decoys. As of 13:00 on May 23, Ukrainian air defense neutralized 150 enemy drones: 91 were shot down and 59 were jammed by electronic warfare systems without causing damage. The consequences of the attack were recorded in Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Odesa, Chernivtsi, and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblasts.
At dawn on May 23, Russian forces damaged railway infrastructure in Chernivtsi Oblast. No injuries were reported among railway workers or passengers.
In the morning, Russian drones struck Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, damaging buildings and vehicles in the Kolomyia District.
In Poltava Oblast, a massive drone attack led to the destruction of a building belonging to an enterprise in the Kremenchuk community. A direct hit and falling debris also damaged seven houses and injured one person. Over 2,000 consumers are currently without electricity.
In Obukhiv District of Kyiv Oblast, five private houses, a garage, an outbuilding, and vehicles were damaged by Russian drone strikes. No injuries were reported.
In the morning, enemy drones hit the outskirts of Odesa. A private house was damaged while people were inside; two individuals were injured.
At approximately 09:20, Russian forces shelled Kupyansk in Kharkiv Oblast, likely using a guided aerial bomb. Two 60-year-old employees of a local utility company were injured and hospitalized in critical condition. One of them later died.
On May 23, Russian forces attacked port infrastructure in Odesa with two ballistic missiles, killing one port worker and another individual. Eight others were injured, four of them critically.
During the day, Russian forces shelled Huliaypole District in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. A dairy farm was destroyed, and a 63-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman were injured.
At noon on Friday, Russian drones attacked a resident of Kherson. A 61-year-old man died from his wounds.
On May 23, Russia launched a missile strike on the city of Chuhuiv in Kharkiv Oblast, killing a woman and injuring two men.
Around 15:00 on Friday, Russian troops shelled the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast, damaging residential buildings and killing one person.
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, on the morning of May 22, Russian troops captured two unarmed Ukrainian servicemen during an assault near the village of Udachne in Pokrovsk District. They were later executed in a wooded area with automatic gunfire.
Ukraine and Russia carried out the first phase of a "1,000 for 1,000" prisoner exchange agreement, returning 390 people. Further exchanges are expected over the weekend.