Between 14–18 May 2026, the conflict in Ukraine continued to be characterised by intense fighting on the eastern front, air and drone strikes on military and energy infrastructure, and the intensification of Ukraine’s deep-strike operations on the territory of the Russian Federation. One of the most significant developments during the period under review was the series of Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and central regions of Russia, which led to the repeated activation of Russian air defences and major disruptions to air traffic in the Russian capital.
Since 14 May, the Russian authorities have reported the interception of successive waves of Ukrainian drones heading towards Moscow and the regions surrounding the capital. The Mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, has announced on several occasions the activation of air defence systems and the interception of drones near the capital. The attacks were described by the Russian side as some of the most extensive Ukrainian operations against the Moscow region in recent months. (reuters.com)
On the night of 15–16 May, the Russian authorities temporarily suspended operations at Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports following the appearance of drones in the airspace of the Moscow region. According to the Russian agency Rosaviatsia, dozens of flights were delayed or diverted. Russian media and OSINT sources reported explosions and intense air defence activity in several outlying areas of the capital and in regions such as Kaluga and Tula. (theguardian.com)
On 16 and 17 May, Russia continued to report massive interceptions of Ukrainian drones. The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that hundreds of drones had been shot down in various regions of the Russian Federation, including Moscow, Belgorod, Kursk, Bryansk and Tula. Although the exact figures vary between sources, multiple reports indicate that Ukraine simultaneously used long-range drones and decoy drones to overwhelm Russian air defence systems. (bbc.com)
According to OSINT analyses and Western sources, the targets pursued by Ukraine in the Moscow region were not purely symbolic. The attacks were aimed at disrupting logistical and military infrastructure, forcing Russia to redeploy air defence systems from the vicinity of the front line, and exerting psychological pressure on Russia’s political and economic centre. At the same time, Ukraine sought to demonstrate its ability to strike deep inside the Russian Federation.
In parallel with the attacks on Moscow, Ukraine continued operations against Russian energy and logistics infrastructure. Fires and explosions were reported at fuel depots, refineries and industrial facilities in the Belgorod, Rostov and Krasnodar regions. Some of these targets are considered essential for supplying Russian military logistics involved in operations in Ukraine. (reuters.com)
In the Black Sea, Ukraine has continued to put pressure on Russian naval infrastructure. OSINT sources and the international press have reported intense anti-drone defence activity around the ports of Novorossiysk and Sevastopol. Explosions and activations of Russian defence systems have been reported in Crimea and near naval and offshore oil facilities. Russia continues to disperse its naval assets and install additional protective measures against Ukrainian maritime drones.
On the land front, the heaviest fighting continued in Donetsk, particularly in the Pokrovsk, Chasiv Yar, Torețk and Avdiivka sectors. Russia continued mechanised infantry attacks supported by artillery and guided bombs, attempting to exploit the sustained pressure on Ukrainian defensive lines. Ukraine reported repelling several assaults and continued the extensive use of FPV drones and precision artillery.
In the Kharkiv region and north-eastern Ukraine, Russian attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure continued almost daily. Ukrainian authorities reported further civilian casualties and damage to energy facilities and residential buildings. At the same time, Ukraine warned that pressure on its air defences remains high.
On the diplomatic front, discussions continued between Western partners between 14 and 18 May regarding new military support packages for Kyiv. The United States and several European states considered additional deliveries of air defence systems, ammunition and long-range strike capabilities. Russia reiterated its conditions for any potential negotiations, insisting on the status of the occupied territories and on limiting military relations between Ukraine and NATO.
Maritime Security Forum