According to Reuters and AFP, the Dnipro region in southeastern Ukraine was hit by Russian drone and missile attacks overnight on May 20, resulting in two deaths and six injuries.
In addition, 13 people, including three children, were injured in the northern Sumy region and southeastern Zaporizhzhia. The previous day, attacks on Ukrainian cities including Pryluky and Kharkiv left four civilians dead.
Ukraine has also intensified its counterattacks targeting Russian territory. Industrial areas in Russia's southern Stavropol region were struck, and two drones were shot down over the northwestern region of St. Petersburg. These attacks appear aimed at oil facilities and export ports. Ukrainian drones were also detected near Moscow and in the Tula region.
The clashes have intensified following a massive air assault on Kyiv and other locations on May 15, when Russia deployed over 1,500 drones, resulting in 27 fatalities. Two days later, Ukraine retaliated with strikes on Moscow, killing four and injuring dozens.
Recently, Ukraine has been using long-range drones to target Moscow and Russian oil facilities in the rear. On April 29, Ukrainian forces struck an oil pumping station near Perm, located 1,500 kilometers from Ukraine, for two consecutive days. According to Reuters, sources indicated that these attacks have led to production halts or reductions at major oil facilities in central Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on social media that there have been favorable changes for Ukraine on the front lines this month and announced the approval of a long-range operational plan for June.
Both sides are also exchanging accusations regarding the potential involvement of neighboring allies in the conflict. Ukraine claims that Russia is attempting to draw Belarus into the war. Belarus shares a border with Ukraine to the north and is located approximately 100 kilometers from Kyiv.
Zelenskyy noted, "We have identified five scenarios in which Russia seeks to escalate the war through the northern region," adding that Ukraine will reinforce its troops in the north and increase diplomatic pressure on Belarus.
Conversely, Russia alleges that Ukraine is planning to deploy drone units in Latvia to attack Russian territory. Russia reiterated this claim during a recent United Nations Security Council meeting in New York, warning of retaliation against Latvia.
In response, Latvia's UN Ambassador Sanita Pavluta-Deslandes dismissed the allegations as "completely unfounded fabrications."
As the clashes escalate, peace negotiations that were stalled due to the situation in the Middle East are losing ground. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during a visit to Rome on May 8 that while he is prepared to play a mediating role regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, he does not want to waste time if no progress is made.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.