Yep. They're about to start trying to level government buildings now.

‼️🇷🇺🇺🇦🇺🇲 BREAKING | Russia is preparing for massive strikes on the civilian population in Kyiv and is establishing a sort of legal groundwork.

Sergey Lavrov informed Marco Rubio that the Russian Armed Forces are beginning systematic and consistent strikes on facilities located… pic.twitter.com/jGTIPfwHpn

— Visioner (@visionergeo) May 25, 2026

❗️So, the Kremlin is on the menu. Lavrov told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Russia’s army is “beginning” systematic strikes on sites in Kyiv that Moscow claims are used by Ukraine’s military. He also repeated Russia’s call for foreign missions to evacuate staff and…

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) May 25, 2026

Russia is about to end up legitimizing strikes on the Kremlin, if they do what it looks like they're going to do. Which, maybe they wish to do, since it would allow them to justify further escalation (general mobilization and a move to bridge the gap to what little remains between where they currently stand and total warfare) in the interest of securing the entirety of Ukraine.

At any rate, Russia does seem to be concerned that Ukraine could indeed, effectively strike Moscow.

❗️Russian analysts are sounding alarms over the prospect of Ukraine scaling raids to 1,000 drones after the May 17 attack on Moscow exposed gaps in Russian air defenses. OBOZ says the raid highlighted shortages of air defense systems and missiles, technical problems with…

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) May 25, 2026

Or Russia wants them to stop taking out so much infrastructure that's really hurting them. UKE should hold course

We’re calling it: The war in Ukraine has entered a new phase. @KatStepanenko and I have authored a new special report studying how Ukraine is actively challenging the positional character of the war that has dominated the battlefield since 2023.

Data on Russia’s battlefield… pic.twitter.com/sFydaIuBjr

— George Barros (@georgewbarros) May 25, 2026

Quote:

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We're calling it: The war in Ukraine has entered a new phase.


@KatStepanenko
and I have authored a new special report studying how Ukraine is actively challenging the positional character of the war that has dominated the battlefield since 2023.

Data on Russia's battlefield performanceindicatesthat the character of the war is shifting in favor of Ukrainian forces at least for now. Russian forces rates of advances are stagnating while Ukrainian forces are employing novel tactics and operational concepts in efforts to break out of positional warfare. Neither Russia nor Ukraine can conduct operational maneuvers yet, however.

The bottom line is that the war in Ukraine is competitive and far from stalemated. Ukrainian forces are out-innovating Russian forces in both military technologies and in applying these new technologies in effective operational concepts that can help Ukrainian forces break out of positional warfare. Ukraine is employing mechanized equipment in tactical maneuvers in ways that were impossible 12 months ago. Russia's ability to conduct infiltration missions will likely continue to degrade as Ukraine's intermediate-range strike campaign pushes Russia's logistics and forward operating bases further away from the frontlines, reducing resourcing to sustain infantry tasked with infiltration missions. Ukraine may be able to scale these effects if they resourced properly by international partners.

Ukraine's advantage in intermediate range strikes is notably not permanent, and Russia will very likely eventually develop countermeasures to mitigate Ukraine's advantages. Ukraine's international partners thus have a rare and temporary opportunity to help Ukraine exploit favorable battlefield dynamics while Ukraine has the upper hand.

Key Points of the report:

Russia's rate of advance is plummeting during the Russian Spring-Summer 2026 offensive.

Russia is losing more soldiers to make fewer gains, with monthly Russian casualty rates reportedly outpacing monthly recruitment since December 2025.

Ukraine is starting to regain more ground than it is losing for the first time since 2023.

Ukraine' recent counterattacks feature unique characteristics and deviate from key trends that defined the positional character of the war since 2023.

Ukraine is conducting a pattern of more frequent mechanized counterattacks at the tactical level for the first time since 2023.

The Ukrainian command's operational planning is maturing.

Ukraine's early 2026 counterattacks in the south were successful likely due to better planning and preparation of the battlefield.

Ukraine has been conducting a coherent campaign to suppress and destroy Russian air defenses since late 2025, in order to shape the battlefield as part of more sophisticated campaign planning.

Ukraine significantly intensified its intermediate-range strike campaign against dynamic targets in Spring 2026in order todegrade Russian logistics at operational depths ahead ofplanned Ukrainian maneuver.

Ukrainian forces started actively disrupting Russian railway logistics in occupied Ukraine and Russian western regions in Spring 2026.

Ukrainian intermediate-range strikes are already achieving notable operational effects, including degrading Russia's ability to use the key Russian highway connecting Russia to occupied Crimea and GLOCs around Donetsk City.

Ukrainian forces decisively seized the initiative in intermediate-range strikes by fielding new technologies such as the US-made Hornet strike UAV, among other systems.

Ukrainian forces are achieving temporary tactical drone overmatch in some frontline sectors, which is slowing Russian offensive operations by degrading the effectiveness of Russian shaping operations.

Ukrainian forces likely achieved tactical drone overmatch in certain frontline sectors after degrading Russia's drone capabilities in late2025 to early 2026 - primarily by suppressing drone launch positions and increasingly intercepting Russian tactical UAVs.

Ukraine's degradation of Russian forces at operational depth combined with tactical-level drone overmatchlikely iscreating vulnerabilities in the Russian lines.

Ukraine's intermediate-range strike campaign is likely far from its zenith, assuming continued support from Ukraine's partners, and will likely intensify over 2026 as Ukraine fields new weapons capable of striking Russian's operational rear.

Link to full report: https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/ukraines-intermediate-range-strike-campaign-and-new-mechanized-attacks-herald-the-start-of-a-new-phase-of-the-war/

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As the Ukes increase their range more high value targets for the Ukes to hit in Russia

This new phase of the war will hopefully be day after day of things going boom in Russia with final boom being
Putin falling out of a window

Footage of a Ukrainian SAM system downing a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile over Kyiv this weekend. pic.twitter.com/eUSmpOlfnv

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) May 25, 2026

There are now enough drones over the Russian land corridor to Crimea for operators to coordinate their actions for joint attacks on priority targets. Which is good. https://t.co/aI1o8R2AkC pic.twitter.com/tDbiTRasUB

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 25, 2026

Sometimes I still think about the two worms in that vehicle, wow, what a ride... https://t.co/y642cP6lk5

— Kvist (@kvistp) May 25, 2026

Defense Minister Fedorov said Ukraine contracted the largest batch of long-range 155mm artillery rounds in the agency’s history, with six manufacturers winning supply contracts. Competitive procurement saved 16% of the initial amount, equal to billions of hryvnias, allowing… pic.twitter.com/bR1mhIIOgk

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) May 25, 2026

❗️The 🇯🇵Japanese company Terra Drone has begun the operational deployment in 🇺🇦Ukraine of its new interceptor drone, the Terra A2, which was developed jointly with the Ukrainian company WinnyLab. pic.twitter.com/ZwywphBHHb

— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) May 25, 2026

Rossticus said:

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❗️The 🇯🇵Japanese company Terra Drone has begun the operational deployment in 🇺🇦Ukraine of its new interceptor drone, the Terra A2, which was developed jointly with the Ukrainian company WinnyLab. pic.twitter.com/ZwywphBHHb

— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) May 25, 2026

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Looks like Japan is dusting off some old designs:

Ukraine has successfully introduced virtual reality therapy into its treatment of PTSD and other war-induced psych disorders, the incidence of which among military and civilians is likely off the charts. Putin has much to answer for.

"Ukraine has now been in active armed conflict for more than four years, with the full-scale invasion beginning in February 2022 following eight years of lower-intensity conflict in the Donbas region. The mental health infrastructure serving that population was not designed to handle demand at anything approaching current scale, and the gap between need and available professional capacity has been a defining feature of the humanitarian response since the beginning."

INNOVATION

Seems another tool we could trade the Ukrainians for. The Services have been struggling with reluctance and the stigma of seeking help for a long time.

Getting ahead of some buzz.

I really encourage people to manage their expectations for what is a localized counterattack by an under-strength Ukrainian brigade in Zaporizhzhia. Though Russian positions have been pushed back and Ukrainian troops have regained control over Stepnohirsk proper, the apartment… pic.twitter.com/R0VPRCRUB3

— Woofers (@NotWoofers) May 26, 2026

Quote:

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I really encourage people to manage their expectations for what is a localized counterattack by an under-strength Ukrainian brigade in Zaporizhzhia. Though Russian positions have been pushed back and Ukrainian troops have regained control over Stepnohirsk proper, the apartment complex south of the town is still not retaken and there is no expectation of any major breakthrough.

We are talking about a town being retaken, not some grand offensive.

And the Russians certainly aren't in danger of losing "Divisions" worth of equipment or manpower.

Visual from @UAControlMap

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Bold statement.

The EU has said it will maintain its diplomatic presence in Kiev unchanged, despite Russia's warnings. Well, apparently they've got diplomats to spare and need to trim the headcount.

— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) May 26, 2026

I honestly cannot wait to see him, Putin, and Peskov get iced as this war continues drain the Russian coffers.

twelve12twelve said:

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I honestly cannot wait to see him, Putin, and Peskov get iced as this war continues drain the Russian coffers.

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Just pure evil.

What a pointless war that's taken 100s of thousands of lives for one man's ego.

“Russia is considering limiting exports of diesel and jet fuel, according to Interfax, as refinery run rates fall to multi-year lows amid Ukraine’s escalating attacks.

Oil companies were advised to curb sales of oil products to foreign markets following a Tuesday meeting with… pic.twitter.com/oG8lTcsoAY

— Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 26, 2026

In order to conserve fuel they are scuttling some of their ships.

Ukrainian Special Forces struck a Russian „Buyan-class“ ship (Project 21630) using drones. At least 2 direct hits can be registered on this footage. The ship‘s superstructure was burning. pic.twitter.com/X9tWUWRex8

— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) May 27, 2026

And walking more.

🇷🇺🇺🇦10 Russian infantrymen tried to take the position of the Morok 225 OSHP fighters and within an hour there were 200

Oh ok, I thought OP meant 10 guys turned into 200 more guys NOT 10 guys were 200 within an hour meaning all ten were killed. pic.twitter.com/khm21Whfy9

— War Flash (@WarFlash_2630) May 27, 2026

Based on recent positive trends, a senior Ukrainian commander predicts a turning point in the war is imminent.

"If Ukraine's military can build and maintain momentum over several months, it can gain the initiative along the frontline and push Russia to abandon its designs on the last part of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine that it does not yet occupy, he said."

MOMENTUM

https://t.me/DeepStateUA/23539

Quote:

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Pokrovsk-Myrnograd-Kostiantynivka
_After the full occupation of Pokrovsk and Myrnograd, the enemy continues to reinforce its forces there, including drone crews that have taken control of the skies over the agglomerations and are greatly complicating the work of our soldiers. The enemy is settling in the cities and is currently maintaining the task of moving deeper into our defenses.

There is also active pressure on Rodynske, which has recently undergone frequent updates, with the city being absorbed into the red zone. However, the soldiers of the Defense Forces are trying to resist this pressure and even often call in air support. Rodynske is an important base for further advancement, particularly in the area of populated settlements south of Dobropillia, which plays an important role, especially in logistics_
>>> The situation in Kostiantynivka is worsening, where the typical tactic of infiltration is being repeated. The enemy is increasing its control of the territory around the city, retreating into the surrounding villages to consolidate and accumulate forces, and from there trying to enter the city itself and establish positions in various parts of it. At the same time, Kostiantynivka is being razed to the ground and turned into ruins, which will be impossible to hold in the future.

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Ukraine to receive Gripen fighters and the very long-range Meteor air-to-air missile from Sweden early next year.

"Although the service has already received Western-supplied F-16s and a smaller number of Mirage 2000s, the Ukrainian Air Force still relies heavily on its Soviet-era fighters.

The MiG-29, in particular, has been continually adapted to carry new weapons, both Western-supplied and locally developed, but these are aging jets and the fleet has been steadily reduced by attrition.

Perhaps the most important part of the Gripen transfer will involve the armament for the fighter. Zelensky specifically mentioned that he expects the Gripen C/Ds to be armed with the Meteor missile."

UPGRADE

Putin's war is finally coming home to Moscow. He can't shield urban ethnic Russians from it anymore.

"Social media video published this week shows a Russian Mi-26 heavy transport helicopter lowering a Pantsir-SMD-E short-range air defense system onto the rooftop of a building in Moscow, a deployment that captures in a single image how profoundly Ukraine's drone campaign has changed the security calculus inside Russia's own capital."

"Every Pantsir battery deployed on a Moscow rooftop is a battery not deployed near the front line in Ukraine, and every missile expended defending Moscow is a missile not available for forward air defense operations."

PANTSIR

Rossticus said:

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Yep. They're about to start trying to level government buildings now.

‼️🇷🇺🇺🇦🇺🇲 BREAKING | Russia is preparing for massive strikes on the civilian population in Kyiv and is establishing a sort of legal groundwork.

Sergey Lavrov informed Marco Rubio that the Russian Armed Forces are beginning systematic and consistent strikes on facilities located… pic.twitter.com/jGTIPfwHpn

— Visioner (@visionergeo) May 25, 2026

❗️So, the Kremlin is on the menu. Lavrov told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Russia’s army is “beginning” systematic strikes on sites in Kyiv that Moscow claims are used by Ukraine’s military. He also repeated Russia’s call for foreign missions to evacuate staff and…

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) May 25, 2026

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Here's a look inside an Oreshnik ballistic missile. Sure hope Ukraine is giving Western military analysts a peek. Huge potential intel payoff.

WRECKAGE

And every ada munition miss or hit with debris has to go somewhere and from many of the vids I have seen there is zero regard for collateral damage.

Quote:

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Russia is preparing for massive strikes on the civilian population in Kyiv and is establishing a sort of legal groundwork.

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Why would they bother? They've already committed so many war crimes against civilians that this would just be noise

Internal consumption.

Every little bit helps. Quite the interesting patchwork Air Force they have going, at this point.

⚡️BREAKING: Sweden announces 16 Gripens for Ukraine.

The transfer would further expand Ukraine's fleet of Western-supplied fighter aircraft, which already includes American F-16s and French Mirage 2000s but remains insufficient to fully defend Ukrainian cities and…

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) May 28, 2026

❗️Zelensky on Gripen from Sweden:

«We will receive fighter jets with armament, not just jets. These "Gripen" with specific armament — in particular with "Meteor" missiles — are capable of destroying targets at a distance of 100 kilometers.

We believe that we will be able to… pic.twitter.com/k4IsMQCYZ5

— Cloooud |🇺🇦 (@GloOouD) May 28, 2026

It was stated that the first fighter jets from Sweden will arrive fully armed, specifically with Meteor missiles capable of hitting targets at a range of 200 km. To illustrate this, the military information portal In Factum showed the engagement radius of the Meteor missile if a… pic.twitter.com/4azcu9S7nN

— WarTranslated (@wartranslated) May 28, 2026

Sweden is already training Ukrainian pilots and ground crew on the Gripen -Swedish MoD

Ukraine will start receiving C/D model Gripens early next year. pic.twitter.com/FibU7txvSm

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) May 28, 2026

Russian private companies will now be able to purchase large-caliber weapons and equipment to defend against drone attacks, RBC has learned.

Among the stuff permitted for acquisition are turrets, vehicles, radars, electronic warfare systems and anti-aircraft artillery.

"In… pic.twitter.com/ktUssgdEgn

— Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) May 28, 2026

Kaja Kallas on diplomatic personnel leaving Kyiv amid Russian threats: "What we heard from Ukraine yesterday was that all the embassies stayed except one. So that also takes courage from those embassies, but yes, all the Europeans stayed, America left." pic.twitter.com/GcKp2IdAJw

— MeidasClips (@MeidasClips) May 28, 2026

Map compared to Suriyak by April 9. pic.twitter.com/iiNcwfJcxo

— Vitaly (@M0nstas) May 28, 2026

Rossticus said:

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Kaja Kallas on diplomatic personnel leaving Kyiv amid Russian threats: "What we heard from Ukraine yesterday was that all the embassies stayed except one. So that also takes courage from those embassies, but yes, all the Europeans stayed, America left." pic.twitter.com/GcKp2IdAJw

— MeidasClips (@MeidasClips) May 28, 2026

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https://www.reuters.com/world/us-says-its-embassy-kyiv-remains-open-2026-05-28/

Good. Wasn't posting it for the throwaway US comment, but for the fact that Europe continues to nut up a bit and not cave to intimidation.

https://instagr.am/p/DY5taz4pNSv

Russian drone hit a residential building in Romania

BMach said:

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https://instagr.am/p/DY5taz4pNSv

Russian drone hit a residential building in Romania

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