Russia – Ukraine war updates latest from the General Staff of Ukraine as of May 17, 2026.
This report is part of EMPR’s May 2026 Russia-Ukraine war timeline, tracking daily battlefield and geopolitical developments. For full coverage of this escalation phase, see the complete timeline.
The 1544rd day of the large-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has begun.
Update as of 08:00 AM on Russian invasion of Ukraine
A total of 234 combat engagements were recorded over the past day.
Yesterday, the enemy carried out 95 airstrikes and dropped 300 guided aerial bombs. In addition, the enemy deployed 9,645 kamikaze drones and conducted 3,305 shelling attacks on populated areas and positions of Ukrainian forces, including 74 attacks using multiple launch rocket systems.
The aggressor carried out airstrikes, in particular in the areas of Vilna Sloboda and Bachivsk in Sumy Oblast.
Over the past day, aircraft, missile forces, and artillery of the Defense Forces struck two command posts, five areas where enemy personnel were concentrated, seven artillery systems, three UAV command posts, and one other important enemy target.
Update as of 04:00 PM on Russian invasion of Ukraine
Since the beginning of the day, the aggressor has launched 46 attacks on the positions of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
Artillery shelling of border areas continues. Today, in Sumy Oblast, the settlements of Tovstodubove, Rohizne, Sopych, Korenok, Marchykhyna Buda, Sukhodil, Ulanove, Yastrubshchyna, Bezsalivka, Bachivsk, Volfyne, and Kozache came under fire. In Chernihiv Oblast, shelling targeted Yeline, Yasna Poliana, Mykhalchyna-Sloboda, and Khrinivka. Airstrikes were carried out against the settlements of Vilna Sloboda and Ulanove in Sumy Oblast.
EMPR updates by Directions
Northern-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk Direction
08:00 AM: 17 combat engagements took place over the past day. The Russians carried out five airstrikes, used 11 guided aerial bombs, and conducted 105 shelling attacks on Ukrainian positions and populated areas, including 15 attacks using multiple launch rocket systems.
04:00 PM: two combat engagements took place. The enemy launched two airstrikes, used three guided aerial bombs, and carried out 35 shelling attacks on populated areas and positions of Ukrainian forces.
Southern-Slobozhanskyi Direction
08:00 AM: the russian occupiers launched seven assaults on the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of Vovchansk, Radkivka, Hraniv, Izbytske, and Starytsia.
04:00 PM: the russian occupiers launched four assaults on the positions of Ukrainian units near Vovchanski Khutory, Dvorichanske, and toward Ternova and Kolodiazne.
Kupiansk Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian defenders stopped three russian attacks in the areas of Novoosynove, Kurylivka, and Podoly.
04:00 PM: the russians did not conduct offensive operations.
Lyman Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian forces repelled nine attempts by the invaders to advance in the areas of Stepove, Novyi Myr, Stavky, Drobysheve, Yampil, Lyman, and Ozerne.
04:00 PM: five combat engagements with the enemy have taken place since the start of the day in the directions of Lyman, Drobysheve, and Zarichne.
Sloviansk Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian defenders stopped three enemy attempts to advance in the areas of Zakitne and Rai-Oleksandrivka over the past day.
04:00 PM: the Defense Forces successfully repelled one attempt by the invaders to advance toward Rai-Oleksandrivka.
Kramatorsk Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian defenders stopped one russian attack in the area of Nykyforivka.
04:00 PM: no offensive actions by the enemy were recorded.
Kostyantinivka Direction
08:00 AM: russian occupiers carried out 12 attacks near Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, Illinivka, and Stepanivka.
04:00 PM: the russian invaders carried out 14 attacks near Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, Illinivka, Rusyn Yar, Toretske, Sofiivka, and toward Vilne. Three combat engagements are still ongoing.
Pokrovsk Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian defenders stopped 32 assault actions by the aggressor in the areas of Vilne, Kucheriv Yar, Zolotyi Kolodiaz, Novi Shakhove, Bilytske, Hryshyne, Vasylivka, Novomykolaivka, Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Boikivka, Toretske, Udachne, Serhiivka, and Molodetske.
04:00 PM: the russian occupiers have attempted 10 times to push Ukrainian forces from their positions near Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Hryshyne, Udachne, and Molodetske. One battle is still underway.
Oleksandrivka Direction
08:00 AM: the enemy did not conduct offensive operations yesterday.
04:00 PM: no offensive actions by the enemy were recorded.
Huliaipole Direction
08:00 AM: 24 russian attacks took place in the areas of Dobropillia, Verkhnia Tersa, Zlahoda, Hirke, Krynychne, Staroukrainka, Huliaipilske, Zaliznychne, and Charivne.
04:00 PM: the Defense Forces successfully repelled nine enemy attacks near Zlahoda, Varvarivka, and toward Nove Zaporizhzhia, Zaliznychne, and Charivne. Two combat engagements are still ongoing.
Orikhiv Direction
04:00 PM: the russian enemy carried out one unsuccessful offensive action near Bilohiria.
Prydniprovskyi Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian units stopped two russian attacks toward Antonivka.
04:00 PM: no offensive actions by the enemy were recorded.
Volyn and Polissia Directions
08:00 AM: no signs of enemy offensive group formations were detected.
04:00 PM:
Overall, Russian invaders lost 1,170 personnel over the past day. The enemy also lost one tank, four armored combat vehicles, 82 artillery systems, two multiple launch rocket systems, three air defense systems, 13 ground robotic systems, 2,131 unmanned aerial vehicles, two missiles, 325 vehicles, and five units of special equipment.
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