Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Russians attack Konotop overnight
5.9 Earthquake - 18 km east of China, Kagoshima-ken, Japan
250 combat engagements on front line
"Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian troops engaged in 250 clashes during the previous day, with 43 occurring in the Pokrovsk direction.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, five combat engagements took place over the past day. The enemy carried out 86 attacks on Ukrainian military positions and populated areas, including two using multiple launch rocket systems.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy launched 11 assaults on Ukrainian positions near the settlements of Izbytske, Hraniv, Lyman, Radkivka, Vilcha, Vovchanski Khutory, and Starytsia.
In the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled one enemy attack near Novoplatonivka.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian troops repelled 11 attempts by Russian forces to advance near Drobysheve, Kopanky, Ozerne, and Dibrova.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped four enemy attempts to advance near Riznykivka, Kryva Luka, and Rai-Oleksandrivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian forces did not conduct active operations over the past day.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out 14 attacks near Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiivka, Illinivka, and Dovha Balka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 43 assault actions by the aggressor near the settlements of Dorozhne, Rodynske, Oleksandrivka, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, Novopavlivka, Novooleksandrivka, Udachne, Molodetske, and toward the settlements of Kucheriv Yar, Vilne, Serhiivka, and Hruzke.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the enemy attacked twice near Oleksandrohrad and Berezove.
In the Huliaipole sector, 23 enemy attacks took place near Rivnopillia, Radisne, Rybne, Dobropillia, Olenokostiantynivka, Nove Zaporizhzhia, Staroukrainka, Tsvitkove, and Charivne.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy attempted to advance near Bilohiria.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Ukrainian units stopped two enemy attacks toward the Antonivskyi Bridge and Bilohrudyi Island." Ukrin
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, five combat engagements took place over the past day. The enemy carried out 86 attacks on Ukrainian military positions and populated areas, including two using multiple launch rocket systems.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy launched 11 assaults on Ukrainian positions near the settlements of Izbytske, Hraniv, Lyman, Radkivka, Vilcha, Vovchanski Khutory, and Starytsia.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian troops repelled 11 attempts by Russian forces to advance near Drobysheve, Kopanky, Ozerne, and Dibrova.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped four enemy attempts to advance near Riznykivka, Kryva Luka, and Rai-Oleksandrivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian forces did not conduct active operations over the past day.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out 14 attacks near Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiivka, Illinivka, and Dovha Balka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 43 assault actions by the aggressor near the settlements of Dorozhne, Rodynske, Oleksandrivka, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, Novopavlivka, Novooleksandrivka, Udachne, Molodetske, and toward the settlements of Kucheriv Yar, Vilne, Serhiivka, and Hruzke.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the enemy attacked twice near Oleksandrohrad and Berezove.
In the Huliaipole sector, 23 enemy attacks took place near Rivnopillia, Radisne, Rybne, Dobropillia, Olenokostiantynivka, Nove Zaporizhzhia, Staroukrainka, Tsvitkove, and Charivne.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy attempted to advance near Bilohiria.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Ukrainian units stopped two enemy attacks toward the Antonivskyi Bridge and Bilohrudyi Island." Ukrin
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Russian overnight attack damages 25 homes in Kharkiv
"Russia launched overnight strikes across southern and eastern Ukraine early on May 19,
hitting infrastructure and residential areas in Odesa Oblast and Kharkiv, according to local authorities.
In Kharkiv, Russian drone strikes hit the Novobavarskyi district, injuring three people and damaging at least 25 private homes and one apartment building, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.
The damage was caused by two waves of strikes, according to local officials. Rescue teams pulled two people from the rubble, while another person was believed to be trapped as search-and-rescue operations continued.
Separately, in the Izmail district of Odesa Oblast, port infrastructure facilities were damaged in a nighttime strike, the local administration said. Most aerial targets were intercepted over open territory, outside of populated areas." KI
In Kharkiv, Russian drone strikes hit the Novobavarskyi district, injuring three people and damaging at least 25 private homes and one apartment building, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.
The damage was caused by two waves of strikes, according to local officials. Rescue teams pulled two people from the rubble, while another person was believed to be trapped as search-and-rescue operations continued.
Separately, in the Izmail district of Odesa Oblast, port infrastructure facilities were damaged in a nighttime strike, the local administration said. Most aerial targets were intercepted over open territory, outside of populated areas." KI
Iran wants to hand over nuclear stockpile to Russia
"Iran 
is allegedly ready to hand over its highly enriched uranium stockpile to Russia, the Saudi
news broadcaster Al Hadath has reported. The idea was floated as part of the latest peace proposal Tehran sent to the US via Pakistan, the outlet said on Monday, citing a leaked document it had obtained." RT
news broadcaster Al Hadath has reported. The idea was floated as part of the latest peace proposal Tehran sent to the US via Pakistan, the outlet said on Monday, citing a leaked document it had obtained." RT
5.3 Earthquake - South Atlantic Ocean, 300 km west of Bouvetoya Island, Bouvet Island
from Bouvet Island in the late afternoon at 6.50 pm local time (GMT +0). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD
5.7 Earthquake - Coral Sea, 52 km southwest of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu
"A strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred in the Coral Sea near Efate Island island,
Vanuatu, around noon at 1.29 pm local time (GMT +11). The quake had a very shallow depth of 27 km (17 mi) and was felt widely in the area. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would." VD
236 clashes in past day
"A total of 236 combat engagements between Ukrainian forces and Russian invaders were recorded.
On the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk axes, Russian forces launched three airstrikes using six guided bombs and carried out 88 shelling attacks, including two with MLRS.
On the Southern Slobozhanshchyna axis, the enemy launched seven attacks near Starytsia, Vilcha, Prylipky, Veterynarne, and toward Hrafske and Karaichne.
On the Kupiansk axis, Russian forces launched five attacks toward Kurylivka, Petropavlivka, Kivsharivka, and Novoplatonivka.
On the Lyman axis, the enemy attempted 14 assaults near Stavky, Zarichne, Drobysheve, Novoserhiivka, and toward Ozerne and Dibrova.
On the Siversk axis, Russian forces carried out three assaults toward Rai-Oleksandrivka and Kalenyky.
On the Kostiantynivka axis, the enemy conducted 18 assaults near Ivanopillia, Illinivka, Pleshchiivka, Vilne, Toretske, Berestok, Stepanivka, and toward Kostiantynivka and Kucheriv Yar.
On the Pokrovsk axis, Ukrainian defenders stopped 40 assault actions near Dorozhnie, Shevchenko, Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Molodetske, Filiia, Bilytske, Nykanorivka, and Pokrovsk.
On the Oleksandrivka axis, the enemy attacked once toward Vorone.
On the Huliaipole axis, Russian forces carried out 22 assaults toward Zlahoda, Nove Zaporizhzhia, Chervone, Tsvitkove, Rivne, Zaliznychne, Rybnе, Staroukrainka, and Hirkе.
On the Dnipro River axis, the enemy carried out four assaults toward Antonivka and Bilohrudyi Island." Ukrin
On the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk axes, Russian forces launched three airstrikes using six guided bombs and carried out 88 shelling attacks, including two with MLRS.
On the Southern Slobozhanshchyna axis, the enemy launched seven attacks near Starytsia, Vilcha, Prylipky, Veterynarne, and toward Hrafske and Karaichne.
On the Lyman axis, the enemy attempted 14 assaults near Stavky, Zarichne, Drobysheve, Novoserhiivka, and toward Ozerne and Dibrova.
On the Siversk axis, Russian forces carried out three assaults toward Rai-Oleksandrivka and Kalenyky.
On the Kostiantynivka axis, the enemy conducted 18 assaults near Ivanopillia, Illinivka, Pleshchiivka, Vilne, Toretske, Berestok, Stepanivka, and toward Kostiantynivka and Kucheriv Yar.
On the Pokrovsk axis, Ukrainian defenders stopped 40 assault actions near Dorozhnie, Shevchenko, Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Molodetske, Filiia, Bilytske, Nykanorivka, and Pokrovsk.
On the Oleksandrivka axis, the enemy attacked once toward Vorone.
On the Huliaipole axis, Russian forces carried out 22 assaults toward Zlahoda, Nove Zaporizhzhia, Chervone, Tsvitkove, Rivne, Zaliznychne, Rybnе, Staroukrainka, and Hirkе.
On the Dnipro River axis, the enemy carried out four assaults toward Antonivka and Bilohrudyi Island." Ukrin
Monday, May 18, 2026
Attack Drone Hits Near UAE Nuclear Power Plant
"Abu Dhabi authorities report that a kamikaze drone struck an electrical generator outside the
inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra. Officials said there were no injuries, no impact on radiological safety levels, and no disruption to plant operations.
Dubai-based newspaper Gulf News cited the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, which said the one-way drone attack on the Arab world's first commercial nuclear facility did not affect the safety of the nuclear power plant or the readiness of its essential systems. FANR added that all systems were operating normally." ZH
Dubai-based newspaper Gulf News cited the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, which said the one-way drone attack on the Arab world's first commercial nuclear facility did not affect the safety of the nuclear power plant or the readiness of its essential systems. FANR added that all systems were operating normally." ZH
Largest Ukrainian Drone Attack On Moscow In Over A Year Leaves Four Dead
"The Russian capital has just suffered possibly its single biggest and deadliest Ukrainian drone
attack of the war - and certainly the largest attack wave on Moscow in the last year. It ironically comes exactly a week after President Zelensky signed on to a three day Russian 'Victory Day' ceasefire at the behest of President Trump.
At least four people have been killed in the overnight large-scale assault wave, with dozens more wounded. Regional airports have been shut down, and there's been a sense of panic as the threat lingered into the daylight hours Sunday, with onlookers filming drones flying uncontested over Moscow airspace." ZH
At least four people have been killed in the overnight large-scale assault wave, with dozens more wounded. Regional airports have been shut down, and there's been a sense of panic as the threat lingered into the daylight hours Sunday, with onlookers filming drones flying uncontested over Moscow airspace." ZH
Axios Warns Cuba Stockpiled 300 Attack Drones With Crosshairs On U.S. Homeland
"Havana may be stockpiling Russian-made Geranium one-way attack drones with the
operational range to threaten major U.S. oil and gas refineries in the Gulf of America, key military bases, data centers, power grid infrastructure, and potentially even Washington, D.C.
Nearly three and a half months ago, we laid out the framework for a potential drone threat against the homeland originating from Cuba, using an infographic published by the Russian think tank Rybar.
At the time, Rybar wrote: "But what would the Cubans do in the event of a conflict? Let us hypothetically imagine that Havana decides to resist the Americans and chooses to fight. In that case, the already world-famous Geran strike drones could come to their aid."
Axios, citing newly obtained U.S. intelligence, reports that Cuba has accumulated roughly 300 military drones from Russia and Iran and has discussed potential wartime strike scenarios targeting Guantanamo Bay, U.S. naval vessels, and possibly Key West..
Late last week, CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with officials in Havana, which appeared to reopen the channel for political dialogue between the two countries.
Ratcliffe and top U.S. officials, some of whose faces were blurred in images released by the CIA on X, held high-level talks with Cuba's Interior Minister, the head of Cuban intelligence, and Raúl Castro's grandson, Raulito RodrÃguez Castro." ZH
Nearly three and a half months ago, we laid out the framework for a potential drone threat against the homeland originating from Cuba, using an infographic published by the Russian think tank Rybar.
At the time, Rybar wrote: "But what would the Cubans do in the event of a conflict? Let us hypothetically imagine that Havana decides to resist the Americans and chooses to fight. In that case, the already world-famous Geran strike drones could come to their aid."
Axios, citing newly obtained U.S. intelligence, reports that Cuba has accumulated roughly 300 military drones from Russia and Iran and has discussed potential wartime strike scenarios targeting Guantanamo Bay, U.S. naval vessels, and possibly Key West..
Late last week, CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with officials in Havana, which appeared to reopen the channel for political dialogue between the two countries.
Ratcliffe and top U.S. officials, some of whose faces were blurred in images released by the CIA on X, held high-level talks with Cuba's Interior Minister, the head of Cuban intelligence, and Raúl Castro's grandson, Raulito RodrÃguez Castro." ZH
Vietnamese POW captured in Ukraine: "They force you to do everything"
"A Vietnamese man captured while fighting for Russia in Ukraine has issued a plea to others
not to travel abroad to take part in war.
In an interview from captivity, he described fear, violence and despair among foreign recruits sent to the front lines.... the man is believed to be the first Vietnamese prisoner of war captured by Ukrainian forces during the conflict.
He claimed foreign recruits were treated as expendable by Russian forces.
“They force you to do everything. If you don’t listen, they beat you. If you don’t obey, they’re ready to kill you,” he said." msn
In an interview from captivity, he described fear, violence and despair among foreign recruits sent to the front lines.... the man is believed to be the first Vietnamese prisoner of war captured by Ukrainian forces during the conflict.
He claimed foreign recruits were treated as expendable by Russian forces.
“They force you to do everything. If you don’t listen, they beat you. If you don’t obey, they’re ready to kill you,” he said." msn
The WHO Drums Up Fear With Ebola After Hantavirus Scare Fails
"One of the biggest mistakes globalists made in their bid for perpetual medical authoritarianism during the Covid pandemic was reveling a bit too much. Numerous high level officials from the WEF, WHO, the Imperial College of London and an army of politicians were giddy with excitement and bragged publicly about all the power they were going to grab as the masses huddled in fear of a virus with a 99.8% average survival rate.
This arrogance cost them, triggering an awakening of millions of former skeptics who are now avid "conspiracy theorists". Today, the ability of the elitist class to sucker the populace into a new pandemic theater is greatly reduced.
We have see the consequences of the covid farce with the recent Hantavirus scare, which has failed to inspire any noticeable reaction from the public.
The US under the Trump Administration has exited the organization on these grounds, and as a result the WHO has lost at least 20% of its total funding. It is now facing dire financial conditions. In response, the UN and the establishment media have been running a spin campaign to present the WHO as indispensable.
For Hantavirus, the spread from human to human is rare and only occurs with the South American (or Andes) strain. Contraction is difficult, with the virus passing from one person to another through "prolonged contact" often involving bodily fluids.
The hysteria over Hantavirus has not materialized and the story is quickly fizzling out. In response the WHO and Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus are taking to the media again to announce a new "Ebola threat" in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tedros is calling for "global solidarity" (and more funding) in response to the outbreak which has allegedly infected 13 people so far. It should be noted that the DRC has had at least 17 Ebola outbreaks since the 1970s and none of them have led to a global pandemic threat. The rhetoric of "global unity" is familiar, with much of the same language used during the covid pandemic.
The last time the US had a "close call" with Ebola was in 2014 when the CDC identified over a dozen carriers in the US, and two deaths. The end result? Nothing happened, despite a media firestorm asserting that a deadly plague was just around the corner.
This is not to say that dangerous outbreaks are never going to happen, but it is rather convenient that the WHO is losing substantial funding and sway in geopolitics, and suddenly, common outbreaks are being treated like looming disasters in the media." ZH
This arrogance cost them, triggering an awakening of millions of former skeptics who are now avid "conspiracy theorists". Today, the ability of the elitist class to sucker the populace into a new pandemic theater is greatly reduced.
The US under the Trump Administration has exited the organization on these grounds, and as a result the WHO has lost at least 20% of its total funding. It is now facing dire financial conditions. In response, the UN and the establishment media have been running a spin campaign to present the WHO as indispensable.
For Hantavirus, the spread from human to human is rare and only occurs with the South American (or Andes) strain. Contraction is difficult, with the virus passing from one person to another through "prolonged contact" often involving bodily fluids.
The hysteria over Hantavirus has not materialized and the story is quickly fizzling out. In response the WHO and Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus are taking to the media again to announce a new "Ebola threat" in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tedros is calling for "global solidarity" (and more funding) in response to the outbreak which has allegedly infected 13 people so far. It should be noted that the DRC has had at least 17 Ebola outbreaks since the 1970s and none of them have led to a global pandemic threat. The rhetoric of "global unity" is familiar, with much of the same language used during the covid pandemic.
The last time the US had a "close call" with Ebola was in 2014 when the CDC identified over a dozen carriers in the US, and two deaths. The end result? Nothing happened, despite a media firestorm asserting that a deadly plague was just around the corner.
This is not to say that dangerous outbreaks are never going to happen, but it is rather convenient that the WHO is losing substantial funding and sway in geopolitics, and suddenly, common outbreaks are being treated like looming disasters in the media." ZH
5.7 Earthquake - North Pacific Ocean, 58 km east of Ostrov Shumshu Island, Kamchatka, Russia
"A strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean near Ostrov
Shumshu island, Russia, in the late afternoon at 7.04 pm local time (GMT +11). The quake had a shallow depth of 56 km (35 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD
China Confirms Boeing Jet Deal, Agrees To Cut Select Levies & Expand Agri Trade
"The exact wording "reach arrangements"s in the Bloomberg headline is important because it suggests a framework, a commitment, or a negotiated understanding, not necessarily a
Based on earlier reports, Trump said China agreed to buy 200 Boeing planes, with the total potentially rising to 750 aircraft.
The next set of headlines shows that the Trump team and Beijing have reached a partial trade de-escalation package following the summit:
CHINA, US AGREE TO REDUCE LEVIES ON A CERTAIN RANGE OF PRODUCTS
CHINA TO EXPAND BILATERAL TRADE W/ US ON AGR AND OTHER PRODUCTS
CHINA VOWS TO EXPAND BILATERAL AGRI TRADE WITH US
The headlines point to a U.S.-China trade détente that is constructive for American industry, exporters, and U.S. farmers.
Now the larger question is what Trump and Xi agreed to behind closed doors regarding Tehran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. and Chinese leaders agreed to establish a new "Board of Trade" and a parallel "Board of Investment" during President Trump's two-day visit to Beijing - a summit that ended much as it began: with significant pageantry, warm personal rapport between the leaders, and modest, incremental progress on trade. The new boards aim to oversee bilateral purchases, manage trade differences, facilitate deals in non-sensitive sectors (with roughly $30 billion in goods identified), and provide a standing channel to prevent future escalations without constant high-level intervention.
Despite the institutional progress, several high-priority issues saw limited or no resolution:
Nvidia H200 AI Chips: No major summit agreement on advanced AI chip exports. While some U.S. licensing approvals for sales to select Chinese firms occurred around the visit (with Jensen Huang joining the delegation), export controls remained a sticking point and were not centrally resolved in leader-level talks.
Rare Earths: No announced extension of the existing truce or easing of Chinese export controls, which continue to affect U.S. chipmakers and aerospace firms. This remains a lingering vulnerability from prior tariff exchanges.
Iran Conflict: Both leaders expressed a shared desire for stability and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with Xi showing interest in greater U.S. oil purchases to reduce Middle East dependence. However, China offered no concrete commitments to leverage its influence with Tehran. Beijing’s foreign ministry reiterated support for peace efforts without pledging active intervention."
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