Ukraine war: Record Russian missile attacks, Ukrainian gains, Putin accuses UK
Where things stand
Updated May 6, 12:19 PMRussia launched one of its largest aerial assaults, with more than 800 drones and missiles targeting Kyiv, causing casualties and damage. A separate daytime drone attack killed at least four in the Cherkasy region and damaged energy infrastructure. Ukrainian forces continue counterattacks, reportedly aided by a block on Russian access to the Starlink satellite network, while Moscow’s territorial advance slowed to 244 sq km in December 2025. Russia still occupies about 20% of Ukraine. Civilian deaths exceed 14,900, and Russian military casualties are estimated to have reached one million.
Open questions
- How will the Starlink access block impact Russian military operations and Ukrainian counteroffensives?
- What are the next steps in peace negotiations given the deadlock over Donbas?
- How sustainable are Russia's territorial gains given its high casualty rates and slowed advance?
- What are the true casualty figures for both sides compared to official estimates?
- Will Ukraine's continued targeting of Russian oil infrastructure significantly weaken Russia's war capability?
- What is the status of Western military aid amid potential donor fatigue?
Key actors
What's corroborated
Russian forces gained 1,910.39 square kilometers of territory in Ukraine in May, June, July, and August 2025.
114 sourcesacross 27 articlesRussia carried out a rare daytime drone attack on Ukraine, killing four people in the Cherkasy region and damaging energy infrastructure and industrial facilities in the west.
86 sourcesacross 16 articlesRussian commercial vessels can be co-opted by the military for any purpose, as declared by the Russian government in summer 2022.
57 sourcesacross 11 articlesSome 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
56 sourcesacross 10 articlesVladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022 after years of tension, amassing troops and making demands rejected by the West, with stated reasons including false claims of genocide against Russian speakers.
54 sourcesacross 10 articles
Timeline50
2026-05-06: Deadly airstrike hits Kramatorsk while emergency crews battle fires.
2026-05-05: Russian shelling kills nine in Zaporizhzhia.
Military expert says Russia abandons 'meat grinder' assaults amid troop replenishment difficulties.
Ukraine claims to have developed a method to disrupt Russia's Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, previously considered nearly unstoppable.
Ukrainian drones attack Russian port city of Primorsk, causing a fire that is extinguished.
Ukraine claims drone strike damages Russian Su-57 stealth fighters at Shagol airbase, 1,700 km from Ukraine.
Russian forces attempt to gain foothold as fighting reaches outskirts of Kostiantynivka.
Russia may cancel military vehicle portion of Victory Day parade in Moscow, reducing to foot march with few hundred guests, due to Ukrainian drone strikes.
2026-04-28: Ukraine extends martial law for the 19th time, maintaining curfews and travel ban for men 23-60; elections remain postponed.