The Russians have developed a new system to protect their vehicles from drones. The system involves installing a series of propellers with 1 m long blades that spin at a rate of 600 RPM. The goal is to physically impact the drone before it comes in direct contact with a vehicle. This system, however, does not necessarily guarantee that the drone’s warhead does not detonate. The designer suggest a faster, rotation speed will be more effective against faster drones. It doesn’t seem likely that this will go into mass production or widespread adoption, but it’s funny.





A check company called TRL Drones has created two models of interceptor drones, capable of intercepting large UAVs like the Shahed. One of the models is smaller and has the electric motor designed to counter UAV. The other drone has a jet engine and capable of intercepting large aerial targets like helicopters, and strike ground targets. 



The smaller drone weighs 2.5 kg and can carry payload of up to 1 kg. It has a range of 60 km, a maximum altitude of up to 2.5 km, and can fly at 250 km/h. The system includes a radar and can automatically launch when a target is detected. The drone doesn’t have a warhead, instead, it downs them by ramming them. If it fails down to target, the drone returns to its launch point and lands. The body of the drone is 3-D printed. The cost of the small drone is reported to be “thousands.”



The bigger drone is 1 m long, has a wingspan of 1.7 m, can reach speeds of up to 450 km/h while carrying a payout of up to 10 kg. It has a range of up to 200 km. The drone is launched by a catapult that requires a crew to operate it, but the drone is guided by radar data. Both drones supposedly fly without any sort of satellite navigation, and can operate even in electronic warfare as they rely on inertial and optical navigation. The cost of the big drone is reportedly “tens of thousands.“ The company says they plan to test the drones in Ukraine.



Ukrainian paratroopers have captured Russian marines from the 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade in the Sumy region near the border villages of Oleksandriya and Myropillya. Others were captured in Russia’s Kursk region near the village of Gornal. Additionally, a soldier from Russia’s 106th Guards Airborne Division was captured during an attempted assault on the Ukrainian village of Loknya, also in the Sumy region. The Russian soldiers report being treated poorly by their own commanders and have been provided with medical and psychological help.



On May 31, Russia attacked the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk region approximately fifteen times using drones and artillery. The strikes targeted Nikopol, Marhanetsk, and Pokrovsk communities, damaging a multi-storey building, utility companies, and a car. A 66-year-old man was injured during shelling of Nikopol and received treatment at home. The attacks also damaged a high-rise building and a cafe in the city. Russia struck the Novopavlivka community in Synelnykivka district with guided aerial bombs.


Russian drone attacks in Kherson region resulted in one civilian death and eight injuries on May 31. Kherson city and 36 other settlements came under drone attacks, artillery fire, and airstrikes throughout the day. The strikes targeted critical infrastructure, social facilities, and residential areas. Five apartment buildings and seven private homes sustained damage. A gas pipeline, several outbuildings, and a civilian vehicle were destroyed or heavily damaged. A 46-year-old man was injured by a Russian drone in Antonivka suburb and hospitalized with mine-explosive injuries and shrapnel wounds to his arms and legs. On May 30, three people were killed and ten injured in Kherson region due to Russian shelling.


Russian airstrikes on the village of Verkhnia Tersa in Zaporizhzhia region injured two people. A 21-year-old man was wounded in a strike on the Polohy district village. Russia carried out two guided bomb strikes that destroyed a house, sparked a fire, and damaged nearby buildings. A woman was also injured in the attack. Both victims received medical assistance on site.




Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russia lost more than 34,000 personnel in May 2025. Ukraine launched DeepStrike operations against 58 targets inside Russia during the month. The strikes hit military facilities and damaged Russia's military-industrial complexincluding explosives production facilities and drone manufacturing sites. Ukrainian drones hit and destroyed over 89,000 Russian targets in May.



Russia has begun using a new tactic along Ukraine's border. The Russians punch holes in civilian house roofs in border villages on Russian territory and launch drones from these houses. 



President Zelenskyy stated that Russia has increased activity in certain front sectors. The heaviest fighting occurs in the Pokrovsk, Lyman, and Kupiansk areas. Ukraine continues its operations in Kursk, which ties down significant Russian troops and prevents them from operating on Ukrainian territory. Zelensky said that the war must return to Russian territory where it originated.


Ukrainian partisans blew up a Russian military train near Melitopol during the night of May 31. The explosion occurred near the settlement of Yakymivka in Zaporizhzhia region. The freight train carried fuel tankers and cargo wagons headed to Crimea. The explosion derailed the train and damaged the rail line which functions as a major logistics route connecting Zaporizhzhia with Crimea.


Ukraine signed a license agreement to integrate NATO's CRC System Interface into its combat aircraft. Deputy Defense Minister Kateryna Chornohorenko announced the deal for non-commercial CRC software. The system enables coordination between Ukrainian aircraft and between Ukrainian and NATO aircraft. CRC supports real-time information exchange between command elements using standardized NATO data channels including ATDL1, Link 1, Link 11A, Link 11B, and Link 16. The system connects aircraft, naval vessels, NATO radar detection aircraft, and headquarters. Ukrainian F-16 and Mirage 2000 aircraft will use Link 16 protocol to coordinate with Patriot missile defense systems.



Ukrainian drones struck a building housing Russian paratroopers in Rylsk, Kursk region. The 76th Guards Air Assault Division had troops stationed in the building. Russian sources stated the troops chose to hide in a residential area and air defenses missed the drones.. The strike hit a hotel, causing fires that spread to a nearby apartment and car. Separate explosions and fires occurred at a railway station near Lgov in the same region. NASA FIRMS satellites showed multiple heat signatures at the station, suggesting fuel or ammunition ignited.



Ukrainian developers tested seven reconnaissance drones as alternatives to DJI Mavic drones. Flight testing lasted three days under electronic warfare conditions and a variety of weather. Ukraine aims to create its own drone ecosystem from training to supply and combat use. President Zelensky stated that DJI does not supply drones to Ukraine but helps establish production lines in Russia with Chinese specialists. Ukraine's Defense Ministry purchased 4,000 DJI Mavic 3 drones last year for over half a billion hryvnias.



Two bridge collapses in Russian regions bordering Ukraine killed seven people and injured dozens. A freight train derailed when a bridge collapsed in Kursk region on Sunday. The locomotive caught fire and the driver sustained leg injuries. Hours earlier, a highway bridge collapsed onto railway tracks in Bryansk region, derailing a train with 388 passengers. Seven people died and 66 were injured, including three children. Moscow Railway stated the Bryansk bridge collapsed due to "illegal interference in transport operations." Governor Alexander Bogomaz said the bridge was blown up while the train passed through.




Ukrainian partisan group Atesh set fire to a railway relay cabinet on the outskirts of Yasnogorsk in Russia's Tula region. 



Open source intel investigator Road To Mars has geolocated a Russian strike on a Ukrainian controlled house on the left bank of the Dnipro, demonstrating that Ukraine has gained a new foothold on that side of the river. 



RoadtoMars9:

Russian shelling hit a Ukrainian-held house in the grey zone in the town of Dachi, Kherson Oblast, showing that Ukraine still holds positions on the left bank of Dnipro river.

Coordinates: 46.664207, 32.734342”





Various Telegram Reports organized by Region and Contributor


Sumy Region

Bakhmut Demon:
"To say it's difficult in Sumy region is an understatement. The boys there are having a really tough time right now."

Muchnoy Airborne:
"Sumy direction: Enemy managed to squeeze Vodolady-Volodymyrivka and Kostiantynivka (border village). In these villages enemy quickly conducts regrouping, forces operating here are very serious - this is the main composition of naval infantry and air assault brigades, regiments. All others are motorized rifle brigades, overall I counted 41 brigades involved in this section. This battle can be won with availability of weapons, trained personnel and means of destruction, such as FPV drones which play a major role in this direction and quality of units that know their task! Now fighting is starting to develop for Oleksiivka and neighboring village Kindrativka. In Yunakivka enemy has no significant success yet, but they're attacking very strongly + using FPV drones and KABs! We need fiber optic drones in this direction to be on equal terms with the enemy, they have enough to precisely destroy our defense and equipment! Another threat is beginning to appear on the eastern flank in Alexandria area! Enemy was detected in this front section, naval infantry brigades are also working here! I think they'll try to consolidate in Alexandria and then move toward Myropollia. Additional forces need to be pulled here too, otherwise we expect more serious enemy advances."


Petrenko:
"In Sumy region enemy occupied settlements Vodolady, Volodymyrivka and remaining part of Kostiantynivka, AFU fighters report. Fighting is ongoing toward Oleksiivka, Kondrativka and on northern outskirts of Yunakivka, where Ukrainian forces today repelled several enemy attacks. Russia increased number of tactical aviation strikes (air bombs). Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Russia in several sections has advantage in using fiber optic drones, which complicates defense and countermeasures."

"Sumy region. Enemy advanced toward Alexandria to depth of 1.15 km."


Officer_33:
"Sumy region. Situation. Activity in recent days is related to enemy crossing state border in Kostiantynivka area. If before enemy assaults were exclusively by foot groups of 3-4 bodies, now already groups of 8-10 stormtroopers + motorcycles, ATVs, cars etc., trying to push through contact line and develop success. Again trying to fuck our logistics with drones."

"More than a dozen motorcycles were destroyed today on Kostiantynivka direction, the bastards tried something like storming. But today there was shitty weather for motocross there."


Donetsk Region

Bakhmut Demon:
"The intensity of fighting in our Pokrovsk area is increasing, more enemy sorties."


Muchnoy Airborne:
"Situation on the front. 'East'. Pokrovsk direction: Udachne area unchanged, control remains with our fighters. Enemy trying to hide, moving in small groups! UAV units are hunting and striking the pigs. Regarding Kotlyne: enemy accumulating at the mine territory, we're trying to work there too + they're crawling through the village, they control about 20% of the village. Fighting also continues in Zvirovoe area, we're repelling attacks without enemy advance for now! In Lysivka area fighting in northern part, so I ask everyone to support our infantry with everything necessary!"


"Solona and Vovcha interfluve: Enemy trying to strike with artillery and drones on western part of Novoserhiivka, also trying to crawl along the river into eastern part of Novomykolaivka. Muravka and Kotlyarivka section unchanged, fighting still continues! After Russians consolidated in Troitske, they sharply began processing Horikhove. Now enemy is pulling forces to enter the village from the north and approach the eastern part! Enemy also attacks our positions from Bahatyr area south of Oleksiivka, apparently trying to stop our movement west across the river from the south!"


"Novopavlivsk direction: In northern part of Bahatyr enemy worked with Molniya UAV. Ours are trying to retake lost positions but I think it's almost impossible now, risking the lives of the Cossacks! Northern part of village 50/50, it's just hell there now! To the west enemy develops offensive actions through the plantation to expand control zone. In Komar area aviation works with FAB-500s, very soon Russians will go on offensive, preparation is ongoing! Long live the Cossacks!"


"Kostiantynivka direction: All day today fighting took place in northern part of Popiv Yar. Our fighters on vehicles tried to bypass the village from the west, as a result the task turned into failure, enemy destroyed our MaxxPro armored personnel carrier. Also south of Poltavka, enemy positions in the ravine were hit by our FPV drones. We hold Yablunyvka, enemy still sits in western part, very difficult to knock them out from there! Rubikon Advanced UAV Center hit our positions with 'Molniya-2' UAV south of Yablunyvka. These scum started working here too, very dangerous! They also launched 'Zala' UAVs which were successfully destroyed in the air. This line was reinforced with strong brigades, finally my prayers were heard, let's see how our Cossacks cope, we now have 2 heads higher here, should hold out!"


Petrenko:
"Pokrovsk direction. On right flank Russian forces captured Yelyzavetivka and closed 'pocket' with area up to 5.75 km²."


"Kostiantynivka direction. Enemy consolidated on southern outskirts of Popiv Yar and makes further attempts to advance toward Dyleevka village."


"Novopavlivsk direction. Enemy during attack entered and occupied several positions in buildings along Zelena street in eastern part of Oleksiivka. Ukrainian drone operators are working to stabilize the situation."


"Komar direction. West of Bahatyr enemy occupied position in forest belt and continues storming westward."


Officer_33:
"The protrusion because of which we have, frankly speaking, big problems in Kostiantynivka and Pokrovsk. But the trouble is that if enemy will be able to expand this bridgehead, then the main question will not be how to defend cities, but how to successfully exit those pockets. So far situation is difficult, bastards are pressing in Poltavka and Popiv Yar area, particularly today fighting continued there."


Myro Shnykov:
"Myrnograd direction. Myrolyubivka is not controlled by Defense Forces. But enemy is not rushing to establish themselves there yet. Because they know they won't be allowed. Similar situation in Malynovka (for a week, by the way). Yelyzavetivka was captured some time ago and enemy still managed to consolidate there. Now accumulating. Main forces operate between Yelyzavetivka and Malynovka, trying to secure flanks. On outskirts of Povyi Yar and Rusynyi Yar situation is very difficult, not in our favor. From Novaya Poltavka enemy advanced toward Shevchenko 1st by 2 km in a week. Then was stopped. But obviously after regrouping will resume their banzai attacks, because target is Kopteve. In Promen area and in forest near Hrodivka still no enemy advances."


Zaporizhzhia Region

Petrenko:
"Zaporizhzhia direction. After capturing Zelene Pole settlement, Russian forces intensified pressure on Novopol located to the south. In the latter, enemy entered central part and filmed flag demonstration. Syrskyi stated that Russian forces significantly intensified and are conducting offensive on Zaporizhzhia direction."


Other Quotes

Stanislav Osman:
"Russian military command places very high stakes on long-range UAV crews that work exclusively on our logistics routes. Unlike our crews, enemy UAV crews focus not only on the contact line. They carefully control approaches to our positions, track logistics routes and strike them. This seriously reduces our combat effectiveness and ultimately leads to loss of positions. Our command relies on UAV work directly on the contact line. Very rarely are our crews involved in controlling logistics routes. As a result, we don't achieve parity and actually lose control over territories far behind the line of contact. We have a whole class of unmanned systems. Instead of linear tasks on the contact line, they need to be 'sharpened' for tasks that UAV crews of brigades with clear areas of responsibility cannot perform."


"By the way, in 2022 thanks to HIMARS we effectively disrupted their logistics, warehouses, personnel and equipment concentrations, which allowed us to develop our offensive operations. However, now they've learned from mistakes and pulled these objects further from the contact line, requiring use of longer-range weapons. Now they truly have a comprehensive approach: from KAB strikes on crossings (Lyman and Zaporizhzhia directions) to fire control of logistics routes using FPV drones (which I wrote about earlier). Thus, now the enemy actively applies our own 2022 tactics, adapted to today - and has similar success in advancement as we once did. Sadly, the enemy prevails not only numerically but technologically. We need to consider this and correct mistakes, as we already did at sea."


Officer_33:
"Necessity of new defensive structure concept. More and more I observe uselessness of built engineering structures, Sumy region, Donetsk region (although when they were built in some sections end of 2023 - beginning of 2024 - it was relevant). Combat tactics changed drastically over the last year. I remember words of Madyar and Flash in 2024, who said that in relatively short perspective (up to 1 year) 10 km in both directions from contact line will become dead zones, and fighters will gradually start digging underground. Underground, unfortunately, no one closes themselves capitally with us, maybe this is our problem, but kill zones up to 15 km exist and, like it or not, we still need to move through them. Light motor and auto transport dominates on battlefield, instead of armor (which enemy ran out of) accordingly need to plan and create completely new concept of defensive structures. Strongpoints and company strongpoints with huge above-ground protruding structure should have sunk into oblivion since KABs easily leveled them, and about FPV I'm generally silent, for them it's a very luxurious target. Engineering barrier structures must also undergo cardinal changes, because 'dragon teeth' + razor wire still somehow delays infantry or armor (but this is until first breach they make in them). With use of mobile motor and auto assaults even mining doesn't help much; such herd will only be delayed by anti-tank ditch with razor wire at bottom + embankment on top (escarp) and, again, razor wire on top + constant FPV drone and reconnaissance drone patrols. Positions must be equipped as underground communications and carefully camouflaged, because camouflage is now in first place, if you're spotted - powerful strongpoint won't help. Overall constant research is needed, analysis of modern battlefield to constantly 'keep pace' with modern needs, because what was somehow relevant a year ago - now completely lost sense. This should be handled by separate organism, because somehow everyone knows how to properly build bunkers and command posts for important persons."



CONFIRMED AND GEOLOCATED ADVANCES AS REPORTED BY THE ISW



Ukrainian Forces:

Kharkiv Oblast

North of Starytsya northeast of Kharkiv City



Donetsk Oblast

West of Popiv Yar northwest of Toretsk



Zaporizhia Oblast

South of Kamyanske southwest of Orikhiv



Russian Forces:

Luhansk Oblast

Central Lypove north of Lyman



Donetsk Oblast

East of Dachne north of Toretsk

Eastern Oleksiivka west of Kurakhove

Central Novopil southwest of Velyka Novosilka with settlement seizure



UNCONFIRMED ADVANCES

Russian Claims:

Sumy Oblast

Vodolahy north of Sumy City

Oleksiivka southwest of Vodolahy

Northern Kindrativka north of Sumy City

Northern Yunakivka northeast of Sumy City

Three kilometers near Oleksandriia northeast of Sumy City

Almost half of Yunakivka



Luhansk Oblast

Northern outskirts of Kupyansk



Donetsk Oblast

East of Zelene Pole southwest of Velyka Novosilka

500 meters toward Fedorivka northwest of Velyka Novosilka



REPORTED ATTACKS

Russian Offensive Operations:

Kursk Oblast:

Toward Novyi Put south of Glushkovo

Toward Tetkino southeast of Glushkovo

Sumy Oblast:

Vodolahy north of Sumy City

Kindrativka north of Sumy City

Yunakivka northeast of Sumy City

Loknya northeast of Sumy City

Oleksiivka northeast of Sumy City

Novomykolaivka northeast of Sumy City

Oleksandriia northeast of Sumy City

Kharkiv Oblast:

Starytsya northeast of Kharkiv City

Vovchansk northeast of Kharkiv City

Luhansk Oblast:

Kamyanka near international border northeast of Kupyansk

Kindrashivka north of Kupyansk

Radkivka north of Kupyansk

Pishchane east of Kupyansk

Stepova Novoselivka east of Kupyansk

Kolisnykivka northeast of Borova

Zahryzove northeast of Borova

Kopanky east of Borova

Hrekivka southeast of Borova

Olhivka southeast of Borova

Ridkodub north of Lyman

Zelena Dolyna north of Lyman

Karpivka north of Lyman

Novyi Myr north of Lyman

Torske east of Lyman



[Changed the format for Donetsk attacks so it wasn’t insanely long, ugly yes, but much shorter]

Donetsk Oblast:
Hryhorivka northeast of Siversk, Verkhnokamyanske east of Siversk, Ivano-Darivka southeast of Siversk, Chasiv Yar itself, Kurdyumivka southeast of Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora south of Chasiv Yar, Toretsk itself, Dyliivka north of Toretsk, Dachne north of Toretsk, Yablunivka northwest of Toretsk, Popiv Yar northwest of Toretsk, Poltavka northwest of Toretsk, Rusyn Yar northwest of Toretsk, Oleksandro-Kalynove northwest of Toretsk, Pleshchiivka northwest of Toretsk, Zorya west of Toretsk, Nova Poltavka west of Toretsk, Shevchenko Pershe northeast of Pokrovsk, Myrolyubivka east of Pokrovsk, Malynivka east of Pokrovsk, Yelyzavetivka east of Pokrovsk, Lysivka southeast of Pokrovsk, Udachne southwest of Pokrovsk, Novoserhiivka southwest of Pokrovsk, Zvirove southwest of Pokrovsk, Novomykolaivka northeast of Novopavlivka, Muravka northeast of Novopavlivka, Kotlyarivka east of Novopavlivka, Horikhove east of Novopavlivka, Bohdanivka southeast of Novopavlivka, Andriivka west of Kurakhove, Oleksiivka west of Kurakhove, Kostyantynopil west of Kurakhove, Bahatyr west of Kurakhove, Odradne southwest of Kurakhove, Vesele northwest of Velyka Novosilka, Vilne Pole northwest of Velyka Novosilka, Shevchenko northwest of Velyka Novosilka, Komar northwest of Velyka Novosilka, Novosilka west of Velyka Novosilka, Zelene Pole southwest of Velyka Novosilka, Novopil southwest of Velyka Novosilka.



Zaporizhia Oblast:

Novodanylivka south of Orikhiv

Pavlivka west of Orikhiv

Stepove southwest of Orikhiv

Kherson Oblast:

Antonivsky Bridge east of Kherson City

Zabych Island southwest of Kherson City



REPORTED COUNTERATTACKS

Ukraine:
Donetsk Oblast:

Near Bahatyr west of Kurakhove

Near Odradne southwest of Kurakhove

Near Komar northwest of Velyka Novosilka

Near Zelene Pole southwest of Velyka Novosilka

Near Novopil southwest of Velyka Novosilka



Quote of the Day:
“Hedgehog are not savage beasts but gentle, social creatures. When you spend time with them, you realize how closely related we are—and how deep our responsibility is to protect them.”
-David Attenborough