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