Russian strikes near Kupiansk killed 5, injured 9
On May 19, Russian strikes killed five people and injured nine in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. The villages of Novoosynove and Kivsharivka were hit by rocket systems, resulting in the deaths of three men and two women.
Russian attacks on Kharkiv Oblast have intensified recently, causing significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. In a separate attack on a northern suburb of Kharkiv, five civilians, including a pregnant woman, were killed, and 16 were wounded.
Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that the area was targeted with a "double-tap" strike using Iskander missiles, deliberately hitting rescue workers after the initial strike. An eight-year-old girl was among the injured.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks and called for more air defense systems from Ukraine's allies to stop the Russian offensive.
Russian attacks in Kherson Oblast injured 6
At least six people were injured in Ukraine's Kherson Oblast on May 19 following a series of Russian attacks, according to the Kherson Regional Military Administration.
Despite the liberation of territories on the western bank of the Dnipro by Ukrainian forces in November 2022, Russia continues to target Kherson and its surroundings with artillery, tanks, drones, and air bombs, endangering civilians.
Among the injured were a 74-year-old man, three family members in Beryslav, and two additional men, all reported to be in "moderate" condition. This follows an earlier attack on May 15, which injured at least 19 people in central Kherson.
Russian forces hit a recreation area near Kharkiv, five killed 16 injured
On the morning of May 19, at least five people were killed in a Russian strike on Kharkiv Oblast, local authorities reported. The attack, which targeted an area where residents were resting, also injured at least 16 people, including a pregnant woman.
Governor Oleh Syniehubov and Oleksandr Hololobov, head of Mala Danylivka hromada, confirmed the casualties. All injured individuals have been hospitalized. At the time of the strike, an air-raid warning had been in place in Kharkiv Oblast for approximately eight hours.
Truckers briefly block Kyiv-Odesa highway over mobilization law
On May 18, long-haul truckers partially blocked the Kyiv-Odesa highway in Odesa Oblast to protest a new mobilization law. The blockage occurred near the town of Savran, leaving one lane open, according to witnesses cited by Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne.
The new law requires specific categories of Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 to present military enlistment registration papers when crossing the border. Exceptions include drivers transporting medical supplies, humanitarian aid, or involved in international cargo and passenger transport.
The highway, part of European route E95, was eventually cleared later in the day.
Number of combat clashes at contact line increases to more than 90, Russians intensify attacks on Kharkiv front
On Sunday, there were over 90 combat clashes along the contact line as of 16:00. Russian forces heavily shelled Sumy Oblast, particularly the Pokrovsk and Siversk fronts. Settlements such as Sopych, Nova Huta, and Iskryskivshchyna were targeted.
On the Kharkiv front, Russian activity decreased slightly with 8 clashes reported, focusing on areas near Vovchansk, Starytsia, and Lyptsi. Ukrainian forces successfully held their positions and inflicted significant losses on the enemy.
In Kupiansk, Ukrainian soldiers repelled five attacks, with two still ongoing, in locations like Synkivka and Berestove. Fierce fighting continued on the Siversk front with 21 clashes reported and one still ongoing near Bilohorivka and Rozdolivka.
The Kramatorsk front saw 13 attacks near Vasylivka and Ivanivske, with one attack still in progress. On the Pokrovsk front, Russians attempted 23 breakthroughs near Yevhenivka and Novoselivka Persha, with ten clashes ongoing.
On the Kurakhove front, the number of clashes doubled from five to ten. The Prydniprovske front experienced four attacks near Krynky, with a fifth currently being repelled. The situation on all other fronts remained stable.