Russia builds power lines to connect occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to its grid

Russia is building over 80 km of high-voltage power lines in occupied southern Ukraine, aiming to connect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) to its energy grid, according to a Greenpeace report cited by The New York Times. The satellite imagery shows construction between Mariupol and Berdyansk, signaling Moscow's long-term intent to integrate the ZNPP—Europe’s largest nuclear plant—into its infrastructure. The plant, occupied since March 2022, remains inaccessible to Ukrainian authorities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned of ongoing safety risks, while the U.S. has proposed returning control of the plant to Ukraine—an idea Russia has rejected.

Russia changes drone tactics to bypass Ukraine's air defense

Russia has changed its drone attack strategy to bypass Ukrainian air defenses, Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on May 27.

According to Ihnat, Russia now launches Shahed-type drones at high altitudes—over 2 kilometers—and frequently alters their routes. Once near their target, the drones dive quickly to evade detection and interception. While this makes them more visible to radar, they remain out of reach for mobile fire teams and small-caliber weapons.

Russian forces are also using a mix of real attack drones and decoys—roughly 60% Shaheds and 40% Parodiya drones—to overwhelm Ukraine's defenses. These attacks often come in group raids targeting the same area.

Russia continues to use Iranian-made Shaheds and domestic Geran drones to punch through Ukraine’s defenses ahead of cruise and ballistic missile strikes. The Economist recently reported that Russia controls some of its drones via Telegram-based bots, enabling real-time data and video feeds.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air defense capabilities are under pressure. Sources say it has run out of ammunition for its French SAMP/T batteries, and the Crotale system hasn’t received new missiles in 18 months. The status of its U.S.-made Patriot interceptors remains unclear, with no new aid yet approved by the Trump administration.

Four people, including a 6-year-old child, injured in Russian strikes on Kramatorsk

Russian forces struck a residential area in Kramatorsk late on May 26, injuring four people, including a family of three, according to the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office.

The attack, launched around 11:17 p.m., involved FAB-250 aerial bombs equipped with UMPK kits to convert them into guided munitions. One bomb hit near an apartment building.

A 36-year-old man, his 33-year-old wife, and their 6-year-old daughter were injured inside their flat. A 23-year-old local resident was also wounded. All suffered blast injuries and concussions.

The strike damaged at least 13 residential buildings and several vehicles.

Russians launch 60 drones overnight, only 9 of them hit the target

Russian forces launched 60 Shahed-type attack drones and various decoys against Ukraine beginning late on May 26, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. As of 9:00 a.m., air defense had downed 43 drones — 35 by air defense units and 8 through electronic warfare or loss from radar.

Nine drone strikes were recorded, with debris falling in three locations. The drones were launched from Millerovo, Oryol, Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, as well as from Hvardiiske in occupied Crimea.

Ukraine repelled the attack using aircraft, missile units, electronic warfare, drones, and mobile fire teams.