Ukrainian drones control airspace over Russian logistic routes in occupied Luhansk Oblast
Ukraine's Third Army Corps said on 31 May that its drone units have established control over key Russian military supply routes in occupied parts of Luhansk Oblast.
According to the corps, Ukrainian UAVs are operating over and striking targets around major occupied cities, including Luhansk, Starobilsk, Alchevsk, Brianka and Kadiivka.
Corps commander Andrii Biletskyi announced the operation, stating that Ukrainian drones had even reached the Izvaryne checkpoint, more than 200 km behind Russian-controlled lines.
The operation reportedly targeted Russian armored vehicles, ammunition depots and logistics routes. It forms part of Ukraine's broader campaign to strike Russian military assets deep behind the front line, including command posts, fuel depots, ammunition storage sites and air-defense systems.
The announcement comes after Russian officials claimed in April that all of Luhansk Oblast had been fully occupied by Russian forces. Ukraine has rejected that claim, maintaining that fighting and Ukrainian military activity continue in the region.
The report indicates that Ukraine is increasingly using long-range drones to disrupt Russian logistics and military infrastructure far beyond the immediate battlefield, making supply and movement more difficult for Russian forces in occupied territories.
Ukrainian drones hit over 18 Russian oil facilities in May
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck 18 oil and gas facilities across several Russian regions and Russian-occupied territories during May, according to Commander Robert Brovdi, known by the callsign "Magyar."
Brovdi said the drone strikes targeted oil refineries, gas processing facilities, storage tanks, oil depots, pumping stations and chemical plants. He claimed the attacks caused fires at multiple sites and forced more than half of the targeted facilities to suspend or reduce operations at various points during the month.
The strikes were carried out in central, southern and western regions of Russia, as well as in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, as part of Ukraine's broader campaign to disrupt Russia's energy infrastructure and military logistics. Ukraine also targeted an oil terminal in occupied Crimea during the month, Brovdi said.
Hegseth says US will find a way to help Ukraine with defense misiles
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on 30 May that the United States will find a way to help Ukraine defend itself, responding to concerns over Kyiv's growing shortage of air defense systems.
His comments came days after President Volodymyr Zelensky sent an urgent letter to U.S. President Donald Trump warning that Ukraine's supply of anti-ballistic missile systems and interceptors is running low amid intensified Russian missile and drone attacks.
Hegseth praised European countries for increasing defense spending and support for Ukraine, adding that Washington wants Ukraine to be able to defend itself and would help ensure that happens. However, he did not specify what assistance the United States might provide.
In his letter, Zelensky urged the White House and Congress to remain engaged and help Ukraine obtain additional Patriot PAC-3 missiles and air defense systems, stressing that the current pace of deliveries is no longer sufficient to meet the growing threat from Russian attacks.
The appeal comes as Russia increases large-scale strikes against Ukrainian cities and openly threatens further attacks on Kyiv. Ukrainian officials have identified strengthening air defenses and securing additional interceptor missiles as a top priority in ongoing discussions with the United States and European partners.