The situation 1160 – May 20, 2025

• Senior Russian officials continue to deny the legitimacy of the Ukrainian president, government, and constitution and Ukraine's sovereignty despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent efforts to feign interest in peace negotiations to end the war.
• Medvedev also reiterated long-standing Russian demands tantamount to Ukraine’s complete capitulation.
• Ukraine's Western allies continue to provide military aid to Ukraine and support Ukraine's defense industry.
• The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) announced several sanctions packages against Russia on May 20.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed Colonel General Valery Solodchuk's recent appointment as Central Military District (CMD) commander on May 20.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, near Chasiv Yar and Toretsk, and in the Zaporizhia direction.

The full update of the Russian offensive 1160 is available on UNDERSTANDING WAR