The situation 1520 – May 20, 2026

1. Russian President Vladimir Putin and the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) President Xi Jinping failed to reach an agreement on the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline and signed only comparatively minor bilateral agreements during Putin’s official visit to the PRC.
2. Ukrainian forces appear to be regaining the tactical initiative in different sectors of the frontline in Ukraine.
3. Ukrainian forces advanced in the Kupyansk direction, the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast. Russian forces advanced in the Sumy and Pokrovsk directions.
4. Russian forces launched one ballistic missile and 154 drones toward Ukraine overnight and an additional 84 drones during the day.  

The full update of the Russian offensive 1520 is available on UNDERSTANDING WAR.