ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 20, 2026

Latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Key Takeaways from the ISW:

  • 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.
  • Ukrainian forces appear to be regaining the tactical initiative in different sectors of the frontline in Ukraine.
  • 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.
  • Russian forces launched one ballistic missile and 154 drones toward Ukraine overnight and an additional 84 drones during the day.  

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