ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 23, 2026

Latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Key Takeaways

  • Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted a mechanized counterattack in the Borova direction, possibly penetrating up to five kilometers into the Russian defenses.
  • Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign continues to exploit degraded and overstretched Russian air defenses, targeting Russian oil infrastructure and military assets on the night of May 22 to 23.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is preparing a combined strike against Kyiv City that could include Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs).
  • Ukrainian forces advanced in the Borova and Hulyaipole direction.
  • Russian forces launched 124 drones toward Ukraine overnight.

See original here.