Russian forces sustain losses in southern Ukraine

Russian forces launched a combined drone and missile attack on Ukraine's central and southern regions overnight on May 18, injuring at least five people, officials reported.

President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the Ukrainian military's efforts in delivering "significant" long-range strikes on Moscow overnight on May 16-17, describing them as part of a broader shift in momentum in Kyiv’s favor.

"When we think about those types of technologies being that close, and a range of bad actors from terror groups to drug cartels to Iranians to the Russians, it's concerning," a senior U.S. official said.

The remarks came as European officials continue debating future engagement with Moscow amid growing uncertainty over the United States' efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines how Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidency has changed over seven years in office, and whether he still represents the anti-establishment promises he campaigned on in 2019.

A large-scale drone attack targeted the Moscow region overnight on May 16–17, with Russian officials and local residents reporting multiple explosions across the area.

Russia launched 287 attack drones overnight, Ukraine’s Air Force said, adding that 279 drones were shot down or suppressed by air defenses. Eight drones struck seven locations.

The number includes 1,170 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina won the WTA 1000 Internazionali BNL d’Italia tournament in Rome, securing one of the biggest titles of her recent career.

Romania's Defense Ministry said that an "unguided reactive projectile" was discovered on a property near the country's border with Ukraine.

The waiver, which allowed purchases of Russian oil stranded at sea, has expired as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 16.

"Probably they need more people to send to the war in Ukraine," Moldovan President Maia Sandu said.