Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of May 21

Since the beginning of the day and as of 4:00 p.m., 65 combat engagements have already been recorded on the frontline. Russian troops are trying to breach Ukrainian defenses, but Ukrainian defenders are holding their positions, pushing back attacks, and preventing the enemy from advancing.

According to the military, throughout the day, the enemy carried out artillery strikes from Russian territory on the settlements, including Zarichchya and Khrinivka in the Chernihiv region; Prokhody, Romashkove, Zarichne, Buniakyne, Myropilske, Porozok, Hrabovske, Bachivsk, and Novovasylivka in the Sumy region.

Situation by directions

In the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled two enemy attacks near Vovchansk and toward Mala Shapkivka.

In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian troops repelled one enemy attack in the area of Kindrashivka.

In the Lyman direction, nine combat engagements occurred near the settlements of Ridkodub, Hrekivka, and Zelena Dolyna, as well as toward Novoserhiivka, Olhivka, Novyi Myr, and in the Serebryanske forest. Three clashes are still ongoing.

In the Siversk direction, the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions twice near Bilohorivka.

In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy launched two attacks in the area of Chasiv Yar and toward Predtechyne.

In the Toretsk direction, the Russian army attacked eight times near Dyliivka, Druzhba, and Toretsk. Two combat engagements are ongoing.

High enemy activity persists in the Pokrovsk direction. Twenty-seven engagements of varying intensity have taken place today near the settlements of Yablunivka, Zoria, Shevchenko Pershe, Nova Poltavka, Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Dachenske, Kotlyne, Novoserhiivka, Udachne, Troitske, and Kotliarivka. Five battles are still ongoing.

In the Novopavlivka direction, the enemy attempted to advance 10 times near the settlements of Bahatyr, Odradne, Shevchenko, Rivnopil, Novopil, and Zelene Pole. One combat engagement continues.

The Russian army attempted to advance three times toward Ukrainian positions near Chervone in the Huliaipole direction; one engagement is still ongoing. Huliaipole and Vysoke were hit by airstrikes using unguided air-to-surface missiles.

In the Orikhiv direction, enemy aircraft launched unguided air-to-surface missiles on Novoandriivka.

In the Orikhiv and Prydniprovskyi directions, the enemy did not conduct active offensive operations.

In the Kursk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled one enemy attack. The enemy launched six airstrikes, dropping 15 guided bombs, and conducted 118 artillery attacks, including four from multiple rocket launch systems.

"Ukrainian forces are wearing down the enemy along the entire line of contact and in the rear," the General Staff noted.

Russia's losses in the war

As of today, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces have lost over 976,000 troops.

Reportedly, just in the past 24 hours, Russian forces lost nearly another 1,000 personnel. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Forces destroyed:

• 1 tank;

• 2 armored combat vehicles;

• 23 artillery systems, and more.