Ukrainian forces conducted a series of coordinated overnight strikes on May 21–22, targeting critical Russian military infrastructure across occupied territories and inside Russia. The General Staff reported hits on air defense systems, command posts, ammunition depots, and drone control centers. Among the targets was a Russian Osa (SA-8 Gecko) surface-to-air missile system in Donetsk, valued at $10 million, and command hubs in Kursk and Bryansk regions. Ukrainian drones also struck a communications node in Zaporizhzhia and logistics warehouses in Luhansk.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed attacks on the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in Yaroslavl, Russia’s sixth-largest oil refinery, capable of processing 15 million tons annually. This follows a previous strike on the same facility earlier in the week. The refinery is located about 700 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, underscoring Ukraine’s growing long-range strike capability.

Zelensky also reported that Ukrainian forces have liberated approximately 590 square kilometers of territory since the start of 2026. He emphasized that sustained battlefield losses and economic pressure from strikes on energy infrastructure are pushing Moscow toward potential diplomatic engagement. The strikes coincide with ongoing efforts to strengthen frontline positions and disrupt Russian supply lines along key river crossings near Kharkiv and Donetsk.