Ukrainian forces struck the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast and the Yaroslavl-3 pumping station in a coordinated drone operation on May 18–19, 2026, according to Ukraine's General Staff. The refinery, one of Russia’s largest, processes about 17 million tons of oil annually and produces fuels used by Russian military units. The attacks followed Russian overnight drone barrages, including a large-scale strike on Ukraine’s northern regions. On the morning of May 19, Russian forces launched a ballistic missile at Pryluky in Chernihiv Oblast and drone attacks on Hlukhiv in Sumy Oblast, killing five and injuring at least 33. Infrastructure damage was widespread, affecting homes, businesses, and emergency services.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that China secretly trained around 200 Russian military personnel in late 2025 under a bilateral agreement, with some later participating in combat in Ukraine. The training covered drone warfare, electronic warfare, and armored infantry tactics, signaling deeper military collaboration between Beijing and Moscow. This development comes as Russia launched large-scale nuclear forces exercises involving over 64,000 personnel and 7,800 units, citing threats of aggression. The drills include missile launches and coordination across strategic fleets and aviation commands.

Inside Russia, military hospitals are overwhelmed by war casualties. Independent outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe reported that civilian hospitals and maternity wards are being repurposed for wounded soldiers. A CSIS report from January 2026 estimated nearly 1.2 million Russian battlefield casualties since 2022, including between 275,000 and 325,000 deaths — losses not seen by a major power since World War II. Despite efforts to expand military medical infrastructure, the strain remains severe.