Ukraine has escalated its use of helium balloons for deep strikes into Russia, launching over 1,000 aerostats since fall 2025. These balloons carry decoys, surveillance gear, bombs, attack drones, or radio repeaters, targeting refineries, railways, and other infrastructure. They exploit prevailing westerly winds, are cheap and hard to detect, and force Russia to waste air defenses. The technology is growing among Ukrainian units, though adoption is driven more by innovators than central policy. Tethered aerostats also serve as communications relays and reconnaissance platforms. The trend reflects an asymmetric response to Russia's invasion, leveraging low-cost, effective drone warfare.

Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian President's Office, announced that the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine is expected to begin operating in 2027, based in The Hague. This historic decision creates the first mechanism since the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials to hold individuals accountable for launching the war against Ukraine. The next stage involves establishing the tribunal, appointing judges, approving procedures, and launching investigations.

Andrii Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated that Russia is conducting combat operations amid a significant manpower shortage, with losses approaching or exceeding recruitment. He noted no major front-line changes, with Russian efforts concentrated on the Pokrovsk and Oleksandrivka sectors. Hnatov said Ukraine aims to stabilize the situation and force negotiations, and that the duration of the war depends on Russia's willingness to continue it.

Ukraine's Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko announced that over 256,000 crimes by Russia are under investigation, with 44 TB of digital evidence and 1,100 suspects. Following 36 countries and the EU joining the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Special Tribunal, the tribunal is moving from political decision to operational launch, targeting Russia's top leadership.

On May 15, Russian attacks on energy infrastructure caused power outages in Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Khmelnytskyi regions. Ukrenergo reported emergency repairs are underway where safety permits. Electricity consumption is 3.2% lower than the previous day due to clear weather boosting solar generation, and the operator urged consumers to shift usage to peak solar hours (11:00-15:00) and limit high-power appliances from 18:00-22:00.

Russian troops have resumed operations near the Antonivskyi Bridge in the Prydniprovske sector of southern Ukraine, but assault units are refusing orders to cross the Dnipro River and land on islands due to Ukrainian detection and destruction. Three combat clashes occurred in the past day, and refusals have been increasing as Ukrainian forces continue to target and sink crossing attempts.

Background: Russian forces struck Zaporizhzhia, damaging industrial infrastructure, as part of 973 strikes on 49 settlements in Zaporizhzhia region over 24 hours, killing one person. Today: On May 15, Russian forces struck an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia, damaging a fuel and lubricants tank and causing a fire. One person was killed and three men aged 54, 60, and 63 were injured, two in critical condition. The attack also damaged private houses. The strike is part of ongoing Russian attacks on the regional center.

Artem Vyshniak, a fighter of the Azov Brigade, was released from Russian captivity on 15 May during a prisoner exchange after four years. He was captured after leaving the Azovstal plant in Mariupol in 2022. His mother, known as Mama Tania, became a prominent activist for POWs, holding weekly rallies and drawing attention to their conditions. The release highlights ongoing prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia.

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said in an interview with The Times that there are no signs Russia is preparing a nuclear strike, despite its capability. He stressed that any such decision would be political and that he would be aware of preparations. The statement aims to counter fears of nuclear escalation while acknowledging Russia's nuclear threat.

On May 15, Russian forces attacked a vehicle of the charity Iskra Dobra in Kherson's Dniprovskyi district, injuring two volunteers delivering meals. One volunteer suffered a traumatic leg amputation and is in serious condition; the other sustained blast injuries. The previous day, a drone strike targeted a World Central Kitchen vehicle in the same district, though the driver was unharmed. This attack underscores the ongoing targeting of humanitarian workers in the region.

On May 15, 2026, Russian forces dropped explosives from a drone onto a passenger car in Kherson at around 8:20 a.m., injuring four civilians. The Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office opened a pre-trial investigation for war crimes. This attack follows a pattern of daily drone and artillery strikes on the region, which on May 14 killed two and injured 13 across 42 settlements.

Background: Russian forces had deployed new units and used wave assault tactics in the Huliaipole sector, but Ukrainian forces halted the 5th Army's advance and prevented gains on three fronts. After failing to capture Verkhnia Tersa and Vozdvyzhivka by May 15 and suffering significant losses near Huliaipole, Russia sent 320 servicemen from rear areas in the Rostov region to reinforce the assault units of the 5th Army.

NATO's Crystal Arrow exercise in Latvia tested unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in combat scenarios for the first time, with Latvian troops using wheeled robots for reconnaissance, attack, and logistics. Ukrainian veterans provided training and tactics. The exercise highlighted the growing importance of UGVs in modern warfare, with NATO seeking to integrate lessons learned as it builds up its Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative.

On 15 May, ambassadors of EU member states met with the leadership of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). The EU delegation expressed support for Ukraine's anti-corruption reforms and the independence of its institutions amid the ongoing full-scale invasion. This meeting underscores continued EU backing for Ukraine's governance reforms.

Polish police detained five Polish citizens aged 15-18 in connection with the brutal beating of three Ukrainian teenagers on the Świętokrzyski Bridge in Warsaw on 7 May. One victim was seriously injured. Authorities state the incident is not yet classified as nationalist-motivated.

During NATO drills on Gotland, Ukrainian drone pilots demonstrated superior tactics, forcing opposing forces to pause three times to reassess. This builds on earlier reports of Ukrainian drone operators defeating Swedish units in the same exercise. The latest detail highlights that the Ukrainian pilots were specifically noted for their tactical edge, and the pauses were used by the opposing forces to rethink their approach.

Ukrainian company STRUMKO ENERGY has developed STRUMKO and STRUMKO XXL tactical power systems designed for extreme frontline conditions. The modules feature IP65 protection, battery heating for -20°C operation, silent operation with no thermal signature, and capability to charge 6-8 UAV batteries simultaneously. The 16 kWh XXL station can power command posts and electronic warfare systems for 6-8 hours. The systems are already in use by Ukrainian units and have attracted interest from Middle Eastern countries.

Ukrainian manufacturer Rovertech has developed specialized military variants of its Zmii unmanned ground robotic system, including models with a manipulator arm for fortification, a tipper lorry for logistics, and a firefighting version. The robots feature light fragmentation protection and can be produced within days, addressing frontline needs for engineering, logistics, and firefighting under Russian drone and bomb threats.

The Hryhorii Skovoroda Museum in Skovorodynivka, previously destroyed by a Russian missile in 2022, was struck again by a Russian Molniya drone on 12 May. The attack damaged the protective shelter covering the museum, affecting eight roof sections, including one with a significant hole, but the museum structure and load-bearing elements were not harmed. Ukrainian authorities documented the damage, informed UNESCO, and are preparing a technical damage report.

Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) accused Ukraine of attempting to purchase pro-war Russian Telegram channels to spread disinformation and discredit the Kremlin. The SVR claimed that since late April, individuals allegedly linked to Kyiv used fake accounts to approach owners of pro-war channels with purchase offers, aiming to replace content with disinformation targeting Russian political leadership and armed forces. No evidence was provided, and no specific channels were identified. The unsubstantiated allegation comes amid growing criticism from pro-war milbloggers over internet restrictions and the war's deadlock, including public criticism of President Putin by blogger Ilya Remeslo and complaints by Yegor Guzenko about mobile internet restrictions.