Victory Chronicles-DAY 1189

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a fresh round of sanctions on Russia this week, signalling rising irritance within the White House over what officials describe as Moscow’s persistent unwillingness to a peaceful resolution to the war it started against Ukraine that has already entered its fourth year. 

According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, the proposed restrictive measures would fall short of hitting Russia’s banking sector but aim to escalate pressure on the Kremlin. 

The ultimate goal is to force Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin to accept a 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine has endorsed – but which Russia continues to reject outright. The deliberations mark a significant shift in Trump’s posture toward Moscow. 

Trump is reportedly disillusioned with the pace and outcome of peace talks and is even contemplating pulling the U.S. out of the negotiating process altogether if what one aide described as “a final push” fails.

Trump’s reluctance to act more forcefully, according to WSJ sources., stemmed from multiple factors. He remains wary of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he accuses of inflaming tensions by demanding tougher sanctions. 

Moreover, Trump has expressed skepticism that economic penalties will change Russia’s military strategy, while also voicing concern over potential damage to long-term U.S.-Russian economic ties. 

Nevertheless, the White House now appears increasingly convinced that Russia is not engaging in the peace process in good faith. Despite repeated diplomatic overtures, Moscow has yet to show genuine interest in ending the war it launched – raising doubts about any negotiated settlement in the near term future. 

EU pushes to cap Russian oil at $45 per barrel. The EU is pushing to lower the price cap on Russian crude oil exports – the main cash cow of its state coffers – from $60 to $45 per barrel, the Financial Times reported on May 27. The move, backed by the European Commission and key EU states like France, Germany, and Italy, aims to tighten sanctions pressure on Moscow. Canada raised the idea at a recent G7 finance ministers’ meeting, with support from the UK and EU, but the U.S. restrained from using stronger language in the final communique. G7 nations agreed instead to keep “exploring all options,” including tougher sanctions, if a ceasefire deal remains out of reach.

Massive blaze in Kharkiv region contained after Russian drone strike on civilian facility. Ukrainian emergency crews have successfully extinguished a massive fire in the town of Vasyshcheve, Kharkiv region, following a Russian drone attack overnight, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

The triggered a blaze that tore through roughly 7,500 square meters (about 1.85 acres), engulfing structural remains and large quantities of stored commercial goods. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Firefighters faced perilous conditions while working under the threat of renewed strikes, supported by a pyrotechnic team, a fire train, and local responders from Vasyshcheve’s volunteer fire brigade.

The Kharkiv region, located near the Russian border, has seen a sharp increase in drone and missile strikes in recent weeks, as Moscow intensifies pressure on frontline and adjacent civilian zones. 

Ukrainian brigade uses drones to evacuate downed UAVs from battlefield. Ukraine’s 63rd Mechanized Brigade has showcased a drone-assisted operation to evacuate reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the front line, highlighting a new dimension in drone warfare.

Footage released by the brigade shows the extraction of two damaged drones—nicknamed “Leleka” (Stork) and “Mara” (Ghost) —by another UAV, referred to as “Nemesis.” The unit described the mission as a complex and risky operation, but praised the pilots and their drone unit for executing it flawlessly.

“This is a new level of drone warfare—Private Nemesis rescues Privates Leleka and Mara,” the brigade said. The innovation follows a similar recent success by the 13th National Guard Brigade “Khartia” (Charter), which used a modified Targan ground robot to evacuate a wounded soldier over a 12-kilometer (7.4-mile) route north of Kharkiv.

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces conducted one of their largest drone and missile strikes of the war against Ukraine on the night of May 25 to 26, after three nights of record strikes. The May 25-26 strike is now the second largest combined strike of the war, after Russian forces conducted the largest combined strike on the night of May 24 to 25.
• Russia’s increased missile stockpiling, drone production, and drone adaptations demonstrate Russia’s commitment to achieving its war goals through military means in a protracted war in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian intelligence continues to assess that the Kremlin is committed to its war aim of achieving complete Ukrainian capitulation and is preparing for a potential future conflict with NATO — in line with ISW’s assessments.
• Ukrainian intelligence also assessed that Russia is facing a number of critical constraints in its economy and on the battlefield — in line with ISW’s ongoing assessments.
• Russia’s own defense industrial production limitations are pushing Russia to rely on its allies and partners and to find cheap solutions to adapt to Ukraine’s drone and counter-drone capabilities.
• Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin’s recent demand for Russian forces to create a “buffer zone” along the Russia-Ukraine international border, in addition to Russia’s ongoing efforts to seize the remainder of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts, ignores Russia’s constraints and underscores Putin’s intention to increase his territorial demands.
• Ukrainian forces conducted a series of drone strikes against Russian defense industrial enterprises in the Republic of Tatarstan and Ivanovo and Tula oblasts on May 25 and 26.
• The Kremlin’s ongoing cognitive warfare effort aimed at preventing future Western military assistance to Ukraine is rooted in fear and the acknowledgement that Russia’s only real hope in defeating Ukraine is by isolating Ukraine from its allies.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Sumy Oblast and near Vovchansk, Lyman, and Toretsk.

In memoriam: Ukrainian soldier Davyd Starovier, a hero of Ukraine’s defense forces
Spc. Davyd Starovier, known by the call sign “Yeti,” was killed in action on April 14, 2024, while carrying out a combat mission near the village of Netailove in Donetsk region. He was 23.

Starovier was born in the city of Vinnytsia. He graduated from Lyceum No. 32 and later attended the Ivan Bohun Military Lyceum in Kyiv. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Vinnytsia National Agrarian University and a master’s from Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University. In civilian life, he worked as a sales representative at Reckitt Benckiser. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and motorcycles.

Following the full-scale Russian invasion, Starovier joined the 59th Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where he served as a mortar operator.

For his courage and dedication, he was awarded the “War Veteran” badge and the Medal “For Bravery.” “He was someone truly special in my life,” said his partner, Olha. “I’m grateful our paths crossed. He was strong in spirit, courageous, the soul of any gathering, and an incredible source of support for everyone around him.” Starovier was laid to rest at Sabariv Cemetery in Vinnytsia. He is survived by his parents, sisters, brother, partner and many friends.

*Starovier’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

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• ‘I’ve had enough’: Republican senator demands Trump impose sanctions on Russia
• US and EU cease cooperation in fight against Russia’s sanctions circumvention