Victory Chronicles-DAY 1190

In a bold message of its asymmetric warfare tactics, Ukraine launched a coordinated drone strike using 400 small drones simultaneously that destroyed over 40 units of Russian military equipment, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Calling the operation a “notable hit,” Zelenskyy said it marked the first time Ukraine had deployed such a large number of drones simultaneously — a significant milestone in Kyiv’s growing campaign to degrade Russian military infrastructure far from the front lines.
“We are making progress with drone-on-drone interceptors,” he said, referring to aerial drones designed to intercept and destroy enemy drones as well.
Regarding the strikes on Russian territory, Zelenskyy said, “we are capable of more.”
The ambitious strikes reflect a strategic pivot by Ukraine: by using low-cost, high-impact drone technology not only to erode Russia’s battlefield capabilities, but to pierce the illusion that the war – already in its fourth year – is distant and contained.
By striking deeper into Russian-controlled areas, Ukrainian forces are delivering a caustic message – that Russian military aggression is not immune to direct consequences.
Ukraine’s second war-time president also highlighted advances in Ukraine’s drone-on-drone interceptor technology, developed in response to Russia’s use of Iranian-made and homegrown Shahed drones that often evade conventional air defenses.
These interceptors signal Ukraine’s determination to dominate the increasingly high-technology, drone-driven dimensions of modern warfare.
As Ukraine continues to invest in its drone fleet, with plans to produce 4.5 million drones this year, predominantly first-person view (FPV) models, the ambitious project underscores Kyiv’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities through increased domestic drone production.
The dual objective, it appears militarily, is to dismantle Russian military assets and to remind the Russian public that the consequences of war are no longer confined to Ukrainian soil.

Eurobarometer: 59 percent of EU citizens back arming Ukraine. A solid Fifty-nine percent majority of European Union (EU) citizens support Brussels  financing the purchase and delivery of weapons to Ukraine, according to the latest Eurobarometer  survey that is periodically conducted by the European Commission and other EU institutions. 

The findings that were published on May 28, said there is  broad support remains high: 80 percent back accepting refugees, 76 percent favor financial and humanitarian aid, and 72 percent endorse sanctions on Russia. The war in Ukraine is viewed as the EU’s top concern by 27 percent of respondents. Most Europeans—77 percent—see Russia’s invasion as a direct threat to EU security. Meanwhile, a recent U.S. poll commissioned by Harvard University found that nearly 60 percent of Americans think Donald Trump isn’t tough enough on Putin.

Ukrainian sappers dismantle deadly cluster munition in Kharkiv, as nation becomes most heavily mined on Earth. Ukrainian bomb disposal teams have destroyed a highly volatile cluster submunition near the village of Mala Komyshuvakha in the Izium district of the Kharkiv region, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES).

The explosive, identified as a 9N210 element, was found partially buried and deemed a second-tier threat due to its instability. Sappers neutralized it on site, eliminating the risk of an accidental detonation. That episode underscores a growing and urgent crisis: Ukraine is now considered the most heavily mined country in the world, with vast stretches of land – particularly in eastern and southern regions – littered with unexploded ordinance and landmines left behind by retreating Russian forces. 

Cluster munitions,such as the one dismantled in Kharkiv, release dozens of smaller bomblets over a wide area. Many fail to explode on impact, embedding themselves in the soil and remain as hidden hazards for years. 

Neither Ukraine nor Russia are signatories of the international Convention on Cluster Munitions treaty that bans their use. Such operations are a daily operations process across Ukraine, and farmers are especially susceptible to land mine hazards during the sowing and harvesting seasons. Authorities say tens of thousands of explosive devices have been cleared so far. 

And the United Nations says that around 174,000 square kilometers (108,000 square miles) of Ukrainian territory may be mined – roughly one-third of the country’s land area. Authorities continue large-scale mine clearance efforts across the region, where Russian forces left behind widespread contamination following their occupation.

Ukrainian drones strike multiple military-industrial sites in Russia, two in Moscow region. A Ukrainian drone strike overnight on May 27-28, targeted critical military-industrial infrastructure in the city of Dubna, approximately 121 kilometers (74 miles) north of Moscow, according to Russian military bloggers, local officials, and Ukrainian defense sources. Footage circulating on social media shows drones flying over the area, followed by an explosion and a fire at the Kronstadt plant, a facility that specializes in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and aviation technology. 

Local residents captured video of the strike, with one person audibly saying, “it hit Kronstadt again” referencing previous attacks on the site. Another major target was the Raduga (Rainbow) State Engineering Design Bureau, which manufactures Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles. Ukrainian sources confirmed the plant was also struck during the assault, marking a significant blow to Russia’s missile production capabilities. 

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that air defenses shot down at least 31 drones headed toward the capital overnight. He said additional UAVs were intercepted over Zelenograd, another technology and defense hub near Moscow.

Videos from the scene showed flames rising in multiple locations following the strikes. Russia’s Defense Ministry later stated that between 9 p.m. on May 27 and 7 a.m. on May 28, its air defenses had intercepted or destroyed 296 drones across a dozen regions, including the Moscow area, but did not provide details on the total number of UAVs involved or the full extent of the damage.

These attacks are part of Ukraine’s intensified strategy to disrupt Russian military production infrastructure far behind front lines, leveraging long-range drones to high-value targets deep within Russian territory. 

Key Takeaways:

• The Kremlin is setting conditions to establish permanent control over the Russian-occupied Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), suggesting that Russia plans to illegally occupy and annex additional territory in Ukraine.
• Russian officials are likely leveraging the fact that Ukraine and Russia set no concrete deadlines for the next steps in the peace process in order to delay the process altogether and prolong the war.
• Putin continues to use orchestrated public engagements to forward the Kremlin’s effort to create a militarized Russian society united against the West that supports a prolonged war in Ukraine and possible future conflict with NATO.
• The European Union (EU) Council approved the first phase of the European Commission’s ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030 plan.
• Ukraine’s Western allies continue to provide military aid to Ukraine.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar. Russian forces recently advanced near Vovchansk, Kupyansk, and Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.

In memoriam: Ukrainian soldier Denys Hyrlian, a hero of Ukraine’s defense forces
Pvt. Denys Hyrlian was killed in action on Dec. 28, 2024, after triggering a landmine during a combat mission near the village of Zelenyi Hai in Kharkiv region. He was 34.

Hyrlian was born in the village of Bovtyshka in Kirovohrad region. He graduated from Secondary School No. 16 and later studied at the cybernetics and technology college in the regional capital, majoring in economics. He completed his military conscription in Crimea, where he served as a naval firefighter.

He lived in Kropyvnytskyi and enjoyed football. One of his dreams was to climb Mount Hoverla, Ukraine’s highest peak.

In November 2023, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and joined the 3rd Assault Brigade. After completing training in the United Kingdom, he served as a rifleman and grenade launcher assistant in an assault squad. He fought in the battle for Avdiivka and was wounded in February 2024. Following multiple surgeries, recovery and rehabilitation, he returned to the front to rejoin his comrades.

For his service and sacrifice, Hyrlian was awarded the Ministry of Defense’s Medal “For Wounds.”

“He was full of life and always ready to help others — even strangers,” said his niece, Valeriia. “He pursued his goals with determination and passion. He loved children dearly. You could say he had fear in his heart but fire in his eyes.” Hyrlian was laid to rest at the Alley of Heroes in the city of Kropyvnytskyi. He is survived by his mother, grandmother and niece.

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

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• Bloomberg: Zelenskyy says Kyiv needs 30 billion dollars to boost arms production
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