May 24–31 live war map: information campaign on Sumy offensive, real threats in Donetsk region

In May, the number of eliminated Russian troops dropped significantly — over 34,000 soldiers, which is the lowest figure since April of last year. As of the end of May, final numbers are not yet available, but so far, the Russians have already occupied over 400 square kilometers, losing 34,000 soldiers. This ratio is the worst of any month in 2025.

Dynamics of Russian military losses, photo: Espreso

Northern border areas of Sumy and Kharkiv regions

Russian forces have significantly intensified pressure from the Kursk region toward the Sumy region. At the same time, they have not increased their troop numbers from the previous 65,000, so they have no chance or plans to break through to Sumy. Their main task is to create a zone of pressure and distraction for the Defense Forces so that we cannot redeploy additional resources to Donetsk. Moving along riverbeds, Russian occupiers continued their advance and pushed a few more kilometers from Basivka to Loknya, where fighting is currently ongoing. They captured Bilovody and continued advancing toward Yablunivka, and also broke through 1.5 km from Veselivka and started battles for the village of Vodolahy.

May 24–31 Ukraine-Russia war map, photo: Espreso

At the same time, the Russian Armed Forces, moving along the roads, began assaulting two more border villages: Volodymyrivka and Kostiantynivka. Their overall advance in different areas ranges from 5 to 10 kilometers. The Russian troops’ tactical goal is to reach and occupy dominant heights to expand their fire capabilities. Consequently, they aim to take Yunakivka and Khotin. However, this is exactly where they will face significant difficulties, as the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already secured more advantageous positions on the heights along Yunakivka, Yablunivka, and Novomykolaivka and do not plan to retreat.

May 24–31 Ukraine-Russia war map, photo: Espreso

Another direct road to Sumy runs from the border village of Tiotkino through the already evacuated Bilopillia. The Russian forces also planned to advance from here, but their plans were disrupted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces a month ago, when they themselves launched an operation near Tiotkino, as well as in several other places further east along the border.

Most likely, the military campaign in the Sumy region will resemble last year’s similar attempt to break through near Vovchansk in northern Kharkiv region, where Russian troops also advanced 5–7 km but got stuck for a year. By the way, during April–May, the Russians were active on this part of the front as well, trying to bypass Vovchansk from two flanks. Recently, they managed to advance several hundred meters along the border near the village of Tyhe.

May 24–31 Ukraine-Russia war map, photo: Espreso

About 70 km east near the border and along the Oskil River, Russian occupiers have been trying for over six months to establish a new bridgehead and advance westward, behind Kupiansk. So far, they have only managed to cross infantry across the river, without heavy equipment, which is why their progress remains very slow. This week, they captured a few hundred more meters near the village of Kamianka and attempted to break through the border toward Stroivka, but the Defense Forces repelled the attack.

May 24–31 Ukraine-Russia war map, photo: Espreso

Lyman and Borova split for Russian troops

After a temporary weakening of their attacks, Russian forces have become active again in this section of the front. Specifically, they are trying to advance toward Ridkodub and Karpivka, where in a few days they managed to break through 1.5 km and fully capture Lypove. To the north, Russian occupiers attacked west of Novomykhailivka toward Novyi Myr, but here the Defense Forces held them back and prevented the full capture of Novomykhailivka. Similarly, Russian attacks from Makiivka toward Hrekivka were unsuccessful. Although the Lyman sector consistently ranks 3rd or 4th in intensity and the Russian troop grouping is one of the strongest, the Defense Forces, despite being significantly outnumbered, have been quite successful in holding back the Russian advance. The Russian Armed Forces aim to wedge a gap in our logistics around Karpivka and Shandryholove while simultaneously attacking Lyman and Borova. However, they are unable to do so due to a lack of forces. Evidence of this is the stalled offensive from Yampolivka toward Torske, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to counterattack and push the Russians back 1 km from the village. Since no significant reinforcements are expected for them at present, Russian forces will have to decide which target is more of a priority: Borova or Lyman.

May 24–31 Ukraine-Russia war map, photo: Espreso

Breakthrough between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka: new threat to Ukrainian forces

Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka are key targets for the Russian forces in 2025, and they are focusing their main attention and resources on them. The number of attacks in the Pokrovsk sector still accounts for over a third of all clashes along the front, although the pace of their advance has somewhat slowed.

For example, in Toretsk, the Russian troops have had no success, despite continuing attempts to break out of the city and attack Pleshchiivka and Kleban-Byk.

Russian forces captured the most territory along the Donetsk–Kostiantynivka highway. Here, they took a significant part of the gray zone, seized the villages of Romanivka and Stara Mykolaivka, and also advanced toward Zoria, where they encountered strong resistance and were forced to retreat. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are gradually withdrawing from a semi-encirclement near Hnativka and Stara Mykolaivka. Considering that the Russian Armed Forces are slowly but steadily advancing along the Pokrovsk–Kostiantynivka highway, where fighting is already underway on the outskirts of Yablunivka, the Defense Forces will have to retreat from positions near Zoria toward Kostiantynivka and establish a new defensive line near the Kleban-Byk reservoir.

May 24–31 Ukraine-Russia war map, photo: Espreso

The Russian troops advanced several hundred meters toward Pokrovsk in Malynivka but failed to continue moving toward Novoekonomichne from Myroliubivka or Yelyzavetivka. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also managed to hold back Russian troops at the most dangerous part of the front, near Popiv Yar, where Russian occupiers are trying to break deep into our territory, get behind our lines, and cut off logistics. In the coming weeks, the Russian Armed Forces will concentrate their greatest efforts here. The situation may repeat itself as it did after the occupation of Ocheretyne near Avdiivka, when, having gained operational space, the Russians were able to advance continuously for a whole year. However, back then, they did not face strong flanks like Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka. Therefore, Russian forces might well get stuck here.

Russian troops make meter-scale gains in Dnipropetrovsk region offensive

On the right flank of Pokrovsk, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have effectively stabilized the situation. In May, the Russians had no gains north of the Solona River or east of Pokrovsk along the road to Mezhova–Pavlohrad.

Meanwhile, in the northern Novopavlivka sector, Russian occupiers captured a significant part of the gray zone along a 6 km front, from Kotliarivka to Bohdanivka, including the occupation of Troitske. They are still 2.6 km away from the administrative border with the Dnipropetrovsk region. And the number of eliminated Russians is 14,000 short of the 1 million mark. Such are the statistics competitions. Both figures are more symbolic than likely to have a significant impact on the course of the war.

Russia’s advance on Novomykolaivka was not only halted by the Defense Forces but was also pushed back by one kilometer.

May 24–31 Ukraine-Russia war map, photo: Espreso

Ukrainian forces repel attack on Bahatyr

In the southern Novopavlivka sector, very intense battles are ongoing for Bahatyr, Kostiantynopil, and Odradne. Although the Russians claimed to have occupied Bahatyr two weeks ago, Ukrainian forces managed to push them out of the central streets and move the fighting to the southern part of this fortified area.

The Russian Armed Forces have also failed to fully capture either Andriivka or Kostiantynopil. It seemed that the Defense Forces might have had to withdraw from these nearly fully occupied villages long ago, but our heroes have held on to certain streets and key positions and continue to defend. As a result, the Russians decided to continue encircling our defenders, advancing along the road from Bahatyr to Odradne and Komar, where they occupied a forested area right up to the Vovcha River. This move aims to limit not only logistics but also retreat routes. At the same time, Russian assault troops are attacking Odradne from both the north and south. So far, there have been no significant advances, though with heavy losses. Thanks to the combined resources of several Ukrainian brigades, a strong defense has been established here, stabilizing the front.

May 24–31 Ukraine-Russia war map, photo: Espreso

South of Novosilka, the Russians slightly expanded their control zone and completed the occupation of Zelene Pole. Some of the Ukrainian defenders are already holding a circular defense a bit further south. Likely, efforts are underway to unblock them. However, from Dniproenerhiya to Novosilka, the Ukrainian Armed Forces not only hold the Russians but also carry out local counterattacks, such as recently near Burlatske.

May 24–31 Ukraine-Russia war map, photo: Espreso

Ukrainian forces breach Russian air defenses over Moscow

For five consecutive days, hundreds of drones attacked all regions of Russia around Moscow. Although the explosive results were fewer than hoped, in the following days, for the first time in history, Ukraine managed to break through the air defense over the Moscow region. As a result, a number of strategically important military factories were hit — factories producing drones, rockets, explosives, and other weapons. In total, six factories near Moscow were targeted, including those in Dubna, Odintsovo, and Zelenograd. Additionally, an airport and a military base in Tver, two factories on the road to Moscow in Tula, one factory each in the Ivanovo and Vladimir regions, and, as a welcome bonus, a sudden fire at a St. Petersburg plant producing radio electronics and microchips. More to come.

May 24–31 Ukraine-Russia war map, photo: Espreso

The maps were created using data from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other verified open sources. They are approximate and only represent general trends in the combat zone.