War for Ukraine Day 1,186: If You Look Around the Table and Cannot Tell Who the Mark Is, You’re the Mark!

(Air raid alert map of Ukraine at 4:00 AM Ukraine time on 26 MAY 2025)

Here is last night’s Ukrainian air defense tally:

Crazy figures shared by Ukrainian air force: overnight, Russia launched against Ukraine:

🔴 298 kamikaze drones

🔴 69 missiles (Khinzal, Iskander, Kalibr)

Out of which Ukrainian air defence says they have intercepted:

🟢 266 drones
🟢 45 missiles

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— Emmanuelle Chaze (@emmanuellechaze.com) May 25, 2025 at 2:59 AM

As you can see in the air raid alert map above, all but the westernmost oblasts are under air raid alert for drone, missile, and bomb strikes as Russia’s Tu-95s are up over western Russia.

It is now 4;55 AM local time in Ukraine and the air raid alerts have been extended to the entire country!

This comes between two and three hours since the President expressed his bewilderment over what his good friend Vlad is doing:

Trump: “I’m not happy with what Putin is doing. He’s killing a lot of people and I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin. I’ve known him a long time … we’re in the middle of talking and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don’t like it at all. I’m surprised.”

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) May 25, 2025 at 6:20 PM

Of course because Vlad is such a good friend of his, he can’t criticize him without also swiping at President Zelenskyy:

Beyond parody

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) May 25, 2025 at 8:47 PM

He is surprised! Guys. Putin is shooting rockets into Kyiv for the fourth year, and Trump is surprised. Insert pickachu face here.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 6:41 PM

If you look around the table and can’t tell who the mark is, you’re the mark.

Yet another night of russian terror in Ukraine

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 6:54 PM

Today is the anniversary of the founding of Kyiv.

Happy birthday, my dear Kyiv — the most beautiful and beloved city in the world! Founded in 482, you turn 1,543 today. That’s why muddy moscow wants to capture you so badly — to steal you as the cradle of our history and culture. You’ll prevail. Freedom will prevail.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 8:08 AM

As you can see in the air raid alert map above, Kyiv is currently under Russian attack.

There is no address today from President Zelenskyy. Nor was any other video featuring him posted today by the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Georgia:

Since November 28, 2024, citizens have been continuously protesting Georgian Dream’s decision to suspend negotiations on joining the EU, demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of those detained for participating in the protests.

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 179

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 1:57 PM

The first moments of today’s protest, Day 179.

We are not going to surrender, we have everything to lose – and everything to win.

#GeorgiaProtests

📷 MOSE

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 1:38 PM

It’s always a good idea when the largest festival of your country outright shouts “Down with the Russian regime!” – in addition to support for Ukraine ✊🏻

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM

Maria Zakharova responded to Georgian musician Erekle Getsadze’s May 24 performance at Tbilisi Open Air, saying, “Russian law enforcement agencies will give this an appropriate assessment.” Getsadze used a Russian flag on stage — as if he urinated on it.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 11:49 AM

Saba Baghdavadze has been jailed for 30 DAYS over launching A SINGLE FIREWORK at the daily protest on May 23.

Judge Manuchar Tsatsua.

#terrorinGeorgia

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM

Holland:

🇳🇱Tomorrow, the Netherlands will deliver the last of the 24 promised F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, according to Dutch Defense Minister

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 10:31 AM

The US:

No real action and not even naming the aggressor

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 12:41 PM

It’s natural selection at this point

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— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM

Oy vey!

This is just the latest in a long line of these Russian influence operations. I remember when they started using Systema to do the same type of thing in the early 00s, as well as motorcycle clubs.

Back to Ukraine:

303 families finally reunited. I’m so happy for them!

We get good news rarely, and this one was much needed after last night’s russian attack on Ukraine.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 7:22 AM

Another very large Ukrainian drone attack on fascist Russia appears to be underway, according to this map of drone reports complied from Russian sources by t.me/dronbomber. Drones appear mainly to be heading east of Moscow just now.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM

Explosions echoed across Ukraine last night as russia launched 70 missiles and 298 drones. Thirteen civilians died, three of them children. Over 50 were injured. The attack was massive. The response, once again, was inaction.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 2:58 AM

From The Financial Times:

Russia carried out its largest aerial attack on Ukraine, shattering any hopes that a record prisoner exchange completed on Sunday could lead to a cessation of hostilities.

At least 12 people were killed and dozens more injured in the overnight attack, which the Ukrainian air force said was the single-largest aerial assault of the war so far — with Moscow launching 367 missiles and suicide drones. Sunday’s record assault came after another large attack on Saturday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 30 cities and towns had been targeted in 12 regions. He urged western allies to step up their pressure on Moscow in response to the attack which he described as further evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not interested in peace.

“Putin must be forced to think not about launching missiles, but about ending the war,” Zelenskyy said. Each Russian air strike was “a sufficient reason for new sanctions against Russia”.

“The world knows all the weaknesses of the Russian economy,” Zelenskyy said, arguing that the war “can be stopped, but only through the necessary force of pressure on Russia”.

Putin has rejected US and European calls for an immediate ceasefire. So far the only agreement Moscow has lived up to is the 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war exchanged over the weekend for 1,000 Russian POWs.

The swap, agreed in Istanbul earlier this month when Ukraine and Russia held their first direct talks in three years, began on Friday and was conducted over the course of three days. Zelenskyy said Ukraine had returned 303 Ukrainian soldiers on Sunday in the final handover.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Kyiv and Moscow have conducted more than 64 prisoner exchanges that have seen thousands of people traded.

While the exchange was welcomed by Kyiv and marked a rare moment of co-operation with Moscow, Ukrainian officials remain sceptical of its broader significance.

Russian officials have in recent days suggested that they could again invade the Sumy and Kharkiv border regions in Ukraine’s north-east, while Putin said his army was working to create a “buffer zone” in that area.

The Russian leader has also maintained his maximalist position in regards to peace talks, which Ukrainian officials say are a sign that he plans to continue fighting the largest war on European soil in nearly a century.

At least four people were killed and a dozen more injured in Kyiv region, authorities said on Sunday. In the central Khmelnytskyi region, another four people were killed and five wounded, while civilian infrastructure was damaged. Five people were hospitalised there with shrapnel wounds, officials said.

In Zhytomyr region west of Kyiv, three siblings aged 8, 12 and 17 were found dead under a pile of rubble after a Russian air strike on their home. Their parents survived. At least 12 other people were injured, according to the state emergency service. One man was killed in the southern Mykolayiv region.

For its part, Russia’s defence ministry said its air defences had shot down 110 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Ukrainian foreign minister Andriy Sybiha said the Russian attack “once again emphasises the imperative of a full, unconditional and durable ceasefire for any meaningful peace effort.” He echoed Zelenskyy, calling on the world to “act”.

More at the link.

Russia is terror bombing Ukrainian civilians. Russia is a terrorist group. Far worse than all the other ones put together.

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— Anders Östlund (@andersostlund.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 3:09 AM

🙏🇺🇦 Currently 13 dead and 57 injured across Ukraine as a result of the night attack.

❗️The photo shows the hell that the Kyiv region experienced – entire streets turned to ashes. It is known about 4 dead people.

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— Savchenko Volodymyr (@savchenkoua.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 2:49 AM

🙏🇺🇦 According to the State Emergency Service, 9 regions were hit by the attack: Kyiv and the region, Zhytomyr, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Sumy regions.

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— The Ukrainian Review (@theukrainianreview.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 3:16 AM

Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast:

Russia struck a house in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, with an air bomb, killing two people and injuring two others. The city is 90% destroyed, yet some people stay, unable or unwilling to leave what little is left.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 6:55 AM

Kyiv:

Assuming my apartment block is not hit in another indiscriminate Russian air raid on Kyiv, you will be able hear my report on the latest from the Ukrainian capital on BBC Radio Wales tomorrow at 0815.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 2:09 PM

A Russian attack on the Kyiv region last night killed at least four people and injured at least 16 others. It destroyed homes, killing people in their beds. This is terrorism plain and simple.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 6:57 AM

Kyiv region last night broke the air raid map

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— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 3:04 AM

Kyiv metro stations tonight, during another massive Russian terrorist attack.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 2:05 AM

Zhytomyr Oblast:

Three children—aged 8, 12, and 17—were killed in a russian attack on Zhytomyr Oblast.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 1:12 AM

Russia murdered 3 siblings in attack on the Zhytomyr region.

They were 8, 12, and 17.

The eldest, Roman, was due to graduate in a matter of days. Their parents were admitted to the hospital, and their mother’s condition is critical.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM

Mykolaiv Oblast:

Residential building in Mykolaiv has become the target of a russian drone strike. The attack killed two people sleeping in their homes and injured five others.
📷Suspilne Mykolaiv

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 12:59 AM

Kharkiv:

More explosions in Kharkiv ‼️ Russia keeps attacking our city with drones nonstop!

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 5:57 PM

I lost count. Is it 9th or 10th explosion in Kharkiv?

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM

Kharkiv after last night’s russian drone attack on the city

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 6:28 AM

Today marks one year since the Russian attack on the “Epicentr” shopping mall in Kharkiv.

It was a Saturday, a good day for shopping. Just the day before, the mall had sent out an SMS inviting people to a sale. This wasn’t the first attack that day, but Kharkiv citizens are accustomed to them;

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 7:52 AM

we went out anyway. Two glide bombs struck, one after the other. Nineteen people were killed, including two children, and 54 others were injured.

I remember watching it burn, fully realizing there were people trapped inside. I remember feeling helpless and empty.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 7:52 AM

Russia continues to terrorize Kharkiv daily, a relentless campaign spanning years.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 7:52 AM

Chernihiv:

Russian Iskander missile strikes Chernihiv last night. A peaceful city full of sleeping civilians.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 9:17 AM

Khmelnytsky Oblast:

Khmelnytsky region after last night’s russian attack. 4 people died here, 5 others were injured, and homes were destroyed.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 8:11 AM

Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

On the territory of Zaporizhzhia region – on May 24, 2025, drone operators of the HUR units tracked down and targeted a fuel train of Russian invaders. t.me/DIUkraine/5987

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 2:13 AM

Donetsk Oblast:

Everyday life of “2 squad” fighters from the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine as they hold the line in the village of Nelipivka, Donetsk region.
Full video: t.me/wartranslate…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM

Chasiv Yar:

Ukrainian fighters of the 24th Mechanized Brigade with allied forces destroyed another Russian assault in Chasiv Yar. Russian attempts to capture Novopivnichnyi and Zakhidne districts using motorcyclists and heavy equipment at Dachi Velkova were crushed by Ukrainian defenders.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 12:54 PM

Severodonetsk, Russian occupied Luhansk Oblast:

On City Day, a blue-and-yellow flag flew over occupied Severodonetsk. Thanks to Luhansk border guards from the “Pomsta” brigade, Ukraine’s flag rose again, symbolizing resistance.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 9:15 AM

Vuhledar:

Vuhledar, destroyed and occupied by Russian terrorists, now stands as a ghost town. Once a vibrant mining community, it’s reduced to ruins.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 8:42 AM

Tula, Russia:

Something is on fire in russian Tula 👀🔥

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM

Somewhere in Russia:

Russian air defence systems bombing Russian cities.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 5:32 PM

Belgorod Oblast, Russia:

In Russia’s Belgorod region, a train was blown up by a bomb planted under the tracks in Novooskolsky district. Rail traffic is suspended, according to local officials.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM

Tver Oblast, Russia:

Russian air defense likely targeted own aircraft over Tver overnight, initially reported as Tu-160, possibly civilian. It’s reported five drones downed in Tver region. Local military airfield attacked.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 2:45 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

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