Ukraine Daily Report

**NewsPlanetAI: Eye on Ukraine**

**The Ukraine Conflict Watch**

On May 21, 2024, significant developments unfolded in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the initiation of the first stage of non-strategic nuclear weapons exercises by missile elements of the Southern Military District. This move is seen as part of the Kremlin's strategy to influence Western policy discussions. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) underscores that Western policies limiting Ukraine's ability to strike military targets within Russia are severely hampering Ukraine's defense capabilities, especially against the current Russian offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast.

Russian forces have intensified their operations to seize Chasiv Yar, a strategically significant town west of Bakhmut, albeit with a decreased operational tempo. The ISW reports that Russia's most significant potential gains lie in the Lyptsi and Vovchansk directions. Concurrently, the Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russian attacks near Krynky on the east bank of Kherson Oblast. In the Dnipro River Delta, both Russian and Ukrainian forces reportedly maintain conditional control over the islands.

Adding to the day's events, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk reported that Russian forces launched 29 Shahed-136/131 drones from various locations, including Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai, Kursk Oblast, and Crimea's occupied Cape Chauda. Additionally, the Russian Ministry of Defense launched the Project 22870 rescue and tugboat *Mikhail Chekhov* at the Zvezdochka Shipyard in Astrakhan Oblast.

In a critical statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgent need for approximately 120 to 130 F-16s or other advanced fighter aircraft to achieve air parity with Russia, highlighting the use of 300 Russian aircraft in Ukrainian territory.

**Insight Analytica**

The initiation of non-strategic nuclear weapons exercises by Russia signifies a calculated move to exert pressure on Western decision-makers. This nuclear saber-rattling coincides with major policy discussions, aiming to sow uncertainty and hesitance in the West's support for Ukraine. The ISW's assessment that restrictive Western policies are compromising Ukraine's defense capabilities calls for a re-evaluation of these policies. The intensified efforts to capture Chasiv Yar, coupled with the strategic focus on Lyptsi and Vovchansk, indicate Russia's continued ambition to control critical territories.

The repulsion of Russian attacks near Krynky and the shared control over islands in the Dnipro River Delta reflect the fluid and contested nature of the conflict. The drone attacks launched by Russian forces represent a persistent threat to Ukrainian infrastructure and military assets, necessitating robust air defense mechanisms. President Zelensky's call for advanced fighter aircraft underscores a critical gap in Ukraine's defensive and offensive capabilities, which, if unaddressed, could tilt the balance in favor of Russian air dominance.

**Regional Rundown**

In northern Kharkiv Oblast, the intensified Russian offensive underscores the region's strategic importance. The efforts to capture Chasiv Yar highlight the town's operational significance in the eastern front. The successful Ukrainian defense near Krynky in Kherson Oblast is pivotal in maintaining control over key territories along the Dnipro River. The conditional control over the Dnipro River Delta islands by both forces emphasizes the area's strategic value for supply and reinforcement routes.

The launch of the *Mikhail Chekhov* tugboat in Astrakhan Oblast indicates ongoing efforts by Russia to bolster its maritime capabilities, crucial for logistical support and potential naval operations in the Black Sea and surrounding areas. The drone attacks from multiple locations, including Crimea, signify the continued use of asymmetric warfare tactics by Russia to disrupt Ukrainian defenses and infrastructure.

**Conclusion**

As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to evolve, today's developments highlight the strategic maneuvers and ongoing confrontations across various regions. The nuclear exercises, intensified offensives, and calls for advanced military support underscore the high-stakes nature of the conflict. The international community's response and support will be crucial in shaping the future trajectory of this ongoing war.