Live Conflict Ukraine-Russia War

[Spitfire9]

Economic growth has stalled, investment remains weak and consumer demand is slowing. Fiscal pressures are intensifying as revenues decline and expenditure, particularly defence spending, continues to rise. Even where commodity revenues provide temporary relief, they do not address the deeper structural imbalances of a war-driven economic model that is approaching its limits.

This creates a dangerous feedback loop. As the civilian economy weakens, the Kremlin relies more heavily on defence spending and state procurement to sustain output, employment and political control. The greater this reliance becomes, the harder it is for Russia to disengage from the war without triggering internal economic and political costs.

Russia’s Militarised Economy and the Destabilising Effects on Regional Security: UK Statement to the OSCE

UK Senior Military Advisor, Colonel Joby Rimmer warns that Russia’s selective ceasefires mask bad faith engagement, a war dependent economy, and growing militarisation, making Moscow more coercive and risk tolerant. Russia’s actions, not its rhetoric, demonstrate the absence of any genuine...

www.gov.uk

I think it summarises Russia's economic and financial problems rather well. Putin has been leading and continues to lead the Russian economy inexorably downwards.

In my opinion Putin should have abandoned the attack once it became clear that

(a) the Russian army was not the irresistable force it had been believed to be
(b) unlike with Crimea in 2014, the west was going to react seriously to the invasion

I think that invading Ukraine will be remembered as a miscalculation on Putin's part but his decision to enter into an extended war will be remembered as a monumental miscalculation.

 

[Soldier30]

A Ukrainian army Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun was struck for the first time by a Russian Geran-2 kamikaze drone. Previously, the Gepard air defense system had only been hit by Lancet drones. The Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun was developed and adopted by Germany in 1973. The Ukrainian Gepard air defense system was destroyed near the village of Khmelnytskyi, Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine.

 

[Soldier30]

Footage of the strike by the Russian FPV drone "Prince Vandal of Novgorod" on a Ukrainian protected electrical transformer at the 330 kV Sumy-Severnaya substation. Note that the operator guided the drone and attacked the transformer, which was located in a concrete shelter. Reinforced concrete shelters are being built in Ukraine to protect electrical substations from Geran-2 drone strikes.

 

[Spitfire9]

Russians are waking up to the economic catastrophe of Putin’s war​

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/05/21/russians-are-waking-up-to-economic-catastrophe-of-putin-war/

So? Putin will just clamp down harder on expression of dissent, won't he? Russia is already organising state control of at least some of the facilities provided by the internet to citizens.

Once the state has sufficient control over use of internet services, I guess the internet blackouts will stop and citizens will be happier. It must be very inconvenient living in a digital society where the government stops it being digital now and then.

 

[Spitfire9]

Is a mood of pessimism appearing in Russia?

There is a growing sense that Putin's "senseless" decisions have isolated the leader. A well-connected business leader told The Guardian: "There's definitely been a shift in mood among the elites this year ... there is profound disappointment in Putin." He added that there was "a growing sense that some kind of catastrophe is looming".

"No one believes everything will suddenly collapse tomorrow," the source said. "But there is a growing realisation that utterly senseless, self-destructive decisions keep being made. People who once defended Putin no longer do. Any sense of a future has disappeared."

MSN

 

[Soldier30]

The Russian army launched a large-scale combined missile attack on Kyiv and Bila Tserkva on the night of May 24. Oreshnik ballistic missiles were used in the attack; the video shows impacts with warheads, but not the warheads. Zircon hypersonic missiles, Iskander ballistic missiles, and Kh-101 cruise missiles were also used, and strikes by Geran-2 drones were also recorded. Ukraine deployed Patriot air defense systems to repel the attack; missile remnants were found on the roads. Military targets were reportedly targeted, but damage to residential buildings in Kyiv was also documented, as shown at the end of the video. This may have been the result of air defense missiles falling or drones being shot down.

 

[Spitfire9]

After reductions for 5 months, data show Russian companies receiving a higher price for goods/minerals produced in April. I think that this may be due to selling much more crude and at a higher price in April due to the Iran effect and the US waiving sanctions on Russian crude stored on the high seas. Once those 100+ million barrels of crude are sold the drop in producer prices may resume, particularly if Hormuz is re-opened.

I think that falling prices paid to producers suggest falling demand, which suggests a contracting economy.

Russia Producer Prices Change

Producer Prices in Russia increased 6.50 percent in August of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. This page provides - Russia Producer Prices Change - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

tradingeconomics.com

 

[Soldier30]

Russian FPV strikes against Ukrainian Armed Forces equipment. New footage from May shows Russian FPV drones operating in Ukraine and the Donbas. VT-40 FPV drones, Prince Vandal Novgorodsky drones, and other models, including those controlled via fiber optic cable, are used in combat. The exact filming location is not disclosed. The video shows drone strikes against various Ukrainian military equipment and structures. The video also shows drone strikes against a Ukrainian Bogdan self-propelled howitzer, an M777 howitzer, an M1224 MaxxPro armored vehicle, a Humvee, and other vehicles.

 

[Relic]

According to reports, tomorrow Sweden is set to announce the donation of a currently undisclosed number of JAS 39 Gripen C/D Fighter Jets to Ukraine. Formal negotiations will also commence for the purchase of several dozen Gripen E Fighter Jets, which will be paid for using funds from the European Union's loan to Ukraine.

With the donation of the Gripen aircraft, it will join the F-16 and the Mirage-2000 as the 3rd NATO Fighter Jet in Ukraine's inventory. Slowly, but surely Ukraine is modernizing away from their soviet made Mig-29, SU-27 and SU-24 aircraft. In the process they are gaining access to much more modern and effective long range, air launched weapons. Ukraine would like like to operate a fleet of 100-120 Western made, fighter / bomber aircraft, with maintenance lines and spare parts available.

Uppgift: Sverige skänker Jas-plan till Ukraina

Sverige förbereder just nu en donation av flera Jas-plan till Ukraina. Det erfar Aftonbladet. Statsminister Ulf Kristersson (M) har kallat till en presskonferens.

www.aftonbladet.se

 

[Perun]

According to reports, tomorrow Sweden is set to announce the donation of a currently undisclosed number of JAS 39 Gripen C/D Fighter Jets to Ukraine. Formal negotiations will also commence for the purchase of several dozen Gripen E Fighter Jets, which will be paid for using funds from the European Union's loan to Ukraine.

With the donation of the Gripen aircraft, it will join the F-16 and the Mirage-2000 as the 3rd NATO Fighter Jet in Ukraine's inventory. Slowly, but surely Ukraine is modernizing away from their soviet made Mig-29, SU-27 and SU-24 aircraft. In the process they are gaining access to much more modern and effective long range, air launched weapons. Ukraine would like like to operate a fleet of 100-120 Western made, fighter / bomber aircraft, with maintenance lines and spare parts available.

Uppgift: Sverige skänker Jas-plan till Ukraina

Sverige förbereder just nu en donation av flera Jas-plan till Ukraina. Det erfar Aftonbladet. Statsminister Ulf Kristersson (M) har kallat till en presskonferens.

www.aftonbladet.se

I wouldnt call an old F-16A and Mirage 2000 as modernisation. MiG-29, Su-27 and Su-24 are in same class or better airplanes

 

[Relic]

I wouldnt call an old F-16A and Mirage 2000 as modernisation. MiG-29, Su-27 and Su-24 are in same class or better airplanes

The upgraded systems on board and suite of Western ordinance available to Ukraine compared to weapons they have available for the Mig-29 and SU-27 make them substantially more capable.

All 4th Gen aircraft are obsolete in the modern theater, but they're not all equal. Ukraine doesn't have access to Russia's most modern weapons, however, it has access to a lot of Europe's best (or close to best) stuff and some of USA's. When Gripen arrives they'll gain another air-to-air upgrade in the form of Meteor missiles.

 

[Spitfire9]

I wouldnt call an old F-16A and Mirage 2000 as modernisation. MiG-29, Su-27 and Su-24 are in same class or better airplanes

Without checking, I doubt that many of F-16 fighters being retired by European NATO countries are F-16A standard.

 

[Soldier30]

Footage of the Russian Yolka interceptor drone in use in combat in Ukraine. The video shows the destruction of a Ukrainian Hornet UAV and two drones of an unknown type by the Yolka interceptor drone. The Hornet UAV is manufactured in the US by Swift Beat LLC, has a range of up to 145 kilometers, and a payload of up to five kilograms. The Hornet UAV costs up to $12,000.

 

[Saithan]

Zelenskyj gets agreement for 36 Swedish fighter jets during visit to Sweden​

Ukraine will have the opportunity to buy 20 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden.

In addition, Sweden will donate 16 Gripen aircraft to the country, which has been at war with Russia for more than four years.

This is what Sweden's Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, says at a press conference with Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyj, writes the Swedish media SVT.

"Ukraine has clearly identified the Gripen as their priority choice of long-term air force in Ukraine and has said that they will buy the latest, the Gripen E," the Swedish prime minister said.

"We are replacing the aircraft we donate with new aircraft for the Swedish Air Force."

The press conference will take place at an air base in Uppsala, Sweden.

Ukraine has expressed that it is interested in buying up to 150 fighter jets from Sweden, and Zelenskyy reiterated this on Thursday.

The Gripen is produced by the Swedish arms and aircraft manufacturer Saab.

According to Zelensky, it is a problem for Ukraine that Russia is attacking the country from locations that are far inside Russia and that are often beyond the reach of the Ukrainian military.

With the Swedish fighter jets, Ukraine will be better equipped to respond to the Russian attacks, it says.

"These planes with their special weapons can destroy targets over 200 kilometers away. We hope to be able to push back the Russian fighter jets so that they can no longer fire as many bombs."

"We need them," Zelenskyy said of the Gripen aircraft.

The Ukrainian president arrived in Sweden on Thursday morning to discuss the war in Ukraine and the defense agreement with Sweden.

The 20 Gripen aircraft that Ukraine is initially buying are scheduled to be delivered in 2030, while the 16 fighter jets that Sweden is donating will be delivered in early 2027.
Ritzau

Seneste nyt om krigen i Ukraine og situationen i Rusland – følg med her

Krigen i Ukraine raser stadig videre. Her får du seneste nyt.

www.berlingske.dk

 

[Relic]

An initial batch of 20 new Gripen-E Fighter Jets for Ukraine, along with weapons, spare parts and sustainment, in a deal valued at approximately $2.9 Billion usd, from the EU loan to Ukraine.

Sweden is also donating 16 additional Gripen-C/D aircraft from their own inventory, bringing the number for Ukraine to 36 units (2-3 full squadrons).

With the 16 donated aircraft arriving in 2027, Ukraine will have time to train pilots ahead the 2030 scheduled arrival of the Gripen-E Jets.

https://www.government.se/press-releases/2026/05/ukraine-to-procure-swedish-fighter-jets/

 

[Spitfire9]

If the Gripen C supplied are equipped with Meteor, will Russia be forced to pull its aircraft used for standoff attacks further back into Russia? If so, Gripen C will be doing a good job without even needing to fire a missile.

PS

"Our pilots began training missions quite some time ago," Zelensky said, adding that Ukraine is now working to expand pilot training infrastructure and send more pilots abroad for training.

The Gripen announcement forms part of Sweden's largest military aid package to Ukraine to date, which also includes long-range strike capabilities, ammunition, electronic warfare systems, and support for defense innovation.

Sweden announces 16 Gripens for Ukraine. Here's why that's a big deal

The transfer would further expand Ukraine's fleet of Western-supplied fighter aircraft, which already includes American F-16s and French Mirage 2000s but remains insufficient to fully defend Ukrainian cities and infrastructure from daily Russian missile and drone attacks

kyivindependent.com

So, the aircraft should be useable soon after arrival.

 

[Relic]

If the Gripen C supplied are equipped with Meteor, will Russia be forced to pull its aircraft used for standoff attacks further back into Russia? If so, Gripen C will be doing a good job without even needing to fire a missile.

PS

Sweden announces 16 Gripens for Ukraine. Here's why that's a big deal

The transfer would further expand Ukraine's fleet of Western-supplied fighter aircraft, which already includes American F-16s and French Mirage 2000s but remains insufficient to fully defend Ukrainian cities and infrastructure from daily Russian missile and drone attacks

kyivindependent.com

So, the aircraft should be useable soon after arrival.

The entire goal of getting Gripen-C/D is the addition of Meteor to Ukraine's inventory of air-to-air weapons. Russia's most effective aerial tactic is to lob FAB bombs onto Ukraine's re-inforced forward defensive positions from 40-60km away. Meteor gives Ukraine a long range air-to-air standoff weapon that will force Russia's SU-34's to take far greater risk in that mission set.

Ukraine plans to procure 100-150 Gripen's over a series of years. Whether that comes to fruition or not is to be determined, but the additional 36 will go a long way towards increasing their aircraft inventory and will give them a nice compliment to their Mirage-2000 and F-16 aircraft.

The next step is continuing to work with France to buy additional Mirage-2000s out of the Greek inventory, to be replaced with Rafale's at a reduced price. Now the Ukraine has received the massive EU loan, they can afford to pay a small premium to buy 15-20 Mirage-2000s directly from Greece, and those funds can then be used to purchase new Rafales.

Ultimately, Ukraine hopes to field 80+ F-16s, 36 Gripens and 20+ Mirage 2000s by 2030, with additional Gripens on order. Those aircraft will compliment their remaining fleet of SU-24, SU-27 and Mig-29 aircraft, as well as additional Mig-29s expected to be transferred from Poland eventually.

 

[Saithan]

NATO condemns 'Russia's recklessness' after drone hit in Romania - World News

NATO condemned Moscow's "recklessness" on May 29 as it confirmed an apartment building in Romania was struck by a drone as Russia attacked Ukrainian infrastructure near the border.

www.hurriyetdailynews.com

Russian Drone hits roof in Romania. Could this be an escalation or an opportunity for NATO to station AD systems and defense line in Romania.

Any further escalation should result in additional Steps, but needs to be well prepared and have deterrence.

 

[Soldier30]

An unknown drone crashed into a high-rise building in the Romanian city of Galați on the night of May 29. Galați is located in eastern Romania, near the border with Ukraine's Odesa region. The Romanian Ministry of Defense claims it was a Russian drone, possibly a Geran-2. After the drone struck the building, an explosion occurred, causing a fire in a 10th-floor apartment, injuring two people. According to media reports, the strike occurred amid an attack by Russian drones in the Odesa region; the drone may have strayed off course. This incident marks the first time a drone has flown into a densely populated area in Romania, resulting in casualties.

 

[contricusc]

Russian Drone hits roof in Romania. Could this be an escalation or an opportunity for NATO to station AD systems and defense line in Romania.

Any further escalation should result in additional Steps, but needs to be well prepared and have deterrence.

NATO air defense systems in Romania are useless, because the local politicians are afraid of their own shadow and will nevere give approval to fire at Russian assets.

In the current incident, Romania sent F16 jets to intercept the drone, they locked it but didn’t fire at it. Then, they lost sight of it when the drone went at a lower altitude.

There was another drone incident over Romanian territory a few months ago, and a British Typhoon doing patrolling was ready to shoot it down and asked permission, but it was not granted.

What is air defense good for, when you are afraid to use it?

Romanian politicans can be divided in two categories:
1) Spineless cowards afraid of Russia
2) Spineless traitors sold to Russia