Attachments
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
- While a comprehensive ceasefire has yet to be realized, delegations from Ukraine and the Russian Federation met face-to-face in Istanbul on 16 May for the first time since 2022, with little outcome towards a tangible peace agreement. Both sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners, the biggest such exchange since the full-scale war began; the first exchange took place on 26 May, with over 307 prisoners released from both sides.
- Attacks inside Ukraine continue to escalate, devastating civilian infrastructure, shattering lives and fuelling displacement. Attacks by the Russian Federation have intensified in April and early May across cities in Ukraine, increasing civilian casualties. During the weekend of 24 - 25 May, a record 355 Russian drone and missile strikes took place, affecting all regions in Ukraine, resulting in multiple civilian deaths. UN HRMMU recorded at least 209 civilians killed and 1,146 injured in April 2025 – the highest number of casualties recorded since September 2024.
- Civilians continue to flee hostilities in frontline regions, notably in Donetska, Kharkivska and Sumska. On 25 April, regional authorities announced new mandatory evacuation orders for children and their caregivers from multiple villages in Dnipropetrovska region. Many evacuees are highly vulnerable, with a significant number of older and people with disabilities.
- UNHCR’s NGO partners continue to respond to people affected by ongoing attacks, including in Sumy City, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro city and region, Donetska region, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Kyivska region, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia. UNHCR partners are providing psychological first aid, emergency shelter material, emergency cash assistance, core relief and essential items, and legal counselling to families affected by recent attacks, complementing the response of local authorities.