On the 1555th day of war, we learn that nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the war, according to British intelligence services. These estimates seem to be significantly higher than the figures published earlier this month by the independent Russian media outlets Mediazona and Meduza, which reported that 352,000 Russians had been killed since the beginning of the invasion in Ukraine.
Against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, the first underground kindergarten is being built in Kharkiv. In the eastern Ukrainian city, there are already 10 underground schools in operation.
Meanwhile, in Kyiv, foreign embassies remain open despite threats from Russia, which urged foreign citizens, including diplomats, to leave the city as new massive attacks are expected.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs contradicted EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who claimed that the US embassy in Kyiv was the only diplomatic mission to have left Ukraine.
And NATO conducted a simulation and discovered how a potential Russian invasion in Lithuania could be countered.
The most important information from this day of war:
- Russia has lost nearly half a million military personnel - Nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the war, said Anne Keast-Butler, head of the UK's intelligence, cyber, and security agency, on Wednesday. These estimates appear to be significantly higher than the figures published earlier this month by the independent Russian media outlets Mediazona and Meduza, which reported 352,000 Russians aged 18 to 59 killed since the February 2022 invasion, notes Kiev Independent. Independent Western assessments have consistently concluded that Russian losses significantly exceed Ukrainian casualties. The Center for Strategic and International Studies, based in Washington, estimated in a January 2026 report that Russian losses were about double, up to 2.5 times higher than Ukraine's losses. According to the CSIS report, Ukraine likely suffered between 500,000 and 600,000 casualties between February 2022 and December 2025, including around 100,000 to 140,000 military personnel killed in action.
- First underground kindergarten in Kharkiv - Against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, the first underground kindergarten is being built in Kharkiv, as reported by Kyiv Post. The mayor of the eastern city, Ihor Terehov, stated that there are already 10 underground schools in operation in Kharkiv, and a metro station has been transformed into an educational center due to Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure.
- Foreign diplomats are not leaving Kyiv - No foreign embassy in Kyiv has decided to evacuate its staff after Russia urged foreign citizens, including diplomats, to leave the city, threatening new massive attacks on the Ukrainian capital, reports Kiev Independent. EU representatives and those of several member states have also publicly stated that they will maintain their diplomatic presence in Kyiv. The embassies of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan have confirmed that operations continue as planned. Most foreign embassies in Kyiv are located in the city's central historic district.
- Kyiv contradicts Kaja Kallas - The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the claims of Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, that the US embassy was the only diplomatic mission to have left Ukraine following the recent threats from Russia. "Also, what we heard yesterday from Ukraine was that all embassies stayed, except one (...) and that requires courage from those embassies. But yes, all Europeans stayed. America left," said Kallas. "The information about the closure of the US embassy is not true," stated Heorhii Tîhîi, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as cited by Ukrainska Pravda.
- What NATO learned from a simulation of a Russian invasion in Lithuania - NATO simulated a possible Russian invasion of Lithuania and found that swarms of AI-powered drones could become a nightmare for the Russian army. According to The Times, in one scenario, Russian forces attack through Belarus, Kaliningrad, and eastern Latvia. Analysts concluded that without modern technology, Vilnius could be nearly surrounded in just a few days. But in a second simulation, Lithuania and its allies had thousands of advanced drones equipped with AI capabilities, and the Russian advance slowed dramatically, while losses became critical in the early days. This is because the drones in question are capable of operating even in conditions of intense jamming and can independently identify targets, as reported by the British newspaper.
- Sweden donates planes to Ukraine - Sweden is preparing to donate and sell Jas 39 Gripen fighter planes with various modifications to Ukraine. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is set to announce the handover of Jas 39 Gripen C/D fighter planes on May 28, as reported by the daily newspaper Aftonbladet. Meanwhile, negotiations are expected to begin on the sale of the more modern Jas 39 Gripen E aircraft to Ukraine, financed through an EU loan.