Russia launches major nighttime barrage

Russia launched another large overnight barrage against Ukraine on May 19, with Dnipro and surrounding central regions among the main targets, according to Euronews. The attack came a day after direct Russia-Ukraine talks resumed and then paused without a breakthrough, though the contacts yielded prisoner exchanges and the return of soldiers’ remains. U.N. officials told the Security Council on Tuesday that the war is “becoming deadlier by the day.” ### How large was the latest attack? Ukraine’s air defenses reported that Russia fired more than 500 drones and dozens of missiles in one of the largest recent barrages, Euronews reported. Dnipro and the surrounding central region bore much of the impact, with rescue crews responding to fires and damage after the strikes. (euronews.com) May 19 was the latest in a series of heavy long-range attacks that have followed a short May 9-11 ceasefire period, according to Euronews and a Security Council Report briefing note. That note said Ukraine argues that continued Russian attacks during and after that ceasefire show Moscow is not engaging in good-faith negotiations. (euronews.com) ### What came out of the latest talks? Tuesday’s U.N. Security Council meeting heard that direct talks between Russia and Ukraine had resumed and then paused without a broader diplomatic breakthrough. U.N. officials said the contacts had nonetheless enabled prisoner exchanges and the return of soldiers’ remains. The U.N. called for negotiations to resume “without further delays” in pursuit of a “full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” according to the May 19 U.N. report. (euronews.com) The briefing described the conflict, now in its fifth year, as intensifying rather than easing. ### Why is Ukraine calling the ceasefire period evidence of bad faith? The Security Council Report note published on May 19 said Ukraine’s position is that Russian attacks during the May 9-11 ceasefire period undercut Moscow’s claims that it is prepared for serious negotiations. (news.un.org) The note said the limited ceasefire appeared to have had only a restricted effect on the overall level of hostilities. That argument has been reinforced by the pace of subsequent strikes, including the latest barrage centered on Dnipro and other parts of central Ukraine. Euronews described the attack as part of a recent escalation in long-range assaults. ### What did the United Nations say at the Security Council? U.N. officials told the Security Council on May 19 that the war in Ukraine is “becoming deadlier by the day.” The U.N. account said the Council was briefed as civilian harm continued to mount and as diplomatic contacts failed to produce a ceasefire. (securitycouncilreport.org) The same U.N. report said officials urged the sides to return to negotiations without delay and pressed for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire. (euronews.com) The Council session took place as attacks on Ukrainian cities continued. ### Why is Norway asking India to get involved? Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Norway hopes India will use its diplomatic ties with Russia to push for a ceasefire, WION reported on May 20. (news.un.org) He made the remark in Oslo during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit, while acknowledging that Norway and India differ on parts of the Ukraine issue. Støre said he understood India’s energy requirements, according to WION, while Norway continued to back Ukraine through military support, a dedicated fund and sanctions on Russia. The request underscored a parallel diplomatic track outside the direct Russia-Ukraine contacts discussed at the United Nations. ### What happens next? May 20 diplomacy centered on Oslo, where Narendra Modi was visiting Norway as Jonas Gahr Støre publicly urged India to press Moscow toward a ceasefire. (wionews.com) At the United Nations, officials said Russia and Ukraine should resume negotiations without further delay and pursue a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.