Over 260 Mariupol defenders evacuated from the Azovstal Steel Plant to Russian-occupied settlements in Donetsk Oblast on May 16. Ukrainian and Russian authorities negotiated evacuation for wounded Ukrainian servicemen via humanitarian corridors. Kremlin may extend humanitarian corridors for remaining Ukrainian defenders in an effort to fully control Mariupol.
Russian forces conducted limited and largely unsuccessful ground offensives along the front line in Ukraine on May 16. The Russian grouping around Kharkiv City is notably trying to hold the border and prevent Ukrainian troops from advancing further north. Russian troops may seek to retain positions in Ukraine and continue artillery strikes on Ukrainian positions.
Frictions between Russian occupation administrations and pro-Russian collaborators are growing in occupied areas of Ukraine. Russian forces are having serious conflicts with collaborators due to interpersonal power conflicts. ISW cannot independently verify these claims, but discontent amongst occupation elements suggests a general lack of planning by Russian authorities. Now compounded by increasingly evident Russian losses. Read here for more information
Fall Of Mariupol May Be Imminent
Russian Ministry of Defense claims it is providing safe passage for wounded Ukrainian personnel to leave the besieged Avozstal steelworks in Mariupol. There are indications that these individuals are being transferred to a Russian-backed separatist-controlled military hospital and detained in the process. The fate of the last holdout of Ukrainian forces in Mariupol is uncertain as buses are moving at least some of them to Russian medical facilities. Read here for more information
Ukrainian Defense Forces Eliminate 29 Russian Servicemen, Destroy a SAM
Ukrainian forces have destroyed a fuel depot and a surface-to-air missile system. 29 Russian servicemen have been eliminated. The military urges citizens to be conscious of their own safety. The threat of a strike by up to 30 cruise missiles, as well as of a landing attempt, prevails. Read here for more information