Have you missed the latest events on the war in Ukraine? 20 Minutes takes stock for you every evening. Here is the gist of this Tuesday, May 19, 2026, on the 1,546th day of the conflict.
Fact of the day
This is a first since the start of the conflict. This Tuesday, a NATO F-16 fighter jet shot down a Ukrainian drone over Estonia. “Fighter jets fired a single missile to neutralize the threat […]. The incident occurred in conditions of intense electronic warfare,” the Estonian army said in a statement. And the hypothesis is that the machine was diverted from its trajectory by the Russian jamming system. Nevertheless, Mykhailo Fedorov, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, had to present “his apologies” after this incident, which occurred while the NATO exercises “Spring Storm 2026” were being held this week in Estonia.
Today’s statement
« From the EU’s point of view, we do not think this is the time to ease the pressure […] In fact, it is Russia that benefits from the war in Iran and the rise in fossil fuel prices. »
The response from Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for the Economy, to the announcement made by the United States on Monday. They decided to extend by one month the lifting of American sanctions on Russian oil stored at sea to ease the pressure on stock prices. A strategy that their European allies clearly do not share.
The number of the day
65,000 soldiers. The number of military personnel involved over three days, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, in training exercises for Russia’s “nuclear forces.” This show of force must involve 7,800 types of equipment and weapons, including more than 200 missile launchers, the ministry said. Planes, ships, submarines, nuclear submarines participate. They will carry out in particular “test firings of ballistic and cruise missiles”.
Today’s trend
As soon as Donald Trump left, Vladimir Putin arrived in China this Tuesday evening to meet his “long-time good friend” Xi Jinping. Among the subjects that two leaders must discuss is the large gas pipeline “Siberian Force 2”, which could, if the project is completed, connect Russia to China via Mongolia. Moscow sees it as an outlet for its hydrocarbons abandoned by the Europeans since the start of the war.
All our file on the war in Ukraine
The two men must also address international tensions. Concerning Ukraine, Beijing consistently advocates respect for the territorial integrity of countries and for a peaceful resolution. But China has never condemned Moscow for its invasion.
