July 18 update from Ukranian General Staff
Militants (Photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian military advances in the Zaporizhzhia region, holds back the enemy in Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. Defenders also successfully attacked 8 Russian artillery positions, according to data from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Russia shellings
According to updated information, during the past 24 hours, Russian occupiers launched a missile and aviation strike on Ukrainian territory, using 6 Kalibr cruise missiles and 35 Iranian-made Shahed-136 attack drones.
The Ukrainian Air Force destroyed 6 Kalibr cruise missiles and 31 enemy Shahed-136 attack drones.
Additionally, the enemy carried out 70 aviation strikes and 53 shelling attacks from multiple rocket launch systems on our troops' positions and civilian settlements.
As a result of these Russian terrorist attacks, there have been unfortunate casualties and injuries among the civilian population, with industrial facilities, residential buildings, and other civilian infrastructure suffering damages. The probability of further missile and aviation strikes across Ukraine remains high.
The situation on the fronts
The enemy continues to concentrate its main efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Mariupol directions, with heavy fighting ongoing. There were 18 combat clashes during the past 24 hours.
In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation remains stable with no significant changes. There are no signs of the formation of enemy offensive groupings.
Identified units of the Belarusian Armed Forces are carrying out tasks in the border areas with Ukraine.
In the Siversk and Slobozhanschyna directions, the enemy maintains its military presence.
The enemy conducted mortar and artillery shelling on more than 20 settlements, including Seredyna-Buda, Iskryskivshchyna, Stepne in Sumy Oblast, and Hlyboke, Vovchanski Khutory, Volokhivka in Kharkiv Oblast.
In the Kupiansk direction, our troops are holding the defense firmly.
The enemy conducted an aviation strike in the Kyslivka area, and occupiers' artillery and mortar shelling affected Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Petropavlivka, Holubivka, and Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast.
In the Lyman direction, the enemy carried out aviation strikes in the areas of Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast and Spirne and Siversk in Donetsk Oblast.
Artillery shelling affected the settlements of Nevske, Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast, and Torske, Verkhniokamianske, Berestove, and Rozdolivka in Donetsk Oblast.
In the Bakhmut direction, under intense fire from enemy aviation and artillery, our defenders successfully repelled attacks in the area of Bohdanivka in Donetsk Oblast. The enemy conducted aviation strikes near Kurdiumivka, Ozarianivka, Druzhba, Bila Hora, and Oleksandro-Shultyne in Donetsk Oblast.
Over ten settlements were affected by hostile artillery shelling, including Vasukivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Chasiv Yar, and Markove in Donetsk Oblast.
In the Avdiivka direction, the enemy conducted an aviation strike in the Avdiivka area. Simultaneously, they carried out artillery shelling on more than 10 settlements, including Avdiivka, Vodyane, Pervomaiske, Orlivka, and Berdychivka in Donetsk Oblast.
In the Maryinka direction, the defensive forces continue to hold back the Russian troops' advance in the areas of Maryinka and Krasnohorivka in Donetsk Oblast.
The enemy conducted shelling on more than 10 settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Georgiivka, and Maksymilianivka.
In the Shakhtarsk direction, in the areas of Rivnopillia in Donetsk Oblast and Novodarivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the enemy made unsuccessful attempts to regain lost ground.
They conducted aviation strikes in the areas of Velyka Novosilka, Makarivka, and Rivnopillia in Donetsk Oblast and shelled more than 10 settlements, including Vuhledar, Storozhove, and Blahodatne in Donetsk Oblast.
In the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the enemy concentrates its main efforts on preventing further advancement of our troops.
They conducted an aviation strike in the areas of Mala Tokmachka, Novodanilivka, Orikhove, and Piatykhatky in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The enemy also carried out artillery shelling on more than 20 settlements, including Vilne Pole, Vremivka in Donetsk Oblast; Zaliznychne, Lobkove, Kamianske in Zaporizhzhia Oblast; Synelnykove, Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; Burhunka, Sadove, Berehove, Rozlyv in Kherson Oblast, the city of Kherson, and Ochakiv in Mykolaiv Oblast.
Advancement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
At the same time, the Ukrainian defense forces continue their offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdyansk directions. They are consolidating their positions at achieved frontlines, delivering effective artillery strikes, and conducting counter-battery actions.
Noteworthy Events
Russian occupation forces continue to convert civilian infrastructure for their own use. For instance, in Lysychansk, Luhansk Oblast, the enemy has repurposed the former city polyclinic premises to accommodate the personnel and command of the unit named "Akhmat."
In the settlements of Yalta, Yuriivka, and Urzuf in Donetsk Oblast, the territories of recreational facilities such as "Chervona Hvozdika," "Kosmos," and "Prybiy" have been fully transformed into military bases with fortified structures to house Russian occupation forces.
Enemy Losses
During the day, the defense aviation delivered 11 strikes on areas of personnel, equipment, and military vehicle concentrations, as well as 3 strikes on the enemy's anti-aircraft missile complexes.
Additionally, our defenders destroyed 2 tactical-level reconnaissance UAVs.
Rocket forces and artillery units hit 1 enemy command point, 8 artillery positions, 2 ammunition depots, and 3 enemy electronic warfare stations during the day.
