Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of August 16
Ukrainian military (Photo: Getty Images)
According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their offensive operation on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts, consolidating their positions, and conducting counter-battery measures. Over the previous day, approximately 30 combat clashes occurred on the frontlines.
Enemy attacks
During the night, Russia launched another aviation strike on Ukraine, employing Iranian combat drones Shahed-136/131. Details regarding the consequences of this terrorist attack are currently being clarified.
Throughout the previous day, Russian occupiers launched attacks on Ukrainian territory using air and sea-based missiles. In total, at least 28 cruise missiles of various types were detected: 4 X-22 cruise missiles, 20 X-101/X-555 cruise missiles, and 4 Kalibr cruise missiles.
Our anti-aircraft defense managed to destroy 16 X-101/X-555 and Kalibr cruise missiles. Additionally, at least 8 launches of enemy S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles were detected in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Overall, within the previous day, the enemy executed 42 missile strikes and 56 airstrikes, conducting 36 artillery barrages using multiple launch rocket systems against our troops' positions and civilian areas. Unfortunately, due to the Russian terrorist attacks, there have been casualties and injuries among the civilian population, including children. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure have also suffered damage.
The likelihood of missile and aerial strikes across the entire territory of Ukraine remains high.
Frontline situation
In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation remains relatively stable, with no significant changes.
In the Siversk and Slobozhanske directions, the enemy carried out aviation strikes in the areas of Atynske, Yastrubynske, and Pavlivka in the Sumy region. They also conducted mortar and artillery shelling in more than 30 populated areas, including Tymonovychi, Khotiivka, Hremiach in the Chernihiv region; Sytno, Shalyhyne, Stepne, Ugroidy, Popivka in the Sumy region, as well as Hraniv, Pletenivka, Okhrimivka, Kreydyanka, Vilkhuvatka in the Kharkiv region.
In the Kupiansk direction, Russian occupying forces attempted unsuccessful offensives in the areas southeast of Vilshany and east of Petro Pavlivka in the Kharkiv region. They also conducted aviation strikes in the areas of Ivanivka, Zahryzove, Vilshany in the Kharkiv region, and Stelmakhivka in the Luhansk region. The enemy's artillery and mortar shelling affected population centers including Kupiansk, Pishchane, Cherneschyne in the Kharkiv region.
In the Lyman direction, the enemy carried out aviation strikes in the areas of Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region and Siversk, Spirne, Vesele in the Donetsk region. Population centers like Kolodyazi and Siversk in the Donetsk region were subjected to enemy artillery shelling.
In the Bakhmut direction, the enemy launched aviation strikes in the areas of Vasiukivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and Pivnichne in the Donetsk region. More than 15 populated areas were affected by Russian artillery shelling, including Minkivka, Hryhorivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Predtechyne, and Diliivka in the Donetsk region.
In the Avdiivka direction, the enemy's unsuccessful offensive actions continued south of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region. They conducted aviation strikes in the areas of Avdiivka and Nevelske. More than 10 populated areas, including Novokalynove, Semenivka, Yasnobrodivka, Karlivka, and Nevelske in the Donetsk region, were subjected to artillery shelling.
In the Maryinka direction, the defense forces continue to contain the Russian forces' advance in the areas of Maryinka and Krasnohorivka in the Donetsk region. The enemy carried out aviation strikes in the Krasnohorivka area in the Donetsk region. More than 10 populated areas, including Krasnohorivka, Pobieda, Novomykhailivka, Antonivka, and Yelyzavetivka in the Donetsk region, experienced artillery shelling.
In the Shakhtarsk direction, the enemy attempted unsuccessful efforts to regain lost positions in the Urozhayne area of the Donetsk region. They carried out aviation strikes in the areas of Velyka Novosilka, Makarivka, Staromaiorske, and Urozhayne in the Donetsk region. More than 10 populated areas, including Bohoyavlenka, Zolota Nyva, Urozhayne, Blahodatne, Neskuchne, and Rivnopil in the Donetsk region, were hit by enemy artillery shelling.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the enemy conducted aviation strikes in the areas of Omelnyk, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, and Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. Over 25 populated areas, including Levadne, Hulyaipole, Bilohiria, Lukiyanivske, Pyatykhatky, Plavni in the Zaporizhzhia region, were affected by enemy artillery shelling.
In the Kherson direction, Russian occupying forces carried out aviation strikes in the areas of Mykolayivka and Sadove in the Kherson region. Enemy artillery shelling affected population centers such as Ponyativka, Kherson, Novodmytrivka in the Kherson region, and Ochakiv in the Mykolaiv region.
Enemy losses
During the previous day, the defense aviation conducted 7 strikes on areas with enemy personnel, weaponry, and military equipment concentrations.
Units of missile troops and artillery struck 4 artillery pieces in firing positions, 1 anti-aircraft missile system, and another significant enemy target.
