Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of February 21
Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold positions on the left bank of the Dnipro, repelling Russian attacks near Stepove (Donetsk region) and damaging an enemy radar station, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian shelling continues
The enemy continues to wage an aggressive war. Despite significant losses, it refuses to abandon plans for the complete occupation of Ukraine, ignoring the laws and customs of war, using terror tactics, striking both military and civilian targets.
The adversary actively employs aviation and FPV-type quadcopters, conducts assault operations with armored support. The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains challenging. During the day, there were 51 combat clashes.
Overall, the enemy inflicted 3 missile and 84 aviation strikes, conducted 71 shelling attacks with reactive multiple-launch rocket systems on the positions of our troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, there are civilian casualties due to Russian terrorist attacks. Multistory and private houses, as well as other infrastructure objects, suffered destruction and damage.
Frontline situation
In the Volyn and Polissia directions, there were no significant changes in the operational situation. No signs of the formation of offensive groups were detected. Identified units of the Armed Forces of Belarus are performing tasks in border areas with Ukraine.
In the Siversk and Slobozhanske directions, the enemy retains a military presence in border areas, conducts sabotage-reconnaissance activities, shells settlements from the territory of the Russian Federation, increases the density of mine-explosive barriers along the state border of Ukraine.
The enemy carried out aviation strikes in the areas of settlements Mykolaivka, Vilkhuvatka, Hryhorivka in the Kharkiv region. Artillery and mortar shelling affected over 20 settlements, including Bleshnia, Hremiach, Yeline in the Chernihiv region; Popivka, Volfinye in the Sumy region; Veterynarne, Krasne, Lukianivka, Hatyshche in the Kharkiv region.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy made 2 attempts to advance near Synkivka and Tabaivka in the Kharkiv region. They carried out an aviation strike in the area of Petropavlivka in the Kharkiv region.
Close to 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Dvorichna, Synkivka, Ivanivka, Berestove in the Kharkiv region.
In the Lyman direction, our soldiers repelled 4 attacks near Ternivka and Vyimka in the Donetsk region, where the enemy tried to break through the defense of our troops. The enemy inflicted aviation strikes in the areas of Makiiivka, Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region and Lyman, Sviato-Pokrovska, Siverska in the Donetsk region.
Over 10 settlements were affected by enemy artillery and mortar fire, including Makiiivka, Nevske in the Luhansk region and Terni, Torske, Sribne, Spirne in the Donetsk region.
In the Bakhmut direction, defense forces repelled an attack near Klishchivka in the Donetsk region, where the enemy, supported by aviation, tried to improve their tactical position. The adversary also struck aviation in the area of New York in the Donetsk region.
Close to 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Krasnohorivka, Hrehioryvka, Ivanivske, Klishchivka in the Donetsk region.
In the Novopavlivka direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. They struck aviation in the areas of Mykhailivka and Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region.
Over 10 settlements were affected by artillery and mortar fire, including Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Staromaiorske, Mykhailivka, Novodanylivka, and Piatikhatky in the Donetsk region.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, defense forces repelled 7 enemy attacks west of Verbovy and in the area of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Over 20 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Poltavka, Malynivka, Charivne, Bilohiria, Novodanylivka, and Piatykhatky in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the zone of responsibility of the Odesa operational-strategic group in the Kherson direction, the enemy inflicted aviation strikes in the areas of Krynky and Chornobaivka in the Kherson region.
Over 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Kherson, Krynyky, Ivanivka, Tyahynka, and Tokariivka in the Kherson region.
Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive
The enemy persists in its intention to dislodge our units from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River.
During the day, there were 2 attempts to storm the positions of our troops.
Enemy losses
During the day, the Air Force of the Defense Forces struck 10 areas of concentration of personnel and 2 enemy anti-aircraft missile systems.
Also, units of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed another Su-34 fighter-bomber and 3 reconnaissance UAVs.
Missile troops units struck 5 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons, and military equipment, 2 fuel and lubricants depots, 3 command posts, 8 artillery pieces, and 1 enemy radar station.
The total number of losses of the Russian army since the beginning of the invasion has exceeded 406,000 military personnel.
