Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of October 17
Ukrainian military (Illustrative photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Since the beginning of the day on October 17, the number of combat engagements along the front line has risen to 191. A total of 45 clashes took place in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions, according to the evening update from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Enemy shelling
Today, the enemy carried out 47 airstrikes using 83 guided aerial bombs (GABs), over 650 kamikaze drone attacks, and approximately 3,250 artillery strikes on Ukrainian military positions and populated areas using various types of weapons.
At the same time, Ukraine's Defense Forces continue operations in the Kursk region. Enemy aviation continues to strike Russian territory with guided aerial bombs, with reports confirming 24 airstrikes involving 37 GABs.
Frontline situation
In the Kharkiv direction, there were seven combat engagements with Russian forces. Six attacks were repelled near Starytsia, and one battle is still ongoing.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy made 16 attempts to dislodge our units from their positions near Holubivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Kolisnykivka, Lozova, Vyshneve, and Nadiya. Three attacks are still ongoing.
The enemy launched 21 attacks in the Lyman direction, attempting to advance toward Hrekivka, Druzhelyubivka, Katerynivka, Novomykhailivka, Novosadove, Nevske, Torske, Serebrianka, Kreminna, and Bilohorivka. Fighting continues near Novosadove.
In the Kramatorsk direction, eight combat engagements took place. The Russian forces were active in the areas of Hryhorivka, Minkivka, Chasiv Yar, and Ivanivske. Ukrainian forces stopped seven enemy attempts to improve their positions, while fighting continued near Chasiv Yar.
The enemy attempted to breach our defenses six times in the Toretsk direction. In the areas of Toretsk, Nelipivka, and Shcherbanivka, the Russian army faced strong resistance from our defenders, with all attacks repelled.
In the Pokrovsk direction, the Russian army carried out 45 assault and offensive actions throughout the day. The highest activity of Russian forces remains in the areas of Sukha Balka, Promin, Sukhyi Yar, Novotoretske, Mykhailivka, Lysivka, and Selydove. Ukrainian defenders have already repelled 35 attacks in this direction, with ten more clashes still ongoing.
"According to available information, enemy losses in this direction today amount to 365 personnel, killed and wounded. Three tanks, one armored fighting vehicle, and one radar station were destroyed. Additionally, one tank, one APC, two IFVs, an enemy gun, and three vehicles were damaged," the report states.
The enemy is intensively attacking Ukrainian defenders in the Kurakhove direction. So far, 45 combat engagements have been recorded. The Russian forces are maintaining high activity, attempting to advance in the areas of Izmailivka, Novodmytrivka, Kurakhove, Hirnyk, Antonivka, Kostiantynivka, Zoryane, Hostre, Heorhiivka, Katerynivka, and Vodiane. Defense Forces units have repelled 36 enemy attacks, with nine more clashes still ongoing.
"The situation is difficult but under the control of the Defense Forces. Our soldiers are making efforts to prevent the enemy from advancing deeper into Ukrainian territory," the General Staff reported.
In the Vremivka direction, there were ten combat engagements. All enemy assaults were stopped near Vuhledar and Levadne. The situation remains under the control of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
In the Orikhiv direction, our defenders repelled an unsuccessful enemy attack near Novoandriivka during the day.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, Ukrainian forces fended off five attacks by the Russian army on its positions.
In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the situation.
"Today, we would like to acknowledge the soldiers of the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade of Zakarpattia, the 35th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrohradskyi, the 38th Separate Marine Brigade, the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade, and the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade of Tavriia, who have professionally held back attacks from the enemy's superior forces, inflicting significant losses," the General Staff stated.
In the previous 24 hours, from October 16 to 17, Russian forces lost 1,420 soldiers on the front line. Additionally, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine's Defense Forces have destroyed more than 9,000 enemy tanks.
