Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of October 20
Russian forces continue to pressure Ukrainian army in the Donetsk region (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Since the beginning of October 20, there have been 167 combat engagements reported at the front. Russian forces have been exerting the most pressure in two directions within the Donetsk region, according to the evening briefing from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Enemy shelling
The enemy launched one missile strike, conducted 54 airstrikes using 99 guided aerial bombs (GABs), executed over 560 attacks with kamikaze drones, and carried out more than 3,000 shelling incidents targeting our troops' positions and populated areas with various types of weaponry.
Frontline situation
In the Kharkiv direction, there were four combat engagements with Russian forces. Ukrainian forces repelled two attacks near Vovchansk, while two others are still ongoing.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy attempted to push our units out of their positions near Holubivka, Kolisnykivka, Lozova, Pishchane, Vyshneve, and Novoosynove 11 times. Four of these attacks are still in progress.
In the Lyman direction, Russian forces launched 20 attacks on Ukrainian positions, trying to advance towards Hrekivka, Novomykhailivka, Yampolivka, Novosadove, Terni, Zarichne, and the Serebrianske Forestry. Our forces successfully repelled nineteen of these attacks, with one engagement ongoing near Novomykhailivka.
In the Siversk direction, one engagement continues near Ivano-Darivka. At the same time, Russian forces dropped 11 guided aerial bombs in the area of Siversk.
In the Kramatorsk direction, two combat engagements occurred. The Russian army demonstrated activity in the Stupochky area, where all enemy attempts to improve their position were halted by Ukrainian forces. The enemy dropped four aerial bombs in the areas of Chasiv Yar and Stinky.
In the Toretsk direction, the Russian army made four attempts to breach our defenses. Since the start of the day, the occupiers received a strong repulse from our defenders three times near the settlements of Toretsk and Shcherbynivka. One attack is still ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk direction, since the beginning of the day, the enemy has carried out 45 assault and offensive actions. The highest activity of Russian forces remains in the areas of the settlements of Selydove, Promin, Mykhailivka, Vozdvizhenska, Myrolubivka, Novotroitske, and Sukhyi Yar. Overall, Ukrainian defenders have repelled 41 attacks in this direction, with four engagements still ongoing. The situation is complex but under the control of the Defense Forces. Our troops are making efforts to prevent the enemy from advancing deeper into Ukrainian territory.
According to current information, the Russian army has suffered 490 casualties, including dead and wounded, in this direction today, with 257 of those being irrecoverable losses. One tank, nine armored personnel carriers, four vehicles, two infantry fighting vehicles, and three buggies have been destroyed. Additionally, two tanks, three armored personnel carriers, four vehicles, two enemy artillery pieces, and one motorcycle have been damaged.
In the Kurakhove direction, the situation is the hottest it has been over the past day, with 53 combat engagements recorded at this time. The Russian forces maintain high activity, attempting to advance in the areas of the settlements of Hirnyk, Novodmytrivka, Kurakhivka, Kostiantynivka, Maksymilianivka, Antonivka, Kurakhove, and Vodiane. Defense Forces units have repelled 51 enemy attacks, with two attacks still ongoing.
In the Vremivka direction, there have been 11 engagements. Seven enemy assaults were stopped in the area of Bohoyavlenka, and one near Novoukrainka. Three battles are still ongoing. The situation is under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The enemy has also actively used aviation in the areas of Novodarivka, Bohoyavlenka, and Velyka Novosilka.
In the Orikhiv direction, our defenders repelled three unsuccessful enemy attacks throughout the day in the area of Robotyne.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, our troops successfully defended against six attacks by Russian forces on Ukrainian positions.
In the Kursk region, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their operation. The enemy's aviation continues to carry out strikes with guided aerial bombs on Russian territory. Currently, 21 aerial strikes using 43 guided aerial bombs have been reported.
In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the situation.
Aerial attacks
On the evening of October 20, the Russian forces shelled several regional centers in Ukraine.
Initially, around 8:00 PM, Russian forces struck Odesa with missiles, igniting a fire in the city.
Around 10:00 PM, a series of powerful explosions were heard in Kharkiv. Buildings and several social facilities were damaged, and there were reported casualties.
Additionally, Russian forces targeted Kryvyi Rih with ballistic missiles, damaging civilian infrastructure in the city.
