Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of November 16
Photo: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the situation at the frontline (Getty Images)
Since the beginning of Saturday, 132 combat engagements have occurred at the frontline. Russian forces are concentrating their main offensive efforts in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions, and the situation there remains tense, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Military officials provided an update on the operational situation as of 10:00 PM on November 16. (Kyiv time)
Enemy shelling
On Saturday, November 16, Russian forces launched a missile strike using one missile and 56 airstrikes, dropping 74 guided bombs.
Additionally, the enemy deployed 593 kamikaze drones and carried out more than 3,600 shelling attacks on Ukrainian positions and civilian areas.
Frontline situation
The General Staff noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to hold off the pressure of Russian forces.
"The situation in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions remains tense - the enemy is concentrating its main offensive efforts there," the military command reported.
In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces unsuccessfully stormed Ukrainian positions five times near Vovchansk and Strilecha. One attack is still ongoing.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy launched ten attacks on Ukrainian positions. Ukrainian forces repelled all enemy assaults near Pishchane, Kolisnykivka, Kruhliakivka, and Zahryzove. One battle is still in progress.
The General Staff also reported that Russian airstrikes hit the areas of Berestove, Borivska Andriyivka, Nova Kruhliakivka, and Shyikivka.
In the Lyman direction, Russian forces launched ten attacks against Ukrainian defenders in Hrekivka, Makiivka, Cherneshchyna, Tverdokhlibove, and Terny. Ukrainian forces repelled all enemy attacks.
"Airstrikes targeted the areas of Borova, Ivanivka, Dronivka, and Shyikivka," the General Staff said.
In the Toretsk direction, Russian forces attempted to improve their position near Toretsk and in the direction of Shcherbynivka with seven attacks. Enemy aviation carried out bombing raids on the areas of Ivanopillia, Kostiantynivka, Svitlodarsk, and Petrivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Russians launched 32 attacks on Ukrainian positions near Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Promin, Krutyi Yar, Petrivka, Novooleksiivka, and Pustynka. One battle is still ongoing.
The report also mentions that the enemy carried out airstrikes on Sukha Balka, Rivne, Myrnohrad, Sukyi Yar, Krynytsia, and Novyi Trud.
"Preliminary estimates indicate that today, in the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces suffered 340 casualties, including killed and wounded. One armored personnel carrier, one armored combat vehicle, four vehicles, one motorcycle, and one artillery piece were destroyed," the General Staff said.
Furthermore, military command added that Ukrainian soldiers inflicted significant damage on two tanks, one armored personnel carrier, and one artillery piece.
In the Kurakhove direction, 25 enemy attacks were recorded. One battle is still ongoing.
"Most of the fighting continues in the areas of Nova Illinka, Berestky, Novoselydivka, Voznesenka, Sontsivka, Novodmytrivka, Zoria, Kurakhove, Dalne, Katerynivka, and Antonivka. The enemy dropped one guided bomb on Hannivka," the report stated.
In the Vremivka direction, the enemy launched 14 attacks on the forward edge of Ukrainian defense in Romanivka, Sukhi Yaly, Novodarivka, Trudove, Yantarne, and Rivnopil. Three battles are still ongoing.
Russian forces carried out airstrikes on the areas of Velyka Novosilka, Temyrivka, and Andriivka.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, the enemy launched four unsuccessful attacks on Ukrainian positions.
In the Kursk region, Ukrainian forces continue operations — during the day, Ukrainian forces repelled 24 enemy attacks, according to the General Staff.
It was reported that according to Estonian intelligence, fighting is intensifying in the Kursk region and near Kupiansk.
On November 15, Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, stated that Russian forces have resumed offensive operations in the Kursk region, employing heavy equipment.
