Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of November 17
The Russian forces continue their attempts to advance in the Donetsk region (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Since the beginning of November 17, 134 combat clashes have occurred on the front lines. The Russian army continues its attempts to breach the defenses of Ukrainian forces in the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk directions in the Donetsk region, according to the evening update from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Enemy shelling
The enemy launched a massive missile and airstrike, using 130 missiles and 61 airstrikes with 98 guided aerial bombs (FABs), over 700 kamikaze drone attacks, and conducted more than 3,500 shellings of our military positions and civilian areas using various types of weapons.
Frontline situation
In the Kharkiv direction, ten combat clashes took place with Russian forces. Five attacks were repelled near Starytsia, four near Vovchansk, and one near the settlement of Vysoka Yaruha. The enemy was unsuccessful.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy attempted to push our units from their positions near Kucherivka, Kruhlyakivka, and Kolisnykivka ten times. One clash near Zahryzove is ongoing.
In the Lyman direction, the enemy made seven attempts to dislodge our defenders from their positions. The Russian forces were stopped in the Lyman direction, where they tried to advance in the directions of Tverdokhlibove, Hrekivka, Terni, and Cherneshchyna.
In the Siversk direction, our forces repelled an attack near Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk direction, one combat clash occurred. The Russian forces were active near the settlement of Bila Hora, but after receiving a strong repulse, the enemy retreated.
In the Toretsk direction, since the beginning of the day, the enemy attempted twice to break through the defenses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near the settlements of Toretsk and Shcherbynivka. Our defenders successfully repelled both attacks.
In the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy continues its active attempts to advance on our positions. The greatest activity of Russian forces remains in the areas of the settlements of Myrolyubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Krutyi Yar, Yurivka, Hryhorivka, and Petrivka. A total of 23 attacks in this direction have already been repelled by Ukrainian defenders, with five more clashes ongoing.
According to available information, the enemy's losses in this direction for today have amounted to 251 personnel killed and wounded. Two tanks, and 10 units of motorized equipment were destroyed, and two tanks, one BMP, one vehicle, and one artillery system were damaged.
In the Kurakhove direction, 35 combat clashes have been recorded so far today. The Russian forces maintain high activity, attempting to advance in the areas of Nova Illinka, Berestkiv, Voznesenka, Sontsivka, Zori, Maksymilianivka, Dalne, Kurakhove, and Antonivka. The Defense Forces repelled 20 enemy attacks. The situation is difficult, but it remains under the control of the Defense Forces. Our troops are making every effort to prevent the enemy from advancing deeper into Ukrainian territory.
In this direction, according to preliminary data, the enemy's losses killed and wounded a total of 128 personnel. Two tanks, one BMP, two vehicles, two motorcycles, and one enemy mortar were destroyed, in addition to one damaged BMP and one artillery system.
In the Vremivka direction, four clashes occurred in the areas of Trudove and Rozdolivka. Three of these clashes are still ongoing.
In the Orikhiv direction, our defenders repelled a futile enemy attack near Novoandriivka during the day.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, our forces successfully repelled Russian forces' attacks on Ukrainian positions four times.
In the Kursk region, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their operation. Russian aviation continues to strike with guided aerial bombs on its territory. As of now, 24 airstrikes using 37 guided bombs have been reported.
There have been no significant changes in the situation in other directions.
Massive airstrike
Last night, Russian forces launched a large-scale combined missile and drone attack on Ukraine.
Initially, regions were heavily attacked by Shahed-type kamikaze drones.
Closer to the morning, the Russian army fired missiles at our country from strategic aviation, Caliber carriers in the Black Sea, and from the territory of Crimea.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the air defense forces shot down 144 aerial targets.
In the evening, some US media reported that President Joe Biden allegedly authorized the Ukrainian military to target Russian territory with ATACMS ballistic missiles.
European media outlets reported that similar authorization for strikes on Russian territory with Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles was granted by the UK and France.
