Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of November 20
Photo: The situation at the frontline remains difficult (Getty Images)
Since the beginning of November 20, 147 combat engagements have occurred on the frontlines. Russian forces are focusing their pressure on Ukrainian positions near Kupiansk, Kurakhove, and Pokrovsk while intensifying assaults around Vremivka in the Donetsk region, according to the evening report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Enemy shelling
Throughout the day, Russian forces launched one missile strike, 61 airstrikes using 91 guided bombs, over 560 kamikaze drone attacks, and more than 3,000 shelling incidents targeting Ukrainian military positions and civilian settlements with various weaponry.
Frontline situation
In the Kharkiv direction, four clashes occurred near Vovchansk and Starytsia. The enemy dropped three guided aerial bombs near Kozacha Lopan.
In the Kupiansk direction, Russian forces attempted 23 assaults to dislodge Ukrainian troops from positions near Kolisnykivka, Zahryzove, Kucherivka, Kruhliakivka, and Zelenyi Hai.
In the Lyman direction, the enemy launched ten attacks, attempting to advance toward Cherneshchyna, Zarichne, and Terny, using bombers and assault aircraft to strike Novoyehorivka and Zakytne.
In the Siversk direction, Russian forces dropped ten guided bombs near Siversk.
In the Kramatorsk direction, five aerial bombs targeted Chasiv Yar and Lypivka.
In the Toretsk direction, Russian troops made seven attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses. Ukrainian defenders repelled five attacks near Toretsk and Shcherbynivka while two assaults continued.
In the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy carried out 33 assaults and offensive actions.
Heavy fighting persists near Myroliubivka, Pustynka, Promin, Krutyi Yar, Krasnyi Yar, Lyskivka, Yurivka, Zhovte, Petrivka, Dachenske, Novooleksiivka, Hryhorivka, and Pushkyne. Ukrainian forces repelled 22 attacks, with 11 clashes still ongoing.
Russian airstrikes targeted Myroliubivka, Sukha Balka, Stara Mykolaivka, and Lysivka, using 15 guided bombs. Despite the challenging situation, Ukrainian defense forces maintain control, preventing enemy advancement into Ukrainian territory.
Enemy's losses in this direction totaled 223 personnel, including 91 killed in action. Ukrainian forces destroyed one armored personnel vehicle, four vehicles, two infantry fighting vehicles, and three buggies and damaged one mortar and an armored personnel carrier.
In the Kurakhove direction, 23 clashes occurred as Russian forces attempted to advance near Berestky, Zoria, Sontsivka, Maksymilianivka, Katerynivka, Yelyzavetivka, and Antonivka. Ukrainian defenders repelled seven attacks while 16 assaults continued. Russian airstrikes targeted Ulakly and Andriivka with guided bombs.
Enemy's losses include 127 personnel, with 59 killed. Ukrainian forces destroyed one tank, nine armored combat vehicles, two vehicles, and seven motorcycles.
In the Vremivka direction, 28 clashes occurred. Ukrainian defenders halted five assaults near Trudove, Kostiantynopolske, Rozdolne, Velyka Novosilka, and Novodarivka. Intense fighting continues. Russian airstrikes targeted Oleksiivka and Novodarivka, dropping eight guided bombs.
In the Orikhiv and Huliaipole directions, no significant enemy activity was reported today.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, Ukrainian forces repelled five enemy attacks.
In the Kursk region, Ukrainian defense forces continued operations in Russia’s Kursk region. Russian aviation launched 20 airstrikes, deploying 33 guided bombs on its territory.
There were no significant changes in the situation in other directions.
Western approval for strikes on Russian targets
On Monday, November 18, several Western media outlets reported that the United States had authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS ballistic missiles against military targets in Russia.
This information was later confirmed officially, citing North Korea’s involvement in supporting Russia’s war efforts against Ukraine.
Early Tuesday, November 19, Ukraine reportedly conducted its first ATACMS strikes on a military facility near Karachev in Russia’s Bryansk region.
The US also approved Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles, equipped with American components, for strikes in Russia's rear areas. However, the United Kingdom and France, manufacturers of these missiles, limited their use to targets within Russia's Kursk region.
On Wednesday, November 20, reports indicated that Ukrainian forces used Storm Shadow missiles to strike an underground command post in Russia’s Kursk region.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin revised the country’s nuclear doctrine. Under the new policy, Russia reserves the right to carry out nuclear strikes if its territory is attacked by a non-nuclear state using weapons manufactured by any nuclear-armed nation.
