Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of February 18
The General Staff reported on the situation at the front (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
As of the evening of February 18, 144 combat engagements took place on the frontline, with Ukrainian forces repelling 32 enemy assaults in the Pokrovsk direction, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.
According to the General Staff, since the beginning of the day, Russian forces have launched two missile strikes using two missiles and carried out 72 airstrikes, deploying 94 guided aerial bombs. In addition, they have used 1,024 kamikaze drones and conducted approximately 4,200 shelling attacks on Ukrainian military positions and settlements.
In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops attempted to advance toward Mala Shapkivka and Topoli, but Ukrainian defense forces successfully repelled their efforts. Cherkaska Lozova was hit by an airstrike.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy launched 16 assaults near Petropavlivka, Pishchane, Zahryzove, and Lozova. Ukrainian units repelled 14 attacks, with two battles still ongoing.
In the Lyman direction, Russian forces launched 12 assaults on Ukrainian positions near Kopanky, Makiivka, Novolubivka, and Yampilivka. Two engagements are still underway.
In the Siversk direction, Russian forces launched four attacks toward Bilohorivka, Hryhorivka, and Verkhniokamianske, with two battles still ongoing.
Since the beginning of the day, in the Kramatorsk direction, Russian troops have attacked near Vasiukivka and toward Oleksandro-Shultyne. One attempt to push Ukrainian defenders from their positions was unsuccessful, while two clashes are still underway.
In the Toretsk direction, 15 combat engagements have taken place today. The enemy launched assaults on Ukrainian positions near Krymske, Diliivka, Toretsk, and Shcherbynivka. Four battles are currently ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces have launched 43 attacks since the start of the day, targeting areas near Tarasivka, Vodyane Druhe, Malynivka, Promin, Pishchane, Kotlyne, Nadiyivka, Kotlyarivka, Novooleksandrivka, Zaporizhzhia, Oleksiivka, Novotoretske, Andriivka, Dachne, Shevchenko, and Ulakly. Ukrainian defenders have repelled 32 assaults, while 11 engagements are still ongoing.
According to preliminary data, 352 Russian troops have been neutralized in this sector today, including 191 killed. Ukrainian forces have also destroyed three tanks, seven vehicles, a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, four mortars, a buggy, two motorcycles, and a howitzer. Additionally, they have damaged a tank, a BM-21 Grad, two armored fighting vehicles, a quad bike, and two artillery pieces.
In the Novopavlivka direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 14 Russian attacks near Rozdolne and in the directions of Kostiantynopil and Burlatske, with two battles still ongoing.
In the Hulyaipole direction, Russian forces attempted 13 advances near Novosilka and Novopil. Ukrainian troops have already repelled six attacks, while five engagements are still underway. Russian aviation struck Hulyaipole and Zaliznychne with guided bombs.
In the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian forces are repelling three attacks near Mali Shcherbaky, Stepove, and Novoandriivka. The enemy also targeted Pyatykhatky with rocket-assisted projectiles.
In Russia’s Kursk region, Ukrainian defense forces have repelled seven Russian assaults, with three combat engagements still ongoing.
Russia's losses in the war
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, its military losses have reached nearly 861,000 personnel, according to the General Staff of Ukraine.
Over the past day alone, Russian forces lost 1,170 troops. Ukrainian defenders also destroyed 12 tanks, 12 armored fighting vehicles, 53 artillery systems, and other enemy equipment.
