Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of May 16
Photo: The General Staff spoke about the current situation at the front (Getty Images)
Russian forces are attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses in the east and south of the country. Since the start of the day, dozens of assaults and airstrikes have been recorded, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
As of 4:00 p.m., Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian advances. The Russian army continues to destroy Ukrainian towns and villages with missile, air, and artillery strikes.
According to the General Staff, there have been 61 combat engagements since the beginning of the day.
Artillery shelling has hit border communities, including Dmytrivka, Studenok, Myropilske, Chuikivka, and Oleksandrivka in the Sumy region, as well as Tymofiivka in the Kharkiv region.
Situation by direction
In the Kharkiv direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled two enemy attacks near Vovchansk. Another attack is ongoing.
In the Kupiansk direction, Russian forces attempted twice to breach Ukrainian defenses toward Kyslivka and Novoosynove.
In the Lyman direction, Russian troops launched four assaults near Kolodiazi and in the direction of Olhivka, Ridkodub, and Zelena Dolyna. One battle is still underway.
In the Siversk direction, Ukrainian troops repelled a Russian attack near Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk direction, one enemy attack was stopped near Chasiv Yar, while fighting continues near Kurdiumivka.
In the Toretsk direction, Russian forces conducted 11 assault operations around Toretsk and toward Diliivka, Katerynivka, and Novospaske. Six battles are still ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian troops launched 21 attacks attempting to push Ukrainian forces from their positions near Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Zaporizhzhia, Troitske, Bohdanivka, Andriivka, and toward Stara Mykolaivka and Nova Poltavka.
Ukrainian forces repelled 15 enemy attacks; six battles are still in progress. Oleksandro-Kalynove, Novoukrainka, and Shevchenko Pershe were hit by airstrikes.
In the Novopavlivka direction, enemy troops attempted to break Ukrainian lines near Kostiantynopil, Shevchenko, Novosilka, and toward Bahatyr and Zelenyi Hai. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled nine assaults, while two more are ongoing.
Airstrikes targeted Novodarivka, Novoukrainka, and Dachne.
In the Huliaipole direction, Russian aircraft struck Malynivka, Vysoke, and Huliaipole.
In the Orikhiv direction, four Russian attacks were recorded near Shcherbaky and Mali Shcherbaky. Novodarivka also suffered an airstrike.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, no offensive actions were reported.
In the Kursk direction, seven clashes were recorded since the start of the day. Russian forces launched four airstrikes using eight guided bombs and shelled Ukrainian positions and settlements 101 times, including four attacks using multiple rocket launchers.
"There are no significant changes in other directions," the General Staff added.
Russia's losses in the war
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has lost more than 971,000 soldiers.
Over the past 24 hours alone, the Defense Forces have destroyed more than a thousand more Russian soldiers. They also destroyed:
- 13 tanks;
- 32 armored combat vehicles;
- 36 artillery systems.
