Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of July 18
Illustrative photo: Ukrainian Armed Forces repel Russian attacks on the front line (Getty Images)
Over the past day, 138 combat engagements took place along the front line. The heaviest Russian pressure was recorded in the Pokrovsk direction, informs the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian attacks
"In total, 138 combat clashes have occurred since the beginning of the day. Ukrainian defenders continue to repel Russian attempts to advance firmly, inflicting fire damage on the enemy," the General Staff said.
Since the start of the day, Russian forces carried out 61 airstrikes, dropping 81 guided bombs. They also launched 1,221 Shahed-type kamikaze drones and conducted 3,949 artillery and mortar attacks on Ukrainian positions and populated areas.
Frontline situation
In the Northern-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions, Ukrainian forces engaged in 26 battles with Russian troops. One of those clashes is still ongoing. Russia conducted eight airstrikes, dropped 12 guided bombs, and fired 192 times using artillery.
In the Southern-Slobozhanskyi direction, Russian troops launched four attacks near the towns of Vovchansk and Krasne Pershe.
In the Kupiansk direction, Russian forces carried out three offensive actions near Kupiansk, as well as in the villages of Stepova Novoselivka, and Kindrashivka. One engagement is still ongoing.
In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian forces repelled 19 Russian assaults near the settlements of Korovii Yar, Karpivka, Kolodiazi, Shandryholove, Torske, and toward the area of Serebrianka. Eight clashes remain underway.
In the Siversk direction, Russian forces attacked three times near Hryhorivka, Serebrianka, and Vyimka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian troops launched two assaults near Bila Hora. Ukrainian units repelled both attacks.
In the Toretsk direction, six combat clashes were reported. Russian forces attempted to storm Ukrainian positions near Shcherbynivka and Oleksandro-Kalynove. One battle continues.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian troops launched 37 attacks since the start of the day. Fighting occurred near the towns of Poltavka, Volodymyrivka, Myroliubivka, Novoekonomichne, Lysivka, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Molodetske, Udachne, Orikhove, and Oleksiivka. Ukrainian forces repelled 36 of those assaults, and one battle is ongoing.
"Our defenders repelled 36 assaults; one engagement is still in progress. According to preliminary data, 82 Russian soldiers were neutralized on this axis today, including 46 killed in action. In addition, Ukrainian forces destroyed one Russian personnel shelter, a drone control post, one motorcycle, three vehicles, and ten unmanned aerial vehicles. They also damaged two more enemy vehicles," the General Staff reported.
In the Novopavlivka direction, Ukrainian troops repelled six attacks near the settlements of Zirka, Vilne Pole, Novopil, and toward Oleksandrohrad. Two combat clashes are still ongoing.
In the Huliaipole direction, Russian aircraft struck the town of Zaliznychne with unguided rockets. No ground assaults were reported.
In the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian troops repelled three Russian attacks near Kamianske. Russian aircraft also struck the towns of Novodanylivka and Plavni.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, six battles took place. Russian troops attempted to advance near Dniprovske, Sadove, Prydniprovske, the town of Hola Prystan, and Kozulsky Island. Russian aircraft struck the town of Olhivka.
Russian breakthrough attempt near Pokrovsk
On July 18, a group of Russian saboteurs attempted to enter the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian forces eliminated the enemy, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, who briefed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Earlier, Captain Artem Sholudko of the Spartan Brigade said Russian forces had changed their tactics in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy is now deploying small infantry groups supported by armored vehicles and trucks.
