Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of August 16
Illustrative photo: Frontline battles (Getty Images)
Ukrainian forces continue to resolutely repel attempts by Russian troops to advance into Ukrainian territory, inflicting significant losses and conducting precision strikes, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
As of 10:00 PM Kyiv time on August 15, 2025, a total of 97 combat engagements had been recorded along the front line over the past day. Ukrainian defenders are resolutely repelling Russian assaults, inflicting heavy losses on the forces.
Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces carried out two missile strikes and 77 airstrikes, launching three missiles and dropping 133 guided aerial bombs. They also deployed 1,568 Shahed-type attack drones and conducted roughly 4,000 artillery strikes of various types.
Frontline updates
In the Northern Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions, five clashes took place. Russian forces launched 13 airstrikes, dropped 32 guided bombs, and carried out 165 artillery strikes, including four with multiple-launch rocket systems.
In the Southern Slobozhanskyi direction, Ukrainian defense forces repelled three attacks near Vovchansk and Kamyanka; one engagement is still ongoing.
In the Kupiansk direction, Russian forces made two attempts to advance near Petropavlivka and Zahryzove, but Ukrainian troops repelled both.
In the Lyman direction, eight attacks were recorded near Karpivka, Shandryholove, Kolodiazi, Yampil, and Hryhorivka. Four battles are still in progress.
In the Siversk direction, Ukrainian forces repelled five assaults near Hryhorivka, Serebrianka, Fedorivka, Pereizne, and Siversk. One engagement continues.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Ukrainian defenders halted an assault near Orikhovo-Vasylivka.
In the Toretsk direction, Russia launched six attacks near Pleschiivka, Stepanivka, Yablunivka, and Rusyn Yar.
In the Pokrovsk direction, the fiercest fighting of the day is ongoing, with 35 enemy attacks near Poltavka, Volodymyrivka, Fedorivka, Novoeconomichne, Rodynske, Sukhetske, Promin, Pokrovsk, Zvirove, Udachne, Dachne, and Novoukrainka. Two clashes are still ongoing. Ukrainian forces eliminated 172 enemy troops (132 killed), destroyed seven vehicles, four motorcycles, 106 UAVs, and two drone control posts.
In the Novopavlivka direction, Russia tried 12 times to breach Ukrainian defenses near Komyshuvakha, Zelenе Pole, Maliivka, Zaporizke, and Olhivka. Two battles continue.
In the Huliaipole direction, Russian forces carried out an airstrike on Bilohiria.
In the Orikhiv direction, no offensive actions were reported.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, Ukrainian forces repelled five assaults towards Prymorske, the Antonivskyi Bridge, and Bilohrudy Island.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian forces advanced in a key area of the Lyman direction.
According to the General Staff, during the previous day, August 14–15, Russia lost one aircraft, 940 personnel, around 150 UAVs, and other equipment.
