Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of August 16

As of today, fierce battles continue on the front lines: Ukrainian defenders are repelling enemy attacks in several key directions, with the most intense fighting concentrated in the Donetsk region and the Sumy area.

Since the beginning of the day, 126 combat clashes have been recorded. Russian forces are actively using aviation and drones: they carried out 48 airstrikes, dropping 83 guided aerial bombs, launched 1,699 kamikaze drones, and conducted 4,258 shelling attacks on Defense Forces positions and civilian settlements.

Despite the massive pressure, Ukrainian defenders are holding the line firmly, inflicting heavy losses on the Russian army.

Hottest sectors of the front

The most intense fighting is taking place in the Pokrovsk direction, where the enemy carried out 38 assault attempts in the areas of more than 10 settlements, including Poltavka, Rodynske, Udachne, Lysivka, and others. As a result of the successful actions by our troops, 139 Russian soldiers were eliminated, with 91 of them being irreversibly killed. An artillery system, 7 vehicles, and 18 UAVs were destroyed, while another artillery system, enemy equipment, and shelters were damaged.

In the Novopavlivka direction, the Russian army attempted 22 times to break through the defense in the areas of Novokhatske, Vilne Pole, Myrne, Voskresenka, and other villages. All attacks were repelled.

In the Lyman direction, the enemy carried out 16 assaults in the areas of Karpivka, Zelena Dolyna, Kolodyazi, as well as in the direction of Serebrianka and Hryhorivka. Three combat clashes are still ongoing.

In the Kupiansk direction, the Russian army attempted to attack in the areas of Kindrashivka, Zapadne, Holubivka, and Stepova Novoselivka. Our defenders repelled 10 attacks, while three more battles are still ongoing.

In the Toretsk direction, the enemy launched four assaults in the areas of Toretsk, Dyliivka, and in the direction of Pleshchiivka. All attacks were stopped.

In the Northern-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions, two assault attempts were repelled, 10 airstrikes (23 guided aerial bombs) were recorded, as well as more than 200 shelling attacks, including 11 from MLRS.

In the Siversk direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled one attack in the area of Hryhorivka.

In the Southern-Slobozhanskyi direction, the enemy attempted two attacks in the area of Kamianka.

In the Orikhiv direction, our defenders successfully repelled an enemy advance toward Stepnohirsk.

In the Prydniprovskyi direction, two attempts by the enemy to push toward our positions failed.

In other directions of the front line, no significant changes have been recorded. The Ukrainian army continues to hold its positions, inflicting heavy losses on the Russian army.

Frontline situation

Earlier today, August 16, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in the Northern-Slobozhanskyi direction, the Russian forces tried to transport a cannon on a truck across a river using a blown-up bridge.

However, the attempt failed, as Ukrainian fighters acted more swiftly.

Over the past day, Russian forces suffered heavy losses in battles against Ukraine, with their numbers reduced by more than 1,000 soldiers.