Ukrainian forces report increase in activity by Russian army in Kramatorsk direction
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine provided an update on the situation at the front (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
In Ukraine, on the front line throughout the day and as of the evening, there have been 113 combat clashes. The enemy, among other things, has intensified its efforts in the Kramatorsk direction, while the situation remains the most intense in the Pokrovsk direction, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The report provided information on the operational situation at the front as of 22:00 on June 18.
Russian attacks
"Russian forces conducted 33 airstrikes on Ukrainian territory using 45 combat aircraft and deployed 482 kamikaze drones," reported the military command.
Additionally, the enemy carried out nearly 2900 shelling attacks on positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and populated areas using small arms, artillery, mortars, and weapons of combat vehicles.
Frontline situation
"Ukrainian troops continue their defensive operation and firmly resist enemy attempts to advance into the country's territory. The situation remains the most intense in the Pokrovsk direction," the General Staff reported.
There were 6 combat clashes in the Kharkiv direction. Ukrainian troops repelled 4 attacks by Russian forces in the area of Vovchansk. The repulsion of 2 more enemy assaults in the areas of Vovchansk and Lyptsi is ongoing.
In the Kupiansk direction, the number of combat clashes has increased to 12. Ukrainian troops repelled 8 enemy attacks near Synkivka, Stepova Novoselivka, and Pishchane, while 4 clashes are ongoing.
In the Lyman direction, the enemy attempted 13 times to displace Ukrainian defenders from their positions in the areas of Hrekivka, Makiivka, Terni, and Serebrianske Forestry. Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled 12 attacks, with no success for the enemy. The battle at the Terni location is ongoing.
In the Siversk direction, Ukrainian forces repelled 13 attacks by invaders near Rozdolivka, Spirne, Verkhniokamianske, and Vyiemka. The situation is under control, with no loss of territory or positions. Two more clashes near Verkhniokamianske are ongoing.
It is noted that the Russian army has intensified its activities in the Kramatorsk direction. During the current day, the Russian army made 6 attempts to approach the Novyi Chasiv Yar microdistrict, 4 of which were repelled by Ukrainian defenders. Two combat clashes are still ongoing.
"Additionally, the enemy is actively conducting assault operations near Ivanivske, Pivdennе, and New York, where nine battles are currently ongoing," the military command reported.
The situation remains the most intense in the Pokrovsk direction, where the number of enemy assaults reached 37. Russian forces attempted to breach the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Oleksandrivka, Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Novoselivka Persha, Novopokrovsk, Sokil, and Karlivka.
"The defense forces are taking measures to prevent the enemy's advancement and stabilize the situation. Twenty attacks have been repelled, and 17 battles are ongoing," the General Staff reported.
According to preliminary information, the losses of the Russian army today in this direction amounted to approximately 180 soldiers killed and wounded. Additionally, one MT-LB, mortar, cannon, and four vehicles were destroyed, and two Russian tanks were damaged.
In the Kurakhove direction, three attempts by the enemy to displace Ukrainian defenders from their positions near Krasnohorivka were unsuccessful. Four more battles are ongoing. The situation is under the control of the Defense Forces.
"Our defenders are destroying the Russian forces. Since the beginning of the day, the total losses of the enemy amount to 86 individuals. An enemy vehicle was also destroyed," the General Staff reported.
Two assault actions by Russian forces near Urozhainе and Novodarivka were unsuccessful in the Vremivka direction.
Two attacks by Russian forces in the Novodanilivka and Mala Tokmachka areas in the Orikhiv direction also failed.
There have been no significant changes in the situation in other directions.
Earlier, on June 18, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that after a long lull, Russian forces became active in the Toretsk direction.
Before this, soldiers of the Third Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that the enemy had prepared groups for an offensive and advancing towards the borders of the Luhansk region. According to Ukrainian defenders, Russian Forces are advancing with tank regiments, artillery, and additional PMC units.
Later, the Ukrainian Defense Forces commented on this information, stating that the leadership of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is aware of the situation in the Luhansk region, and the enemy will receive an adequate response.
