As of 7 pm on May 18, Russian occupying troops are persisting in efforts to enhance tactical positioning across most sectors along the entire front line. Ukraine’s intelligence, artillery, aviation, and strike drone units are actively responding to the attacks and are deeply involved in combat against the invaders, as reported by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army.
Since the start of the day, Ukrainian aviation has targeted 18 areas of Russian troop concentration, two anti-aircraft missile systems, and one radar station. In total, there have been 77 combat engagements today, with seven still ongoing. During this period, Ukrainian soldiers have executed four assault operations to dislodge the enemy from their positions.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Army reported, “Since the beginning of the day, Ukrainian aviation has struck 18 areas of Russian personnel concentration, two anti-aircraft missile systems, and one radar station.” These strikes were part of a broader pattern of 77 combat engagements that occurred on that day, with some still ongoing, and included four aggressive assaults to dislodge Russian forces from their occupied positions.
The confrontations have been widespread, with significant clashes taking place on multiple fronts, including Kharkiv, where ten skirmishes were recorded in a day. Russian forces, having conducted an airstrike on the city with two guided bombs, faced fierce retaliation. The Ukrainian military claims to have inflicted losses on the Russians, including 73 personnel casualties and the destruction of 16 pieces of military hardware, such as two tanks.
The intensity of the battles has also escalated on other fronts, such as Kupiansk and Lyman, signaling a determined Ukrainian effort to maintain control over the situation. On the Kramatorsk front, Russian forces were reported to have launched 14 assault operations in the vicinity of Ivanivske and Kalynivka.
The Pokrovsk front, in particular, remains a hotspot of military action with 23 engagements, four of which were ongoing. Russian forces extended their offensive to the town of Netailove and launched airstrikes around Oleksandropil, Voskhod, and Yevhenivka. Details about the current situation on this front are still being confirmed.
In addition to the direct confrontations, there are reports that Russian forces have been using Austrian-manufactured weapons in Ukraine, despite European Union sanctions. These Austrian rifles are said to be favored by Russian army snipers, Federal Protective Service personnel, Wagner Group mercenaries, and marines involved in the conflict.
The Ukrainian Defence Forces have emphasized their commitment to stabilizing the situation and regrouping in certain areas, with ongoing efforts to repel Russian offensives and maintain defensive positions, including successful repulsion of Russian assaults on the Ukrainian footholds on Dnipro’s east bank.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has criticized the U.S. policy barring Ukraine from using U.S.-provided weapons to strike targets within Russia, stating that this decision compromises Ukraine’s ability to defend itself effectively. This restriction allows Russia to launch glide bomb and missile strikes from its border areas with impunity and to mass forces and equipment before deploying them in combat.
Relevant articles:
– Battles ongoing: Ukrainian soldiers struck 18 Russian positions, two anti-aircraft missile systems, and one radar station … , Euromaidan Press, 05/19/2024
– Ukraine’s Defence Forces launch 4 assaults to push Russians out of their positions – General Staff report, Ukrainska Pravda, 05/18/2024
– U.S. ban on strikes within Russia compromising Ukraine’s ability to defend itself – ISW, Ukrinform, 05/18/2024
– US ban on strikes on Russian territory seriously undermines Ukraine’s ability to defend itself — ISW, Рубрика, 05/18/2024
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