War update: 76 combat clashes since morning
Since the beginning of the day, Russian forces have launched 76 attacks against Ukrainian Defense Forces positions. The enemy is exerting the greatest pressure on the Pokrovsk axis, while also maintaining high activity on the Huliaipole and Kostiantynivka directions.
According to Ukrinform, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on Facebook in its operational update as of 16:00 Thursday, May 21.
Russian forces continue shelling border areas. Today, settlements in the Sumy region came under enemy fire, including Iskryskivshchyna, Ryzhivka, Rohizne, Korenok, Sopych, Novovasylivka, Bachivsk, Ulanove, Neskuchne, Prohres, Topoli, Budky, Havrylova Sloboda, Yastrubshchyna, and the city of Sumy.
Russian aviation also struck three additional settlements in the region: Vilna Sloboda, Tovstodubove, and Marchyshyna Buda.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Russian troops carried out one assault operation. The invaders also dropped three guided aerial bombs and launched 44 shelling attacks on populated areas and Defense Forces positions.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna axis, the enemy attempted five times to improve its positions near Izbytske, Lyman, and Vilcha.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russian troops launched three assaults toward Kurylivka, Kivsharivka, and Novoplatonivka. One of the attacks is still ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces attacked twice toward Zarichne and Lyman. Both battles are continuing.
In the Sloviansk sector, the invaders attempted once to improve their tactical position toward Riznykivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the enemy launched one attack toward Minkivka, which is still ongoing.
In the Kostiantynivka axis, Russian forces carried out 15 attacks toward Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiivka, Illinivka, Ivanopillia, Rusyn Yar, Stepanivka, and Toretske.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Russian troops made 24 attempts since the beginning of the day to push Ukrainian defenders from their positions toward Novyi Shakhove, Zatyshok, Nykanorivka, Rodynske, Toretske, Novooleksandrivka, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, Kamianka, Serhiivka, Udachne, Molodetske, and Novopavlivka. One attack is still underway.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian troops attempted three advances toward Verbove and Ternove.
In the Huliaipole sector, the enemy launched 19 attacks against Ukrainian positions near Nove Zaporizhzhia, Dobropillia, Rybne, Zlahoda, Zaliznychne, Tsvitkove, Vozdvyzhivka, Verkhnia Tersa, Staroukrainka, Huliaipilske, and Charivne. One engagement remains ongoing.
In the Orikhiv sector, Russian forces conducted one assault toward Shcherbaky.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Russian troops attacked once toward the Antonivskyi Bridge.
No significant changes were reported on other sections of the sector, where Russian troops are not attempting advances.
The Ukrainian military continues to wear down the enemy along the entire line of contact and in rear areas.
As Ukrinform previously reported, data from the Institute for the Study of War indicates that Ukraine's Defense Forces are regaining tactical initiative in various sectors of the sector line.
Photo: 143rd Separate Mechanized Brigade / Oleksii "Chief"