Russian troops begin offensive operations in eastern Ukraine

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine records the signs of the start of the offensive operations in eastern Ukraine.

“According to operative information, as of 18:00 on April 18, the enemy continues to launch missile and bomb strikes on industrial and civilian infrastructure,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted on Facebook.

It is noted that the main efforts of the enemy are focused on establishing full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and holding the previously captured territory.

The signs of the start of the offensive operation in the Eastern Operational Zone are recorded. In Slobozhansky and Donetsk operational districts, the aggressor intensified offensive and assault operations in some directions.

"In order to strengthen their offensive capabilities, the invaders continue to form additional units in Rostov region and in the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. It is planned to use them to support the military operations of the main forces in the second echelon, protection of administrative buildings and important infrastructure facilities in the occupied territories. According to available information, the approximate date of formation is April 24 this year," the report reads.

Provocative actions and the use of enemy aircraft in Ukraine–Russia border areas are not ruled out, including strikes on civilian objects.

No significant changes in the activities of enemy troops were noted in Volyn, Polissia, and Siversky directions.

In Slobozhansky direction, the enemy group, which includes separate units of the 6th Combined Arms Army of the Western Military District, the Baltic and the Northern Fleet coastal forces, continues to partially block Kharkiv and destroy residential areas of the city with artillery fire.

In Izium direction, the aggressor operates with separate units of the 1st Guards Tank Army, the 20th Combined Arms Army of the Western Military District, the 35th and 68th Combined Arms Armies of the Eastern Military District and the air assault forces. Attempts to advance in Izium-Slovyansk and Izium-Barvinkove directions are expected to continue.

The helipads are rolled out in Russia’s Belgorod region, close to the state border with Ukraine.

In Donetsk and Tavriysky directions, a group of Russian troops continues to focus their efforts on capturing the localities of Lyman, Kreminna, Popasna, and Rubizhne, as well as establishing full control over Mariupol.

The enemy also intensified offensive operations in Sievierodonetsk, Popasna, Kurakhove, and Zaporizhzhia directions.

To step up efforts, the enemy continues to amass additional tank and artillery units.

The battles for Mariupol continue. The enemy is storming the seaport area.

In the Southern Buh direction, some enemy units continue to focus their efforts on holding the occupied frontiers and shelling the positions of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. The enemy does not stop trying to establish full control over the territory of Kherson region. The invaders conduct unsuccessful military operations in the area of Oleksandrivka.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine notes that enemy naval groups continue to isolate Ukraine’s sea coast and conduct reconnaissance in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

In addition, Russian aggressors continue to cynically violate international humanitarian law, block initiatives to evacuate civilians from occupied localities, refuse to coordinate humanitarian routes, and fire on areas near possible "green corridors".

"In the occupied territories, the enemy steals and takes out to the Russian Federation equipment, machinery and products of local enterprises, mines agricultural fields," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.

The defense forces continue to hold certain frontiers, eliminate the enemy, and liberate Ukrainian lands from invaders in some areas.

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