Russian troops attempt to encircle Ukrainian forces near Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzianyk at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to Motuzianyk, Russian occupation forces are extensively inflicting fire damage all over the contact line and trying to launch artillery strikes deep into the Ukrainian defense lines, namely in the Donetsk and Sloviansk directions. The enemy is focusing efforts to maintain the captured frontiers, conducting reconnaissance, hardening positions, trying to replenish ammunition, equipment, arms and fuel stocks and improve their tactical position in certain directions.

In the Donetsk direction, the Ukrainian military are repulsing enemy attacks. Extensive battles are raging in the Lyman, Sievierodonetsk and Bakhmut directions.

“The main objective of Russian occupiers is to encircle Ukrainian forces near Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk,” Motuzianyk said.

In the Sloviansk direction, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are repulsing an attack by Russian troops. The enemy is continuously regrouping troops and accumulating material and technical resources. Russian invaders are launching artillery strikes near the contact line to the south and southwest of Izium. In order to reveal the Ukrainian positions, the enemy conducted air reconnaissance with two Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

“In the Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian defenders are holding back the Russian group, which, with the support of artillery, is attempting to expand the penetration area and capture the new frontiers near Popasna. In the Kurakhove direction, the Ukrainian military are repulsing attacks by the enemy, which, with the support of artillery and aviation, is trying to conduct the offensive on Novomykhailivka, situated 10 kilometers to the south of Marinka,” Motuzianyk noted.

In the Kharkiv direction, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are opposing the Russian units from the Western and Central military districts and the coastal defense troops of the Baltic Fleet. The enemy is attempting to maintain the captured frontiers and opening fire with artillery systems.

In the Southern Bug and Tavriiskyi directions, Russian troops are focusing efforts to maintain the captured frontiers, conduct air reconnaissance, harden positions and ensure logistics supplies.

In the Kryvyi Rih and Kherson directions, the situation has not changed significantly. Russian invaders are opening fire on Ukrainian positions with artillery systems and building the second defense line.

In the Siverskyi direction, Russian troops conducted air reconnaissance in Sumy Region and Chernihiv Region. The threat of missile and artillery strikes on the border areas of Ukraine is persisting.

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, no significant changes have been recorded. The Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus continue to enhance the Ukrainian-Belarusian border in Brest Region and Gomel Region. The threat of missile and air strikes from the territory of Belarus is persisting.

As of May 20, 2022, two Russian warships carrying up to 16 Kalibr missiles were remaining in ready mode in the Black Sea. Russia’s naval groups in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov continue to block civilian shipping.

mk