War update: Enemy continues offensive actions in Bakhmut direction, fierce battles underway

The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“In the Bakhmut direction, the enemy continues conducting offensive actions. Fierce battles are underway for the town of Bakhmut. Additionally, the enemy conducted unsuccessful offensive actions towards Ivanivske, and launched air strikes near Novomarkove, Bohdanivka, Bakhmut, Predtechyne and Kurdiumivka. The enemy shelling affected the Donetsk region’s Vasiukivka, Zaliznianske, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Novomarkove, Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar, Predtechyne, Bila Hora, Pivnichne and Shumy,” the report states.

On the night of May 18, 2023, Russian terrorists launched another massive missile attack on Ukraine’s territory. The effects are yet to be checked.

In the past 24 hours, Russian troops have launched 15 missile strikes, namely on such cities as Odesa, Kherson and Bakhmut. In addition, the enemy launched 42 air strikes and opened fire with multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) 101 times. Casualties among civilians were reported; residential houses and other civil infrastructure were damaged or destroyed.

According to the General Staff, the threat of Russian missile and air strikes is persisting all over Ukraine.

Generally, Russian troops continue focusing efforts on conducting offensive actions in the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka directions. A total of 36 military clashes occurred there. The Donetsk region’s Bakhmut and Marinka are remaining the epicenter of hostilities.

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation remained rather unchanged. No enemy offensive groupings were detected.

In the Siverskyi and Slobozhanskyi directions, Russian troops continue maintaining military presence within the areas bordering with Ukraine. The enemy launched mortar and artillery strikes on the Chernihiv region’s Khotiivka; the Sumy region’s Novovasylivka, Komarivka, Hirky, Iskryskivshchyna and Volfyne; and the Kharkiv region’s Huriv Kozachok, Udy, Okip, Kozacha Lopan, Hatyshche, Vovchansk, Budarky, Zybyne, Ustynivka and Zarubynka.

In the Kupiansk direction, Russian invaders conducted unsuccessful offensive actions near Masiutivka and Novoselivske. The enemy launched air strikes near Masiutivka, Kyslivka and Pershotravneve, as well as artillery and mortar strikes near the Kharkiv region’s Krasne Pershe, Fyholivka, Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Masiutivka, Tabaivka and Berestove, and the Luhansk region’s Stelmakhivka.

In the Lyman direction, Russian occupiers conducted offensive actions near the Luhansk region’s Nevske. The enemy launched air strikes near Dibrova, Bilohorivka, Verkhniokamianske and Vesele, as well as artillery strikes near the Luhansk region’s Makiivka, Nevske and Bilohorivka, and the Donetsk region’s Spirne.

In the Avdiivka direction, Russian troops did not conduct offensive actions. The enemy launched air strikes near Novokalynove, Avdiivka, Novoselivka Persha and Pervomaiske, and shelled the Donetsk region’s Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, Karlivka and Nevelske.

In the Marinka direction, Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled numerous enemy attacks near Marinka. Russian invaders launched an air strike on Krasnohorivka, and shelled the Donetsk region’s Marinka, Paraskoviivka and Novomykhailivka.

In the Shakhtarske direction, Russian troops did not conduct offensive actions. The enemy launched an air strike near Velyka Novosilka, and shelled Vuhledar, Prechystivka and Novoukrainka.

In the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, Russian occupiers continue holding defense. The enemy launched air strikes on the Donetsk region’s Novopil and the Zaporizhzhia region’s Mala Tokmachka. Over 20 settlements came under enemy fire, including the Donetsk region’s Vremivka, Novosilka, Zelene Pole and Novopil; the Zaporizhzhia region’s Olhivske, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Mala Tokmachka, Shcherbaky, Stepove and Kamianske; the Kherson region’s Zolota Balka, Kachkarivka, Chervonyi Maiak, Zmiivka, Beryslav, Tiahynka, Antonivka, Dniprovske, Kizomys, Shyroka Balka, and the city of Kherson.

Over the past day, Ukraine’s Air Force has launched 20 strikes on enemy personnel and military equipment clusters, including eight strikes on Russian air defense missile systems. The Ukrainian military destroyed two enemy Orlan-10 reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Meanwhile, Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit one Russian command post, six enemy personnel clusters, two ammunition depots, one artillery unit in firing position, two air defense systems, and two more important enemy targets.