War update: Fierce battles raging in five directions

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

Over the past day, Russian invaders have launched a missile and air attack on Ukraine’s territory, using two Kalibr-type cruise missiles, one Iskander-M ballistic missile, and 20 Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 loitering munitions. Ukraine’s air defense units intercepted two enemy Kalibr missiles and 20 suicide drones.

Additionally, Russian occupiers launched 46 air strikes and opened fire with multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) about 40 times. Unfortunately, casualties among civilians, including children, were reported. Residential houses and other civil infrastructure were damaged.

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

Meanwhile, Russian troops continue focusing efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka directions. Fierce battles are raging there.

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation remained rather unchanged. No enemy offensive groupings were detected. Certain Belarusian units are completing tasks within the areas bordering with Ukraine.

In the Siverskyi and Slobozhanskyi directions, Russians are maintaining military presence. The enemy launched an air strike near the Kharkiv region’s Veterynarne and attacked over 15 settlements with artillery and mortars.

In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian warriors are firmly holding defense. The enemy launched an air strike near the Kharkiv region’s Kyslivka, and opened fire with artillery and mortars on Stroivka, Krasne Pershe, Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne and Kupiansk.

In the Lyman direction, Russian invaders conducted unsuccessful offensive actions to the east of the Luhansk region’s Nevske and the Donetsk region’s Terny. The enemy launched air strikes near the Luhansk region’s Nevske and Bilohorivka. Over 10 settlements were affected by Russian artillery strikes.

In the Bakhmut direction, under extensive air and artillery strikes, Ukrainian defenders repelled all enemy attacks near Berkhivka. Over 15 settlements were affected by Russian artillery strikes.

In the Avdiivka direction, the enemy launched an air strike near Avdiivka. Over 10 settlements were affected by Russian artillery strikes.

In the Marinka direction, Ukrainian forces continue holding back Russia’s onslaught near Marinka. Over 10 settlements were affected by Russian shelling.

In the Shakhtarske direction, Russian troops conducted unsuccessful offensive actions near the Donetsk region’s Novomykhailivka, and launched an air strike near the Donetsk region’s Makarivka. The enemy shelling affected the Donetsk region’s Paraskoviivka, Novomykhailivka, Novoukrainka, Storozheve, Blahodatne and Makarivka.

In the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, Russian troops are focusing efforts to prevent Ukrainian forces from advancing. The enemy launched air strikes near the Zaporizhzhia region’s Pryiutne and the Kherson region’s Kozatske. Over 20 settlements were affected by Russian artillery strikes.

At the same time, Ukraine’s Defense Forces continue conducting the offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions, gaining foothold within the re-captured frontiers, and carrying out counterbattery measures.

Over the past day, Ukraine’s Air Force has launched five strikes on enemy personnel clusters, and two strikes on Russian surface-to-air missile systems. Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit one Russian personnel, ammunition and military equipment cluster, 10 artillery systems in firing position, and one electronic warfare system.