General Staff: Russian troops focus main efforts on five directions

This is stated in the report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on Saturday, July 15, published on Facebook.

"The enemy focuses its main efforts on Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka directions – 28 combat engagements took place during the day," the report reads.

Today, the enemy launched a missile and air strike with two Shahed Iranian-made combat drones and two anti-aircraft guided missiles on Ukraine. As a result of the successful combat operation of Ukraine’s air defense units, two UAVs were destroyed.

In addition, the enemy launched 32 airstrikes and 15 MLRS attacks.

In Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation has not changed significantly. There were no signs of the formation of offensive groups. Certain units of the Armed Forces of Belarus perform tasks in the areas bordering Ukraine.

In Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna areas, the enemy maintains its military presence. During the day, airstrikes were launched in the areas of Volfyne in Sumy region; Ustynivka in Kharkiv region. Mortar and artillery strikes were launched on more than 20 settlements, in particular, Zaliznyi Mist in Chernihiv region; Bilokopytove and Prohres in Sumy region; Kozacha Lopan, Veterynarne, and Krasne in Kharkiv region.

In Kupyansk direction, the Armed Forces of Ukraine firmly hold the defense. During the day, the enemy carried out unsuccessful offensive actions south of Novoselivske, Luhansk region. An airstrike was launched in the same area. Dvorichna, Krasne Pershe, Kolodiazne, Novomlynsk, Berestove in Kharkiv region came under enemy artillery and mortar fire.

In Lyman direction, the enemy carried out unsuccessful offensive operations east of Vesele, Donetsk region. Airstrikes were launched in the areas of Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk region; Ivano-Daryivka, Fedorivka, Rozdolivka in Donetsk region. The settlements of Nevske, Bilohorivka in Luhansk region; Torske, Spirne, Rozdolivka in Donetsk region were hit with artillery.

In Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled all enemy attacks in the area southwest of Andriyivka, Donetsk region. The enemy launched an airstrike near Dyliyivka in Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements, including Markove, Khromove, Dyliyivka, and Vasiukivka in Donetsk region, came under enemy artillery fire.

In Avdiyivka direction, the enemy carried out unsuccessful offensive operations in the area of Pervomayske and launched an air strike near New York, Donetsk region. At the same time, the enemy fired artillery at more than 10 settlements, including Nevelske, Pervomayske, Stepove, and Avdiyivka in Donetsk region.

In Maryinka direction, the defense forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops in the area of Maryinka. The enemy launched an air strike there. More than 10 settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Katerynivka, and Heorhiyivka in Donetsk region, were struck.

In Shakhtarske direction, the enemy carried out unsuccessful offensive operations in the area of Novomykhaylivka and launched an air strike near Blahodatne in Donetsk region. Velyka Novosilka, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, and Blahodatne were struck.

In Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the enemy focuses its main efforts on preventing the further advance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. An airstrike was launched in the area of Mykilske, Kherson region. Artillery was fired at more than 15 settlements, including Levadne, Novodarivka, Huliaypole in Zaporizhzhia region; Ivanivka, Kutsurub, Mykolayiv region; Kherson, Dniprovske, Zolota Balka, Romashkove, Kizomys in Kherson region.

"At the same time, the defense forces of Ukraine continue to go on the offensive in Melitopol and Berdiansk directions, gain a foothold on the reached boundaries, inflict artillery fire on detected enemy targets, carry out counter-battery fight," the General Staff emphasized.

The enemy continues to use civilian healthcare facilities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine for their own purposes. In particular, it was established that in the settlement of Pokazne, Zaporizhzhia region, about 200 patients were taken from the Mykhailivsky psychoneurological residential care facility to an unknown destination and the staff was dismissed. In the future, a military hospital for the treatment of wounded Russian servicemen is planned to be located in the territory and in the premises.

Ukraine’s aircraft launched nine strikes on enemy personnel clusters during the day. Also, Ukrainian defenders destroyed six reconnaissance UAVs.

Missile and artillery units hit two enemy ammunition depots, four artillery systems on firing positions, and two air defense systems.