General Staff: 71 combat engagements on front lines since start of day

According to Ukrinform, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in a situation update as of 13:00 on Sunday, June 23, Ukrinform reports.

"Since the beginning of the day, the enemy has increased the pace of offensive and assault operations, looking for ways to break through our defensive lines and trying to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions. They are concentrating their efforts on the Pokrovsk sector. Our defenders are giving a worthy rebuff to the invaders, eliminating personnel and equipment," the statement said.

According to the General Staff, the border area of the Sumy and Chernihiv regions was subjected to enemy artillery shelling from Russia’s territory - the areas of Bleshnia, Pavlivka, Velyka Pysarivka, Khodyne and Yunakivka were attacked.

In the Kharkiv sector, the Russian army attacked four times in the Vovchansk area. Two enemy assaults were repelled by the Defense Forces, and two more are ongoing. From Russia’s Belgorod, the enemy launched 29 guided aerial bombs on Ukrainian positions and settlements, particularly Hlyboke, Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory and Lyptsi.

In the Kupiansk sector, four combat clashes are ongoing near Stelmakhivka and Berestove. Ukrainian defenders repelled two Russian attacks near Pishchane and Synkivka. The enemy also attacked with unguided aerial missiles near Tabaivka.

In the Lyman sector, the Russian army attempted to advance near Kopanky, Makiivka and in the Serebrianka Forest five times. Fighting is currently underway in two localities.  

In the Toretsk sector, Russian troops are attempting to dislodge Ukrainian defenders from their positions toward Toretsk and New York. Three combat clashes are ongoing. The enemy has already dropped three bombs.

The Pokrovsk sector is where the Russian invaders are most active. Since the beginning of the day, almost half of the total number of battles on the front lines have taken place there. Russian troops attacked Ukrainian positions 31 times. The enemy concentrated its main efforts in the areas of Novooleksandrivka, Sokil and Karlivka. The Russian army is also trying to improve its tactical position near six more settlements. Ukrainian soldiers have repelled 13 enemy attacks, while 18 are still ongoing.

In other sectors of the front, the situation has not changed significantly.