Defense Forces control Nykiforivka, Nelipivka, Nove Shakhove, and Zatyshok in Donetsk region

Major Hryhorii Shapoval, the spokesman for the Operation Task Force East, reported this in a comment to Ukrinform.

“Despite the enemy's loud statements, these settlements are under the control of the Defense Forces in the Donetsk region,” he said.

According to the spokesman, the units continue to hold specific lines and control key approaches to settlements, preventing the enemy from gaining a foothold.

“Defense Forces units continue to hold their positions, controlling key approaches to populated areas and preventing the enemy from gaining a foothold. Our Defense Forces are acting in a coordinated manner, inflicting losses on the enemy in terms of manpower and equipment, preventing them from carrying out their intentions,” Shapoval said.

He also specified that Russian units are trying to operate in small groups.

“The enemy is trying to advance there in small groups, infiltrate, three or four people at most, but search and strike operations are being carried out by our infantry groups, as well as by the unmanned systems of our Defense Forces,” Shapoval said.

As reported by Ukrinform, 237 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded on the front line over the past day, February 18.

Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov