War update: 203 combat clashes on front line, heaviest fighting continues in Pokrovsk sector
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated this on Facebook as of 22:00 on May 18, 2026, according to Ukrinform.
“The enemy launched one missile strike using 22 missiles and carried out 46 airstrikes, dropping 144 guided aerial bombs. In addition, they deployed 6,080 kamikaze drones and conducted 2,298 shellings of populated areas and positions of our troops,” the statement said.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk directions, the enemy carried out one airstrike using four guided bombs and conducted 63 attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements, including one using multiple launch rocket systems.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna direction, Russian forces attacked six times near the settlements of Starytsia, Vilcha, Prylipka, Veterynarne, and toward Hrafske. Three of those clashes were still ongoing.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy attacked three times toward Kurylivka and Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian troops repelled 11 assaults near Stavky, Zarichne, Drobysheve, and toward Ozerne. Two battles were still underway.
In the Sloviansk direction, the enemy launched three assaults toward Rai-Oleksandrivka and Kalenyky.
No attacks were recorded in the Kramatorsk direction.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, Russian forces launched 16 assaults near Ivanopillia, Illinivka, Pleshchiivka, Vilne, Toretske, and toward Kostiantynivka and Kucheriv Yar.
In the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy carried out 33 attacks. Russian troops attempted to advance toward Dorozhne, Shevchenko, Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Molodetske, Filiia, Bilytske, and Pokrovsk.
According to preliminary estimates, 57 Russian troops were killed and 13 wounded in this direction alone. Ukrainian forces also destroyed two vehicles, one shelter, and two enemy artillery pieces. One vehicle, 22 shelters, and two artillery systems were damaged. In addition, 210 drones of various types were destroyed or suppressed.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, the occupiers carried out one assault toward the settlement of Vorone.
In the Huliaipole direction, 20 enemy attacks were recorded, three of which were still ongoing. Russian forces attacked toward Zlahoda, Nove Zaporizhzhia, Charivne, Tsvitkove, Rivne, Zaliznychne, Rybne, and Staroukrainka.
No attacks were recorded in the Orikhiv direction.
In the Prydniprovske direction, the enemy attacked four times near Antonivka and Bilohrudyi Island.
No significant changes were reported in other sectors.
As Ukrinform previously reported, Russian forces are increasing their artillery presence in the Pokrovsk direction to support offensive operations.
