On the night of May 17, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) attacked Russian targets in Sevastopol, Tuapse, and Novorossiysk with over a hundred drones. Meanwhile, Russia has expanded the combat zone by 70 kilometers in the Khrarkiv region to force Ukraine to use reserve brigades.
Read more about what happened on Friday, May 17, below.
Russia's war against Ukraine: Latest
- The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reports the Russian army began its offensive in the northern Kharkiv region ahead of schedule. The current task is to prevent further advancement.
- The Armed Forces of Ukraine are fortifying the occupied positions and strengthening the defense in the border areas of the Kharkiv region.
- On the first day of the recent Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region, the Starlink terminals used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces malfunctioned.
Ukraine launches massive attack on Russian military targets
On the night of May 17, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) attacked Russian targets in Sevastopol, Tuapse, and Novorossiysk with over a hundred drones. The targets included a seaport, an oil refinery, an oil terminal, and a power substation.
According to sources of RBC-Ukraine, several military objects of the enemy state were hit. The complex operation, involving both surface and aerial drones, targeted ships and other vessels of the Russian Black Sea Fleet at their bases, particularly in Sevastopol and Novorossiysk.
As a result of the enemy's air defense and electronic warfare operation, other objects were also hit. Enemy information resources report that more than a hundred drones attacked their military infrastructure. Sources indicate that all drones used in the operation were Ukrainian-made.
Reconnaissance units also targeted the seaport in Novorossiysk, where explosions occurred in the area of the fuel oil terminal and the railway station.
Additionally, the SBU hit the Tuapse oil refinery with drones, which the Russians had begun to restore. However, the repairs will have to start over again after the new explosions, sources note.
The attack also targeted the Sevastopol power substation, which ceased operation, causing power outages.
Russia expands active combat zone by 70 km - Ukraine's army chief
Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reports Russia has expanded the combat zone by 70 kilometers to force Ukraine to use reserve brigades. Heavy fighting continues in the Kharkiv region.
The Russians have reinforced the Sever group of troops, which includes combat units of the 6th Army, 11th and 44th Army Corps. Russia launched an offensive earlier, when it noticed the redeployment of Ukrainian forces, but failed to break through the defense.
Ukraine to receive six Amber-1800 radars from Lithuania
Ukraine will receive new military aid from Lithuania, which includes six Amber-1800 radars.
The Amber-1800 is a ground-based mobile radar station developed in Lithuania by LitakTak. The station is designed for the automatic detection of aerial objects, providing their coordinates by azimuth and range.
In Ukraine, the station is localized under the name Burshtyn-1800. It is mounted on a semi-trailer, and in 2019, a sample was demonstrated on a KRAZ-7634 chassis.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico undergoes another surgery, condition is critical
The Minister of Defense of Slovakia Robert Kaliňák informs that Robert Fico has undergone another surgery after being attacked a couple of days ago. The Prime Minister was urgently taken to the hospital and underwent surgery. Currently, his condition is still very serious.