Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of May 18

Frontline update of today (photo: Getty Images)

Russian troops continue to try to improve their tactical position. Since the beginning of May 18, 77 combat engagements have taken place at the front, with 7 of them still ongoing, reports the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ukrainian troops conducted assault operations four times today to drive the enemy out of their positions, while missile troops and artillery struck three more enemy concentration areas and one radar station.

There were 10 firefights in the Kharkiv direction. The occupants attacked Kharkiv from the air and conducted assaults in the areas of Hlyboke-Lukyantsi, Lukyantsi-Vesele, and Bugruvatka-Starytsia. Defense forces are taking measures to stabilize the situation and regroup in certain areas.

In the Kupiansk direction, the number of combat engagements increased to nine, and in the Lyman direction - to seven. The defense forces are taking all necessary measures to deter the enemy and maintain control over the situation.

In the Kramatorsk direction, the occupants are conducting assault operations in the areas of Ivanivske and Kalynivka. The total number of Russian attacks in the sector increased to 14.

The Pokrovsk direction remains the hottest on the combat map. Out of 23 combat engagements since the beginning of the day, four are still ongoing. Netaylove was added to the list of localities where the enemy is directing its attacks.

The aggressor made ten attempts to overcome our defense in the Kurakhove direction. The battle near Krasnohorivka continues.

In the Prydniprovia direction, the number of Russian assaults stopped by Ukrainian defenders at footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region has increased to four today.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that this week the Armed Forces of Ukraine had given confidence to the Kharkiv direction, where the Russian army launched an offensive in May.

Zelenskyy also stated that the Ukrainian military had repelled an enemy assault on Chasiv Yar and destroyed two dozen Russian armored vehicles.