541st day of the Russia-Ukraine War: official operational information by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 18.08.2023.
Russian offensive actions and impact on civilians
During the day, the Russian army carried out 1 missile and 31 aviation strikes, conducting 45 barrages from multiple launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, due to the Russian terrorist attacks, there are casualties and injuries among the civilian population. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure have been damaged.
The likelihood of missile and aviation strikes across the entire territory of Ukraine remains high. Within the day, 30 clashes occurred.
Intensified frontline clashes and epicenters of conflict
- In the Volyn and Polissya directions, the operational situation remains relatively unchanged.
- In the Siversk and Slobozhansk directions, the Russian army conducted aviation strikes in the areas near Chervona Zorya and Veterynarne of the Kharkiv region. It carried out mortar and artillery shelling on more than 20 populated areas, including Yeline, Leonivka, Vylchyky, Mykolaivka in the Chernihiv region; Rozhkovychi, Iskryskivshchyna, Turia, Pokrovka, Ryasne in Sumy region; and Chervona Zorya, Hatyshche, Vovchanski Khutory, Budarky in the Kharkiv region.
- In the Kupyansk direction, the Russian army conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the area of Synkivka, Kharkiv region. It carried out aviation strikes in the regions of Kyslivka and Berestove, Kharkiv region. Population centers such as Kamianka, Krasne Pershe, Masiutivka, Kyslivka, and Berestove in the Kharkiv region were subjected to Russian artillery and mortar shelling.
- In the Lyman direction, Russian troops carried out unsuccessful offensive actions in the area of Bilohorivka, Luhansk region. They conducted aviation strikes in the regions of Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, and Spirne, Donetsk region. Around 10 populated areas were targeted by Russian artillery shelling, including Nevske, Chervonopopivka in the Luhansk region, and Verkhniokamianske, Sviato-Pokrovske, Spirne, and Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region.
- In the Bakhmut direction, the Russian army conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the area northeast of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Donetsk region. It carried out aviation strikes in the regions of Klishchiivka and Andriivka, Donetsk region. Over 15 populated areas, including Minkivka, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, and Shcherbynivka in the Donetsk region, were affected by Russian artillery shelling.
- In the Avdiivka direction, Russian soldiers conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the area southeast and east of Novokalynove, Donetsk region. Over 10 populated areas, including Keramik, Stepove, Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, Netaylove in the Donetsk region, experienced artillery shelling.
- In the Marinka direction, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to hold back the Russian troops’ advance in the regions of Marinka and Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region. The Russian army carried out an aviation strike in the area of Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region. Populated areas like Krasnohorivka, Pobeda, Kostiantynivka, Halytsynivka, Katerynivka in the Donetsk region were subjected to artillery shelling.
- In the Shakhtarsk direction, Russian troops attempted unsuccessfully to regain lost ground in the Urozhaine area, Donetsk region. They conducted an aviation strike in the area of Staromykhailivka. Over 10 populated areas, including Vodiane, Bohoyavlenka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne, Staromykhailivka, Rivnopil in the Donetsk region, were affected by Russian artillery shelling.
- In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Russian army carried out an aviation strike in the Robotyne area, Zaporizhzhia region. Over 15 populated areas, including Novodarivka, Malynivka, Huliaypole, Charivne, Mali Shcherbaky, Kamianske in the Zaporizhzhia region, suffered from Russian artillery shelling.
- In the Kherson direction, over 10 populated areas, including Zolota Balka, Respublikanets, Odradokamianka, Veletenske, Novodmytrivka, Sofiivka in the Kherson region, and Lupareve in Mykolaiv region, were affected by Russian artillery shelling.
Ukrainian countermeasures
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue their offensive operation In the Melitopol and Berdyansk directions, consolidating their positions at achieved lines and implementing counter-battery measures.
During the day, the aviation of the Ukrainian army conducted 9 strikes on areas where the Russian personnel, weapons, and military equipment were concentrated.
The units of missile troops and artillery targeted 2 areas of concentration of Russian personnel, weapons, and military equipment, as well as neutralized 4 artillery systems in firing positions and 2 command posts.
Source: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
See also: General Staff operational report August 17, 2023 on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
