General Staff reports 42 firefights at front, 16 Russian attacks in Pokrovsk sector

The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ General Staff reports this as of 1:30 p.m. on May 31.

The number of combat engagements in the frontline increased to 42. Since the beginning of the day, Russia has been most active in the Pokrovsk sector. Ukrainian soldiers are responding fiercely to the assault actions of the Russian invaders, consistently destroying the enemy and its equipment.

The border settlements of Basivka in the Sumy region and Kliusy in the Chernihiv region were under artillery fire from the territory of the Russian Federation.

Frontline situation 

In the Kharkiv sector, two combat engagements took place so far. From the area of  Belgorod, Russian troops attacked Starytsia with two guided missiles and Vovchansk with six. The Russian attack on Starytsia was repelled. The battle is still ongoing near Vovchansk. Ukrainian troops continue to strengthen their positions and defenses.

Russia lost 152 soldiers in this sector yesterday. Moreover, Ukrainian troops destroyed two tanks, two artillery systems, 10 UAVs, and the same number of vehicles. One tank, an armored combat vehicle, an artillery system, and five vehicles were damaged.

In the Kupyansk sector, four enemy assaults were repelled near Synkivka, Berestove, and Makiivka. Two more attacks still continue near Petropavlivka and Novoiehorivka.

According to the updated data, total Russian losses in the Kupyansk sector amounted to 82 people over the last day. One tank, an artillery system, two vehicles, and a Serp-VS5 electronic warfare station were destroyed. An armored combat vehicle and five enemy artillery systems were damaged.

In the Lyman sector, the invading Russian troops tried to improve their position near Dibrova. The Ukrainian Defense Forces prevented this. The enemy attack was repelled. The situation is under control. At the same time, Russian troops attacked Siversk, Drobysheve, and Novoiehorivka with guided aerial bombs.

The number of combat engagements in the Siversk sector increased to five. Russia is attacking in the areas of Bilohorivka, Vyimka, and Rozdolivka. It is not successful.

In the Kramatorsk sector, two Russian attempts to approach Chasiv Yar have been repelled since the beginning of the day. Ukrainian Defense Forces units are successfully holding back the attack and strengthening their positions in some areas.

In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders are taking measures to prevent the Russian advance. So far, the invading troops have made 16 attacks on the Ukrainian positions. 7 attacks were repelled in the areas of Kalynove, Novoselivka Persha, and Netailove. 9 more are ongoing near Novooleksandrivka, Sokil, Progres, and Nevelske.

In the Kurakhove sector, the Russians launched three assault attacks. Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled one attack. Fighting is still ongoing in the area of Krasnohorivka.

In the Orikhiv sector, three Russian assaults were repelled in the areas of Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, and Novoandriivka. No positions were lost.

In the Prydniprovskyi sector, the Russians attacked twice near the Krynky bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro River. They were unsuccessful.

In other areas, the situation has not changed significantly. Ukraine's Defense Forces are taking all necessary measures to deter the Russian offensive, deplete its combat potential and stabilize the situation.

Russian attacks across Ukraine 

Over the past day, 127 combat engagements took place. In total, the Russian forces launched three missile attacks using 22 missiles, 64 airstrikes using 97 combat aircraft, and fired over 3,000 times from various types of weapons, including 123 times from multiple launch rocket systems.

Since the beginning of this day, 26 combat engagements have taken place. The Russian troops launched one missile attack using six missiles, three airstrikes using four combat aircraft, and 24 kamikaze drone attacks. They fired over 450 times at the Ukrainian positions and settlements, including four times with MLRS.

On the night of May 31, 2024, Russia attacked Kharkiv with five S-300/S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles from the Belgorod region (Russia), Kyiv with an Iskander-K cruise missile from the Kursk region (Russia), and launched four Shahed-type attack UAVs from the Yeysk area (Russia).

As a result of combat operations, anti-aircraft missile units and mobile firing groups destroyed four Shaheds in the Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro regions, as well as an Iskander-K cruise missile in the Kyiv region.

Ukrainian strikes against Russian troops 

Over the past day, the Ukrainian Air Force, missile forces and artillery hit 21 Russian manpower concentration areas, one air defense system, and two artillery systems. And since the beginning of this day, Ukrainian missile forces have successfully attacked a ferry crossing and an oil terminal in the Krasnodar region.

• Over the past 24 hours, the Russian army lost at least 1,390 soldiers, 18 tanks, and 39 artillery systems in the war.