Russian troops attempt to breach Ukrainian defenses 17 times near Marinka, attack near Avdiivka

On February 20, 50 combat clashes took place at the frontline, Russian troops attempted to storm the positions of the Ukrainian forces 43 times, mostly in the Marinka and Avdiivka directions

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported the information.

Despite suffering considerable losses, Russia persists in its pursuit of complete occupation of Ukraine. Disregarding international laws and norms of warfare, Russia employs terror tactics, conducts airstrikes, and targets both military and civilian sites. It actively uses aircraft and FPV quadcopters, conducts assault operations with the support of armored vehicles.

The operational situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains difficult.

Over the last day, 50 combat clashes took place. In total, Russia launched 1 missile, 99 air strikes, and 82 MLRS attacks at Ukrainian troops' positions and settlements. Unfortunately, Russian terrorist attacks have resulted in injuries and deaths among the civilian population. Multi-storey and private houses, as well as other infrastructure facilities, were destroyed and damaged.

Frontline update

Near the state Ukrainian border with Russia and Belarus, the operational situation has not changed.

In the northeastern border area, the Russian army maintains a military presence in the border areas, conducts active sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened areas, and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Russia launched air strikes near 4 settlements in the Kharkiv region. Over 30 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Kupyansk direction, Russian troops launched 2 unsuccessful offensive attempts near Synkivka, Kharkiv region. They launched air strikes near 4 settlements in the Kharkiv region. About 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers repulsed 3 attacks near Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, as well as Terny and Vyimka, Donetsk region, where Russian troops tried to break through Ukraine’s defense. They launched air strikes near 3 settlements. About 10 settlements suffered from artillery and mortar attacks.

In the Bakhmut direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 2 attacks nearIvanivske in Donetsk region, where Russian troops unsuccessfully tried to improve their tactical position. About 10 settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian defenders thwarted 10 attacks near 4 settlements in the Donetsk region. Russian troops  launched air strikes near 5 settlements in the Donetsk region. More than 15 settlements were subjected to Russian artillery and mortar fire.

In the Marinka direction, Ukrainian troops keep holding back the Russian army near Heorhiivka, Pobieda, and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. Despite 17 attempts, Russian forces, supported by aviation, were unable to alter the tactical situation. Russian artillery and mortar fire targeted 4 settlements.

In the Shakhtarsk direction, Russians did not launch any offensives. They carried out an air strike near Staromayorske, Donetsk region. About 10 settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

In the Novopavlivka direction, Russian troops tried to improve their tactical position south of Prechystivka and Zolota Nyva in the Donetsk region 6 times without success. They conducted air strikes near the settlements of Vodiane and Staromayorske in the Donetsk region. About 10 settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Ukrainian defenders rebuffed 2 attacks north of Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region, where Russian troops also launched air strikes. They launched artillery and mortar attacks on 20 Ukrainian settlements.

In the Kherson direction, Russia persists in attempting to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River. One unsuccessful attempt to storm Ukrainian troop positions was made during the day. The city of Kherson, along with 5 more settlements, endured Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Attacks by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on Russian positions

During the day, Ukrainian aviation struck 10 concentrations of Russian personnel and 5 anti-aircraft missile systems.

Ukrainian missile troops struck 9 concentrations of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment and 10 artillery pieces.