Situation in Vovchansk is under control, measures to strengthen defense positions are underway - General Staff

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reports.

The command emphasized that Ukrainian Defense Forces keep focusing their main efforts on preventing the Russian troops from advancing deep into Ukrainian territory and disrupting the Russian plans to gain control over the entire territory of Donetsk region and part of Kharkiv region. 

Russian attacks across Ukraine

Since the beginning of the day, 60 combat clashes have taken place, 20 of which are still ongoing. Russian forces launched four missile strikes using seven missiles and four air strikes, 35 kamikaze attacks, and fired over 570 times at Ukrainian troops' positions.

On the night of May 17, 2024, the Russian aggressor attacked with 20 Shahed attack UAVs from the areas of Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Kursk (Russia). All Shaheds were shot down within Kharkiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odesa, and Mykolaiv regions.

Frontline situation

In the Kharkiv direction, one combat engagement took place in the vicinity of Starytsia. 

The situation in Vovchansk is under control. Measures are underway to strengthen Ukrainian defense positions and improve the tactical situation in certain areas.

In the Kupyansk direction, two Russian attacks are ongoing in the areas of Krokhmalne - Berestove and Kolomyichyha - Miasozharivka. The situation is under control. Ukrainian troops are conducting assault operations to improve the tactical situation in the direction of Synkivka-Vilshany.

Five combat clashes took place in the Siversk direction. Ukrainian troops repelled one attack, and four attacks are ongoing in the areas of Soledar-Rozdolivka, Berestove-Vyimka, and Mykolaivka-Rozdolivka. In the course of defense operations, no losses of positions were incurred, and the situation is under control.

In the Kramatorsk direction, the Russian forces tried to break through Ukrainian troops' defenses six times. The Ukrainian military rebuffed two attacks. Fighting continues in the areas of Berkhivka-Kalynivka and Bakhmut-Klishchiivka. The situation is under control.

In the Pokrovsk direction, six Russian attacks are ongoing in the areas of Ocheretyne-Novooleksandrivka and Tonenke-Umanske. 

In the Kurakhove direction, the Russian troops made seven attempts to break through Ukrainian troops' defenses in the areas of Marinka-Heorhiivka, Slavne-Novomykhailivka, Slavne-Paraskoviivka, Solodke-Vodiane, and Solodke-Kostiantynivka. No positions were lost in the fighting.

In the Vremivka direction, the Russian units made one unsuccessful attempt to improve their tactical position in the Zavitne Bazhannia-Staromayorske area. The situation is under control.

In the Prydniprovskyi direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces fought off four attacks in the areas of Oleshkivski Pisky - Krynky and Kozachi Laheri - Krynky. The Russians did not succeed in the battles, no losses of positions were incurred, and the data on the Russian losses are being clarified.

“Overall, the situation at the front is controlled by Ukrainian Defense Forces,” the statement said.

• Over the past day, Ukrainian troops eliminated at least 1,410 Russian soldiers. They also destroyed a Russian helicopter and two aircraft.