Russian occupation forces equip administrative buildings in Kherson region to detain people who support Ukrainian defenders – General Staff

This was reported by the AFU General Staff in the morning briefing on February 20.

Russian occupying forces continue terrorizing the civilian population in the temporarily occupied territories.

For example, in several settlements of the Kherson region, the invaders are arranging places in administrative buildings for the illegal detention of Ukrainian citizens suspected of cooperating with the Defense Forces and being pro-Ukrainian.

Ukrainian army destroys aircraft, 2 drones and anti-aircraft missiles battery 

On February 19, Ukrainian aviation launched 20 strikes on the Russian military positions of personnel and equipment, 7 on anti-aircraft missile systems, and 2 on other crucial Russian facilities.

Ukrainian defenders also shot down a Su-25 aircraft, 2 Orlan-10 type unmanned aerial vehicles and 2 Lancet-3 type kamikaze drones.

Units of rocket troops and artillery hit a battery of rocket systems.

AFU repels Russian attacks in three regions

Over the past day, Ukrainian units repelled Russian attacks in the areas of Hryanyvka, the Kharkiv region; Bilohorivka, Luhansk Region; Vasiukivka, Dubovo-Vasylivka, Berkhivka, Bakhmut and Ivanivske, Donetsk region.

Russia launches 10 missile and 25 air strikes on Ukraine

The Russian Federation continues to wage full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine, destroy critical infrastructure, shell civilian objects and residential buildings with artillery.

During February 19, Russian troops launched 10 missile and 25 air strikes (Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions). Launched 62 MLRS attacks, killing and injuring civilians. 

The threat of Russian strikes remains throughout the territory of Ukraine.

Russia focuses on 5 main directions 

Russian forces focus their main efforts on the offensive in the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Shakhtarsk directions.

Near the state Ukrainian border with Russia and Belarus no enemy offensive groups have been detected.

The areas of 3 settlements of Chernihiv region, 5 settlements of Sumy region and 4 settlements in Kharkiv region were shelled. 

In the Kupiansk and Lyman directions, more than 14 settlements were affected by fire.

In the Bakhmut direction more than 10 settlements were shelled by mortars and artillery. In the Bakhmut area, Russian forces used aviation to launch strikes.

In the Avdiivka direction, 17 settlements of the Donetsk region came under tank, mortar and artillery shelling. 

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, more than 10 settlements were affected by fire, Russian airstrikes were recorded in two of them.

In the Kherson direction, the city of Kherson as well as more than 4 settlement areas were damaged by enemy artillery fire. 

• In March new rules of the Russian authorities will come into force in the temporarily occupied Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia region. The so-called authorities will prohibit leaving the city.