Russian troops shell areas of Kherson region under their control to discredit AFU – General Staff

This was reported on February 18 in the evening update of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ General Staff. 

Medical facilities, residential buildings and educational institutions are targeted.

Russia has launched 16 missile strikes on Ukraine during the day

Russia launched 16 missile strikes over the past day, including on the civilian infrastructure of the city of Khmelnytsky and the village of Ukrainsk, Donetsk region.

"This resulted in damage to residential buildings and civilian casualties. In addition, the enemy launched 4 air strikes and more than 30 MLRS attacks," the statement said.

On the northern and northeastern border with Belarus and Russia, more than 20 settlements came under Russian fire.

Kupiansk and Lyman directions: Russian troops fired at 5 settlements in the Kharkiv region, 5 more in the Luhansk region and another settlement in the Donetsk region.

Bakhmut direction: more than 18 settlements in the Donetsk region came under fire.

Avdiivka and Shakhtarsk directions: Russian troops shelled 13 settlements in the Donetsk region with artillery.

Zaporizhzhia direction: 1 settlement in Donetsk region and 6 more in the Zaporizhzhia region were hit by fire.

Kherson direction: the suburbs and the city of Kherson, as well as f more than 20 other settlements in the Kherson region were hit by Russian artillery fire.

Over the course of the day, the aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces has launched 4 strikes on concentrations of Russian personnel and military equipment, and destroyed 2 Kalibr cruise missiles

"Over the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces launched 4 strikes on concentrations of Russian personnel and military equipment. The Defense Forces destroyed 2 Kalibr cruise missiles during the current day," the statement said.

It is also noted that units of the missile troops and artillery of the Ukrainian Defense Forces hit a Russian manpower concentration. 

• On Saturday, February 18, a missile strike on Khmelnytsky left 2 people injured and damaged windows and balconies in 10 high-rise buildings.