Russian assault on Ukraine claims lives in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, targets Poltava region

Strike on Kramatorsk and Sloviansk

Around 8:00 pm, 3 missile attacks targeted Kramatorsk, destroying 2 houses and causing damage to at least 23 others. 

Head of the Donetsk regional military administration, Vadym Filashkin, confirmed ongoing rescue efforts, with 1 fatality reported and the possibility of more victims.

The Donetsk regional prosecutor's office disclosed the destruction of premises housing a security point and a social canteen. A watchman's body, trapped in the building, was likely discovered in the aftermath. 

A private residence in Kramatorsk was also hit, resulting in the tragic deaths of a 46-year-old mother and her 23-year-old son, with the grandmother's remains possibly found during search and rescue operations. 

Two injured pensioners were hospitalized – a 78-year-old man and his 75-year-old wife.

Over 20 households and a car sustained damage.

Shahed drones in the Poltava region

Philip Pronin, head of the regional military administration, reported a night attack on the Poltava region using Shahed drones. 

An infrastructure object was targeted, leading to a fire that has since been extinguished. 

Fortunately, there were no reported casualties.

Explosions in the Kirovohrad region

At 8:11 pm, a missile directed towards the Kirovohrad region resulted in explosions in the Kropyvnytskyi district. 

Fortunately, no casualties or damage to civilian objects were reported following the incident.

Ukrainian troops neutralize 12 Shahed drones and a missile

On Sunday morning, February 18, Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed the downing of another Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber. Additionally, during Russia’s nighttime assault, Ukraine’s air defense forces successfully neutralized 12 Shahed drones and a missile.

As reported by Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk, the Su-34 was shot down around 06:00 am. 

Oleschuk noted, "Another Su-34 'successfully returned' to the base!"

He further informed that the Air Force also intercepted 12 Russian Shahed drones and a Kh-59 air-to-air missile.

The commander expressed gratitude to the Air Force units for their effective combat operations.

Subsequently, the Air Force's press service clarified that on the night of February 18, Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine using 6 S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles, 3 Kh-22 cruise missiles, a Kh-59 guided air missile, and 14 Shahed attack drones.

Anti-aircraft missile units, mobile fire groups from the Air Force and Defense Forces of Ukraine, along with electronic warfare equipment, were engaged in repelling the air assault.

As a result, they successfully intercepted and downed 12 Shahed drones and one Kh-59 guided air missile within the areas of the Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.