Russians try to advance in Kupyansk, Lyman, and Marinka directions – General Staff

This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the morning briefing on July 18.

The enemy army is focusing its main efforts on Kupyansk, Lymansk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka directions. There were 36 combat clashes in those areas in the past day.

Situation in different regions of Ukraine 

On the northern Ukrainian border with Belarus, the operational situation has not changed. Certain units of the Armed Forces of Belarus perform tasks in the areas bordering Ukraine.

On the northeastern border with Russia, Russian troops launched air strikes on Bilopillia in the Sumy region. They also launched mortar and artillery attacks, targeting a total of over 30 settlements across Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

In the Kupyansk direction, Russian troops shelled 5 settlements across the Kharkiv region. Two areas suffered from air strikes and Russian offensive actions. Ukrainian forces hold the defense, while Russians try to advance near Lyman Pershyi. 

In the Lyman direction, Russian troops tried to advance west of Dibrova and east of Vesele in the Luhansk region, and shelled 7 settlements across the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Three areas were subjected to air strikes.  

In the Bakhmut direction, Russians shelled over 15 settlements in the Donetsk region with artillery. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russian attacks in the area of Minkivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, and Ivanivske. Two areas were subjected to air strikes. 

In the Avdiivka direction, Russian troops shelled over 15 settlements with artillery, and one area suffered from air strikes. Ukrainian forces repelled all the attacks near Avdiivka. 

In the Marinka direction, Russian troops shelled over 10 settlements in the Donetsk region with artillery. Ukrainian forces hold the defense. 

In the Shakhtarsk direction, Russian troops shelled 6 settlements and launched air strikes near 4 settlements.  

In Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, Russian troops launched air strikes near 1 settlement and shelled over 30 settlements across Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

Meanwhile, the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue their offensive operation in Melitopol and Berdyansk directions. They are holding their positions and countering enemy attacks.

Russia launched over 40 airstrikes and 60 MLRS attacks against Ukraine

The enemy launched 5 missile strikes using the S-300 air defense system, more than 40 air strikes, and about 60 MLRS attacks on our troops and civilian areas. These attacks resulted in the deaths and injuries of children and civilians, as well as the destruction of residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.

There's still a high chance of more missile and air strikes happening across Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces hit two Russian TOS-1A Solntsepyok, 27 artillery systems in firing positions, and an ammunition depot

Over the past day, Ukrainian forces carried out 11 airstrikes on areas where enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment were gathered.

Ukrainian soldiers also successfully destroyed 3 enemy attack UAVs of the Shahed-136 type and 6 operational-tactical reconnaissance UAVs.

Additionally, our missile troops and artillery targeted the area where the enemy's manpower was concentrated, hitting two TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower systems, 27 artillery systems, an ammunition warehouse, and an enemy electronic warfare station.

• Earlier, the Ministry of Defense stated that the enemy was alarmed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces' offensive in Bakhmut and responded with a diversionary attack on Kupyansk.