Ukraine’s forces have some gains west of Verbove in Zaporizhzhia region – General Staff

The General Staff states this in its morning report for October 17.

"The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to defend in the east and the south of Ukraine, conduct the offensive on Melitopol direction, and offensive operations on Bakhmut direction. As they destroy the enemy, they liberate the temporarily occupied territories and consolidate new positions," the General Staff reported.

Situation at the frontline

72 combat clashes took place in the last day.

• In the area of the northern Ukrainian border with Belarus, the operational situation has not changed. 

• In the northeastern border area, the Russian forces maintain military presence, conduct active sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to dangerous areas, and increase the density of minefields along the state border in the Belgorod region.

• In the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian troops repelled about 15 Russian attacks near Synkivka and Ivanivka in Kharkiv region and another 5 attacks near 2 settlements in Luhansk region. 

• Russia did not conduct any offensive (assault) actions in the Lyman direction.

• In the Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian defenders repulsed 3 Russian attacks near Andriivka, Donetsk region. Ukrainian defense forces continue assault operations south of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, consolidating their positions and inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the Russian enemy.

• In the Avdiivka direction, the Russian army keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. Thus, Ukrainian troops defeated over 10 attacks over the last day. 

• In the Marinka and Shakhtarsk directions, Ukraine's military repelled more than 15 Russian attacks in the vicinity of Marinka in Donetsk region and another 5 attacks south of Zolota Nyva and south of Prechystivka in Donetsk region.

• In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Ukrainian forces held their positions southwest of Novodanylivka, Robotyne and west of Verbove in the Zaporizhzhia region.

• In the Kherson direction, the Defense Forces are engaged in counter-battery combat, successfully hitting Russian depots and rear areas.

"The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their offensive operation on Melitopol direction, have partial success in the area west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Ukrainian soldiers inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, exhausting the enemy all along the front line," the General Staff writes.

Ukrainian army’s strikes against the Russian forces

During the day, Ukrainian aviation carried out 4 strikes on areas where the Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment were concentrated. 

Missile troops hit 2 helicopters at landing sites, an ammunition depot and a Russian artillery unit.

Air assaults on the Ukrainian territory

Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed one Kh-59 guided missile and 6 Shahed drones. Information on the consequences of this terrorist attack is currently being clarified.

In total, Russia launched 10 missile and 68 air strikes, fired 87 times from multiple launch rocket systems at the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, Russian terrorist attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries among the civilian population.

Private homes and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

Air strikes targeted 1 locality in Chernihiv region; 2 in Kharkiv region; 10 in Donetsk region; 6 in Kherson region.

About 120 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions were subjected to artillery fire.

• On the night of October 16-17, Ukrainian defenders successfully attacked Russian helicopters and airfields near Russian-occupied Luhansk and Berdiansk.