War update: Russians fire Shahed drones at Ukraine, all of them downed

On the night of May 23, 2023, Russia again attacked the territory of Ukraine with four Shahed suicide drones. Ukraine’s air defense units destroyed all of them.

The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Over the past day, Russian troops have launched 20 missile strikes. The enemy fired cruise missiles at settlements in the Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions, as well as the Iskander-M ballistic missiles and the S-300 guided surface-to-air missiles.

Russian invaders also launched 48 air strikes and opened fire with multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) about 90 times. Casualties among civilians were reported; residential houses and other civil infrastructure, including a kindergarten, were damaged or destroyed.

According to the General Staff, the threat of Russian missile and air strikes is persisting all over Ukraine.

Russian troops continue focusing their main efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka directions. Over 30 military clashes have occurred there in the past 24 hours. The Donetsk region’s Bakhmut and Marinka are remaining the epicenter of hostilities.

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation remained rather unchanged.

In the Siverskyi and Slobozhanskyi directions, Russian troops continue maintaining military presence within the areas bordering with Ukraine. Over the past day, the enemy has launched an air strike near the Chernihiv region’s Oleksiivka and Sosnivka, as well as mortar and artillery strikes on the Chernihiv region’s Halahanivka, Karpovychi, Tymonovychi and Zarichchia; the Sumy region’s Starykove, Khodyne, Hirky, Budky, Katerynivka, Tymofiivka, Oleksandrivka, Yunakivka, Myropillia, Popivka and Dmytrivka; the Kharkiv region’s Morozova Dolyna, Shevchenka, Kozacha Lopan, Hoptivka, Lukiantsi, Zelene, Starytsia, Hatyshche, Pletenivka, Vovchansk, Varvarivka, Nesterne, Budarky and Chuhunivka.

In the Kupiansk direction, Russian invaders conducted unsuccessful offensive actions near the Kharkiv region’s Masiutivka. The enemy launched air strikes near the Kharkiv region’s Kyslivka, Tabaivka and Orlianske, as well as artillery and mortar strikes on the Kharkiv region’s Kamianka, Fyholivka, Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kupiansk, Husynka, Tabaivka, Berestove, and the Luhansk region’s Stelmakhivka.

In the Lyman direction, Russian troops conducted unsuccessful offensive actions near the Luhansk region’s Bilohorivka. The enemy launched air strikes near the Donetsk region’s Verkhniokamianske, as well as artillery strikes on the Luhansk region’s Nevske and Bilohorivka, and the Donetsk region’s Torske, Vesele and Spirne.

In the Bakhmut direction, Russian invaders continue conducting offensive actions. The battles for the Donetsk region’s Bakhmut are underway. Over the past day, the enemy has air strikes near Bakhmut, Ivanivske and Bila Hora. The enemy shelling affected the Donetsk region’s Vasiukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Markove, Hryhorivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Stupochky, Bila Hora, Toretsk, Pivnichne, Pivdenne and New York.

In the Avdiivka direction, Russian troops conducted offensive actions towards Novokalynove, Sieverne, Vodiane and Pervomaiske, but had no success. The enemy launched air strikes near Avdiivka and Pervomaiske, as well as artillery strikes near the Donetsk region’s Novokalynove, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Vodiane, Pervomaiske and Karlivka.

In the Marinka direction, Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled numerous enemy attacks near Marinka. Russian invaders shelled the village of Pobieda nearby.

In the Shakhtarske direction, Russian troops did not conduct offensive actions.The enemy launched air strikes near Vuhledar, Zolota Nyva and Prechystivka, and shelled Novoukrainka, Vuhledar and Prechystivka.

In the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, Russian occupiers continue holding defense. The enemy launched air strikes near the Zaporizhzhia region’s Malynivka, Mala Tokmachka and Novodanylivka, and shelled the Donetsk region’s Vremivka and Novopil; the Zaporizhzhia region’s Olhivske, Huliaipole, Bilohiria, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, and the city of Zaporizhzhia; the Kherson region’s Kachkarivka, Vesele, Kozatske, Antonivka, Stanislav, and the city of Kherson.

In the past 24 hours, Ukraine’s Air Force has launched eight strikes on Russian personnel and military equipment clusters, as well as two strikes on enemy air defense missile systems.

The Ukrainian military destroyed four Kh-101/Kh-555 air-launched cruise missiles, one Mi-24 attack helicopter, 23 Shahed suicide drones, and nine reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit four enemy command posts, three personnel and military equipment clusters, four ammunition depots, 11 artillery systems, one radar system, and electronic warfare systems.

Photo: illustrative