Russian army focusing main efforts on four directions, heavy fighting ongoing – General Staff

The Russian forces are focusing their main efforts on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka directions, with 26 combat engagements recorded there in the past 24 hours.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in its evening update posted on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

The General Staff noted that fierce battles are ongoing for every square meter in the indicated sectors of the front.

In the past 24 hours, the Russian invaders launched 1 missile attack and 27 air strikes, as well as about 30 MLRS attacks on the positions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and populated areas.

It is stressed that the threat of further enemy missile attacks and air strikes across the entire territory of Ukraine is "very high".

The Air Force of Ukraine launched 18 strikes on Russian manpower clusters, as well as two strikes targeting enemy air defense systems.

In the past 24 hours, units of the Ukrainian missile forces and artillery struck five command posts, six areas of concentration of manpower, weapons and military equipment, two air defense systems, eight artillery units in firing positions, and two more important objects of the invaders.

In the Lyman direction, Russian troops conducted unsuccessful offensives in the area of Vesele in Donetsk region, and used artillery to fire at Makiivka, Nevske, and Bilohorivka in Luhansk region, Verkhniokamianske, Torske, Spirne, and Rozdolivka in Donetsk region.

In the Bakhmut direction, the Russian army tried to improve its tactical position, carried out offensive actions in the Ivanivske, but had no success. The Russians launched an airstrike on Bila Hora in Donetsk region.

Vasiukivka, Minkivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Stupochky, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Bila Hora, Druzhba, Toretsk and Pivnichne of Donetsk region came under artillery fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, Russian troops made unsuccessful offensive attempts around Severne and Opytne. The invaders launched airstrikes on the Avdiivka district, and used artillery to attack Novokalynove, Avdiivka, Tonenke, Pervomaisk, and Karlivka districts of Donetsk region.

In the Marinka direction, the Defense Forces repelled all Russian attacks in the Marinka area, inflicting losses on the enemy. Enemy artillery strikes were recorded in Marinka, Pobieda and Novomykhailivka districts of Donetsk region.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Defense Forces of Ukraine advanced 1,600 meters on the southern and northern flanks in the Bakhmut sector.

Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov