War update: AFU hold back enemy troops in Bakhmut sector, repel attack near Avdiivka

Thirty military clashes have occurred between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian troops over the past day.

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

In the past 24 hours, Russian invaders have launched 39 air strikes, used two Shahed 136/131 loitering munitions (both of which were destroyed), and opened fire with multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) 43 times. Following Russian terrorist attacks, casualties among civilians were reported, as well as the damage caused to residential houses and other civil infrastructure.

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

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

In the Siverskyi and Slobozhanskyi directions, Russian troops launched air strikes near the Sumy region’s Volfyne and Kostiantynivka. Over 25 settlements were affected by Russian mortar and artillery strikes in the Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

In the Kupiansk direction, over 10 settlements were affected by Russian artillery and mortar strikes.

In the Lyman direction, Russian occupiers shelled the Luhansk region’s Nevske and Bilohorivka, and the Donetsk region’s Torske, Verkhniokamianske, Spirne and Rozdolivka.

In the Bakhmut direction, Ukraine’s Defense Forces are holding the enemy back near Klishchiivka and Kurdiumivka. Over 10 settlements were affected by Russian artillery strikes.

In the Avdiivka direction, under extensive artillery fire and air strikes, Ukrainian warriors successfully repelled Russian attacks near the Donetsk region’s Avdiivka. Over 15 settlements were affected by enemy artillery strikes.

In the Marinka direction, Ukrainian forces continue holding back Russia’s onslaught near Marinka and Krasnohorivka. The enemy shelled over 10 settlements.

In the Shakhtarske direction, Russian troops made unsuccessful attempts to regain their lost positions near Blahodatne. Russian artillery strikes affected the Donetsk region’s Blahodatne, Vuhledar, Bohoiavlenka, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Velyka Novosilka, and the Zaporizhzhia region’s Staromaiorske and Levadne.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian occupiers conducted unsuccessful offensive actions near Novopokrovka. The enemy launched air strikes near the Zaporizhzhia region’s Mala Tokmachka, Orikhiv and Novodanylivka. Russian invaders are focusing efforts to prevent Ukrainian forces from advancing. Over 15 settlements were affected by enemy artillery strikes.

In the Kherson direction, Russians launched an air strike near Odradokamianka. Over 20 settlements were affected by enemy artillery strikes.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defense Forces continue the offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions, are gaining a foothold within the re-captured frontiers and carrying out counterbattery measures.

The enemy continues to conceal their losses, namely through the use of mobile crematoriums. One of such crematoriums is now operating around the clock in the northeastern part of the Zaporizhzhia region’s temporarily occupied city of Melitopol. Local residents are complaining of the constant smell of corpses in the city, especially at night.

Over the past day, Ukraine’s Air Force has launched seven strikes on enemy personnel, ammunition and military equipment clusters. Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit nine Russian artillery systems in firing position, and two personnel, ammunition and military equipment cluster.