17 combat clashes recorded in four ‘hottest’ sectors of the front – General Staff

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in its evening update as of 18:00 on May 18 on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

According to the General Staff, Russian troops continue to concentrate their main efforts on the mentioned sectors. In total, the Ukrainian Air Force launched six strikes on the areas where the invaders' personnel and military equipment were located.

"Throughout the current day, our defenders destroyed 21 cruise missiles and 7 enemy reconnaissance UAVs of various types," the General Staff said.

Units of the Ukrainian rocket forces and artillery struck a weapons and military equipment cluster, an ammunition depot, three artillery units in a firing position, an anti-aircraft missile system, seven e-warfare stations and a radar station of the enemy.

In total, during the day, the Russian army launched 36 missile attacks and 23 airstrikes, as well as about 30 MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukraine’s Defense Forces and populated areas.

It is stressed that the threat of further missile attacks and airstrikes by the enemy remains high throughout the country.

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation has not undergone significant changes. There have been no signs of formation of enemy offensive groups.

In the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna directions, the Russian Federation continues to maintain a military presence in the districts bordering Ukraine. Leonivka in Chernihiv region, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Pavlivka, Basivka, and Myropyllya of Sumy Oblast, as well as Starytsia, Synelnykove, Ohirtseve, Hatyshche, Nesterne, and Budarky of Kharkiv region were subjected to enemy mortar and artillery shelling.

In the Kupiansk direction, the invaders hit Kamianka, Kolodiazne, Fyholivka, Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Masiutivka, Lyman Pershe, Tabaivka and Berestove of Kharkiv region and Stelmakhivka of Luhansk region with mortars and artillery.

In the Lyman direction, the Russian forces did not conduct offensive operations. However, they shelled Makiivka and Bilohorivka in Luhansk region, Verkhniokamianske and Spirne in Donetsk region with artillery.

In the Bakhmut direction, the enemy continues to conduct offensive operations. Heavy fighting for the city of Bakhmut is ongoing. The invaders attempted unsuccessful offensive in the area of Ivanivske. The Russians launched airstrikes on the areas of Bohdanivka and Bakhmut. Vasiukivka, Zaliznianske, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora, and Pivnichne of Donetsk region came under enemy shelling.

In the Avdiivka direction, the Russian army conducted offensive actions in the area of Sieverne, but had no success. In the past 24 hours, the enemy attacked Novokalynove and Avdiivka districts using aircraft, as well as Novokalynove, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Tonenke, Pervomaiske, Karlivka and Nevelske of Donetsk region using artillery.

In the Marinka direction, units of the Defense Forces once again repelled numerous Russian attacks in the Marinka area. At the same time, the invaders continue to destroy settlements along the contact line. Krasnohorivka, Marinka and Pobieda of Donetsk region came under artillery shelling.

In the Shakhtarske direction, the Russian army did not carry out offensive actions. Airstrikes were recorded near Zolota Nyva and Velyka Novosilka. Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Novoukrainka and Shakhtarske came under enemy fire.

In the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the Russian army continues to conduct defensive operations. The enemy launched an airstrike on Novopil, Donetsk region, and fired artillery at other settlements, including Burlatske in Donetsk region, Olhivske, Charivne, Bilohirya, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Stepove, Kamianske and Plavni in Zaporizhzhia region, as well as the city of Kherson.

As reported by Ukrinform, between 21:00 on May 17 and 05:30 on May 18, the Russian occupiers launched several waves of missile attacks from different directions. Ukrainian defenders downed 29 cruise missiles.