General Staff: 18 combat engagements took place in five sectors of the front

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in its evening update as of 18:00 on May 26 on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

"The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka directions. In total, 18 combat engagements took place in the indicated areas of the front," the report says.

According to the General Staff, the enemy launched 18 missile strikes on populated areas of Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, using 10 Kh-101/Kh-555 air-based cruise missiles (intercepted by Ukrainian defenders) and 8 S-300/S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles fired at Dnipro twice today.

In addition, Russian troops launched 60 airstrikes, in particular, using Iranian-made Shahed attack drones on the cities of Merefa and Izium in Kharkiv region, as well as guided aerial bombs on Avdiivka and the village of New York. Also, the enemy launched about 34 MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population, a healthcare facility in Dnipro, educational institutions in Izium and New York, residential apartment blocks and private buildings were damaged.

It is noted that the probability of further missile attacks and airstrikes on the regions across Ukraine remains high.

In the Kupiansk direction, the Russians are attempting to improve their tactical position. Throughout the day, they conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the Masiutivka area. Airstrikes were recorded near Kyslivka, Kotliarivka, Tabaivka and Raihorodka in Kharkiv region. Kolodiazne, Dvorichna, Masiutivka, Kyslivka, Kamianka in Kharkiv region and Stelmakhivka in Luhansk region were subjected to enemy artillery and mortar attacks.

In the Lyman direction, Russian troops conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the area of Bilohorivka. An airstrike was recorded in that area. Nevske, Dibrova, Bilohorivka in Luhansk region and Verkhniokamianske and Spirne in Donetsk region came under artillery fire.

In Bakhmut direction, the enemy carried out unsuccessful offensive actions in the Predtechyne area. The Russian forces launched airstrikes on the Hryhorivka and Bila Hora areas. Vasiukivka, Pryvillia, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Bakhmut, Kalynivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Stupochky, Predtechyne, Kostiantynivka, Bila Hora and Pivnichne in Donetsk region were subjected to enemy shelling.

In the Avdiivka direction, the aggressor did not carry out any offensive actions. Airstrikes on Avdiivka and Pervomaiske were recorded. Also, the enemy launched artillery attacks on the settlements of Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, Karlivka and Nevelske in Donetsk region.

In the Marinka direction, units of the Defense Forces repelled numerous Russian attacks on the Marinka area. Heorhiivka and Pobeda in Donetsk region also came under enemy fire.

The Air Force of the Defense Forces launched eight strikes on enemy personnel and military equipment clusters. In addition, units of the missile forces and artillery hit three Russian command posts, two weapons and military equipment clusters, an ammunition depot, two artillery units in firing positions, an anti-aircraft defense system and another important enemy target.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Defense Forces of Ukraine from February 24, 2022 to May 26, 2023 eliminated about 205,720 Russian invaders, including 460 aggressors over the past day.