War update: Offensive in south continues, Ukrainian troops gaining foothold on achieved frontiers

This is stated in the latest report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

In the mentioned southern directions, Ukrainian defenders inflict fire damage with artillery on detected enemy targets, carry out counter-battery fights.

Russian troops focus their main efforts on Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka directions. Heavy fighting continues in the specified areas of the front. About 20 combat engagements took place there during the day.

Today, the Russian army launched yet another air and missile attack on the territory of Ukraine, using 17 Iranian-made Shahed combat drones and one S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile. Also, the Russians launched 43 airstrikes and 17 MLRS attacks.

Ukraine’s Air Force launched a total of 13 strikes on enemy personnel concentration areas and another one on its anti-aircraft missile system during the day. Missile and artillery units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on their part, hit nine Russian artillery systems on firing positions.

In Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation has not changed significantly. There were no signs of the formation of offensive groups. Certain units of the Armed Forces of Belarus perform missions in the areas bordering Ukraine.

The Russian Federation maintains its military presence in Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna directions. During the day, the enemy launched an airstrike in the area of Radkivka in Sumy region, shelled more than 15 settlements with mortars and artillery, including Karpovychi and Kamin in Chernihiv region; Malushyne, Boyaro-Lezhachi in Sumy region; Kozacha Lopan, Neskuchne, Ternova in Kharkiv region.

"In Kupyansk direction, our soldiers hold the defense firmly. Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kamyanka, Kyslivka, Berestovka, Fyholivka in Kharkiv region came under enemy artillery and mortar fire," the General Staff said.

In Lyman direction, during the day, Russian troops conducted unsuccessful offensives west of Dibrova, Luhansk region; and east of Novosadove, Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements were hit with enemy artillery, including Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk region; Torske, Verkhniokamyanske, Spirne, and Rozdolivka in Donetsk region.

In Bakhmut direction, the defense forces successfully repelled all attacks in Berkhivka area in Donetsk region under heavy enemy aircraft and artillery fire. More than 10 settlements came under enemy artillery fire, including Vasiukivka, Chasiv Yar, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Dyliyivka, and Pivnichne in Donetsk region.

In Avdiyivka direction, the Russian invaders carried out unsuccessful offensive operations near Pervomayske in Donetsk region and launched an airstrike there. Avdiyivka area was also bombarded with air strikes, and more than 10 settlements were shelled with artillery, including Berdychi, Lastochkyne, and Avdiyivka in Donetsk region.

In Maryinka direction, the defense forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops in Maryinka area. The enemy also hit more than 10 settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Pobieda, and Heorhiyivka in Donetsk region.

In Shakhtarske direction, the Russians conducted unsuccessful offensive operations in the area of Novomykhaylivka in Donetsk region, shelling Paraskoviyivka, Novomykhaylivka, Novoukrayinka, Blahodatne, and Bohoyavlenka.

In Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the Russian army focuses its main efforts on preventing the further advance of the Ukrainian troops. From the air, the invaders attacked the area of Mala Tokmachka, Zaporizhzhia region; Hrozove, Kherson region. More than 20 settlements suffered from enemy artillery strikes, including Vilne Pole, Mala Tokmachka, Huliaypole, Zaliznychne, Bilohirya in Zaporizhzhia region; Kherson, Antonivka, Tiahynka, Chornobayivka, Mykilske in Kherson region.