Defense forces repel enemy attacks in Avdiyivka, Bakhmut directions

This is stated in the report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on July 19, published on Facebook.

"The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka directions, heavy battles continue. During the day, 19 combat engagements took place," the report reads.

The enemy launched 66 airstrikes and about 30 MLRS attacks.

In Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation has not changed significantly. There were no signs of the formation of offensive groups.

In Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna directions, the enemy maintains its military presence. Mortars and artillery were fired at more than 20 settlements, in particular, Hirsk, Yeline, Leonivka in Chernihiv region; Seredyna-Buda, Bachivsk in Sumy region; Udy, Kozacha Lopan, Strilecha, Vovchansk, Mala Vovcha, Budarky in Kharkiv region.

In Kupyansk direction, the Ukrainian military holds the defense steadily. The aggressor launched an airstrike near Kyslivka. Dvorichna, Zapadne, Sinkivka, Kyslivka, Berestove in Kharkiv region came under enemy artillery and mortar attacks.

In Lyman direction, the enemy launched airstrikes in the areas of Bilohorivka, Luhansk region; and Serebrianka, Donetsk region. The settlements of Nevske, Bilohorivka in Luhansk region; Torske, Verkhniokamyanske, Berestove, and Rozdolivka in Donetsk region were hit with artillery.

In Bakhmut direction, under heavy artillery fire of the invaders, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled enemy attacks near Bohdanivka in Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements, including Vasiukivka, Markove, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Stupochky, Oleksandro-Shultyne in Donetsk region, came under enemy artillery fire.

In Avdiyivka direction, under heavy aircraft and artillery fire, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled Russian attacks in the area of Nevelske. The enemy launched missile and air strikes near Avdiyivka. At the same time, artillery struck more than 10 settlements, in particular, Lastochkyne, Avdiyivka, Karlivka, Nevelske in Donetsk region.

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

In Shakhtarske direction, the enemy shelled more than 10 settlements, in particular, Paraskoviyivka, Novomykhaylivka, Vuhledar, and Blahodatne inn Donetsk region.

In Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the invaders focus their main efforts on preventing the further advance of Ukrainian troops. Unsuccessful attempts were made to restore the lost position in the area north of Pryiutne, Zaporizhzhia region. More than 20 settlements, including Novodarivka, Olhivske, Malynivka, Huliaypole, Zaliznychne, Bilohirya, Lobkove in Zaporizhia region; Kherson, Dudchany, Kozatske, Lvove, Ivanivka, Antonivka, Berehove, Kizomys in Kherson region were hit with artillery.

"At the same time, the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to conduct an offensive operation in Melitopol and Berdiansk directions, gain a foothold on the reached frontiers, inflict fire damage with artillery on identified enemy targets, carry out counter-battery fight," the General Staff reports.

It is noted that the enemy continues to redesign civilian infrastructure objects in the temporarily captured territories of Ukraine for their own needs. In particular, the Russians set up a military hospital at a cultural center of Kalanchak village council in Kherson region, where more than 50 invaders are being treated and undergoing rehabilitation.

Ukraine’s Air Force launched five strikes on enemy personnel clusters. Moreover, Ukrainian defenders destroyed two reconnaissance UAVs of the operational-tactical level.

During the day, missile and artillery units hit three areas of concentration of enemy manpower, weapons and military equipment, nine artillery pieces on firing positions, two air defense systems, and an EW system.