War update: 80 clashes on frontline since day-start, battles continuing in eight sectors

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on Facebook, providing operational information as of 16:00, on February 17, according to Ukrinform.

"Ukraine's Defense Forces are holding back the advance of the Russian invaders. The terrorists continue killing Ukrainians and destroying Ukrainian cities and villages with missile, air, and artillery strikes. As of now, the total number of combat clashes stands at 80," the report states.

According to the General Staff, Russian artillery and mortar fire have hit settlements in Chernihiv region (Liskivshchyna) and Sumy region (Velyka Pysarivka, Starykove, Shalyhyne, Oleksandrivka, Prohres, Zarichne, Bachivsk, and Velykyi Prykil).

In the Kharkiv sector, the Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian positions near Vovchansk but were repelled. They also launched unguided aerial rockets on Vetyrynarne and Okhrimivka.

In the Kupiansk sector, the Russian invaders attempted four assaults near Petropavlivka, Hlushkivka, Zahryzove, and toward Novoosynove. Two clashes are still ongoing.

In the Lyman sector, the Russian troops launched six attacks on the Ukrainian positions near Hrekivka, Zarichne, and Yampolivka. Two battles are still in progress.

In the Kramatorsk sector, the enemy is attempting to advance near Chasiv Yar and Vasiukivka. The Ukrainian forces repelled one of three attacks, while battles continue.

In the Toretsk sector, the Russian forces are trying to breach the Ukrainian defenses near Toretsk. Two attacks are still ongoing, while the Ukrainian defenders have already repelled three assaults.

In the Pokrovsk sector, the most intense combat is happening. Since the beginning of the day, the Russian troops have launched 33 attempts to push the Ukrainian forces from their positions near Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Lysivka, Novoukrainka, Pishchane, Kotlyne, Udachne, Uspenivka, Nadiivka, Yaseneve, Ulakly, Andriivka, and Dachne. The Ukrainian forces have repelled 23 attacks, while 10 clashes are ongoing. Russian aviation has also conducted glide bomb strikes on Pokrovsk and Oleksiivka.

In the Novopavlivka sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled eight enemy assault attempts, with six more battles still in progress. The enemy is trying to advance near Novosilka, Rivnopil, Novyi Komar, and toward Kostiantynopil and Burlatske.

In the Orikhiv sector, the Ukrainian troops have repelled one attack, with another battle still ongoing. The enemy is active near Shcherbaky and Nesterianka.

Operations continue in Russia’s Kursk region, where the Ukrainian forces repelled six enemy attacks, while two more clashes are still ongoing. Russian aviation carried out 22 airstrikes, dropping 25 glide bombs.

No significant changes have been recorded on other fronts.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Ukrainian defenders recently repelled a Russian assault in the Pokrovsk sector which was launched under the cover of harsh weather conditions.