Situation update of General Staff of UAF regarding russian invasion as of 18.00, 18th January, 2023

During the day, the enemy carried out 22 airstrikes and carried out more than 50 attacks from MLRS.

The threat of russian air and missile strikes remains high throughout Ukraine.

The enemy does not give up its intentions to capture the Donetsk Oblast within the administrative borders. The main efforts are concentrated on conducting an offensive along the Bakhmut axis. Conducts unsuccessful offensive actions on the Avdiiv axis. In addition, they are trying to improve the tactical position on the Lyman axis.

Zaporizhzhia axis: russians carried out unsuccessful offensive actions in the areas of the settlements of Orihiv and Gulyaipole. The enemy is defending on the Kupyansk, Novopavlivsk and Kherson axes.

Volyn, Polissya, Siversk and Slobozhansk axes: the situation has not changed significantly, and no offensive groups of the enemy have been detected. Joint exercises of the Air and Space Forces of the russian federation and the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of the republic of belarus are ongoing on the territory of the republic of belarus. Practical tasks on the interaction of air and ground components in offensive operations are being worked out.

The areas of the settlements of Rivne and Novodmytrivka in the Sumy Oblast and Budarka, Zemlianka, Gatyshche, Vovchansk, Ternova, Chugunivka, Novomlynsk and Dvorichna in the Kharkiv Oblast were hit by mortar and artillery fire.

Kupyansk axis: the enemy shelled the districts of Petropavlivka, Kyslivka, Ivanivka, Krokhmalne, Synkivka, Berestove, and Tabaivka in the Kharkiv Oblast and Stelmakhivka in the Luhansk Oblast.

Lyman axis: Druzhelyubivka in the Kharkiv Oblast and Novoyehorivka, Nevske, Chervonpopivka and Dibrova in the Luhansk Oblast were under enemy fire.

Bakhmut axis: areas of 13 settlements were affected by fire. Among them are Verkhnokamianske, Bilogorivka, Vesele, Soledar, Krasna Gora, Bakhmut, Klishchiivka, Kurdyumivka and Druzhba of the Donetsk Oblast.

Avdiivka axis: Avdiivka, Vodyane, Nevelske, Georgiivka, Maryinka and Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast were shelled.

Novopavlivsk axis: Velyka Novosilka, Zolota Nyva and Ugledar of the Donetsk Oblast were hit by the enemy fire.

Zaporizhzhia axis: more than 15 settlements were affected by artillery fire, in particular, Vremivka and Novopil in Donnechyna and Orihiv, Poltavka, Malynivka, Gulyaipole, Mala Tokmachka, Stepove, Kamianske and Plavni in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Kherson axis: the areas of Antonivka, Berehove, Vesele, Fedorivka, L`vove, and Kherson were hit by MLRS and barrel artillery. Civilians suffered again.

Russian occupying forces do not stop looting the temporarily occupied territories. Thus, in the settlements of Gornostaivka, Kairy, Bratolyubivka, and Nyzhni Sirogozy of the Kherson Oblast, the occupiers, moving in groups of 10-15 people, search the empty houses of local residents and take away all household appliances and furniture.

During the day, the aviation of the Defense Forces made 13 strikes on enemy concentration areas and 3 strikes on the positions of its anti-aircraft missile systems.

In addition, our defenders shot down an enemy Ka-52 helicopter and an experimental russian reconnaissance UAV "Merlin-VR".

At the same time, units of missile and artillery troops of the Defense Forces of Ukraine hit 1 control point, 2 areas of concentration of the occupiers' manpower, and 1 radio-electronic warfare station.

Believe in the Armed Forces! United we will win!