Ukrainian forces expand bridgehead in Kherson region, pushing out Russian occupiers – General Staff

Russian forces continue to assault Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, while in the Kherson region, Ukrainian Defense Forces are expanding their positions, pushing back Russian occupiers. 

There were 99 reported combat incidents on the front lines within a day, Rubryka reports, citing the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.

Russian Army Attacks

Over the past day, the Russian forces launched five missile strikes and 68 air strikes and conducted 88 shelling rounds from multiple rocket launchers at Ukrainian troops' positions and civilian settlements. Unfortunately, there are casualties among the civilian population due to Russian attacks. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure have suffered damage.

During the night, Russian occupiers once again attacked Ukraine, deploying 35 Shahed-136/131 drones. Ukrainian air defense downed 34.

Locations hit by aviation strikes include Synkivka (Kharkiv region), Serebrianske forestry (Luhansk region), Ivanivka, Toretsk, Ocheretyne, Orlivka, Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, Novomykhailivka, Novoukrainka (Donetsk region), Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia region), and Krynky and Olhivka (Kherson region).

Approximately 100 populated areas in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions came under artillery fire.

Front-line situation

The operational situation remains unchanged in the northwestern and northern directions toward the border with Belarus and Russia.

In the northeastern direction, the Russians maintain a military presence in border areas, conduct active sabotage activities to prevent the transfer of Ukrainian troops to threatening areas where they are needed, and increase the density of mine-explosive barriers along the state border in the Belgorod Oblast, Russia.

On the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian defenders repelled 16 Russian attacks in the areas of Synkivka, east of Petropavlivka, and Ivanivka, where the Russians attempted to breach Ukrainian troops' defense.

Near Lyman, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 13 attacks by occupiers near Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, and east of Terniv, Spyrne, Donetsk region.

In the Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled seven enemy attacks near Bohdanivka, Klyshivka, and Andriivka, Donetsk region.

Ukrainian defenders continued to restrain the Russians who were trying to encircle Avdiivka. Ukrainian troops held the defense steadfastly, inflicting significant losses on the invaders. Defense Forces repelled 14 Russian attacks in the areas of Novokalynove, east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and another 22 attacks near Siverske, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske, Donetsk region.

In the Mariupol direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to restrain the enemy in the areas of Mariinka, Pobieda, and Novomykhailivka, Donetsk region, repelling ten attacks.

In the Shakhtarsk direction, there were no offensive actions by the enemy.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Defense Forces repelled six Russian attacks west of Verbovе and south of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region.

On the Melitopol front, Ukrainian forces continued active operations to inflict losses on the Russian occupation forces in personnel and equipment, exhausting the enemy along the entire front line.

On the Kherson front, Ukrainian forces continue activities to expand their positions. Despite setbacks, the Russian army has not abandoned its intention to dislodge Ukrainian units from occupied positions and has carried out over 30 unsuccessful storming attempts. Facing a worthy counteraction, the Russians retreated with losses. Ukrainian defenders engage in counter-battery combat, delivering fire strikes on the enemy's rear areas.

Successes of Ukrainian Forces

During the past day, the Ukrainian air force struck 16 areas of concentration of Russian personnel, armaments, and military equipment;

• One air defense missile system.
• Additionally, with the efforts of Ukrainian air defense, one guided missile, Kh-59, was destroyed.

Missile troops units hit:

• 5 areas of concentration of personnel, armaments, military equipment, ammunition depots, and six enemy artillery systems.
• Overall, Ukraine currently faces a shortage of artillery ammunition. To compensate for the lack of projectiles, the country will increase the production of kamikaze drones.

As previously reported, Ukraine plans to manufacture 1 million FPV drones in 2024, including over 10,000 medium-range attack drones and over a thousand drones with a range of 1,000 km.