Russo-Ukraine War - 18 February 2024 - Day 725
| Su | M | Tu | W | Th | F | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.
On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]
The UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 15 February 2024, Russian pro-war commentators reported that the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Viktor Sokolov, had been removed from his post.
Drawing similarities with his predecessor, Igor Osipov, this is highly likely to be a result of Ukraine's success in sinking various ships under his command. Sokolov's leadership style may have also played a role in his dismissal.
Although not confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defence, Solokov has likely been replaced by his now former deputy, Vice Admiral Sergei Pinchuk as acting commander until an internal investigation of the 15 February 2024 sinking of the Ropucha-class Caesar Kunikov landing ship is concluded.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of February 18, there were 56x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 3x missile and 33x air strikes, carried out 64x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements.
Unfortunately, Russian attacks resulted in killed and wounded civilians. Residential private and apartment buildings as well as critical infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.
Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Vil'khuvatka (Kharkiv oblast). Around 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Starosillya (Chernihiv oblast), Seredyna-Buda, Fotovyzh, Znob-Trubchevs'ka (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan', Luk'yantsi, Hatyshche, Mykolaivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Petropavlivka and Borova (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Kyslivka, Kotlyarivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x assaults near Terny and southeast of Vyimka (Donetsk oblast). In that area the adversary made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Makiivka, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, Tors'ke, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x attacks in the vicinities of Lastochkyne and Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). On top of that, the Russian occupiers launched air strike in the vicinities of Zhelanne, Orlivka, Semenivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Lastochkyne, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that Russian forces made 12x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Paraskoviivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Novopavlivka axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x attacks in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike near Mala Tokmachka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Chervone, Bilohir'ya Novodanylivka, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces do not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. During the day, Russian forces made 14x attempts to assault positions of Ukrainian troops. The settlements of Zolota Balka, Inhulets', Fedorivka, Ivanivka, Tyahynka, Tokarivka, Krynky (Kherson oblast), and the city of Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast) came under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Russian forces also shelled the vicinities of Krynky, Tomyna Balka, Inhulets' and Ivanivka with MLRS strikes.
During the day of February 18, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 4x concentrations of Russian troops.
On top of that, in the eastern sector, Ukrainian Air Force units destroyed 1x Su-34 fighter-bomber.
The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x command posts, 1x ammunition depot of the Russian invaders.
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that on 17 February, during offensive operations, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have completely liberated Avdeevka (Donetsk People's Republic) and advanced to a depth of 8.6 kilometres.
The total area of the liberated territory was 31.75 square kilometres. The enemy losses were more than 1,500 troops.
In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have actively defeated 14th and 66th mechanised brigades of the AFU close to Sinkovka, Petropavlovka, and Ivanovka (Kharkov region).
The enemy losses were up to 40 servicemen, one tank, three armoured personnel carriers, and three pickup trucks.
In addition, during counter-battery warfare, one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system, two D-20 howitzers, two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one D-30 howitzer.
In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have defeated 63rd mechanised and 25th airborne brigades of the AFU near Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).
The enemy losses were up to 100 troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, and four motor vehicles.
In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have improved Russian positions along the front line and defeated manpower and hardware of 42nd, 93rd mechanised, and 81st airmobile brigades of the AFU close to Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Krasnoye, and Kleshcheevka (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy losses were up to 400 troops, two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, four armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, Msta-B, D-20 and D-30 howitzers, as well as one Strela-10 surface-to-air missile system.
In South Donetsk direction, as a result of active operations by units of the Vostok Group of Forces, units of the AFU 58th Infantry Brigade and the 127th Brigade of the Territorial Defence of Ukraine have been defeated near Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).
The enemy losses were more than 190 troops, two tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.
In the course of counter-battery warfare, one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system, two British-manufactured FH-70 howitzers, two Msta-B howitzers, and one Rapira anti-tank gun have been hit.
In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have taken more favourable positions and defeated enemy manpower and hardware close to Rabotino, Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region), Lvovo, and Tyaginka (Kherson region).
The enemy losses were up to 70 servicemen, one infantry fighting vehicle, and three motor vehicles.
One U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, and one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radar station have been destroyed.
Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have hit the control point of the 31st Mechanised Brigade of the AFU near Zhelannoye (Donetsk People's Republic), fuel and ammunition depots, as well as manpower and military hardware in 128 areas.
Air defence facilities have shot down four projectiles launched by HIMARS MLRS.
In addition, 105 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been hit close to Ivanovka (Kharkov region), Kremennaya, Kalinovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Styla, Semigorye, and Verkhnetoretskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Lyubimovka, Chervonogorka, and Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region).
In total, 571 airplanes and 266 helicopters, 12,723 unmanned aerial vehicles, 470 air defence missile systems, 15,098 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,222 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,091 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,801 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
