Ukraine – live coverage. The army is preparing to launch a counterattack on all fronts [18 maja 2022]

Wednesday is the 84th day of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Army summarized the situation at the front:

under Kharkov The Russians focus their efforts on maintaining their positions and launching artillery bombardments on the towns of Sirkony, Rosske-Tiski, Kaske-Tiski and Bitumnic islands. The town of Dowhenke was attacked by Russian troops with artillery support.

at Donbass The Russians conduct offensive operations in the Zeman, Sferodonetsk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Koracchoy regions. In support of the ground offensive, Russian forces deployed 15 helicopters.

at Mariupol The Russian blockade of the Ukrainian troops at the Azovstal Metallurgical Plant is underway, as well as artillery and air fire on this facility.

In the south, the Russians are preparing to launch an attack on Buluhi and Orichev Zaporizhia region. To this end, they promote assembly in this area.

at Mykolaiv region In order to attack the Ukrainian forces, the Russian forces deployed up to 10 missile launcher batteries and up to eight artillery batteries.

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian forces have shot down 11 drones and four cruise missiles. In the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, within 24 hours, the Ukrainian forces repelled 12 enemy attacks, destroying three tanks, three artillery groups, six armored vehicles and seven military vehicles.