Russia’s war on Ukraine. 18.04.2024

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) “Khortytsia”, on the Kupyansk direction, the enemy attacked the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces near Novoserhiivka 4 times. On the Lyman direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3 attacks in the areas of Nevske and Terny. On the Bakhmut direction, they repelled 24 Russian attacks in the areas of Bilohorivka, Vyimka, Rozdolivka, Chasiv Yar, Novyi, and Klishchiivka, where the enemy, supported by aviation, attempted to improve its tactical position. 

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zone on the Avdiivka direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 19 enemy attacks in the areas of Semenivka, Novobakhmutivka, Ocheretyne, Novokalynove, Yasnobrodivka, Netaylove, Pervomaiske and Novoukrayinka. On the Novopavlivka direction, they continued to hold back the enemy in the areas of Vodyane, Krasnohorivka, Pobieda, Novomykhailivka, and Urozhaine where the adversary, supported by aviation, attempted to breach Ukrainian troops’ defenses 23 times. On the Orikhiv direction, the enemy attacked the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces 5 times in the area of Staromayorske.

In the operational zone of the “Odesa” OSG on the Kherson direction, the enemy remains determined to dislodge the units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River and launched 3 unsuccessful attacks on their positions.

General conclusion: 

• There’s a likelihood of partial withdrawal by the “Tavriya” OSG units from the Durna River in its northern part, potentially leading to an enemy breakthrough through Ocheretyne between the heights on the stretch between Vozdvizhenka and Arkhangelsk, and their advance towards Yablunivka. This situation poses an immediate threat to the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in Toretsk.
• The outcomes of battles for Ocheretyne will determine the configuration of the entire frontline on the Avdiivka direction.
• In the area of Chasiv Yar, Russian forces conduct attacks with small assault groups and use all-terrain vehicles for rapid troop delivery to attack targets.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

• There were 87 combat engagements on various fronts.
• On the Lyman direction, positional battles continued near Novoserhiivka, Nevske, Terny, Torske, Dibrova, Hryhorivka, and Serebriansk Forest.
• On the Bakhmut direction, fighting continued near Verkhnyokamianske, Vyimka, Rozdolivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, and Klishchiivka.
• Russian forces captured Bohdanivka, advanced closer to Kalynivka, and pushed up to 500 meters deep into the residential area north of the “Novyi” district.
• On the Avdiivka direction, over the past four days, the enemy advanced 1 km towards Ocheretyne and penetrated the village, touching its southern outskirts. They moved along the railway line southeast of Ocheretyne, reached the northern outskirts of Netaylove, and are advancing within the western part of Orlivka. They’re preparing to seize Umanske and Netaylove.
• Fighting occurred near Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka, Novokalynove, Berdychi, Semenivka, Umanske, Netaylove, and Pervomaiske. The situation in Berdychi and Semenivka is deteriorating.
• On the Novopavlivka direction, the 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps advanced to the Krasnohorivka brick factory. Other Russian units advanced several hundred meters within Novomykhailivka. The Ukrainian Defense Forces hold positions on the western outskirts of the village. Fighting occurred near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobieda, and Vodyane.
• On the Berdyansk direction, Russian forces captured a stronghold near Volodymyrivka, pushed the units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces back from positions near Mykilske, and advanced several hundred meters near Urozhaine. Positional battles occurred near Staromayorske.
• On the Orikhiv direction, positional battles continued near Robotyne, northwest of Verbove, and near Mala Tokmachka.
• On the Kherson direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces expanded their foothold in Krynky to the west by 500 meters, pushing the enemy from their positions.
• The Ukrainian Defense Forces launched a missile strike on the Dzhankoy airfield in the occupied Crimea, where the 39th Helicopter Regiment of the 27th Mixed Air Division of the 4^th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Russian Federation is based. Up to three squadrons of strike aircraft were also stationed at the airfield.
• In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
  • Mediterranean Sea: 3 ships, including 2 “Kalibr” sea launched cruise missile carriers. The total salvo is 24 cruise missiles.

Changes in the enemy disposition:

• The enemy command has consolidated border defense groups in “Sever (North)” Operational Grouping. The group includes “Bryansk” Operational Grouping (command post near Starodub), “Kursk” Operational Grouping (command post near Rylsk), and “Belgorod” Operational Grouping (command post near Belgorod).
• “Bryansk” Operational Grouping includes 1 regiment, 5 battalions, 7 composite units, 2 divisions, 9 separate batteries. Total personnel is up to 8,500 troops. Operational Grouping’s defense consists of strongpoints at communication nodes and key points in the region. Due to the lack of forces and means for continuous border cover, the border strip is heavily mined.
• “Kursk” Operational Grouping consists of 4 regiments, 5 battalions, 6 composite units, 2 divisions, 15 separate batteries. Total personnel – up to 10,500 troops.
• “Kursk” Operational Grouping includes the 138th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 6th Army, with 5 regiments, 11battalions, 7 composite units, 7 divisions, 31 separate batteries, 4 anti-tank divisions, and 1 anti-aircraft missile battery. Total personnel is up to 29,500 troops.
• Expect the 25th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 6th Army, and the 7th Separate Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 11th Army Corps to be transferred to “Sever” Operational Grouping. Subsequently, the 80th and 200th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 14th Army Corps of the Northern Fleet could be included. Likely, after its formation is complete, the 44th Army Corps will be transferred here.
• The 10th BARS detachment of the 58th Army operates on the Zaporizhzhia direction.

Possible operation situation developments:

• The forces of the 20th and 25th Army are unable to complete the forming operation on the Lyman direction and will not be able to occupy a favorable starting position for the offensive on Lyman and the Slovyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration before the beginning of summer.
• The command of the enemy’s “Yug (South)” Operational Grouping, 2nd Army Corps, and 106th Airborne Division will make efforts to eliminate the Siversk salient and set conditions for the encirclement of the Slovyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration from the southeast.
• The “Center” Operational Grouping command is focused on executing the following operational plan: to establish conditions for the blockade and encirclement of the Kurakhove area or to create advantageous circumstances for launching an offensive operation to encircle “Tavriya” OSG’s defense in Toretsk area from the south.
• The isolation or complete capture of Kostyantynivka will significantly impair the Defense Forces’ ability to maintain the frontline in the southern part of Donetsk Oblast, as it will disrupt the main logistical route along Highway N-20.
• The command of “Sever (North)” Operational Grouping may respond asymmetrically to the actions of pro-Ukrainian Russian formations with raiding operations in the Sumy and Kharkiv Oblasts or simulate an “advance on Kharkiv” as part of the enemy’s offensive campaign on the theater of operations.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 18.04.24  

Personnel – almost 456,960 (+910); 

Tanks 7,196 (+3); 

Armored combat vehicles – 13,835 (+8); 

Artillery systems – 11,637 (+13);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,046 (0);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 760 (0);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 15,618 (+31);

Aircraft – 347 (0);

Helicopters – 325 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 9,284 (+5);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,093 (0);

Boats/ships – 27 (0).

Humanitarian+general:

• According to information provided by the Situation Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian forces shelled 13 regions of Ukraine over the past day. A total of 96 towns and villages and 181 infrastructure objects were attacked with various types of weapons. The number of casualties is being updated/clarified.
• On the night of April 18, Russian forces launched 13 “Shahed-131/136” combat drones over Ukraine. All were successfully intercepted and shot down by Ukrainian air defense units.
• Russian forces launched four rockets at the city of Selydove in Donetsk Oblast on the night of April 18, resulting in the death of one woman.
• Russian forces attempted to target critical infrastructure in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast overnight. All enemy UAVs were successfully taken down, causing fires from the debris. There were no casualties.
• In Novgorod-Seversky district of Chernihiv Oblast, a civilian car from a local bakery was deliberately attacked by Russian forces using drones. The driver, born in 1994, sustained minor injuries when he stopped at a nearby store for bread delivery. Both the car and the store were damaged in the attack.
• During the day on April 18, Russian forces launched rocket attacks on the Dniprovsky district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, causing fires, injuring two people, and damaging infrastructure and a local enterprise.
• As a result of the Russian strike on the city of Chernihiv on the morning of April 17, 18 people were killed and another 77 were injured. 12 of the wounded are in critical condition in hospitals, with a total of 37 hospitalized. The search and rescue operation has concluded.
• A 17-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy, deprived of parental care, have been returned to the territory under Ukrainian control from the occupied part of Kherson Oblast. Since the beginning of 2024, a total of 61 children have been rescued from Russian occupation.
• 85% of Ukrainians surveyed consider Vladimir Putin’s rule following the 2024 presidential elections in Russia illegitimate and believe it’s necessary to cease all contacts with Russia, except for humanitarian ones.

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