Russia’s war on Ukraine. 17.05.2024

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) “Kharkiv” on the Kharkiv direction, there were 10 engagements on the Kharkiv direction. Ukrainian forces repelled 8 attacks in the areas of Lyptsi, Starytsya, and Vovchansk. The enemy continues attempts to break through the defense on the Shebekino-Vovchansk direction. The situation in Vovchansk remains under control.

In the “Khortytsia” OSG operational zone on the Kupyansk direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled 6 enemy attacks, with units in certain areas improving their tactical positions. Engagements continue on the Krokhmalne-Berestove direction. On the Lyman direction, the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to breach Ukrainian defense 8 times. On the Siversk direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4 enemy attacks. Fighting continues on the Berestove-Vyimka direction. On the Kramatorsk direction, 13 attempts to break through the Ukrainian defense were repelled. Two enemy attacks are ongoing on the Bakhmut-Klishchiivka and Opytne-Andriivka directions.

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zone, on the Pokrovsk direction, there were 35 enemy attacks. Due to heavy enemy fire and assault operations, Ukrainian Defense Forces executed tactical withdrawals to alternate positions in certain areas. Combat operations are ongoing in the vicinity of Novooleksandrivka. On the Kurakhove direction, the enemy made 12 attempts to break through the Ukrainian defense. On the Vremivka direction, the enemy made 9 unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical position in the areas of Pivdenna Mine No. 1, Urozhaine, and Staromayorske.

In the operational zone of the Tavria Operational-Strategic Grouping of Forces on the Pokrovske axis, there were 35 enemy attacks. Due to intense fire and assault actions by the enemy, the Defense Forces retreated to different positions in certain areas. Combat operations are ongoing in the vicinity of Novooleksandrivka. On the Kurakhove axis, the enemy made 12 attempts to break through the defense. On the Vremivka axis, the

In the operational zone of the “Odesa” OSG on the Prydniprovskiy direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 9 enemy attacks on the Oleshkivski Pisky-Krynky direction. The enemy’s efforts were unsuccessful during the engagements.

General conclusion: 

• The Russian military command launched an offensive operation in northern Kharkiv Oblast before the “Sever” Operational Grouping was fully deployed, resulting in a shortage of combat-effective forces to achieve their operational goals.
• Russian forces have intensified their offensive on the Kupyansk direction but are suffering heavy personnel losses.
• The Balka Domakha River, running between Netaylove and Nevelske, remains a contested “gray zone.”
• Russian troops have escalated assaults on Ukrainian positions in southern Ukraine and carried out 19 unsuccessful assaults near Staromayorske.
• The enemy command in the “Southwest Theater of Operations” is attempting to compel the Ukrainian Defense Forces’ command to deploy available reserves, thereby easing the execution of operational tasks on other fronts.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

• There were 114 combat engagements on various fronts.
• On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces advanced south of Lukyantsi, moved closer to Lyptsi from the northeast, near the southern outskirts of Hlyboke, and continued offensive operations in the areas of Pylna, Lukyantsi, Hlyboke, Pletenivka, and near Lyptsi itself. In the northern part of Vovchansk, they advanced to Taras Shevchenko Street and along Korolenko Street, captured the Vovchansk Central District Hospital, and are approaching the Vovchansk Cemetery and the Aggregate Plant in the city center. They also made minor gains in northeastern Starytsya.
• On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces advanced north of Berestove and continued their offensive in the areas of Synkivka, Pishchane, Ivanivka, Stelmakhivka, and Novoyehorivka.
• TheUkrainian Defense Forces pushed Russian units out of positions near Kyslivka.
• On the Lyman direction, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian Defense Forces positions near Novosadove.
• On the Siversk direction, Russian forces continued their attacks near Spirne, Rozdolivka, and Zvanivka.
• On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces continued their assault in the areas of Hryhorivka, “Novyi” and “Kanal” neighborhoods, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka.
• On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces advanced near Solovyove and toward Yasnobrodivka, attempting to clear the territory between Pervomaiske and Nevelske. They have also launched attacks near Kalynove, Arkhanhelske, Novooleksandrivka, Sokol, Novopokrovske, Solovyove, Umanske, Orlivka, Netaylove, and Pervomaiske.
• On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces advanced southwest of Maryinka, made slight progress towards Kostyantynivka, and launched attacks in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobieda, Novomykhailivka, Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, Mykilske, and Vodyane.
• On the Vremivka direction, Russian forces advanced in the southern part of Urozhaine, pushing forward in the areas of Staromayorske and Urozhaine.
• On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces have displaced Ukrainian units from one of their main positions in Robotyne, but heavy fighting continues in the area. The Ukrainian Defense Forces maintain positions on the northern outskirts of Robotyne. Russian troops continued their advance to the northwest of Verbove.
• In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
  • Black Sea: 1 ship.
  • Mediterranean Sea: 4 ships, including 1 “Kalibr” sea launched cruise missile carrier. The total salvo is 8 cruise missiles.

Changes in the enemy disposition:

• The 138th and 25th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 6th Army, the 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division, and the 128th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 44th Army Corps operate north of Vovchansk.
• The 200th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 14th Army Corps is engaged in combat operations on the Kramatorsk direction.
• The 74th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Army is active near Berdychi.
• The 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 68th Army Corps is engaged in combat near Kostyantynivka, while the 238th Artillery Brigade of the 8th Army is operating near Krasnohorivka.
• The 1st BARS Detachment is active near Robotyne.

Possible operation situation developments:

• Expect enemy capture of Synkivka soon, along with intense rear-guard actions north of Kupyansk’s eastern outskirts, for Stepova Novoselivka, Pishchane, and Berestove.
• The adversary may attempt to bypass Chasiv Yar without directly assaulting the city, by operating from the south and southeast, while simultaneously forming a northern flank for the Toretsk operation.
• 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 “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 enemy’s “Vostok” Operational Grouping is gearing up for active operations on the southern flank of the Kurakhove-Vuhledar bulge of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in coordination with the left flank of the “Yug” Operational Grouping, which is currently attempting to break through towards Kurakhove through Hryhorivka and Paraskoviivka-Kostyantynivka along the Vovcha and Sukhi Yaly Rivers.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 17.05.24  

Personnel – almost 489,870 (+1410); 

Tanks 7,547 (+18); 

Armored combat vehicles – 14,552 (+14); 

Artillery systems – 12,603 (+38);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,071 (+1);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 800 (+2);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 17,104 (+56);

Aircraft – 351 (0);

Helicopters – 325 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 10,072 (+45);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,200 (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 11 regions of Ukraine over the past day. A total of 102 towns and villages and 79 infrastructure objects were attacked with various types of weapons. The number of casualties is being updated/clarified.
• On the night of May 17, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 20 Shahed kamikaze drones, all of which were successfully destroyed by the Ukrainian Air Defense.
• On May 17, a fire broke out in the Odesa district following a strike by one of the Russian missiles, damaging civilian infrastructure. One person was killed, and eight others were injured.
• During the day on May 17, Russian occupation forces launched strikes on Kharkiv. According to the city mayor, there were several hits, and fires broke out at the impact sites. Preliminary data from the Oblast Military Administration indicate that the occupiers carried out two strikes with glide bombs, including on the Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district. Local authorities reported two fatalities and 25 injuries, with four in critical condition.
• Russian forces dropped explosives on two residents of the village of Vesele in the Kherson Oblast. The victims were transported to the hospital.
• In Sumy Oblast, the enemy continues systematic shelling along almost the entire border, with an intensity of 200-400 explosions per day.
• Ukraine has brought back to its controlled territory three brothers and a sister who ended up in occupation after Russia’s full-scale invasion. The children, ranging in age from two to twelve, are all siblings.

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