Russia's war on Ukraine. 18.01.25
Operational situation
On the Kursk direction, Russian forces advanced southwest of Viktorovka. Fighting occurred near Pogrebki, Cherkasskoe Porechie, Makhnovka, and in the forests near Sudzha.
Ukrainian Defense Forces conducted a missile strike on the positions of the 568th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment in Belgorod Oblast and a 92N6 radar station of the 336th Radio-Technical Regiment.
On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces made minor advances toward Zernova Street in Vovchansk. The 136th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 58th Combined Arms Army advanced along the road on the southern outskirts of Tykhe.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces advanced northwest along the R07 highway between Svatove and Kupyansk, southwest of Stepova Novoselivka, east of Zelenyi Hai, northwest and west of Makiivka, and reached the R79 highway connecting Kupyansk and Dvorichna south of Dvorichna, Ukrainian forces, however, counterattack in this area. The enemy attacked near Holubivka, Petropavlivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Pishchane, toward Novoplatonivka, Kruhlyakivka, Zelenyi Hai, Zahryzove, near Kopanky, and in the vicinity of Tverdokhlibove, Hrekivka, Makiivka, and Novoserhiyivka.
On the Lyman direction, Russian forces attempted to advance on the western bank of the Zherebets River near Makiivka and Ivanivka, west of Novosadove, and attacked near Zelena Dolyna, Terny, Torske, and Zarichne.
On the Siversk direction, Russian forces attacked in the vicinity of Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, and Ivano-Dariivka.
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces advanced in the minefield areas on the northern outskirts of Chasiv Yar, reaching Dniprovska Street and moving along Dobrolyubova Street in areas north of Chasiv Yar. They also advanced in forests northeast and west of Hryhorivka. Fighting continues for the refractory materials plant. The enemy attacked near Chasiv Yar, Hryhorivka, Pryvillya, Stupochky, and Bila Hora.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near the "Siverskyi Donets–Donbas" canal south of Chasiv Yar.
On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces advanced along Lesia Ukrainka Street on the eastern outskirts of Petrivka and attacked in Toretsk, as well as in the areas of Krymske, Dyliivka, Leonidivka, and Shcherbynivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces captured Yasynove and advanced along the southern bank of the Solona River, north of Uspenivka, southeast and west of Kalynove, toward Zaliznychna Street in central Kotlyne, and toward the railway tracks east of the village. They advanced along the railway and the T0406 road east of Udachne and attacked near Vodyane Druhe, Zelene Pole, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Shevchenkove, Novyi Trud, Udachne, Uspenivka, Sribne, Zvirove, and Kotlyne.
Forward units of the 55th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade managed not only to cut the Pokrovsk–Mezhova road but also to significantly expand their wedge, initiating battles for the villages of Udachne and Kotlyne. The 74th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade began fighting for Zvirove, persistently attacking in the Pishchane–Zvirove direction. Assault units of the 433rd Motorized Rifle Regiment, reinforced by elements of the 239th Tank Regiment and the 87th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 90th Tank Division, are advancing westward along both banks of the Solona River toward Solone–Novoserhiyivka and Novovasylivka–Uspenivka, but their progress remains limited. They initiated battles for Uspenivka and advanced a few hundred meters along the northern bank of the Solona River. The 35th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade attacked in the general directions of Dachenske–Chynushyne and Zelene–Chynushyne with minimal results. The 506th and 589th Motorized Rifle Regiments of the 27th Motorized Rifle Division of the 2nd Combined Arms Army, supported by the 137th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Combined Arms Army, unsuccessfully attacked in the directions of Mykolaivka–Myrnohrad and Mykolaivka–Promin.
On the Novopavlivka direction, the 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 68th Army Corps advanced northeast of Sukhi Yaly along the northern bank of the river. Russian forces operating southwest of Kurakhove advanced north of Yantarne, northeast of Konstyantynopolske, and from Shevchenkove. Near Kurakhove, Russian forces continued assaults and attacked near Slovyanka, Petropavlivka, Andriivka, Dachne, Ulakly, Yantarne, and Zelenivka.
Assault units of the 228th Motorized Rifle Regiment, reinforced with tanks from the 80th Tank Regiment of the 90th Tank Division, attacked in the Novoelyzavetivka–Nadiivka direction, where Ukrainian Defense Forces keep holding firm. The 428th Motorized Rifle Regiment, reinforced with tanks from the 6th Tank Regiment, attempted to bypass Novoandriivka from the south, advancing from positions in Yasynove. Units of these same regiments, in coordination with the 67th Motorized Rifle Regiment, attacked along the Slovyanka–Petropavlivka line.
A more significant threat is posed by the advance of the 110th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms Army and the recently redeployed 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade from the southern flank. These forces are advancing along the Vovcha River in the direction of Shevchenko (lower)–Andriivka, which is strategically vital for the defense of Ukraine's "Khortytsia" OSG. Ukrainian forces hold the area south of Petropavlivka.
On the Vremivka direction, the 127th Motorized Rifle Division of the 5th Combined Arms Army and the 60th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade captured Vremivka, aiming to encircle Velyka Novosilka and force Ukrainian troops to withdraw. The enemy advanced northeast of Velyka Novosilka, further north of Vremivka, and southeast of Novosilka.
General conclusion:
In the area of Makiivka on the Kupyansk direction, fighting continues for the commanding heights.
In Toretsk and Chasiv Yar, intense urban battles are ongoing. Specifically, the 1st and 9th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 51st Combined Arms Army are pushing through the center of Toretsk towards its western and northern outskirts. Meanwhile, in Chasiv Yar, the 4th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 3rd Combined Arms Army, the 331st and 299th Airborne Regiments of the 98th Airborne Division, and the 200th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 14th Army Corps are slowly advancing, attempting to fully secure the northern part of the city. The enemy has entrenched itself in the "Pivnichnyi" neighborhood.
On the Pokrovsk direction, the command of the enemy's "Tsentr (Center)" Operational Grouping is concentrating its main offensive efforts to the south and southwest of Pokrovsk. The overall success of these actions hinges on the availability of reserves. Within the operational zones of the 2nd and 41st Combined Arms Armies, the 15th and 30th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades, along with the 348th Motorized Rifle Regiment, have been identified as key reserves. Notably, the 30th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade is already partially positioned to the south of Pokrovsk.
On the Pokrovsk direction, from Dachenske to Novotroitske, a relatively narrow front, the assault force consists of the 35th, 74th, and 55th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades, the 239th Tank Regiment, and the 87th Rifle Regiment of the 90th Tank Division of the 41st Combined Arms Army, as well as the 30th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 243rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 27th Motorized Rifle Division of the 2nd Combined Arms Army. This assault group is a mix of the most capable forces from two different armies.
Simultaneous attacks by the 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms Army and the 1195th and 1438th Motorized Rifle Regiments of the 41st Combined Arms Army, both from Vozdvyzhenka towards Yelyzavetivka and from the Novotoretske–Tymofiivka line across the Kazennyi Torets River towards Yelyzavetivka, aim to outflank Ukrainian Defense Forces’ positions north of the Tymofiivka and Lozuvatske villages.
The situation is escalating in the advance zones of the 90th Tank Division of the 41st Combined Arms Army and the 110th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms Army. The enemy continues to frontally push Ukrainian Defense Forces from the northern bank of the Sukhi Yaly River, advancing eastward towards Kurakhove–Dachne and Dalnie–Dachne using the 20th and 150th Motorized Rifle Divisions of the 8th Combined Arms Army. Simultaneously, from the south, directly across the river, they are attempting to attack the forward positions of the 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 68th Army Corps and the 36th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 29th Combined Arms Army of the enemy's "Vostok (East)" Operational Grouping near Yantarne and Zelenivka. The enemy has fully occupied Yantarne and is now fighting for Dachne.
The enemy’s "Tsentr (Center)" Operational Grouping on the Pokrovsk direction has gradually improved its military command and coordination. The operational redeployment of the 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade to the most promising area over a few days is a clear testament to this.
The defense of Velyka Novosilka is nearing its logical conclusion. The 127th Motorized Rifle Division of the 4th Combined Arms Army has captured Neskuchne and Vremivka, making further defense of Velyka Novosilka untenable due to its three-sided encirclement. The withdrawal of the Ukrainian "Khortytsia" OSG from Velyka Novosilka will be extremely difficult.
Russian forces prioritize blocking the Velyka Novosilka–Huliaypole O0510 highway and advancing southwest of Velyka Novosilka.
Change in the line of contact (LoC):
There were 174 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Kharkiv direction, the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to advance in the area of Vovchansk.
On the Kupyansk direction, there were eight Russian attacks. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled enemy assault actions near Holubivka, Stepova Novoselivka, and Kruhlyakivka.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked 13 times, attempting to advance near Kopanky, Tverdokhlibove, Makiivka, and Terny.
On the Siversk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled an enemy attack near Bilohorivka.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy carried out 26 attacks in the area of Chasiv Yar and in the direction of Stupochky and Bila Hora.
On the Toretsk direction, the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions 19 times near Toretsk, Dyliivka, Krymske, and Shcherbynivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces halted 79 enemy assault actions in the areas of Zelenyi Hai, Vodyane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Lysivka, Shevchenko, Zvirove, Udachne, Uspenivka, Sribne, Dachne, Ulakly, and Yantarne.
On the Novopavlivka direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled two enemy attacks near Velyka Novosilka and Konstyantynopil.
On the Orikhiv direction, the enemy attempted to advance towards Novodanylivka but was repelled
On the Prydniprovskyi direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled two enemy assaults.
On the Kursk direction, Ukrainian troops repelled 16 enemy attacks.
In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
Mediterranean Sea: 7 ships, including 2 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 22 cruise missiles.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The 106th Airborne Division operates near Nikolaevo-Daryino, the 56th Air Assault Regiment of the 7th Air Assault Division is active near Leonidovo and Alexandria, and the 76th Air Assault Division is engaged near Berdino. The 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 44th Army Corps is active near Cherkasskoe Porechie.
The 30th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Combined Arms Army operates near Kotlyne, and the 110th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms Army is active near Kalynove.
Possible operation situation developments:
The enemy command's plan for the Southwestern Theater of Military Operations during the winter campaign of 2025 may include an operation to capture Pokrovsk and the final occupation of Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, and Vovchansk. Another possible course of action could be the occupation of Kupyansk or simultaneous actions in several directions.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the "Khortytsia" OSG units will be forced to retreat to the Kostyantynivka area if the enemy reaches the Chervone–Stupochky line and simultaneously launches an offensive northward at the junction of its 41st and 51st Combined Arms Armies from the Novooleksandrivka–Arkhanhelske line, advancing to the Yablunivka–Oleksandro-Kalynove line on the Toretsk direction.
The enemy’s offensive on Pokrovsk may proceed according to two main scenarios:
A breakthrough to the city from the south and the gradual expulsion of Ukrainian Defense Forces from the city due to numerical superiority in forces and means (the enemy's tactics in Chasiv Yar).
A deep encirclement of Pokrovsk from the south, cutting the road to Mezhova, regrouping part of the 2nd Combined Arms Army's forces, encircling the city from the north as well, cutting the T0504 road to Kostyantynivka.
The 36th, 57th, and the 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades, advancing from the south towards Sukhyi Yaly and Yantarne, might simultaneously, together with the actions of the 51st and 8th Combined Arms Armies, once again attempt to break through in the direction of Zelenivka – Ulakly and further towards Konstyantynopil.
Ukrainian Defense Forces will have to completely withdraw from the remnants of the Kurakhove bridgehead, engaging in fierce rear-guard battles, as the prospects of holding it worsen gradually with the enemy's steady advance in the zones of the 90th Tank Division and the 110th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade.
Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 18.01.25
Personnel - almost 817,160 (+1,340);
Tanks 9,803 (0);
Armored combat vehicles – 20,394 (+13);
Artillery systems – 22,040 (+21);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,262 (0);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,046 (0);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 34,325 (+69);
Aircraft - 369 (0);
Helicopters – 331 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 22,579 (+13);
Intercepted cruise missiles – 3,049 (0)
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
Overnight, the enemy attacked Ukraine with four Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and 39 strike UAVs. Ukrainian defenders destroyed two ballistic missiles. The destruction of 24 Shahed-type strike UAVs was confirmed across various oblasts. Fourteen additional enemy UAVs serving as decoys were lost from radar tracking.
Debris from a ballistic missile that fell in the Shevchenkivskyi District of Kyiv resulted in the deaths of three people, with three others injured. A production building, residential houses, the entrance to the Lukianivska metro station, vehicles, and a major water pipeline were partially damaged.
The enemy struck a facility in Zaporizhzhia with ballistic missiles, damaging buildings and vehicles. One body was recovered from the rubble, 11 people were injured, and the whereabouts of a 27-year-old man remain unknown after the morning attack by Russian forces.
In the evening, Russian forces shelled the village of Komyshany in Kherson Oblast with artillery, injuring a 65-year-old woman. Earlier, they shelled the city of Beryslav in Kherson Oblast with mortars, killing two people. In the morning, Russian artillery struck the village of Stanislav in Kherson Oblast, killing a 71-year-old local resident. During the day, Russian forces shelled the village of Tomyna Balka in Kherson Oblast, injuring a 70-year-old woman who was in her yard at the time.
In Kyiv Oblast, debris from downed enemy targets damaged three private houses, two utility buildings, and four vehicles.
The Kremlin conducted another "inventory" of land in the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk Oblast, discovering at least 18,000 hectares of land allegedly belonging to no one. In reality, these lands were reclassified as "abandoned" and include parcels owned by Ukrainian citizens who did not change their citizenship or obtain Russian passports, according to the Center for National Resistance.