Russia's war on Ukraine. 18.05.25
Operational situation
On the Kursk direction, fighting continues near Tetkino.
On Sumy direction, Russian forces are attempting to advance in Bilovody.
On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces attacked near Vovchansk.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces attacked near the international border towards Stroyivka, near Kamyanka, towards Novoosynove, near Kolisnykivka, Zahryzove, Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, and Olkhivka.
On the Lyman direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced in the center of Torske.
Russian forces attacked near Ridkodub, Novyi Mir, Zelena Dolyna, Karpivka, Lozova, Kolodiazi, Yampolivka, Torske, towards Shyikivka, and in the Serebriansk Forest.
On the Siversk direction, Russian forces advanced near Bilohorivka, Hryhorivka, and Verkhnyokamianske.
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces advanced in the center of Chasiv Yar, attacked near Kurdyumivka, Ozaryanivka, Bila Hora, and Predtechyne.
On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces are fighting in the center of Oleksandropil and Nova Poltavka, advanced southwest of Dyliivka, on the western outskirts of Stara Mykolaivka, and attempted to advance towards the eastern outskirts of Romanivka, to Zoria, Yablunivka, and attacked near Toretsk, Druzhba, Krymske, Katerynivka, Pleshchiivka, Novospaske, Poltavka, Yelyzavetivka, and Hnativka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces advanced on the northeastern outskirts of Dachenske, captured approximately half of Pershotravneve, are close to capturing Pishchane, and attacked towards Shevchenkove, near Vozdvyzhenka, Myroliubivka, Promin, Malynivka, Lysivka, Novoukrainka, Novoserhiyivka, Kotlyne, and Udachne.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Myroliubivka.
On the Novopavlivka direction, the 36th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 29th Army captured Bahatyr. Russian forces advanced southeast of Bohdanivka, south of Odradne, and attacked near Novooleksandrivka, Troitske, Zaporizhzhia, Horikhove, Andriivka, Konstyantynopil, and Oleksiivka.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Kotlyarivka, Bahatyr, and Oleksiivka.
On the Huliaypole direction, Russian forces attempted to advance toward Zelenyi Hai, Novopil, and attacked near Shevchenkove, Vesele, Vilne Pole, and Rivnopil.
On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces attempted to advance towards Mala Tokmachka, attacked near Mali Shcherbaky, Shcherbaky, and Stepove.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked in Mala Tokmachka.
General conclusion:
On the Sumy direction, the enemy is fighting along the Vodolaha – Bilovody – Loknia line. Russian forces continue reconnaissance along the international border. The Russian military command has concentrated significant forces and resources along Ukraine's northern border, particularly in Kursk Oblast.
On the Kursk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces hold areas with centers in Oleshnia and Hornal.
On the Belgorod direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces hold up to 5 km² of enemy territory along the state border in the areas of Popovka and Grafovka.
On the Kharkiv direction, the enemy is holding three positions: in the area of Sotnytsky Kozachok, along the line of Strilecha – Hlyboke – Lukyantsi – Zelene and Starytsia – Prylypka – Ohirtseve – Khatyshche – Vovchansk – Tyke and is unable to cross the Vovcha River.
On the Kupyansk direction, the enemy's "Zapad (West)" Operational Grouping conducts combat operations along the line of Topoli – Kamyanka – Petrivka – Fyholivka – Dvorichna – Zapadne – Kindrashivka – Synkivka – Ivanivka – Tabaiivka – Kolisnykivka – Senkove – Zahryzove – Lozova – Zelenyi Hai – Pershotravneve – Raihorodka – Novoyehorivka – Novovodyane – Makiivka.
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces increased the number of attacks from three to five per day a week ago to seven to nine this week.
On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces have lost approximately 50,000 troops over 10 months of their offensive. However, the enemy still has sufficient personnel. The enemy is regrouping near Nova Poltavka.
On the Novopavlivka direction, Russian forces constantly rotate and replenish their troops, particularly with former convicts.
Russian forces attack along the line of Zelene Pole – Novopil – Vilne, mainly using buggies, all-terrain vehicles (quad bikes), and motorcycles.
Change in the line of contact (LoC):
There were 167 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Kharkiv direction, the enemy attacked three times in the area of Vovchansk and towards Stroyivka.
On the Kupyansk direction, there was one Russian attack. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled the enemy's assault near Zahryzove.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked 24 times, attempting to advance near Novoyehorivka, Lozova, Ridkodub, Hrekivka, Katerynivka, Yampolivka, and Zelena Dolyna.
On the Siversk direction, the enemy attacked 10 times in the areas of Bilohorivka and Verkhnyokamianske.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy attacked 10 times in the areas of Bilohorivka and Verkhnyokamianske.
On the Toretsk direction, the enemy carried out 14 attacks in the areas of Toretsk, Ozaryanivka, Dyliivka, and Druzhba.
On the Pokrovsk direction, 54 Russian assault and offensive actions were stopped in the areas of Stara Mykolaivka, Yablunivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Nova Poltavka, Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Novoserhiyivka, Troitske, and Andriivka.
On the Novopavlivka direction, the enemy attacked 23 times near Konstyantynopil, Bahatyr, Vilne Pole, Rivnopil, Novopil, Zelenyi Hai, and towards Komar.
On the Orikhiv direction, 7 enemy assaults were repelled in the areas of Shcherbaky, Stepove, and Mali Shcherbaky.
On the Prydniprovske direction, the enemy conducted two offensive actions but was unsuccessful.
On the Kursk direction, 14 combat engagements took place. The enemy carried out 15 airstrikes.
In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
Mediterranean Sea: 3 ships, including 1 cruise missile carrier; the total salvo is 8 cruise missiles.
Supporting operation:
There were no strikes.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The 56th Air Assault Regiment of the 7th Air Assault Division trains in the rear areas of Kursk Oblast.
The 41st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 44th Army Corps operates in Kharkiv Oblast.
The 31st, 36th, and 37th Motorized Rifle Regiments of the 67th Motorized Rifle Division of the 25th Army operate near Torske. The 3rd Motorized Rifle Division of the 20th Army advances toward Lyman.
The 299th Airborne Regiment of the 98th Airborne Division and the 6th Motorized Rifle Division of the 3rd Army Corps advance toward Chasiv Yar.
The 132nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Army operates on the Toretsk direction. The 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Army advances near Nova Poltavka. The 33rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 20th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Army attacks in the direction of Kostyantynivka. The 4th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 3rd Army operates near Dyliivka. The 238th Artillery Brigade of the 8th Army operates near Toretsk.
The 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Army operates in Mykhailivka.
The 36th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 29th Army, the 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 68th Army Corps, and the 59th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade operate in the direction of Novopavlivka.
The 57th and 60th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 5th Army operate near Vilne Pole.
The 205th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 49th Army operates in the Kherson direction. The 61st Separate Marines Brigade of the Northern Fleet operates on the islands in the delta of the Dnipro River.
Possible operation situation developments:
The enemy will maintain its offensive in northern Sumy Oblast to establish a buffer zone along the Yunakivka – Khrapivshchyna – Radkivka – Mohrytsya line, extending along the Psel River. The command of the "Sever (North)" Operational Grouping is focusing on seizing control of the Bilovody – Loknia – Yunakivka – Yablunivka sector, as well as the eastern portion of the forested area west of Mohrytsya. Their objective is to push forward to the Velyka Rybytsya – Myropillya line along the Psel River. The enemy is also attempting to break through towards Vorozhba and Bilopillya to disrupt the Sumy – Novhorod-Siverskyi supply route.
On the Kupyansk direction, the command of the enemy's "Zapad (West)" Operational Grouping intends to encircle the tactical group of "Khortytsia" OSG which is defending along the Novoyehorivka – Hrekivka line. To achieve this, they plan to advance with the 144th Motorized Rifle Division from the bridgehead near Nove towards the heights near the village of Cherneshchyna, and with the 4th Tank Division advancing in converging directions: Raihorodka – Cherneshchyna and Pershotravneve – Kopanky.
On the Lyman direction, the forces of the "Zapad (West)" Operational Grouping will advance towards Karlivka and Drobysheve, aiming to reach the Karlivka – Shandryholove – Drobysheve line while simultaneously advancing near Torske to approach Lyman from the east. The 25th Combined Arms Army will attempt to break through the communication lines of the "Khortytsia" OSG tactical group, which is defending in the Dibrova – Yampil direction and in the area of the Serebriansk Forest. The enemy will attempt to advance on both banks of the Chornyi Zherebets River, moving towards the general directions of Yampolivka – Torske and Ivanivka – Zarichne. The main grouping of the army will operate on its right flank, attempting to break through from the north to the Lyman – Kreminna road in the Zarichne – Torske section, while simultaneously tying down the "Khortytsia" OSG forces in the center and on the left flank of the operational zone with frontal engagements.
On the Siversk direction, the command of the enemy's "Yug (South)" Operational Grouping will attempt to eliminate the Siversk salient held by "Khortytsia" OSG and break through towards the Sloviansk – Kramatorsk agglomeration and to Kostyantynivka, delivering its main strike in the area of Chasiv Yar. The 3rd Combined Arms Army of the enemy will try to break through to Kostyantynivka from Chasiv Yar, but it is unlikely to achieve its operational goals without reinforcements, such as the return of the 106th Airborne Division from the Kursk direction or strategic reserves. The 3rd Army will attempt to advance to the northern bank of the Siverskyi Donets River between Yampil and Hryhorivka and from the southeast towards Siversk. The command of the "Yug" Operational Grouping is also concentrating forces in the areas of Soledar, Rozdolivka, and Zaliznyanske to strike from the south along the Bakhmutka River towards Siversk. The offensive may begin with the advance of the forward units of the 127th and 6th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 3rd Army towards Siversk from the east and southeast. The immediate objective for the enemy is to capture Pereyizne and Fedorivka, with the subsequent goal of advancing to the Zvanivka – Vyimka line.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the command of the enemy’s “Yug (South)” Operational Grouping and the 3rd Army, in particular, may soon change the direction of their main strike and shift it to the north of Chasiv Yar, launching an offensive on both sides of the Bakhmut–Sloviansk road along the Orikhovo-Vasylivka–Minkivka and Blahodatne–Pryvillya directions, which would allow them to break through to the forward approaches of Sloviansk directly from the southeast and create a real threat to the “Siversk” Operational Tactical Grouping (OTG) of Ukrainian Defense Forces by executing a deep flanking maneuver on its right flank. If the enemy manages to achieve operational surprise in these directions and advance to tactical depth, the situation in the Kolodyazi–Hryhorivka sector on the Lyman direction could radically deteriorate for the “Khortytsia” OSG.
Follow-on actions of the 8th Combined Arms Army south of Kostyantynivka could include a rapid advance from the southwest and west towards the forward approaches to Kostyantynivka or a breakthrough in the direction of Pokrovsk from Novoekonomichne and Myrnohrad. It should be considered that a breakthrough along the road towards Novoekonomichne and Myrnohrad would require the command of the "Tsentr (Center)" Operational Grouping to involve elements of the 51st Combined Arms Army in the Vozdvyzhenka–Hrodivka sector and activate its forward units in the Mykolaivka–Promin direction. An attempt to achieve both objectives simultaneously, namely breaking through to Kostyantynivka and Myrnohrad, essentially advancing in diverging directions, would result in the collapse of the offensive. Within the week, the final choice of offensive direction is expected. The reassignment of the 150th and/or 20th Motorized Rifle Divisions to the "Tsentr (Center)" Operational Grouping should not be ruled out, as this would indicate a choice to prioritize a breakthrough towards Myrnohrad and further towards Pokrovsk from the east.
Russian operational losses from 23.02.22 to 18.05.25
Personnel - almost 973,730 (+1,130);
Tanks – 10,832 (+1);
Armored combat vehicles – 22,557 (+4);
Artillery systems – 27б980 (+38);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,387 (+1);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,167 (0);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 48,900 (+91);
Aircraft - 372 (0);
Helicopters – 336 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 36,385 (+107);
Intercepted cruise missiles – 3,197 (0)
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
On the night of May 18, the enemy attacked with 273 strike UAVs—88 of which were shot down, and another 128 were reported as "location lost." As a result of the enemy attack, Kyiv Oblast, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and Donetsk Oblast were affected.
At night, the Russian army attacked Kyiv Oblast with more than 150 drones, marking one of the most massive strikes. As a result of the attack in the Obukhiv district, one woman was killed, and three people, including a child, were injured. Residential buildings were damaged. One of the main targets of the Russian "Shahed" drones was the airfield in Vasylkiv. A large fire broke out in the area of the facility, which was visible from 20 kilometers away.
The air raid alert in Kyiv on the night of May 18 lasted for 8 hours and 54 minutes—from 11:59 p.m. to 8:54 a.m. Minor damage to several buildings was recorded in two districts of the city. There were no casualties or injuries.
On May 18, around 9:30 a.m., three civilians were injured in the Kharkiv Oblast as a result of a Russian airstrike on a residential area in the city of Kupiansk. Residential properties and utility buildings in the city were damaged.
In the village of Vesele in Kherson Oblast, Russian military dropped an explosive from a drone onto a 76-year-old local resident. The man died on the spot as a result of the explosion.
Around 4:00 p.m. on May 18, Russian forces opened artillery fire on the central district of Kherson. The railway station building and surrounding streets were hit. There were no casualties, but the shelling damaged the railway station building, private houses, vehicles, and a locomotive.
On Saturday, May 17, the occupiers launched 75 airstrikes on military positions and settlements in Ukraine, dropping 106 guided aerial bombs. In addition, they deployed 2,960 kamikaze drones and carried out 4,735 shelling attacks, including 122 using multiple rocket launch systems.
Ukraine has returned a 15-year-old boy from territories temporarily occupied by Russia. He saw his father for the first time in three years. The return took place with the involvement of a mediator country—Qatar, according to Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.
During their retreat from Kherson, Russian occupiers stole around 23,000 artifacts and part of the technical equipment, as well as destroyed and damaged the exhibition equipment of the regional local history museum.
The total deportation of the Crimean Tatar people on May 18, 1944, was an act of genocide officially recognized by the Ukrainian state, and this crime has no statute of limitations, according to a statement by the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People on the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Genocide of the Crimean Tatar People (81st anniversary of the deportation). The statement emphasizes that the modern crimes of the Russian occupation authorities in Crimea are a direct continuation of Russia's genocidal policy aimed at the destruction of the Crimean Tatar people. The Mejlis called for increased pressure on the aggressor state, expanded support for Ukraine in its struggle to liberate its sovereign territories, protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, and honoring the memory of the victims of the Crimean Tatar genocide.