[NewsFront] 21:09 Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation publishes new video of the escape of Ukrainian militants from Avdievka
19:49 Ukrainian Telegram channels report on the successes of the Russian Armed Forces in the Zaporozhye direction.
There are advances at Ivanovsky and Verbovoy, and battles are also taking place in the west and south of Rabotino. The Rabotinsky ledge is gradually being squeezed out. Some Russian Telegram channels, citing sources, are already reporting that positions have been taken between Verbov and Rabotino.
19:32 Explosions in the Khar'kov region.
19:30 According to preliminary data, the settlement of Lastochkino came under the control of our army, reports “Reports and Analytics of the North Military District”:
“The enemy has abandoned their positions and at this moment our troops are clearing the village. We are waiting for official information."
19:22 Ukrainian Telegram channels report missiles towards Kupyansk.
18:44 West of Mar'inka, Georgievka: our troops develop an offensive in the Kurakhovsky direction. Having gained a foothold on the eastern outskirts of Georgievka, Russian soldiers are using artillery to hit enemy personnel.
18:27 Explosions occurred in the Kyiv-controlled city of Kherson. This was reported by the Ukrainian publication “Public”.
17:48 Personnel clearing of Avdievka by scouts of the 74th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces.
There are still some enemy soldiers in the city who were unable to escape. Cleanup teams are working on them. The shooting can be clearly heard in the video (filmed on February 17). A downed Baba Yaga was found on one of the streets.
17:17 Six civilians, three of whom were children, were injured after the detonation of cluster munitions by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the DPR, Pushilin said.
The children's condition is assessed as serious. All victims are provided with medical assistance.
16:52 During the day, military investigators of the Russian Investigative Committee recorded further attacks on the territory of the DPR.
Thus, using artillery and MLRS, Ukrainian militants shelled the Kuibyshevsky, Petrovsky and Voroshilovsky districts of Donetsk, and two drops of explosive objects from a UAV were recorded in the Kirovsky district of Donetsk.
In addition, as a result of the detonation of a cluster munition in the Central City district of Gorlovka, two people were injured, a woman born in 1966. and a man born in 1968, a man born in 1968 was wounded as a result of an explosion on a PFM Lepestok mine in the Kievsky district of Donetsk.
15:48 Zaporozhye direction. Offensive actions by the Russian Armed Forces continue in the Rabotino-Verbovoye sector.
There are heavy battles for important strongholds along the entire front line. We actively burn out the enemy from the forest stands with Sunburners. Our artillery crews are working non-stop. Stormtroopers are advancing after shelling enemy positions.
The artillery of the Russian Armed Forces is also actively working, destroying concentrations of enemy forces in the front-line rear areas, which the militants of the Kyiv regime turned into warehouses and fortifications, and also deploying their manpower in these territories.
Thus, several units of military equipment were destroyed by artillery fire in Malaya Tokmachka.
The initiative for military operations belongs to our army. But the main reserves had not yet been brought into battle.
15:15 Battle for Avdievka: clearing the city, advancing the Russian Armed Forces to the west. Situation as of 14.30 February 18, 2024.
After the capture of Avdievka, the Russian Armed Forces are engaged in clearing and demining the liberated areas. Similar events are taking place on the territory of the AKHZ: according to some reports, at night the remaining enemy groups there tried to escape from there.
In the city itself, there may well still be isolated small pockets of resistance - in some places the retreat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was disorganized, with communication between units disrupted. This is indirectly confirmed by footage of prisoners who admit that they were not aware of the withdrawal plans.
In parallel, Russian aviation and artillery are working along the current line of defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Lastochkino, Tonenkoye, Severny and Orlovka, and the latter was hit with ODAB-1500 volumetric detonating bombs. Now in these settlements there are concentrations of enemy personnel who fled from Avdievka, the withdrawal of which is hampered by a lack of vehicles.
At the moment, the Ukrainian formations are experiencing a certain loss of control and disorganization, which the Russian Armed Forces can take advantage of to advance to the southwest of Avdiivka. However, there is also no need to rush, at least because of the minefields, which previously partially disrupted the withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces forces from the city.
14:55 Zaporozhye Front, Rabotino:
The 70th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Guards Motorized Rifle Division is conducting offensive operations. On frames- strikes at the enemy.
14:15 Summary of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on the progress of the special military operation (as of 12.00 February 18, 2024)
On February 17, during offensive operations, units of the “Center” group of forces completely liberated the city of Avdievka of the Donetsk People’s Republic and advanced to a depth of 8.6 km. The total area of the liberated territory was 31.75 sq. km. The enemy lost more than 1,500 troops.
In the Kupyansk direction, the Russian Armed Forces, through active actions, defeated the manpower and equipment of the 14th and 66th mechanized brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of the settlements of Sin'kovka, Petropavlovka and Ivanovka in the Kharkov region.
The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces amounted to up to 40 military personnel, a tank, three armored personnel carriers and three pickup trucks. In addition, during the counter-battery fight, the following were hit: a Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery mount, two 152mm D-20 howitzers, two 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mounts, and a 122mm D-30 howitzer.
In the Krasnolimansk direction, Russian troops defeated the manpower and equipment of the 63rd Mechanized and 25th Airborne brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of the settlements of Yampolovka, Donetsk People's Republic and Chervonaya Dibrova, Lugansk People's Republic. Enemy losses amounted to up to 100 military personnel, a tank, three armored combat vehicles and four vehicles.
In the Donetsk direction, Russian military personnel improved the situation along the front line and defeated the manpower and equipment of the 42nd, 93rd Mechanized and 81st Airmobile brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of the settlements of Belogorovka, Lugansk People's Republic, Krasnoe and Kleshcheevka, Donetsk People's Republic. The enemy lost up to 400 military personnel, two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, four armored combat vehicles, six cars, three howitzers: 152mm Msta-B, 152mm D-20 and 122mm D-30, as well as a combat vehicle of the Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system "
In the South Donetsk Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, units of the 58th Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the 127th Terrestrial Defense Brigade were hit by fire in the areas of the settlement of Urozhainoye, Donetsk People's Republic and Priyutnoye, Zaporozhye Region. Enemy losses amounted to more than 190 military personnel, two tanks, two armored combat vehicles and three vehicles. The following were hit: a Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery mount, two British-made FH-70 howitzers, two 152mm Msta-B howitzers, and a 100mm Rapier anti-tank gun.
In the Kherson direction, Russian units took up more advantageous positions and defeated the enemy’s manpower and equipment in the areas of the settlements of Rabotino, Verbovoye in the Zaporozhye region, and Lvovo and Tyaginka in the Kherson region. The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces amounted to up to 70 military personnel, an infantry fighting vehicle and three vehicles. In addition, the US-made M777 artillery system, the 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, and the US-made AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radar were hit.
Operational-tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile forces and artillery of groupings of troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation hit the control point of the 31st mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area of the village of Zhelannoye of the Donetsk People's Republic, fuel and ammunition depots, as well as manpower and military equipment in 128 districts.
During the day, air defense systems intercepted four HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems.
In addition, 105 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed in the areas of the settlements of Ivanovka, Khar'kov region, Kremennaya, Kalinovka, Lugansk People's Republic, Styla, Semigorye and Verkhnetoretskoye, Donetsk People's Republic, Lyubimovka, Chervonogorka and Mirnoye, Zaporozhye region.
13:52 Ukrainian channels confirm messages about the advance of the Russian army in the Zaporozhye direction
13:29 It is reported that Ukrainian troops have begun to withdraw from the village. Lastochkino
13:10 Stormtroopers of the Russian army entered and entrenched themselves on the outskirts of the village of Lastochkino near Avdeevka.
12:49 Boris Rozhin reports the results of yesterday’s attacks on the Rabotinsky ledge:
In the Rabotino area on the morning of February 18, the advance of our troops amounted to 900 meters. North-west of Verbovoy – up to 1.7 km. Active actions continue.
12:32 According to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, approximately two thousand Ukrainian militants did not leave Avdiivka.
12:14 Statement of Head of the press center of the Vostok group
Units of the Vostok group of troops continue to carry out combat missions in the South Donetsk direction.
During the day, the tactical situation was improved, and enemy attempts to carry out rotations at forward positions in the areas of Staromayorskoye, Priyutnoye and Lugovskoye were thwarted.
Bomber strikes, artillery fire, and heavy flamethrower systems hit strongholds and manpower concentration areas of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade and the 128th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of Urozhainy, Ugledar and Staromayorsky, destroyed 11 temporary deployment points, four control points of unmanned aircraft and four field ammunition depots.
Enemy losses included two armored combat vehicles, two cars, an unmanned aerial vehicle and more than 170 military personnel.
11:47 After the liberation of Avdievka, the Russian Armed Forces will launch an offensive at the two closest points - Lastochkino and Orlovka, writes Military chronicle:
The main supply routes for Avdievka passed through Lastochkino and Orlovka, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces retreated there after they lost the city.
In Lastochkino, Russian assaults have already gained a foothold, having taken part of the village. After consolidation, a short pause was taken - artillery and aviation have been actively working on identified targets since the night. As soon as they work, the movement will continue towards Orlovka.
The “aviation + artillery + infantry” combination, apparently, made it possible to develop a close to ideal attack scheme, in which delays and delays in the transfer of information from assaults to aviation and artillerymen are minimized.
Initially, everything went quickly, but now progress has slowed down. While retreating, the Ukrainian Armed Forces scattered a large number of mines that had to be neutralized.
10:42 Situation in the Zaporozhye direction:
Units of the Russian Armed Forces advanced a total of 2 km in some areas during the evening and night. Several large oporniks and prisoners were also taken. The assault continues.
10:07 Frontline summary on the morning of 02/18/2024:
In the Kherson-Crimean direction, the Russian Armed Forces, with the support of long-range weapons, attacked the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the left bank of the Dnieper in Krynki. LBS has not changed. Ukrainian positions in Romashkov, Kherson, Tyaginka and Lvov are under attack. The Russians are in the Cossack Camps and Korsunka.
In the Zaporozhye direction, the Russian Armed Forces, after shelling, carried out offensive operations west of the village of Rabotino. There is progress. Under attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Pyatikhatki, Malaya Tokmachka and Charovny. RF Armed Forces - in Kopany, Novoprokopovka and Verbovoy.
On the Donetsk front, Russian troops storm Novomikhailovka. Fights in the village itself. With the support of artillery, the Russian Armed Forces attacked in the Georgievka area. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding their positions. An attempt to break through the Ukrainian defenses at Nevelskoye and Pervomaiskoye. Under pressure from the Russian Armed Forces, the Ukrainian Armed Forces completely abandoned Avdievka and the coke plant.
Thus, the most powerful Ukrainian fortified area near Donetsk fell. The Russian Armed Forces have every chance of developing operational success in this sector of the front. Ukrainian positions in Konstantinovka (not to be confused with the settlement of the same name southwest of Bakhmut), Pobeda and the city of Krasnohorivka are under attack.
In the Bakhmut direction, the Russian Armed Forces attacked near Andreevka, Ivanovsky and in the Bogdanovka area. LBS has not changed significantly.
In the Luhansk direction, Russian troops carried out offensive operations at Belogorovka, Torskoye, Yampolevka and Ternov. Under fire from the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Petropavlovka and Sin'kovka.
09:49 The criminal Kiev regime continues to fire at the civilian infrastructure of settlements on the left bank of the Kherson region, yesterday during the day the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired from cannon artillery:
-- n.p. Alyosha six shells;
-- n.p. Novie Lagerya three shells;
-- n.p. Obryvka of three shells;
-- n.p. Podlesnoe two shells;
-- n.p. Velikaya Lepetikha three shells.
During the night, the Kiev regime continued to shell civilian infrastructure in the village. Proletarka, n.p. Sagi, n.p. Aleshki, n.p. Dnepryany, n.p. Golaya Pristan, firing a total of 22 shells from cannon artillery.
Civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure are being determined.
09:45 South-east of Nevelskoye, our troops continue to press in the direction of the village and the Domakha gully, advancing 500 meters, reports the 105th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the DPR NM
09:30 Consequences of shelling of the center of Donetsk. A 155 mm shell exploded in the Voroshilovsky district. The ammunition was fragmentation, and several apartment buildings and civilian vehicles were damaged.
09:20 Statement of Head of the press center of the Center group:
The troops of the Center group continue to carry out combat missions in the Krasnolimansk direction.
In the areas of the settlements of Yampolovka and Torskoye, units of the group, with the support of artillery, defeated the manpower and equipment of the 60th and 63rd Mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Enemy losses amounted to about 315 troops. A tank, 4 armored fighting vehicles, 11 vehicles, and a 152mm Giatsint-S self-propelled gun were destroyed.
09:05 Footage of the cleanup of Avdievka. Photo from the soldiers of the 74th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces.
08:46 Military report as of February 18, 2024 from military commander Lisitsyn:
Donetsk direction:
Avdievka came completely under the control of our troops, and the Russian Armed Forces also managed to reach the borders of Lastochkin. The cleanup of the Khimik microdistrict continues;
Artemovsk direction:
The Russian Armed Forces continue to crush the enemy in the area of Krasnoye and Bogdanovka. In the direction of Andreevka, our troops went on the attack;
Zaporozhye direction:
The Russian Armed Forces are powerfully crushing the enemy at Rabotino. The Russian Aerospace Forces regularly use the Solntsepek to destroy the enemy; the enemy has lost a number of strongholds along all sectors of the Zaporozhye Front. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are trying to stop the offensive, but our guys are serious.
08:17 Avdeevka.DestroyedCzech self-propelled gun vz.77 “Dana” of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. A very rare specimen. On April 15, 2022, the Czech Republic delivered 20 units to Kyiv.
08:14 Combat Job of Airborne attack aircraft in the Chasov Yar area.
During assault operations, our paratroopers not only have to suppress enemy personnel. But also to shoot down reconnaissance and fpv drones. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are using them more and more often to stop the advance of our troops.
08:12 Personnel damage to the Yuzhnodonbasskaya No. 3 mine in the area of the settlement. Vodyanoe. While Far Eastern warriors on the ground continue to push the enemy out of Novomikhailovka, the 11th Air Force and Air Defense Army continues to hit enemy positions with aerial bombs with UMPC, the enemy’s “nightmare” in the Ugledar direction.
08:07 In the battles for Avdievka, formations and military units distinguished themselves:
– 30th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Army;
– 35th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade
– 55th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (mountain), 74th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Army;
– 1st Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, 9th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, 1454th Motorized Rifle Regiment, 10th Tank Regiment of the 1st Army Corps; 6th Tank Regiment, 80th Tank Regiment, 239th Tank Regiment of the 90th Tank Division.
Yesterday's Ukrainian assessment on how many brigades (including brigade sized elements) the Russians threw into Avdievka turned out to be pretty accurate
08:00 Army Aviation Strike Group amazed positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Krasnolimansk direction
The strike was carried out by unguided S-8 aircraft missiles from as close a distance as possible. The next targets for our pilots were the accumulation of enemy manpower and armored vehicles.