Russian forces push toward Pokrovsky direction, says Ukraine's General Staff

Russian troops conducted offensive operations targeting several settlements, with the heaviest attacks near Grodivka, Mykolaivka, and Novozhelanny, where assault and bombing aircraft were heavily used.

In the Kharkiv direction, six clashes occurred near Vovchansk and Liptsi, while in the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian forces repelled ten attacks, including near Berestovo and Stelmakhivka.

In the Lyman direction, the enemy launched 24 attacks, aiming to advance near Makiivka, Nevsky, Grekivka, Novoyehorivka, and Dibrova.

Ukrainian forces thwarted nine assault attempts near Spirny, Vyimka, and Pereizny in the Siversky direction and repelled 12 attacks near Chasiv Yar and Ivanovsky in the Kramatorsk direction, according to the General Staff.

The enemy, supported by aircraft, carried out 19 attacks near Severnoy, Toretsk, and Zalizny in the Toretsk direction, while in the Kurakhove direction, eight attacks were repelled near Krasnohorivka.

In the Vremivka direction, the enemy launched three attacks near Vugledar, and in the Prydniprovske direction, two assaults were unsuccessful.

No signs of enemy offensive groups were detected in the Volyn and Poliske directions, but Russian aircraft were used to strike Ukrainian settlements near the Sumy border.

On Aug. 18, the General Staff reported that Russian losses in the war increased by about 1,170 soldiers in one day, bringing the total to approximately 599,350 since the full-scale invasion began.