To your attention — operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 06.00 on May 18, 2023 regarding the Russian invasion of our country.

Glory to Ukraine! The four hundred and forty-ninth day of Russia's large-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

The Russian Federation continues to inflict strikes, carry out shelling not only on military but also civilian objects. The enemy is continuing to launch missile attacks on the territory of Ukraine.

From 21.00 on May 17 to 05.30 on May 18, Russian occupiers carried out several waves of missile strikes from various directions. In total, 30 cruise missiles were launched from naval, air and ground-based systems. From strategic aircraft, two Tu-160 and eight Tu-95 bombers launched 22 cruise missiles X-101/X-555. From ships in the Black Sea — six Kalibr cruise missiles. Also, two Iskander-K cruise missiles from tactical missile complexes on land. By forces and means of air defense of the Air Force in cooperation with other components of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, 29 cruise missiles were destroyed.

During the past day, the enemy carried out 15 missile strikes, including on the cities of Bakhmut, Kherson, and Odesa. Additionally, 42 enemy air raids and 101 shelling with multiple rocket launch systems were recorded. Civilians suffered, private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

The likelihood of further missile and aerial strikes on the entire territory of Ukraine remains high. We ask you not to ignore air raid sirens.

The enemy continues to concentrate its main efforts on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Mariupol directions — 36 combat engagements took place. In the epicenter of military operations remain Bakhmut and Mariupol.

On the Volynian and Polissian fronts, the operational situation has not changed significantly, no signs of forming enemy offensive groupings have been detected.

On the Northern and Slobodian fronts, the enemy continues to maintain a military presence in border areas with Ukraine. Carried out mortar and artillery shelling of populated places Hotyivka Chernihiv region; Novovasylivka, Komarivka, Hryhoriivka, Iskriskivshchyna and Volfinne Sumy region, as well as Kozacha Lopan, Okip, Gatyshche, Vovchan'ske, Budarki, Zybino, Ustynivka and Zarubinka Kharkiv region.

On the Kupiansk front, the enemy carried out unsuccessful offensive actions in the areas of Masutivka and Novoselyvskiy. Carried out air strikes near Masutivka, Kislivka and Pereshchepine. Artillery and mortar shelling by the enemy were suffered by populated places Krasne Pereche, Figolivka, Novomlyn'sk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Masutivka, Tabayivka, Berestevo Kharkiv region and Stehl'makhivka Luhansk region.

On the Lyman front, during the day that passed, the enemy carried out offensive actions in the area of Nevske Luhansk region. Carried out air strikes near Dibrova, Bihorivka, Verkhnyokamyans'koe and Veseloye. Artillery shelling suffered by populated places Makieyevka, Nevske, Bihorivka Luhansk region and Torske, Dibrova, Verkhnyokamyans'koe and Spirene Donetsk region.

On the Bakhmut front, the enemy continues to conduct offensive actions. Heavy fighting for the city of Bakhmut is ongoing. Furthermore, during the day, the enemy carried out unsuccessful offensive actions towards Ivanivske. Carried out air strikes in the areas of populated places Novomarkove, Bogdanivka, Bakhmut, Predtechine and Kurdyumivka. From enemy shelling suffered Vasukivka, Zaliznyans'ke, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Novomarkove, Grygoriyivka, Bogdanivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar, Predtechine, Bila Hora, Pivnichne and Shumi Donetsk region.

On the Avdiivka front, the enemy did not conduct offensive actions. Carried out air strikes in the areas of populated places Novokalynove, Avdiivka, Novoselyvka First and Pervomaisk, shelled populated places Avdiivka, Pervomaisk, Karlivka and Nevelske Donetsk region.

On the Mariupol front, units of the Defense Forces repelled numerous attacks by the enemy in the area of Mariupol city. At the same time, the enemy carried out an air strike on Krasnogorivka, shelled Mariupol, Paraskevivka and Novomikhaylivka Donetsk region.

On the Shakhtarsk front, during the past day, the enemy did not conduct offensive actions. Carried out an air strike in the area of Velyka Novosilka, shelled populated places Vuhledar, Prechystivka and Novoukrayinka.

On the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts, the enemy continues to conduct defensive actions. Carried out air strikes on Novopol'e Donetsk region and Mali Tokmachtsi in Zaporizhzhia. Shelled over 20 populated places. Among them — Vremivka, Novosilka, Zeleno Pole, Novopil'e Donetsk region; Olhyv'ske, Hulyaypole, Zaliznychne, Mali Tokmachtsi, Shcherbaki, Stepevoe and Kamians'ke Zaporizhzhia region; Zolota Balka, Kachkarivka, Chervoniy Mayak, Zmiyivka, Berislaw, Tyaginka, Antonivka, Dniprovskoye, Kizomys, Shiroka Balka Kherson region and the city of Kherson.

The aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces carried out 20 strikes on areas of enemy personnel concentration and military equipment over the past day. Eight of them were against anti-aircraft missile systems of the enemy. Also, two enemy reconnaissance UAVs of the Orlan-10 type were destroyed.

Rocket units and artillery divisions damaged one command point, six areas of enemy personnel concentration, two ammunition depots, two stores of propellant materials, one artillery unit on a firing position, two air defense means and another two important targets of the enemy.

Overall, during the past day, Ukrainian soldiers liquidated 510 Russian occupiers, destroyed two tanks, eight armored combat vehicles, 32 artillery systems, one MLRS, eleven tactical-level UAVs, eight cruise missiles, six cars and a unit of special equipment.

Believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine! We will win! Glory to Ukraine!