539th day of the Russia-Ukraine War: official operational information by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 16.08.2023.
Russian offensive actions and impact on civilians
During the day, the Russian army carried out 7 missile and 67 aviation strikes, conducted 30 bombardments using multiple launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, due to the Russian terrorist attacks, there are casualties and injuries among the civilian population, including children. The port infrastructure in the Odesa region has suffered damages, as well as residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure.
Today, Ukrainian anti-air defense destroyed 2 Kh-59 cruise missiles and 13 Russian UAVs Shahed-136/131. The likelihood of missile and aviation strikes across the entire territory of Ukraine remains high. During the day, more than 15 combat clashes took place.
Intensified frontline clashes and epicenters of conflict
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- In the Volyn and Polissya directions, the operational situation remains relatively unchanged.
- In the Siversk and Slobozhansk directions, the Russian army carried out mortar and artillery shelling on more than 15 populated areas, including Tymonovychi, Bleshnya in the Chernihiv region; Shalygyne, Popivka, Myropillya in the Sumy region, and Odnorobivka, Stohnii, Udy, Zelene, Hatyshche in the Kharkiv region.
- In the Kupyansk direction, the Russian army conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the area of Senkivka, Kharkiv region. Settlements like Vilshana, Petropavlivka, and Cherneshchyna in the Kharkiv region experienced Russian artillery and mortar shelling.
- In the Lyman direction, approximately 20 populated areas, including Nevske, Dibrova, Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, and Siverske, Verkhniokamianske, Sviato-Pokrovske, and Vyimka in the Donetsk region, were subjected to Russian artillery shelling.
- In the Bakhmut direction, Russian troops conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the area of Bohdanivka, Donetsk region. More than 15 populated areas, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, Kalynivka, Ivanivske, and Stupochky in the Donetsk region, suffered from Russian artillery shelling.
- In the Avdiivka direction, under intense fire from Russian aviation and artillery, Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold back the Russian troops’ advance in the Avdiivka area, Donetsk region. Over 10 populated areas, including Oleksandropil, Novokalynove, Avdiivka, Siverne, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske in the Donetsk region, were subjected to artillery shelling.
- In the Marinka direction, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to hold back the Russian troops’ advance in the Marinka city area, Donetsk region. The Russian army conducted an aviation strike in the area of Novomykhailivka, Donetsk region. Over 10 populated areas, including Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Novomykhailivka, Kostiantynivka, Katerynivka, and Kurakhove in the Donetsk region, experienced artillery shelling.
- In the Shakhtarsk direction, Russian troops conducted aviation strikes in the areas of Urozhaine and Blahodatne, Donetsk region. Over 10 populated areas, including Vodiane, Bohoyavlensk, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Velyka Novosilka, Blahodatne, and Urozhaine in the Donetsk region, suffered from artillery shelling.
- In the Zaporizhzhia direction, more than 20 populated areas, including Charivne, Hulyaipilske, Omelnyk, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, and Piatyhatky in the Zaporizhzhia region, were affected by Russian artillery shelling.
- In the Kherson direction, over 10 populated areas, including Khreshchenivka, Novodmytrivka, Mykolaivka, Sadove, Zelenivka in the Kherson region, and the city of Kherson itself, experienced Russian artillery shelling.
The Russian army has intensified filtration measures in the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region. Specifically, from August 15 to 26, a ban on any movement of the civilian population in the area between Hola Prystan and Kinburn Spit has been imposed. Mass searches of residential premises and phone checks are being conducted. Special attention is given to residents who possess SIM cards from Ukrainian mobile operators.
Ukrainian countermeasures
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue their offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdyansk directions. They are consolidating their positions at achieved boundaries and carrying out counter-battery actions.
Over the course of the day, the Armed Forces’ aviation conducted 9 strikes on the areas of personnel concentration, armament, and Russian military equipment, and 1 strike on an anti-aircraft missile complex.
Rocket and artillery units successfully targeted 1 Russian anti-aircraft missile complex during the day.
Source: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
See also: General Staff operational report August 15, 2023 on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
