The 543rd day of the Russia-Ukraine War: official operational information by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 20.08.2023.
Russian offensive actions and impact on civilians
During the day, the Russian army carried out 22 aviation strikes and conducted 30 artillery bombardments from rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian military and populated areas. Unfortunately, due to Russian terrorist attacks, there are casualties and injuries among the civilian population. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure have been damaged.
The likelihood of missile and aviation strikes across the entire territory of Ukraine remains high.
Within the day, 22 combat clashes occurred.
Intensified frontline clashes and epicenters of war
Map provided by the Institute for the Study of War
- In the Volyn and Polissya directions, the operational situation remains relatively unchanged.
- In the Siversk and Slobozhansk directions, the Russian army conducted an aviation strike in the area southwest of Iskryskivschyna in the Sumy region. It carried out mortar and artillery shelling on more than 20 populated areas, including Karpovychi and Bohdanove in the Chernihiv region; Tovstodubove, Volfyne, and Novooleksandrivka in the Sumy region; as well as Veterynarne, Izbyzke, Hatyshche, Vovchansk, and Vilcha in the Kharkiv region.
- In the Kupiansk direction, the Russian army carried out an aviation strike west of Mykolaivka. It conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the area of Synkivka, Kharkiv region. Russian artillery and mortar shelling targeted populated areas such as Topoli, Masyutivka, Kyslivka, and Berestove in the Kharkiv region.
- In the Lyman direction, Russian troops conducted aviation strikes in the areas of Shyikivka, Terniv, Pyskunivka, and Vesele, Donetsk region. Russian artillery shelling affected around 15 populated areas, including Nevske, Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, and Torske, Verkhniokamianske, and Spirne in the Donetsk region.
- In the Bakhmut direction, the Russian army carried out unsuccessful offensive actions in the Kurdiumivka area, Donetsk region. It launched aviation strikes in the areas of Vesele, Klishchiivka, and Kurdiumivka, Donetsk region. Over 20 populated areas were hit by Russian artillery shelling, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Stupochky, Oleksandro-Shultyne in the Donetsk region.
- In the Avdiivka direction, populated areas like Keramik, Stepove, Orlivka, Avdiivka, Siverske, and Pervomaiske in the Donetsk region were targeted by Russian artillery shelling.
- In the Marinka direction, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to contain the Russian troops’ advance in the Marinka area, Donetsk region. The Russian army conducted an aviation strike in the area of Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region. Populated areas like Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Pobeda, Kurakhove, Katerynivka, and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region were hit by Russian artillery shelling.
- In the Shakhtarsk direction, Russian soldiers carried out an aviation strike in the area of Staromykhailivka, Donetsk region. Russian artillery shelling affected Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne, and Urozhayne in the Donetsk region.
- In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Russian army conducted an aviation strike in the area of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region. Over 30 populated areas, including Novodarivka, Chervona Krynytsya, Mala Tokmachka, Orikhiv, and Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, were hit by Russian artillery shelling.
- In the Kherson direction, Russian troops carried out aviation strikes in the areas of Olhivka and Sadove, Kherson region. Russian artillery shelling affected over 20 populated areas, including Novodmytrivka, Beryslav, Tyahinka, Tokarivka, Ponyativka, and Antonivka in the Kherson region.
Ukrainian countermeasures
At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue their offensive operation In the Melitopol and Berdyansk fronts, consolidating their positions on the achieved boundaries, and undertaking counter-battery measures.
The Air Force of Ukraine carried out 9 strikes on areas where Russian personnel are concentrated during the day.
Rocket forces and artillery units targeted 1 command post and 3 artillery assets in firing positions of the Russian army throughout the day.
Source: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
See also: General Staff operational report August 19, 2023 on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
