Russian forces were partially successful in the Donetsk operation zone and temporarily cut Ukraine off the Azov sea. Ukrainian defense units stopped the enemy on the outskirts of Mykolaiv, according to the information of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of midnight.
To compensate for the lack of success of the ground operations, the enemy intensifies missile strikes, using high precision weapons and carpet bombings. The invaders destroy urban infrastructure, devastate densely populated neighbourhoods to terrorize the civilian population, and force the military and elected authorities to negotiate on unfavourable terms.
In the past 24 hours, the enemy launched four missile strikes (14 missiles) and conducted 40 air raids.
In the direction of Volyn, the situation remains stable.
In the direction of Polissya, the enemy tries to hold previously gained positions at the Irpin river. The enemy does not attempt to advance. The occupiers hold the defense in unfavourable conditions, try to regroup the remaining troops and establish logistics. Meanwhile, they do not abandon the attempts to move on to Kyiv and use surveillance drones.
In the direction of Siversk, there have been no changes in the enemy's troops' configuration or activity. The occupiers still partly block the city of Chernihiv and shell residential areas, and they actively use drones for surveillance and fire correction.
In the direction of Slobozhansk, there have been no changes in the enemy's activity. They keep trying to block Sumy and Kharviv and renew attempts to advance towards Pokrovsk. The enemy brought two reinforcement units from the territory of the Russian Federation, of the 6th general army and the 1st tank army of the Western military district.
In the direction of Luhansk, the invaders attempt to regain control over Rubizhne and Propasna and surround Severodonetsk.
In the area of Rubizhne, the enemy holds on to the western and northwestern suburbs and tries, unsuccessfully, to advance towards the southern part. There is ongoing combat to gain control over the town Propasna.
In the direction of Donetsk, the occupiers engage in hostilities in the areas of Verkhnotetske, Krymske, Avdiivka and Taramchuk. The siege of the hero city Mariupol is ongoing.
In the direction of Southern Boug, the Russian occupying forces attempt to equip their positions and establish supply lines. The enemy keeps trying to relocate certain units in the direction of Mykolaiv and Kryvy Rih.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine stave off the enemy and launch counterattacks in designated areas. They keep enemy troops and equipment convoys under artillery and missile fire.
As of March 18, the number of casualties among Russian troops exceeded 14 thousand persons.