Invaders in a Difficult Situation: Over 150 Combat Clashes in a Day During “Pause” on the Frontline
During the first 24 hours after the announcement of the "ceasefire," the situation on the front remained tense, and hostilities did not cease. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, since the beginning of May 8, activists near the contact line registered over 150 incidents, including numerous combat clashes and shellings. The situation remains particularly tense on the Pokrovsk direction, where 55 desperate enemy attacks have been recorded. Army social services report that during this day, the enemy launched one missile strike and 15 aviation attacks against Ukraine. Using anti-missile systems and aviation, Russian military forces fired one missile and 25 cruise missiles of the "Kapitiza" class. Additionally, the occupiers did not spare kamikaze drones — enemy fighters launched approximately 830 drones toward Ukrainian positions and civilian areas. In total, Ukrainian defenders documented 2,685 direct strikes: targets were hit across various regions along the entire front line. In the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian defenders hold their positions and repelled at least four attacks in the Vovchansk area. These hostilities demonstrate that the occupiers are trying to break through the Ukrainian barrier but are suffering losses and retreating. On the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian troops are also heroically defending their fortifications, repelling four assaults in the areas of Synkivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Nova Kruhliivka, and near Novoosynove. The Lyman sector has once again become an arena of active fighting. Russian forces attempted 21 breakthrough attempts over the day, trying to penetrate Ukrainian platoons in the areas of Nadiya, Novohoriivka, RidoDub, Hreikivka, as well as near Novomykhailivka, Kolodiazi, Zelena Dolyna, and Torsk. Ukrainian soldiers valiantly defended their positions, repelling five assault operations in the Bilo-Horivka and Fedorivka areas. On the Siversk direction, Ukrainian forces also demonstrated resilience — repelling five enemy attacks near Bilo-Horivka and Fedorivka, with two additional battles still ongoing. The situation in Kramatorsk remains tense: at least six combat clashes have occurred in the regions of Chasiv Yar and Kurdiumivka, and the enemy continues to press. On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces have not ceased attacks: over the day, they attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses three times near Krynky and Toretsk, but all attempts were successfully repelled. It is documented that the main enemy efforts are concentrated near Krynky and Toretsk, where their assault groups suffer losses and are forced to retreat. On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian units recorded 55 attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses. Fierce fighting took place near settlements such as Oleksandropil, Yelyzavetivka, Hrodivka, Myrolyubivka, Dachenske, Zvírove, Kotlyne, Udačne, Novooleksandrivka, Kotliarivka, Preobrazhenka, and Andriivka. The enemy seeks to break through the line of defense and establish a foothold on Ukrainian territory, but Ukrainian military units hold their positions and give a firm response. Regarding the South, on the Novopavlivka direction, the enemy conducted 25 attacks in the area of Rozlyv, Novosilka, Novopolia, Pryvilne, and Burlatske, facing counter-attacks from Ukrainian forces. In the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled three assault attempts in the areas of Stepove and Shcherbakivka; none of these attacks succeeded for the occupiers. On the Dnipro-Pokrovsk direction, the enemy made five unsuccessful attempts to advance. In the Kursk sector, Ukrainian units honorably repelled 16 attacks by the Russians, with two other battles still under investigation and conclusion. Overall, the situation remains tense. Ukrainian soldiers bravely and honorably hold back wave after wave of enemy assaults despite extensive shelling and breakthrough attempts. Meanwhile, the Russians are experiencing difficulties in conducting offensive operations and are forced to seek new tactical opportunities to achieve their objectives. The war continues, and Ukrainians demonstrate their resilience and ability to defend their country even under the most challenging conditions.