The threat in Donbas and the surrounding regions remains quite high over the past day
According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff’s report as of 22:00 on May 20, the situation on the front lines remains tense, with active fighting and efforts by Russian occupation forces to gain an advantage in key sectors of the frontline. During this period, Ukrainian defenders repelled 129 combat engagements with the enemy, of which 37 were in the Pokrovsk direction, where the enemy has repeatedly launched armed attacks. The enemy forces employed a wide range of weapons – conducting one missile strike and 57 airstrikes, using one tactical missile and 78 cruise and guided aerial bombs. The use of kamikaze drones was also notably aggressive – 984 such drones were destroyed during this time, becoming one of the main means of destruction for Russian forces. Additionally, over 3,500 shellings from the enemy were recorded against populated areas and Ukrainian military positions. Overall, the situation in the eastern and southern directions remains highly tense. In the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian units managed to repel two significant enemy attacks in the regions of Stroiivka and Vovchansk, preventing their deep advance into Ukrainian defenses. In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian troops successfully halted 24 assault attempts by the occupiers near Kopanok, Ridkodub, Novy Mir, Hreikivka, Zelenina Dolyna, Yampolivka, and Torske. In the Severodonetsk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled enemy offensive actions in the Bilyhorivka area, preventing the attackers from advancing in this sector. Near Kramatorsk, Ukrainian military personnel regained positions, repelling six enemy breakthrough attempts near Chasove Yare, Kurdiumivka, and in the directions of Predteche and Bilohora. In the Toretsk direction, the occupiers launched ten assaults near Družba, Petrivka, and Toretsk; however, all their attacks were repelled. Russian forces became especially active in the Pokrovsk sector, conducting 37 attacks throughout the day in an attempt to gain tactical advantage. The enemy shelled areas from population centers and Ukrainian positions including Yablunivka, Novoolenivka, Malynivka, Shevchenko First, Myrolubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Zviriv, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Troitske, Kotliarivka, as well as in the directions of Andriivka. On the Novopavlivsk direction, Ukrainian units repelled 22 enemy assault attempts in the areas of Vilne Pole, Pryvilne, Zeleno Pole, Kostyantynivka, Bahatyri, Burlatske, Vesele, and in the Odradne sector. Meanwhile, in the areas of the Orekhiv sector, Russian troops attempted twice to advance in the areas of Novoandreivka and Malye Shcherbaky but were defeated in their attempts. On the Kursk direction, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled 13 enemy attacks, while on the Kupiansk, Huliaipole, and Dnipro directions, enemy activity remained without significant active offensive attempts. Overall, the situation in the combat zone remains challenging, with a continuous influx of enemy forces trying to break through Ukrainian defenses in several key sectors of the front. Ukrainian military and volunteer units are making every effort to hold the enemy back, maintain their positions, and prepare for further challenges in this tense conflict.