Editor’s note: This is a situational report of the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine as of 6 p.m. on April 20 in Kyiv provided by the Defense Ministry as it appears in English on the official website.
The fifty-sixth day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to a Russian military invasion continues. A Russian federation continues its full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine.
The Russian enemy is trying to continue the offensive in the Eastern Operational Zone in order to establish full control over Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The Russian enemy intensified the use of operational and tactical aircraft and air reconnaissance. It inflicts systematic air strikes on military and civilian targets, including long-range aircraft.
The Russian enemy did not take active action in the Volyn and Polissya areas. The probability of missile strikes by units of the Air Force of the Russian federation on military and civilian infrastructure in our country using the airfield network and the airspace of the republic of Belarus remains.
In the Siversky direction, no signs of formation of an offensive group by the enemy were found. The protection of the joint part of the border with Ukraine is carried out by enemy units in an enhanced mode.
In the Slobozhansky direction, the Russian occupiers are strengthening groups of army aircraft near the State Border of Ukraine. In the territory of the Belgorod region, the equipment of helicopter landing sites has been completed, where more than 90 attack and multi-purpose helicopters are concentrated.
The Russian enemy continues to partially blockade Kharkiv, trying to carry out fire damage to units of our troops and critical infrastructure.
The Russian enemy regrouped troops in the Izium direction. In the area of the settlement Dibrovne the Russian enemy carried out offensive actions, has partial success. In the area of the settlement of Stara Hnylytsia the offensive was unsuccessful, as a result of the fire the Russian enemy suffered losses and withdrew.
In addition, the attempt to take control of the village of Dovhenke was unsuccessful. The Russian enemy retreated with losses. As a feature, the actions of the enemy in this direction in the military uniform of the Ukrainian model are noted.
Units of the Russian occupiers continue to replenish stocks of logistics from the territory of the Russian federation.
Additional units of the Russian occupiers are being transferred. Thus, at the Kupyansk-Sortuvalny railway station, the unloading of the echelon with weapons and military equipment and the movement of artillery units were recorded.
In the Donetsk and Tavriya directions, the Russian enemy is reconnoitering the routes of advance and preparing for further offensive operations in the direction of the settlement of Lyman and the exit to Slovyansk from the northeast.
The Russian enemy continues to increase the number of troops in this direction. Units from the 90th Tank Division, the 41st Combined Arms Army and the 232nd Rocket Artillery Brigade of the Central Military District were relocated from the territory of the Russian federation.
The battalion tactical group from the 150th Motorized Rifle Division lost its combat capability and was withdrawn to the recovery area.
The Russian enemy tried to gain a foothold in the western and northwestern parts of Rubizhne. Failed. It carried out assault operations in the direction of Novotoshkivske, but was unsuccessful.
The Russian occupiers are carrying out assault operations in the area of the village of Popasna.
It continues to air strikes on the infrastructure of the city of Mariupol, the Russian enemy is carrying out assault operations near the seaport and the Azovstal plant.
Ukrainian servicemen stand guard at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Barvinkove, eastern Ukraine, on April 15, 2022. – The Ukrainian presidency said “fighting was continuing along the entire front line” in Donetsk. In a late-night address on April 14, 2022, Ukrainian President Zelensky said that “Donbas is the main target for Russia.” (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, with the support of artillery fire, the Russian enemy resumed the offensive in the direction of the village of Temyrivka.
In the South Buh direction, Russian enemy artillery units fired on the positions of Ukrainian units. In addition, Russian enemy military and tactical aircraft fired on individual targets.
The Russian enemy tried to continue the assault in the direction of the village of Oleksndrivka, but was unsuccessful.
There are no signs of preparation of the armed forces of the breakaway Moldovan territory of Transnistria to take part in the armed aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, the involvement of law enforcement agencies of this unrecognized state entity in conducting subversive and terrorist activities on the territory of Ukraine is not ruled out.
We believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine! Let’s win together!
Glory to Ukraine!
