Day 84th of the Ukrainian people’s heroic struggle against the russian military invasion goes on.
The enemy is continuing advancement action in the East Operational Zone. It is firing along the whole line of contact and deep into the defense lines of Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk Operational Area and in the direction of Slovyansk taking measures to strengthen its attack task force.
A threat of missile and bomb strikes from the territory of belarus remains for the north of Ukraine. Enemy units have used artillery and mortars to shell the population centers of Yanzhulivka and Progres in the Chernihiv and Sumy Oblasts, respectively.
In the direction of Kharkiv, the enemy has been concentrating on keeping achieved objectives and dealing fire damage to Ukrainian units. It has also attempted counter-offensives to retake lost objectives. The offensive of Ukrainian troops has resulted in the liberation of Dementiyivka. The enemy keeps attacking in the vicinity of Ternova; the hostilities continue.
In the Donetsk direction, the enemy has been shelling Ukrainian positions along the contact line using all types of weapons, including the air force. It has increased the intensity of air reconnaissance with UAVs. In Lyman direction, the invaders are trying to entrench at objectives secured earlier. The enemy has used aviation to strike civilian infrastructure in the area of Toshkivka, Zolote, Avdiyivka, Volodymyrivka, and Vodyane. In the direction of Severodonetsk, the enemy attempted to storm attack in the area of Nyzhne, though with no success. It has been carrying out offensive actions in the direction of Bakhmut in an attempt to improve its tactical situation. The aggressor has not seen success in an attempted storm attack in the area of Katerynivka. An advancement towards Novoselivka has left the enemy with losses prompting it to retreat. Russian occupation troops’ advancement in the direction of Kurakhovo towards Pobeda has been without success.
There was no active enemy action in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and Zaporizhzhya direction. The invaders have been using artillery and mortars to strike infrastructure and residential buildings in the areas of Novoandriyivka, Kamyanske, Orikhiv, Olhivske, and Poltavka.
In the Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts, the invaders have shelled Lupareve, Posad-Pokrovske, Vysunsk, Osokorivka and Novovorontsovka. An Orlan-10 UAV has been used for artillery fire adjustment. No substantial changes have been recorded in the Odesa Oblast.
According to available information, spontaneous protests took place on May 16-17th on the temporarily occupied territory of the Luhansk Oblast organised by family members of those forcefully mobilized to russian occupation troops. The protests have been reported in Luhansk and Rovenky. The main demand has been to return the mobilized back home.
Northern oblasts
Kyiv
EUAM has resumed its operation in Kyiv. The capital bid farewell to a veteran serviceman, professor Denys Antipov who had died in the fighting near Kharkiv.
Metropolitan libraries offer art therapy sessions for kids and psychological counseling to their parents to overcome the aftermath of wartime anxiety and stress. Such events are taking place, among other locations, at Library No. 115 of Desnianskyi District. #Vcentri urban public spaces hold various events for internally displaced persons (IDPs), including counseling sessions and legal advice.
Kyiv Oblast
The monitoring groups keep documenting the damage. According to their latest information, more than 4500 private houses and residential tower blocks have been lost to hostilities in the Oblast. There has been critical damage dealt by russia in Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka, Makariv, Velyka Dymerka, and Pisky communities.
Russia’s active combat actions in the Oblast destroyed some 10 000 km of power lines. The estimated cost of restoration stands at 300 million Hryvnias. The power supply has been fully restored in the Oblast in the record 45-day span. More than 1000 workers from around Ukraine involved in the restoration works have been awarded during an honorable celebratory ceremony involving the Presidential Office and local government representatives.
Mine-clearing operation continues on de-occupied territories. Some 279 explosive devices have been rendered safe by blast technicians in the past 24 hours. The total number of defused UXOs for the period amounts to 33 740. Volunteers and the government are distributing humanitarian aid among the residents.
Zhytomyr Oblast
Come next academic year, there will be no russian classes at the schools of Zhytomyr. There are currently 40 classes in Zhytomyr where russian is taught, making for 10 schools and about a thousand students. Summer camps for learning Ukrainian will be set up for children IDPs. The decommunization continues: on the evening of May 17th, another monument to Korosten Railway Workers was demolished in Korosten.
Chernihiv Oblast
Yesterday’s strike of Desna left 12 Ukrainian nationals dead and 14 wounded. The employees of the Training and Rehabilitation Centre No. 2 in Chernihiv Bobrovytsia neighborhood, destroyed by russians, have been making national cuisine dishes from the nations assisting the Ukrainians during the war. Some 900 meals of Polish bigos have been distributed among Chernihiv residents.
Mine-clearing operation continues on de-occupied territories. Some 160 explosive devices have been rendered safe by blast technicians in the past 24 hours. The total number of UXOs defused for the period in the Oblast amounts to 22 418.
Sumy Oblast
Since the evening of May 17th, the russians have been firing artillery and mortars on the territory of the Sumy Oblast. The Ukrainian military repelled the attack with return fire. Today at 5:30, the village of Dmytrivka of the Okhtyrka Raion was shelled from the territory of russia. There were no casualties, and a private house of civilians was damaged.
Eastern oblasts
Kharkiv Oblast
During the day, the russian invaders fired on the urban-type settlement of Pechenihy, the Chuhuiv Raion. A 73-year-old man suffered minor injuries. A 42-year-old man in the village of Tsyrkuny was also wounded.
At night, a shell of russian occupiers damaged the wall of a residential building in the Kyivskyi District of Kharkiv. Rescuers of subdivisions of the regional department of the State Emergency Service extinguished the fire. Also, four cars were damaged. No one was injured.
Yesterday morning, the occupiers fired heavily at Merefa, damaging more than 30 houses, a high-voltage line, and local citizens’ cars. There were no casualties. In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy is trying to hold its ground. The aggressor fired artillery at Tsyrkuny, Ruski Tyshky, Cherkasy Tyshky, and the Pytomnyk.
Twelve enemy attacks were repulsed in the Donetsk and Luhansk sectors over the past day; three tanks, three artillery systems, six armored combat vehicles, and seven enemy motor vehicles were destroyed.
During the day of May 17th, the invaders killed 7 civilians in the Donetsk Oblast: 2 in the Bakhmut Raion, 2 in the city of Bakhmut, 1 in Avdiivka, 1 in Drobyshyve, and 1 in Soledar. Six more people were wounded.
In the Donetsk Oblast, the Knauf Ukraine enterprise was attacked by russian aircraft. The premises of the enterprise were damaged by air strikes, and a fire broke out. Rescuers of the State Emergency Service are trying to contain the fire. No one was injured.
Kramatorsk
The city woke up to numerous explosions. There is no information about damage and casualties. All-day long, distant bursts were heard, and air raid sirens sounded. Neighboring cities of Kostiantynivka, Bakhmut, and Soledar are under attack.
Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and the local Territorial Defense units are preparing to confront the enemy. The mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Ukraine continues to provide humanitarian aid to the Kramatorsk Vodokanal company. The municipal enterprise DRUAS takes care of the city flower beds and plants flowers on them. Kramatorsk is waiting for the victory of Ukraine and is ready for it. The authorities drew the attention of citizens to the level of payment for utilities.
The general situation is alarming. IDPs from Bakhmut and Soledar arrive in the city. The number of people wishing to evacuate from the city is growing. Today, the Humanitarian Aid Center, headed by the AUI “Active Community” coordinator, continued to work, significantly increasing the scope of distribution of food packages by optimizing the workflow.
Pokrovsk and Pokrovsk Raion
The enemy troops tried to break through the Avdiivka area, but the AFU units continued to hold their ground. The invaders destroyed the Avdiivka school № 1. At night, the russian army fired at this educational institution with forbidden phosphorus munitions. The school burned down. There were no casualties: only the guards were in the building, and they escaped.
The AFU repelled the onslaught of the enemy. The local Territorial Defense units patrolled the territory of the Pokrovsk community. The night in the community was relatively quiet, and there were no emergencies in the city. Thanks to the heroism and skillful actions of the military, the operational situation remains under control. The town is provided with water, electricity, and gas.
Residents of the Myrnohrad community of the Pokrovsk Raion continue to receive humanitarian aid. The Coordinating Committee of the population self-organization bodies of the Myrnohrad City Territorial Community distributes baby food and personal hygiene kits to the residents of the community. https://www.06239.com.ua/news/3391246/u-mirnogradi-prodovzuut-vidavati-gumanitarnu-dopomogu
Bakhmut
It is not quiet in Bakhmut. A resident posted an emotional message on her Facebook page asking to stop the war, and showed the burning ruins of the city’s school.
In Bakhmut, medical assistance was provided to 9 civilians wounded in the Luhansk Oblast. The AUI “Active Community” coordinator was preparing for a master class in Cherkasy.
Volnovakha
Enemy troops retreat, conducting continuous shelling of Vugledar. Planes and helicopters fly constantly and very low. The AFU conducted a successful offensive and recaptured Velyka Novosilka and Vuhledar from the occupiers.
Volnovakha is still occupied. Enemies clean Volnovakha, replace the railway surface, hire people to dismantle the rubble, and search for the dead in Mariupol for 10 000 rubles. People can’t leave the city. Today, volunteers tried to organize a column from Berdyansk in their cars and take them to Zaporizhzhya. There is currently no information on how this attempt ended. Young people are trying to leave through russia. There is neither work nor infrastructure, water, light, or gas in the city. Filtering measures are being taken – a separate type of humiliation of human dignity. The city and its inhabitants returned to the 90s of the last century.
The situation in the area is terrible – constant, very heavy shelling. The connection is also very bad. The coordinator of the AUI “Active Community” helped to register IDPs with disabilities for preventive treatment, collected packages for IDPs with children in remote villages where there is no help, and sent them by Ukrposhta.
Mariupol
Russian occupation troops continue to attack Azovstal. An adviser to the mayor of Mariupol reports that the bombing could damage a technical facility that holds back tens of thousands of tons of concentrated hydrogen sulfide solution. This structure protected the Sea of Azov from hydrogen sulfide. These are terrible consequences for flora and fauna of the water area.
In Mariupol, the press tour began with the leader of the “DNR,” Denis Pushilin. He said that it would take two years to rebuild the city. The occupying power is unable to provide residents with basic needs – light, water, and gas.
For the past 24hrs, 539 people, including 55 children, were taken from Mariupol to the filtration camp in the village of Bezymiane in the Novoazovsk district. All persons are being prepared for deportation. From the filtration point in the village of Nikolske 67 people, including children, were deported to russia.
Luhansk Oblast
Civilians are being killed every day in the Luhansk Oblast, and the occupiers are destroying housing and industrial facilities. Wanting to advance, the russians are trying to make a breakthrough near Popasna and in the Severodonetsk direction. They are shelling the civilian population, and the Girska Community is on fire. Yesterday the risky evacuation from the firing cities continued.
Also, the russians, from time to time, drive near the highway “Lysychansk-Bakhmut”. Today in Severodonetsk, the russians once again opened fire on the hospital and “Akhota”. The occupiers continue to collect equipment. In particular, in various captured settlements, the russians installed anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems “Armor”.
Luhansk Oblast is completely without light. The last large substation was cut off due to active hostilities near Lysychansk. The damage is very serious. Repairs are not possible until the cessation of hostilities. Gas is available only in 3 settlements of Luhansk Oblast.
Southern oblasts
Zaporizhzhya Oblast
The situation in the Zaporizhzhya Oblast remains difficult, and tensions are rising around the front line. In the Novopavlovsk and Zaporizhzhya directions, the enemy strengthens groups of troops and prepares for an offensive along the line Poloha – Orikhiv. Air alarms are heard in the Oblast every day.
During the past 24hrs, the Armed Forces Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in the Zaporizhzhya direction have destroyed: 8 armored combat vehicles, 6 vehicles, and an uncrewed aerial vehicle.
Today the russian closed the passage through Vasylivka. It was one of the key points linking the occupied territories with the territories controlled by Ukraine. It is unknown at this time how long the passage was closed. Dmytro Orlov, the mayor of Energodar, said that the situation in Vasylivka had worsened.
Crisis phenomena intensify in the occupied territories: the invaders are blocking the movement of the humanitarian column and the departure of residents. The population lacks cash and fuel, and there is often no electricity or gas supply in the settlements. Products are imported from the occupied Crimea, and they are trying to sell for rubles.
In Polohy, the russian military stole almost UAH 400 000 from an ATM. In the Zaporizhzhya Oblast, police detained an State Emergency Service officer selling weapons brought from the zone of active hostilities. Other persons who may be involved in the illegal sale of weapons are being identified.
Kherson Oblast
Russians shoot civilians who are trying to leave the temporarily occupied territories. 3 people died due to the shelling of a convoy of civilians in the Kherson Oblast, 6 people were seriously injured.
Russia’s deputy prime minister husnullin, along with the so-called “head” of the temporarily occupied Crimea, aksenov, arrived in the temporarily occupied Kherson. The occupiers said that the Oblast has great prospects and the Oblast “will take a worthy place in the ranks of russia,” which confirms the intention of the russians to capture all oblasts of Ukraine, where they would be able to advance.
In the Kherson Oblast, the russian occupants carry out engineering work to move to defense. Enemies are trying to organize a tourist season under the barrels of machine guns on the Arabat arrow in the Kherson Oblast. Local entrepreneurs are forced to open cafes, recreation centers, and shops. Civilians with smartphones, tablets, and any other means of communication are not allowed at checkpoints at the exit from the Oblast.
Two russian ammunition depots were destroyed near Pyatykhatky and Stepanivka. Fighting continues on the line of the clash between Mykolayiv and Kherson oblasts.
Skadovsk
There are no local Territorial Defense units in the city. The Mayor continues to work online and joins the volunteer. People panic, but they try to hold on and help each other as much as possible. In general, the situation is still critical. Only the exchange of medicines works, and sometimes there are deliveries of medication from other cities. The prices for Crimean products are very high in stores, and there are no other products – farmers volunteer. There are fewer and fewer people in the city, and there is not even a hint that the tourist season in Skadovsk is about to begin.
The coordinator of AUI “Active Community” is engaged in exchanging medicines for the elderly.
Mykolaiv Oblast
For the last few days in the Mykolaiv area, 8 people were wounded. Most of the injured are civilians. Today at 5:40, in the residential district of the Central district of Mykolaiv, a russian rocket hit. As a result of the explosion, one house was completely burnt down, and almost two dozen were damaged. There are no victims among the people.
Odesa Oblast
There is a constant threat of rocket fire. Air alarms are heard during the day. The air defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) is working. The local Territorial Defense units are building defensive fortifications in the Oblast. Local authorities declare control over the situation in the city.
People volunteer and are united and active. In general, the situation is tense due to the threat of shelling. The coordinator of the AUI “Active Community” informed the population about the possibility of receiving humanitarian, social, and psychological assistance.
Central oblasts
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
In the morning, a missile strike was launched on the city of Dnipro. One missile destroyed an infrastructure facility. Air defenses shot down another missile, but its wreckage damaged residential buildings. Three people are hospitalized. https://www.unian.ua/war/rosiya-zavdala-raketnogo-udaru-po-dnipru-postrazhdalo-troye-lyudey-novini-dnipra-11831049.html. Enemies again shelled the border areas of the Zelenodolsk and Apostol communities. No one was injured.
Kirovohrad Oblast
An air raid was announced – there was a missile strike threat. According to the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade headquarters, today, May 18th, a russian military plane was shot down by an air defense unit. Local Territorial Defense units were on duty at checkpoints and patrolled the city with police.
More than 70 positive decisions were made by the regional employment center on the payment of compensation for labor costs for the employment of 103 IDPs. This was announced by Halyna Pastukh, an Adviser to the Head of the Kirovohrad Oblast Administration. According to the Oblast’s employment center, among the professions for which migrants are employed: are otolaryngologist, urologist, dentist, general practitioner, seamstress, computer graphics specialist, turner of mechanical assembly shop, tractor-driver of agricultural (forestry) production, mechanic, bartender, sales consultant, and others.
Secretary of the Kropyvnytskyi City Council Oleh Kolyuka said that the community is persistently moving towards liberation from names related to russia or the history of the communist movement. However, more than a hundred such toponymic objects are still in Kropyvnytskyi. Proposals for their renaming continue to be received, but the toponymic commission is not making hasty decisions. Each submission is studied and analyzed.
The AUI “Active Community” coordinator assisted IDPs in finding housing for permanent residence and work.
Poltava Oblast
On May 19th, Poltava will host an art event, “My Vyshyvanka is the soul of Ukraine!” Artists of the Poltava Regional Philharmonic Society will participate in the concert program. It is also planned to show a collection of wreaths combined with a collection of antique embroideries.
On May 21st, Poltava will host a Poltava Academic Symphony Orchestra concert as part of the Europe Day “Ukraine and Europe – a different past, a single future.” It is planned to present the longest towel in Ukraine – the “Towel of Unity”.
Concerts will take place at the Theater Square in the city. In the last 24 hours, 239 IDPs have been received at the Humanitarian Aid Headquarters. They were given clothes, shoes, hygiene products, textiles, diapers, and baby food.
On the sixth day, private carriers in Poltava do not travel on routes due to high fuel prices. Mayor Oleksandr Mamai proposes to raise the fare. City residents are against such a rise in prices. (https://t.me/oleksandrmamay/6576)
To block the advance of the occupiers in the north of Poltava Oblast, the defenders of Ukraine destroyed all bridges. It allowed the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to attack the russian army on the border of Sumy and Poltava. Currently, the bridges are not being restored, and the priority is to restore the Kremenchuk Thermal Power Plant, which the enemy destroyed.
In Poltava near, the Holy Dormition Cathedral, they said goodbye to eight fallen soldiers of Poltava Oblast. The team of AUI “Active Community” Poltava held an art therapy event for families of IDPs raising children with disabilities. All participants of the event received a great mood and delicious gifts.
Vinnytsia Oblast
Khmilnyk
The last day was relatively calm, and there were no sirens in the city and district. The AFU service members have been transferred to an enhanced mode of service. Local Territorial Defense units were on duty in the community. Utilities operate normally, provided with fuel and lubricants.
The woman, who was forced to flee Pokrovsk, brought an original thank-you note, which she framed, to the administrative building of the Voronovytsia community. A handwritten expression of gratitude was written: “I am grateful to the community for accepting our children and us. Thank you for your help, and for being so comfortable. ”
The coordinator of AUI “Active Community” and the staff of Khmelnytsky Historical Museum and School of Arts of Khmilnyk conducted a master class for children of IDPs to the Day of Embroidery (Vyshyvanka Day).
Western oblasts
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast
The situation in Prykarpattya is stable. There were no air-raid warnings during the day. There are fairs with domestic manufacturers in the community. People also organize mini-charity fairs, the funds of which go to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). The funds from the upcoming fairs are to be used to purchase powerful power banks for Ivano-Frankivsk soldiers. There are also many events in the community that help people understand the role of Stepan Bandera in the national liberation movement so that enemy propaganda makers do not create fakes around this person. People can participate in free lectures on the history of national liberation movements, field lectures in an insurgent hideout, etc.
Volunteers continue to work actively. The AUI “Active Community” coordinator settled a family of IDPs in a Shelter near Ivano-Frankivsk.
Rivne Oblast
The general situation is relatively calm. There were no air-raid warnings. Citizens come together to help volunteer headquarters financially and not only.
The AFU soldiers patrol the border with belarus. The local Territorial Defense units patrol and stand guard at checkpoints.
8 kindergartens resume work in Rivne. The main criterion for the kindergartens to be opened is the availability of shelters.
A volunteer from Rivne Oblast, Volodymyr Brychka, took 1800 people out of hot spots. In one of the communities in Rivne Oblast, people raised money and bought a car for the AFU.
Khmelnytskyi Oblast
Kamianets-Podilskyi
Today, about a hundred private buses and half of the communal ones started to operate. The problem with fuel is evident for both the residents and the bus drivers. In the city, the situation with fuel is monitored daily by the Department of Passenger Transport and the Department of Economics.
Usually, in May, people celebrate City Day in Kamianets-Podilskyi. And the celebration will definitely take place, but only after Ukraine wins. Today the community has another task: to pay even more attention to the AFU and children. Therefore, the authorities have prepared a series of patriotic, artistic events and concerts. They will be announced daily.
The city continues to host people fleeing the war. Yesterday, 11 Ukrainians were given shelter. The city authorities involved city, national, and international organizations to cooperate with them and support IDPs. Yesterday, together with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, the Association of Leaders of Sustainable Development, the Raion Military Administration, and Podillia State University, a second Hygiene Center was opened.
Authorities urge citizens to join the project called “Sady Peremohy” (“Victory Gardens”). A special film screening of the feature film “Cherkasy” directed by Tymur Yashchenko, presented by the leading actor Yevhen Lamakh, took place in Kamianets-Podilskyi as part of the “Brukivka” International Film Festival together with the #FilmAirFromUkraine charity initiative. During the 14th day of the film festival, 7100 hryvnias were raised for the Ukrainian Art Foundation to support the AFU. The total amount is 85 103 Hryvnias.
30 employers received payment of a single social contribution for newly created jobs. The AUI “Active Community” coordinator prepared brief historical references and justifications for historical figures and personalities. They were included in the recommendation list of new names proposed by the toponymic commission.
Zakarpattia Oblast
In Uzhhorod in Zakarpattia Oblast, the Universal Scientific Library, named after Fedir Potushnyak, organized a library quest for internally displaced children and Uzhhorod residents. In addition to finding treasures and clues, children made drawings for Ukrainian defenders.
For the International Museum Day, the open-air Museum of Folk Architecture and Life workers in Uzhhorod have prepared an exhibition of carvings from their collection “Carving Art of Zakarpattia”. In addition, children and young people can participate in various activities such as masterclasses in pottery, clay modeling, embroidery, beadwork, making a doll called motanka, origami, drawing, and having a quest tour around the Uzhhorod open-air museum.
Every Saturday, the Uzhhorod Public Library hosts a “Weekend School” for young school students. The project is organized with the help of the NGO “Platform for Transformation”. In classes, children develop logic and, erudition, mathematical skills.
On May 19th at 10:30, the open-air museum workers of the Ukrainian National Museum in Swydnyk (Slovakia) invite everyone to the non-traditional event called “Embroidered Hugs”. The event will be held under the slogan “No to war!” with the participation of the commissioner of Slovak records, Ihor Svitka. The organizers inform that the participants who come in vyshyvankas, folk T-shirts, and even in full traditional uniforms will not have to pay for the entry and help Flash Mob “Embroidered Hugs” be set in Slovak records.
Last modified: 25 Травня, 2022
