Ukrainian General Staff: Belarus has special forces in border area

"In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus are focused on strengthening the state border. At the same time, there is a rotation of special forces units within the border areas with Ukraine. The threat of missile strikes from the territory of Belarus is persisting," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Facebook, Report informs, citing Ukrinform.

"In the Siverskyi direction, the enemy did not take active actions. The Russian military launched a missile strike on civil infrastructure facilities near Hudove, Sumy Region. In addition, the enemy opened fire on such settlements as Bachivsk, Khodyne, and Slavhorod.

"In the Slobozhanskyi direction, Russian troops continue to prepare for the offensive. They are replenishing material resources, weapons, and equipment stocks from the territory of Russia. In order to reduce the offensive potential of Ukrainian forces, Russian invaders opened fire with cannon artillery and multiple launch rocket systems.

"In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops did not take active actions. The enemy focused efforts to deter the actions of the Ukrainian defense forces. Russian invaders opened fire on civil infrastructure facilities near such settlements as Bashkirovka, Mospino, Ruska Lozova, Pechenihy, and Mykhailivka. The enemy also launched air strikes near Nove.

"In the Sloviansk direction, Russian troops are hardening positions. The enemy opened fire on civil infrastructure facilities near Dibrivne, Kurulka, Virnopillia, Chervona Poliana, etc. Near Dovhenke, Russian invaders launched air strikes with combat aircraft. The enemy conducted assault operations near such settlements as Bohorodychne and Dolyna but failed and retreated after Ukrainian forces inflicted damage to them.

"In the Donetsk direction, Russian troops continue to launch artillery strikes all over the contact line.

"In the Lyman direction, Russian invaders opened fire on civil infrastructure facilities near such settlements as Yarova, Shchurove, Staryi Karavan, and Raihorodok. The enemy conducted assault operations near Studenka, and hostilities are underway.

"In the Siverodonetsk direction, Russian troops continue to fire at Ukrainian positions and civil infrastructure near such settlements as Sievierodonetsk, Borivske, Ustynivka, and Lysychansk. Russia's assault aircrafts launched air strikes near Myrna Dolyna. In addition, near ​​Metiolkino and Bilohorivka, Russian invaders attempted to carry out assault operations but suffered losses and retreated to their previous positions.

"Battles are underway in the central part of Sievierodonetsk.

"In the Bakhmut direction, Russian troops opened fire near such settlements as Pokrovske, New York, Zolote, Komyshuvakha, Mykolaivka, Berestove, Bilohorivka, and Vrubivka. Near Vrubivka, Russian occupiers conducted unsuccessful assault operations.

"The enemy launched air strikes on infrastructure facilities with attack and combat aircraft near such settlements as Vidrodzhennia, Rotiv, Novoluhansk, and Dolomitne.

"In the Avdiivka, Kurakhove, Novopavlivka, and Zaporizhzhia directions, Russian troops did not conduct active actions. They opened fire on civil infrastructure facilities near such settlements as Kamianka, Vesele, Marinka, Novomykhailivka, Avdiivka, Pisky, and Zolota Nyva. The enemy's separate units, sabotage, and reconnaissance groups attempted to involve in clashes and assault operations near Krasnohorivka and Poltavka but failed and retreated to their previous positions.

"In the Southern Bug direction, Russian invaders used mortars, cannon artillery, and multiple launch rocket systems to fire at civil infrastructure facilities near such settlements as Kavkaz, Lepetykha, Dmytrivka, Osokorivka, Blahodiine, and Stepova Dolyna. In some areas of the Kryvyi Rih direction, Russian troops intensified air reconnaissance and attempted to carry out assault operations. They were repulsed and retreated to their former positions.

"In order to maintain the defense lines, Russian occupiers are enhancing their advanced positions by sending reserves to the potential areas of the deployment of Ukrainian defense forces.

"Russian troops have low morale due to the constant postponement of their rotation. As a result, many Russian soldiers refused to take part in hostilities.

"The separate units of Russia's 150th Motor Rifle Division of the 8th Combined Arms Army have suffered significant losses in the Popasna direction, totaling at least 50% of personnel, arms, and equipment.

"Over the past day, the Ukrainian military has repulsed five enemy attacks in the Donetsk and Luhansk directions, destroying five Russian tanks, three artillery systems, and two armored fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense units shot down three Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles. In other areas, Russian occupiers also suffered significant losses," the General Staff said.