- Adjacent to Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod oblasts, Russian forces have conducted large-scale aerial attacks on the Ukrainian oblast of Sumy. Russia highly likely intends to continue offensive activity in the region in order to reclaim the contested Kursk territory.
- In central Donetsk oblast, Russia contests several key urban strongholds such as Toretsk and Chasiv Yar. Russia has been attempting to capture these areas throughout 2025. In southern Ukraine there have been few instances of Russian advances, however it is highly likely that Russia has prioritised other axes.
- In Kharkiv oblast, Russia has persisted in making assaults towards the rail and logistics hub of Kupiansk. To the north of Kupiansk, Russian forces have maintained a bridgehead at the village of Zapadne, west of the Oskil river. Ukrainian Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and artillery strikes are reportedly hindering attempted Russian pontoon crossings.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 18 April 2025.
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) April 18, 2025
Find out more about Defence Intelligence’s use of language: https://t.co/g35JK164Lb#StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/DWWo9zK2i6
To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter
‘How Are We Supposed to Live Now?’: Russians React to Massive Moscow Drone Attack
Russians responded to a massive Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow with a mix of panic, frustration, dark humor and calls for retaliation.
June 18, 2026