AFU repels enemy attacks near 11 settlements over day, invaders continue to advance in five directions – General Staff

KYIV. Feb 21 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Over the past day, the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled enemy attacks in the area of 11 settlements in Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions. The Russian invaders continue to advance in five directions, the General Staff has said.

“The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on conducting offensive operations in Kupiansk, Lymansk, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka and Shakhters directions in the areas of Nevsky, Bakhmut, Novobakhmutivka, Vodiane and Maryinka,” the AFU said in its Tuesday morning report.

Over the past day, units of the Defense Forces repelled the attacks of the invaders in the areas of the settlements of Hrianykivka and Masiutivka in Kharkiv region; Bilohorivka – Luhansk and Vasiukivka, Berkhivka, Bakhmut, Vasylivka, Novobakhmutivka, Vodiane, Nivelske and Maryinka of Donetsk region.

The aviation of the Defense Forces in a day delivered 16 strikes on the areas of concentration of personnel and military equipment of the occupiers and an attack on an anti-aircraft missile system at a firing position.

“Also, our defenders shot down three UAVs of the Lancet type,” the General Staff said.

Over the past day, missile and artillery units hit two enemy air defense positions and a battery of enemy multiple launch rocket systems.

“Russia continues the forced passportization of Ukrainian citizens in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk region. In particular, the employees of budgetary organizations have received under their personal signature the order of the so-called Russian occupation administration of Gorlovka on the need to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation. Public sector employees who do not receive passports by July 1 will be dismissed from their positions,” the AFU said.