Occupiers still trying to establish full control over Donetsk region, keep occupied territories – AFU General Staff

KYIV. Sept 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Russian invaders continue to try to establish control over the entire territory of Donetsk region, as well as organize defense and hold the previously occupied territories, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) reports on Friday.

"The enemy continues to focus its efforts on attempts to fully occupy Donetsk region, organize defence and hold the captured territories, as well as disrupt the active actions of the Defence Forces in certain directions. It fires at our positions along the contact line, conducts measures to regroup troops in separate directions, introduces reserves, conducts aerial reconnaissance," the report says.

There remains the threat of air and missile strikes throughout the territory of Ukraine.

The enemy continues to terrorize the civilian population, strikes residential areas and civilian infrastructure objects, violating the norms of International Humanitarian Law, the laws and customs of war.

During the current day, the enemy carried out four missile strikes, five air strikes and carried out 12 attacks from rocket artillery systems on objects on the territory of Ukraine.

The infrastructure of more than 18 settlements was damaged by air strikes, missile strikes, and MLRS shelling. In particular, these are Kharkiv, Zolochiv, Druzhkivka, Siversk, Zakitne, New York, Maryinka, Poltavka, Mali Scherbaky, Myrne, Velyke Artakove, Kryvy Rih, Nikopol, Olhivske, Zaporizhia, Orihiv and Myroliubivka.

The situation has not changed significantly in the Volyn, Polissya and Siversky directions.

In other directions, the enemy fired from tanks, mortars and artillery. In Kharkiv direction, in particular from the Russian territory, the invaders shelled the settlements of Hoptivka, Kozacha Lopan, Mala Vovcha, Neskuchne, Zybyne, Vovchansk, Strilecha, Dvorichna, Kupiansk and Prystina.

In Sloviansk direction, the invaders shelled ​​the village of Horokhovatka. In Kramatorsk direction, the invaders shelled Pryshyb, Tetianivka, Kryva Luka, Ozerne, Piskunivka, Raihorodok, Starodubivka, Bilohorivka, Siversk, Verkhnokamianske, Spirne, Yarova, Svyatohirsk, Donetske and Bilohorivka.

In Bakhmut direction, the invaders shelled New York, Bilohorivka, Rozdolivka, Mykolaivka Druha, Zaitseve, Odradivka, Soledar, Bakhmut, Bakhmutske, Yakovlivka, Vesela Dolyna, Vesele and Mayorsk; in Avdiyivka direction – Maryinka, Krasnohorivka, Pervomaiske, Novomykhayilivka, Avdiyivka and Vodiane.

The enemy did not conduct active operations in the Novopavlivsk and Zaporizhia directions. It continued shelling along the entire contact line. More than 30 settlements, including the city of Zaporizhia, were affected by the artillery fire of the occupiers.

In South Buh direction, the settlements of Pravdyne, Luch, Stepova Dolyna, Liubomyrivka, Novohryhorivka, Myrne, Shyroke, Kiselivka, Pervomayiske, Bilohirka, Sukhy Stavok, Ivanivka, Bila Krynytsiya, Novopetrivka, Olhyne, Visokopillia, Novovoznysenske, and Osokorivka were under fire.