Russians strike Novoiehorivka in Luhansk Oblast, killing three people

Three civilians were killed, and one sustained shrapnel wounds to the neck, arms, and legs as a result of the Russian airstrike on the village of Novoiehorivka in the Svatove district. A 46-year-old woman was taken to the hospital in Kharkiv. Yesterday, a Russian projectile hit a private house where people stayed, and a fire broke out. Unfortunately, heavy artillery shelling made it impossible to save people from under the burning rubble.

Russia deploys additional forces to Bakhmut from the front line in Donetsk

Russia has reduced its offensive activity around the city of Donetsk, most likely to divert resources to the Bakhmut front.

UK Defence Intelligence, reports about heavy fighting along the Donbas front line. However, there is a real possibility that Russia has reduced troop numbers and is decreasing offensive action around Donetsk city, most likely to divert resources towards the Bakhmut sector.

Russian MoD and Wagner Group forces continue to make creeping advances in Bakhmut. The front line in the town center largely follows the main railway line.

"Ukraine is generally holding Russia’s envelopment from the south along the line of Korsunskovo Street, the old main road west out of town. For both sides, the exact sequencing of any major drawdown of their units around Bakhmut has become a critical question, with Ukraine wanting to free up an offensive force while Russia likely aspires to regenerate an operational reserve," UK Defence Intelligence reports.

Russian forces hit Sloviansk with missiles and  drones

Russian invaders attacked the city of Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast using S-300 missiles and Shahed drones on the night of 18 April.

Vadym Liakh, the Mayor of Sloviansk, reported: "It's another harsh morning in Sloviansk. The night attack on the city lasted for two hours. S-300 missiles and Shahed attack drones. Two hits occurred, particularly on Vchytelska Street and on Pushkin Boulevard."

The mayor noted that five multi-story buildings, seven private houses, the Titan security company, a medical facility, an entertainment center, a business center, and cars had been damaged.

There were no casualties reported.