Rockets hit a military facility near a bus stop in Khmelnytskyi – Oblast Military Administration.

Oleksandr Symchyshyn, Mayor of the city of Khmelnytskyi, has reported that ten civilian multi-storey buildings were damaged and two people were injured in the morning attack on Khmelnytskyi on 18 February.

"There are three damaged educational institutions, about 10 multi-storey residential buildings, about 500 windows were broken; some equipment and one private vehicle were damaged.

Two people suffered injuries of moderate severity,"- the Mayor reported.

Russia launches 16 missile strikes over past day – General Staff report.

Over the past 24 hours, Russian troops have launched 16 missile strikes on Ukraine, particularly on the civilian infrastructure of the city of Khmelnytskyi and the settlement of Ukrainsk in Donetsk Oblast.

The Russian Federation has launched 16 missile strikes over the past day, particularly on the civilian infrastructure of Khmelnytskyi and the settlement of Ukrainsk in Donetsk Oblast. As a result, there is damage to residential buildings and civilian casualties.  In addition, the enemy launched 4 airstrikes and carried out more than 30 attacks from multiple-launch rocket systems.

Russian occupying forces do not give up their invasion plans, despite significant losses. The main efforts are focused on conducting offensive operations on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut,  Avdiivka, and Shakhtarsk fronts.

No offensive groups were detected on the Volyn, Polissia, Sivershchyna, and Slobozhanshchyna fronts. Areas in and around 20 settlements came under Russian fire. Among them are Veterynarne, Kozacha Lopan, Strilecha, Ohirtseve, Vesele, and Krasne Pershe in Kharkiv Oblast.

On the Kupiansk and Lyman fronts, the Russian army attacked the areas in and around the settlements of Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Hrianykivka, Kupiansk, Berestove in Kharkiv Oblast; Stelmakhivka, Nevske, Chervonopopivka, Dibrova, Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast and Spirne in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Bakhmut front, areas of over 18 settlements came under Russian fire, particularly Zaliznianske, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Kurdiumivka in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Avdiivka and Shakhtarsk fronts, Russian artillery fire hit the areas of 13 settlements. Among them are Avdiivka, Vodiane, Vesele, Nevelske, Heorhiivka, Marinka, Bohoiavlenka, Velyka Novosilka, Zolota Nyva, Vuhledar and Neskuchne in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, areas of the following settlements came under Russian fire: Vremivka in Donetsk Oblast and Malynivka, Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka and Bilohiria in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

On the Kherson front, Russian artillery fire hit suburbs of Kherson and the city itself, as well as the areas of more than 20 settlements, particularly Beryslav, Kozatske, Vesele, Antonivka, Veletenske, and Berehove in Kherson Oblast.

Over the course of 17-18 February, the Air Forces of Ukrainian Defence Forces conducted four air strikes on the clusters of Russian military personnel and equipment.

During the current day, the Defense Forces destroyed two Kalibr cruise missiles.

At the same time, units of Rocket Forces and Artillery struck an area of concentration of manpower of the occupiers.

Belarusians to be forced to fight if Lukashenko orders – Ukraine's Intelligence.

Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine believes that the Belarusian soldiers will be forced to obey the orders of the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and may be involved in the invasion of Ukraine.

"We see that Belarus seems to be supporting Russia and at the same time, is trying to refrain from joining the war by all means possible. We also see how much Russia is pressuring them.

According to Ukrainian military intelligence, the Belarusian military will be forced to obey Lukashenko's orders and may be involved in the invasion of Ukraine. However, in the next two or three weeks, the Russians have neither the strength nor the means to invade from the territory of Belarus," - Andrii Cherniak, representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, shared.

Russia continues to import Chinese drones for war in Ukraine.

Despite the sanctions, Russia continues to import civilian Chinese DJI drones through its distributors and from the Persian Gulf countries.

According to customs documents, the Wall Street Journal reports that some commercial drones are arriving at the front line from Russian distributors supplied by the Chinese company DJI. In contrast, others are transported via the United Arab Emirates.

Russia's continued deployment of Chinese drones on the Ukrainian battlefield shows how its army could draw in critical equipment from abroad, despite a large-scale sanctions campaign.

Thus, the Army has received some of the DJI drones from the UAE by paying for the delivery through the state bank Sberbank, which is under sanctions.

The Pentagon worries that these drones aren’t only fueling Russia’s war effort and allowing China to gather crucial battlefield intelligence that might enhance Beijing’s war readiness.

Some drones and drone parts were delivered through the European Union.

The US has proof China might provide lethal military assistance to Russia — Secretary of State.

n Sunday, 19 February, Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State, confirmed media reports about China discussing the possibility of providing Russia with lethal military aid that could be directed to support aggression against Ukraine.

The head of American diplomacy reiterated that China has supported Russia for a long time — politically and economically and by providing non-lethal equipment.

"And we are extremely concerned that China is considering the possibility of providing lethal support to Russia in its aggression against Ukraine. And I clearly stated that this would lead to serious consequences, particularly in our relations. President Biden also spoke about this during his several meetings with Xi Jinping," Blinken emphasised.

He also criticised Beijing's stance on a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying China is "trying to sit on two chairs."

"Publicly, they [China – ed.] present themselves as a country that seeks peace in Ukraine. But privately, as I have already said, in recent months there has been a supply of non-lethal aid that directly contributes to Russia's military efforts. There is also information that will soon be made public, according to which China is seriously considering the supply of lethal aid to the Russian Federation," the US Secretary of State added.

At the same time, Blinken refused to specify what kind of aid is in question and added that "there are various types of lethal aid that they are at the very least considering to transfer, including weapons."

It was previously reported that the Biden administration had expressed concern to Beijing over evidence it had that Chinese companies were selling non-lethal equipment to Russia for use in Ukraine, including bulletproof vests and helmets.

Previously, cooperation between Moscow and Beijing strengthened after Russia decided to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

China refused to criticise Moscow's actions, instead accusing the US and NATO of provoking the Kremlin, and criticised sanctions against Russia. Russia, in turn, strongly supported China against the background of Taiwan-related tension in relations with the United States.

Russians shell Nikopol at night, damaging residential houses and business premises.

On 18-19 February, the Russians shelled Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, damaging four high-rise buildings, a one-storey house, and premises belonging to a private business.

"Last night, Russians continued to terrorise Nikopol. While people were sleeping peacefully in their homes, the enemy deployed artillery. They damaged a one-storey and four high-rise buildings. A private business and a power line were hit,"- Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, reported.

No casualties were reported as a result of the attack.