Reuters quoting army spokesman Serhiy Cherevaty as telling ICTV on March 18: “We are still providing ammunition, food, equipment and necessary medicine to Bakhmut. We are also trying to bring in people wounded out of the city”.
Mr. Cherevaty added that Ukrainian scouts and artillery fire helped open the way to the city. Ukraine also claimed to have caused the enemy great loss of life, as well as shot down 2 drones, destroyed 5 ammunition depots on March 17 only.
Reuters said they could not independently verify the above claim.
Ukrainian troops of the 80th brigade fire mortars at a frontline position near Bakhmut on March 16 – Photo: REUTERS
Also on March 18, the Ukrainian Air Force announced on Telegram that several drones carrying explosives struck the country overnight, some of which flew into the region of Lviv province in the west of the country, which is less affected by the conflict. The Ukrainian side said 11/16 were shot down.
Regional governor Maksym Kozytski said the attack, which occurred around 1 a.m. in the city of Yavoriv, targeted unpopulated facilities, causing damage but no casualties.
Southeast of Dnipro city also reported shooting down three drones.
Russia claims to intercept US HIMARS
Theo TASS, The Russian air defense forces said on March 18 that in the previous 24 hours they had successfully intercepted 15 missiles from the Ukrainian side, fired by the “fire god” HIMARS (aided by the US) as well as other systems. Smerch and Uragan systems produced by the Soviet Union.
In addition, the country said it destroyed nine enemy drones in several locations in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions and caused heavy loss of life and other military supplies along the front lines.