Russia is redeploying troops for the new push in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Russia is redeploying forces to southeastern Ukraine in preparation for a new offensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine published on Aug. 18.

“The goal is to break through our defenses and advance deep into Ukrainian territory. Their ultimate objective, of course, is the occupation of the entire region,” Syrskyi warned.

Moscow already controls roughly 70% of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, but the regional capital, Zaporizhzhia city—home to more than 700,000 residents before the war—remains firmly under Ukrainian control.

“As of today, low-intensity operations are continuing there,” Syrskyi said. “However, in pursuit of Putin’s goals and instructions, the occupiers are preparing a powerful blow—one that was initially planned a year ago.”

Syrskyi described the situation on Ukraine’s eastern and southern front lines as “difficult,” pointing to heavy Russian pressure near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast and in Zaporizhzhia. He added that Russia may also prioritize offensives near Novopavlivka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and around Lyman in Donetsk Oblast.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast holds major strategic importance for both sides. The region borders Dnipropetrovsk to the north, Donetsk to the east, and Kherson to the south, making it a gateway between Ukraine’s heartland and the occupied territories. It is also home to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant—the largest in Europe—currently under Russian occupation and widely seen as one of the most dangerous flashpoints of the war.

Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia: three killed three and injured 23

A Russian missile strike on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed three people and wounded 23 others on the morning of Aug. 18, according to regional officials.

Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, confirmed the attack in a statement on Telegram.

“Three people have been killed and many of the injured are in serious condition. Right now, doctors are battling to save their lives—these are the consequences of the enemy’s attack on Zaporizhzhia,” Fedorov wrote.

He added that 18 of the injured suffered blast and shrapnel wounds and remain under close medical supervision. Among them is a 17-year-old boy. Several of the wounded are undergoing surgery as doctors race to stabilize them.

Zaporizhzhia, a key industrial hub and regional capital with a pre-war population of more than 700,000, lies just miles from the front lines. Russia occupies about 70% of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, but the city itself remains under Ukrainian control and has been a frequent target of Russian missile and drone strikes.

Russian drone strike on Kharkiv killed 7 peopel and injured 20

Russian forces have attacked the city of Kharkiv with Geran-2 drones. Four of these UAVs have hit a five-storey apartment building, causing structural damage and fires. In total, six residential buildings and 15 cars were damaged in the attack. So far, it is already known that seven people are dead and 20 people are injured.

An overnight Russian drone attack on Odesa Oblast caused a large-scale fire 

Russian forces launched drone strikes against Odesa Oblast overnight on Aug. 17–18, igniting a large-scale fire at a fuel and energy infrastructure facility, according to Ukrainian officials.

According to the Odesa Oblast Military Administration, Ukrainian air defenses intercepted several drones; some managed to hit their targets in the Odesa district.

“Despite air defense responding actively, the Odesa district has suffered damage. A fire broke out at a fuel and energy infrastructure facility and a two-story building in the suburbs of Odesa. Our firefighters quickly extinguished the massive blaze,” Kiper said.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed that more than 100 responders—including firefighters, National Guard units, local volunteers, and a specialized fire train from the Ukrainian railway company Ukrzaliznytsia—were mobilized to contain and extinguish the fire.

Odesa, Ukraine’s largest port on the Black Sea, has been a frequent target of Russian drone and missile strikes since the start of the full-scale invasion, as Moscow seeks to cripple Ukraine’s energy grid and disrupt its grain exports.