Rondeli Russian Military Digest

This is a special issue of the Rondeli Russian Military Digest dedicated to the Russo-Ukrainian War, composed on the basis of numerous open sources.

During the reported period Russians achieved progress in Mariupol and in the north of the Donbas area while Ukrainians advanced in various parts of Kharkiv Oblast.

Donbas Area

After taking the town of Borova as reported in the previous issue, Russians continued to advance in the southern direction from Borova, reaching the area about 24 kilometers east of Izyum by 17 April.

Early on 18 April, Russians took the town of Kreminna west of Rubizhne.

No other major territorial changes occurred in the Donbas area despite Russian attempts to attack in a number of spots. Street fighting continued within Rubizhne and Popasna.

Static shot from the Russo-Ukrainian War interactive map, northern Donbas area as of the afternoon 18 April. All information on the maps is approximate.

Siege of Mariupol

Russians achieved control over most of the area of Mariupol after taking the city’s southwest as well as achieving progress in its other parts. Defenders base their efforts on their citadel in the huge Azovstal plant. They control only few areas beyond Azovstal, mostly in the western part of the city.

Defense of Mariupol

Kharkiv Area

Ukrainians attacked and achieved advance to the east of Kharkiv. Their attack in this direction (towards the town of Kupyansk) threatens communications of the Russian forces attacking in the area of Izyum and Borova, and therefore is likely to force Russians redeploy some of their forces to check Ukrainian advance.

Ukrainians also achieved a limited advance to the immediate northeast of Kharkiv, pushing Russians a little further from the city.

Kharkiv and Izyum area

Zaporizhzhia Area

Russians launched an attack southeast of Hulyaipole. No major territorial change was reported at the time of writing.

Black Sea Area

Fighting continued in Kherson Oblast. All possible territorial changes that might have occurred in the last few days remained covered by the fog of war.