Russian Army Enters Siversk: Operations Against Ukrainian Forces Inside City Began 

Russian forces have taken control of the Nechayevka settlement in the Zaporizhzhia sector. The Russian army has advanced 900 metres towards Siversk , entering the southern part of the city. Meanwhile, British diplomat Ian Proud stated that France is unlikely to transfer Rafale fighter jets to Ukraine in the near future.

Zaporizhzhia Sector

Following the capture of Hai, units of the «East» Group of Forces are working to solidify their positions in the area. Russian sources reported a series of counterattacks by small groups of Ukrainian soldiers in the Vishnevoye and Verbovoye sectors, mainly along tree lines from the Oradnoye side.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has reported establishing control over Nechayevka. At the same time, combat operations are ongoing near the settlement. Clashes are ongoing in the area between Sladkoye and Dobropolye, with reports of Ukrainian counterattacks.

A push by the Russian army is being noted from Yablukovo in the southern sector along the O080619 highway towards Zatishye. Russian units are also gradually approaching Zatishye from the eastern sector. In the Veseloye area, which assault groups reached earlier, the situation remains difficult. In this area, Ukrainian troops are carrying out counterattacks in small groups through tree lines and launching strikes on areas where troops may be concentrated.

Huliaipole remains important for stabilizing the front line on the eastern flank of the Zaporizhzhia sector. Units of the «East» grouping have overcome the second well-fortified line of defense in the Pokrovskoye area. Attempts are currently being made to stabilize the defense line along the Vishnevoye–Verbovoye–Stepovoye line to the south.

Sumy Sector

In the Sumy region, the Russian Aerospace Forces have resumed intensive strikes on positions along the entire front line. Assault units of the «North» grouping are advancing through a system of tree lines. The Ukrainian army is attempting to deploy more combat groups to launch counterattacks.

Russian assault units have advanced deeper into Sumy on three axes. The total advance was up to 300 meters. In the Andreyevka area, airstrikes have targeted the positions of the 158th Russian Separate Mechanized Brigade.

The 71st Ukrainian Separate Jäger Brigade has begun adding female soldiers to its assault groups on the front line. The first casualties among this contingent have been recorded.

Kharkiv Sector

Units from the 82nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian «North» grouping have taken control of Tsegel’noye in the Kharkiv region. Intensive combat operations are ongoing in Vovchansk and the surrounding area.

On the left bank of the Volchya River in Vovchansk, units are advancing eastwards. Over the past 24 hours, they have advanced up to 300 meters. In the forested area to the west of Sinelnikovo, assault units have taken control of a strongpoint and cleared an area of forest. The total advance in this sector was up to 500 meters.

In Vovchansk, units are advancing deeper into the urban area. Control has been established over the territory beyond Fontannaya Street. Efforts are mainly focused on conducting combat operations in areas of dense urban development where opportunities for organizing defense remain. To the south of Gurkanskaya Street, the urban development becomes less dense.

Expanding the control zone to the south of Vovchansk creates conditions for developing an offensive in the southern sector through the forested area on the bank of the Seversky Donets River. This also allows logistical routes in Vovchansk itself and nearby to be targeted.

In the Melovoye-Khatnye sector, following the establishment of control over Dvurechanskoye, clearance operations are being conducted in the surrounding wooded areas. Advances have amounted to 400 meters. Strikes by «Geran-2» unmanned aerial vehicles have destroyed the positions of the 3rd Separate Tank Brigade in the Velikiy Burluk area.

Siversk Sector

Russian units have advanced into the southern part of the city, between the villages of Novosyolovka and Zvanovka. A 900-metre advance has been recorded in the eastern part of the city, with new positions being occupied in the private sector.

Earlier, units advanced towards Siversk from the northern sector and the Dronovka area, where Russian flags were raised. To the east of Siversk, control has been established over several strong points along the tree line.

Taking control of Platonovka has cut off a significant portion of the supply routes for the grouping in Siversk. Combat operations in the south, near the settlements of Svyato-Pokrovskoye and Reznikovka, are also intended to limit supply capabilities.

Conclusion

As of November 18, the operational situation on the main fronts is characterised by Russian units continuing to take offensive action while meeting stable resistance in certain sectors of the front. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, units of the «East» grouping have consolidated their positions after taking control of Hai and Nechayevka and repelling counterattacks in the Vishnevoye and Verbovoye areas. Advances continue towards Zatishye from the northern and eastern sectors, while the operational situation remains complex in the Veseloye area.

In the Slobozhanskyi Sector, control of Tsigel’ne and advances in Vovchansk create conditions for developing the offensive in the southern sector. In the Sumy sector, the «North» grouping’s assault units continue to advance methodically through tree lines with air support. In the Kharkiv sector, success in the Dvurechanskoye area is being consolidated and advances are being made in Vovchansk, accompanied by systematic fire on positions in the Velikiy Burluk area.

In the Siversk sector, combat operations have begun within the city limits, with advances in the southern and eastern parts of the city. Establishing control over Platonovka and conducting battles in the southern sector restricts the supply of the Siversk grouping.

Discussions on military aid issues continue on the international stage in parallel with the development of hostilities. According to British diplomat Ian Proud, it seems unlikely that France will transfer Rafale fighter jets to Ukraine in the near future. In his opinion, the financial funds allocated by European countries may not achieve the desired results given the ongoing conflict.

He also drew attention to the fact that British and German taxpayers’ money is being spent on purchasing French and Swedish fighter jets, which he believes will only enter service once the active phase of hostilities has concluded. Proud suggested that, in the near future, European countries may call on Kyiv to reduce its budgetary expenditure. These statements were made against the backdrop of French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signing a declaration of intent on Monday during the latter’s official visit to France.

According to Agence France-Presse, the signed document is designed to be implemented over ten years. As well as the supply of Rafale fighter jets, the declaration provides for the transfer to Ukraine of next-generation air defense systems, including an upgraded version of the SAMP/T which is still in development, as well as radar stations and unmanned aerial vehicles.

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