The Ukrainian military announced today, May 18, that it had shot down 29 out of 30 missiles launched by Russia in the early hours of the same day, according to Reuters.
The Ukrainian military said the 30 missiles launched by Russia overnight included cruise missiles launched from sea, air and land. The Ukrainian military also claimed to have shot down two attack drones and two reconnaissance drones launched by Russia.
Ukrainian officials said black smoke was billowing over Kyiv in the ninth attack on the capital this month. “All targets in the sky over Kyiv have been shot down,” Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said on the Telegram messaging app.
A rocket explosion was seen in Kyiv on May 18.
Meanwhile, officials in Odessa said an unspecified industrial facility was hit when a missile crashed into the ground after being intercepted by air defense systems, killing one person and injuring two. As of the evening of May 18, there was no information about Russia's response.
Earlier, the Ukrainian military announced that it had shot down all 18 missiles launched by Russia at Kyiv in the early hours of May 16, including 6 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
Moscow later denied losing six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. Moscow claimed it destroyed a US-made Patriot missile defense system in the May 16 attacks, but Ukraine denied this.
Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said today that the Patriot system is still being used by Kyiv. "Therefore, I ask everyone to remain calm. The air defense is working and will continue to protect," Ihnat told Ukrainian television.
See more : Russia launches hypersonic missile into Ukraine
Ukraine gains more territory around Bakhmut
The Ukrainian army announced on May 18 that it had gained new territory in fierce fighting with Russian forces around the eastern city of Bakhmut, according to Reuters.
"Despite the fact that our units do not have an advantage in equipment ... and personnel, they continue to advance on the flank (on the Russian side) and cover a distance of 150 to 1,700 meters," Ukrainian military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi said on television.
Mr Cherevatyi did not specify over what period of time the gains had been made. Over the past week, Kyiv has said it has increased pressure on Russian forces north and south of Bakhmut.
Meanwhile, Yevgeny Prigozhin, commander of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, accused Russian regular army units today of retreating 570 meters north of the city of Bakhmut, putting his fighters at risk of attack.
There is currently no information about Russia's reaction to the above statement from Ukraine as well as the accusation from Mr. Prigozhin.
See also : The situation is changing in Bakhmut
Ukrainian UAVs dropped bombs on Russian territory?
Governor Roman Starovoit of Russia's Kursk region said today that two people were injured when a Ukrainian military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dropped a bomb on a sports and entertainment facility in the region earlier in the day, according to RT.
The incident occurred in the town of Glushkovo, about 10 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Mr. Starovoit also said that the two victims, local residents, suffered minor injuries from shrapnel and were taken to hospital. There was no immediate information about Ukraine's response.
On May 17, Mr. Starovoit spoke about the latest shelling, in which at least 11 shells fell in the area, injuring one man and damaging a power line.
See also : Leaked documents say US prevented Ukraine from attacking deep into Russian territory
Signs Ukraine is ready to counterattack?
Faced with Ukraine's continuous smokescreen about the start of its counterattack, military analysts point out signs that Kyiv is truly ready to "open fire".
Ukraine has been signaling for months that its forces will launch a large-scale counterattack against Russia. The big question now is whether the counterattack has already taken place, as reports have emerged that Ukraine has already taken the first steps in the plan.
See more : Signs of Ukraine's counterattack time shown through armored tank power?
Japanese hospital to treat two Ukrainian soldiers
Japan's Defense Ministry announced today, May 18, that it will treat two injured Ukrainian soldiers at a hospital in Tokyo, according to Reuters.
In a statement, Japan’s Defense Ministry said the Self-Defense Forces Central Hospital plans to accept two wounded Ukrainian soldiers next month for rehabilitation treatment. The ministry did not provide details on the nature of the soldiers’ injuries or whether the hospital would accept more wounded soldiers from Ukraine in the future.
This is the first time the hospital has treated foreign soldiers, Reuters reported, citing a lawmaker from Japan's ruling coalition. The lawmaker added that the related costs would likely be borne by Japan.
See more : Japanese Prime Minister visits Ukraine for the first time in surprise visit
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