Russia – Ukraine war updates latest from the General Staff of Ukraine as of July 18, 2026.

This report is part of EMPR’s July 2026 Russia – Ukraine war timeline, tracking daily battlefield and geopolitical developments. For full coverage of this escalation phase, see the complete timeline.

Today is the 1,606th day of the large-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

Update as of 08:00 AM on Russian invasion of Ukraine

A total of 276 combat engagements were recorded over the past day.

Yesterday, the enemy launched three missile strikes using four missiles and carried out 93 airstrikes, dropping 265 guided aerial bombs. In addition, Russian forces deployed 10,252 kamikaze drones and conducted 3,117 attacks on populated areas and the positions of Ukrainian troops, including 30 attacks using multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

Enemy airstrikes targeted the areas of Vorozhba, Vilna Sloboda, and Sumy.

Over the past day, the Air Force, Missile Forces, and Artillery of Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck 20 areas of enemy troop concentration, three artillery systems, and five unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) command posts.

Northern-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk Direction

08:00 AM: Ukrainian defenders repelled four russian assaults. At the same time, the aggressor launched three airstrikes using seven guided aerial bombs and carried out 54 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian forces and populated areas, including one attack using a multiple launch rocket system.

Southern-Slobozhanskyi Direction

08:00 AM: Ukrainian units repelled 17 russian attacks. Russian forces attempted to advance in the areas of Vilcha, Kozacha Lopan, and Lyman, as well as toward Izbytske and Synelnykove.

Kupiansk Direction

08:00 AM: one russian assault was recorded toward Shyikivka.

Lyman Direction

08:00 AM: Ukrainian forces repelled attempts to break through their defenses as Russian troops launched 21 attacks in the areas of Lyman and Ozerne, as well as toward Novoselivka, Drobysheve, and Yampil.

Sloviansk Direction

08:00 AM: the russian occupiers conducted 23 assault operations in the areas of Kryva Luka, Zakitne, and Riznykivka, as well as toward Rai-Oleksandrivka.

Kramatorsk Direction

08:00 AM: Russian forces attacked six times toward the settlements of Malynivka and Nykyforivka.

Kostyantinivka Direction

08:00 AM: 19 russian attacks were recorded. Russian forces conducted assault operations in the areas of Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, and Illinivka, as well as toward Molocharka and Rusyn Yar.

Pokrovsk Direction

08:00 AM: the highest level of combat activity reported on this direction. Ukrainian defenders repelled 43 russian assaults. Russian fire activity and attacks were recorded toward Novopavlivka, Sofiivka, Toretske, Bilytske, Novyi Donbas, Bilozerske, Shevchenko, Hryshyne, Myrne, Vasylivka, Serhiivka, Udachne, and Molodetske.

Oleksandrivka Direction

08:00 AM: Russian forces carried out one assault toward the settlement of Berezove.

Huliaipole Direction

08:00 AM: the russian occupiers launched 31 attacks, attempting to advance toward Kosivtseve, Verkhnia Tersa, Tsvitkove, Hirke, Olenokostiantynivka, Vozdvyzhivka, and Charivne.

Orikhiv Direction

08:00 AM: Ukrainian defenders repelled two russian attempts to advance toward Novoandriivka and Prymorske.

Prydniprovskyi Direction

08:00 AM: the russian troops conducted no assault operations over the past day.

Volyn and Polissia Direction

08:00 AM: no signs of enemy offensive groupings were detected.

Ukrainian defenders continue the systematic destruction of Russian forces while maintaining effective resistance across the entire front line.

Overall, Russian losses over the past day amounted to 1,420 personnel. Ukrainian forces also destroyed or neutralized: