War in Ukraine today: latest news, 18 February 2026 (photo)

It has been the 1456  th day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression. 

What happened in Ukraine today:

Here is operational information of the General Staff as of 4 pm:   

The occupants continue their attempts to advance deep into the territory of Ukraine in certain sectors of the front, most actively towards Huliaipole and Pokrovsk. The defense forces are holding back the enemy, inflicting significant losses. On 18 February, the number of aggressor attacks reached 102.

The shelling of border areas also continues. In Sumy oblast, the following settlements were affected: Rohizne, Iskryskivshchyna, Ryzhivka, Starykove, Budky, Yastrubshchyna, Seredyna-Buda, and Bachivsk. In Chernihiv oblast — Mykhalchyna Sloboda, Yasna Poliana, Huta-Studenetska, Huta, and Karpovychi.

Towards Northern Sloboda and Kursk, the enemy carried out 58 strikes on settlements and positions of our troops, two of which involved the use of MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems).

Towards Southern Sloboda, the enemy attacked twice near the settlements of Vilcha and Fyholivka. Currently, there are no attempts by the enemy to advance.

Towards Kupiansk, the enemy advanced once in the vicinity of Kurylivka.

Towards Lyman, Ukrainian warriors repelled six attempts by the invaders to move near Tverdokhlibove, Ridkodub, Drobysheve, Stavky, and Zarichne. Currently, there are no assault actions.

Towards Sloviansk, the occupants tried to advance to Ukrainian troop positions near Rai-Oleksandrivka and Zakitne. One of the two attacks is ongoing.

Towards Kramatorsk, the aggressor attempted to advance in the vicinity of Bondarne, Fedorivka, and Chasiv Yar.

Towards Kostiantynivka, the invaders carried out 14 offensive actions near Kostiantynivka, Berestok, Stepanivka, Rusyn Yar, Pleshchiivka, Shcherbynivka, Sofiivka, and Novopavlivka. One attack is ongoing.

Towards Pokrovsk, the occupants tried 27 times to push Ukrainian warriors from their positions in the vicinity of Zatyshok, Rodynske, Shevchenko, Novooleksandrivka, Pokrovsk, Novopavlivka, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, and Novopidhorodne. The defense forces are restraining the enemy; 26 attacks were stopped.

Towards Oleksandrivka, the enemy attacked six times near Ivanivka, Ternove, Danylivka, Vyshneve, and Nove Zaporizhzhia. Two assault actions are ongoing. Orestopil and Pokrovske came under airstrikes.

Towards Huliaipole, there were 38 attacks near Huliaipole, Dobropillia, Pryluky, Zaliznychne, Staroukrainka, Hirke, Sviatopetrivka, and Verkhnia Tersa. Six assaults are still ongoing. The enemy launched airstrikes in the vicinity of Verkhnia Tersa, Serhiivka, Huliaipilske, Vozdvyzhivka, Mala Tokmachka, Kopani, and Tersianka.

Towards Orikhiv, the occupants attacked three times. Combat engagements took place in the vicinity of Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, and Prymorske.

Towards Kherson, there were no active enemy offensive actions.

In other areas, there are currently no significant changes in the situation. There were no enemy attempts to advance.

Ukrainian troops are exhausting the enemy along the entire line of contact and in the rear.

Recent war events in the east of Ukraine

Kharkiv oblast

Over the past 24 hours, 160 combat engagements were recorded.

On the Southern Slobozhanshchyna direction, the enemy conducted four assaults on our units’ positions near the settlements of Vovchansky Khutory, Prylipka, and in the direction of Okhrimivka.

▪️ On the Kupiansk direction, the occupiers launched three attacks yesterday. The defense forces repelled enemy assault actions toward Kurylivka and Novoosynove.

Over the past day, the cities of Kharkiv and 12 settlements in Kharkiv Oblast came under enemy fire.

▪️ No casualties were reported as a result of the shelling.

The enemy attacked the Industrial District of Kharkiv with UAVs.

The enemy actively used various types of weapons in Kharkiv Oblast:

▪️ 1 missile (type to be determined);
▪️ 1 guided aerial bomb (KAB);
▪️ 4 UAVs of the “Geran-2” type;
▪️ 1 UAV of the “Lancet” type;
▪️ 7 FPV drones;
▪️ 12 UAVs (type to be determined).

Civilian infrastructure was damaged or destroyed as follows:

▪️ Bohodukhiv district: utility building damaged (Skovorodynivka), private house and vehicle damaged (Lyutivka);
▪️ Kupiansk district: private house damaged (Husynka), vehicle damaged (Hrushivka);
▪️ Izium district: private house damaged (Bakhtyn), private house and building damaged (Izium city);
▪️ Kharkiv district: window glazing damaged in an apartment building (Berezivske);
▪️ Chuhuiv district: vehicle damaged (Staryi Saltiv), 2 vehicles damaged (Shestakove).

The transit evacuation point in Lozova received 163 people in 24 hours. Since the beginning of operations, the point has registered 19,465 people.

Donetsk oblast

On February 17, the police recorded 1,546 strikes along the front line and residential areas.

Eight settlements were under fire: the cities of Druzhkivka, Kostiantynivka, Mykolaivka, Sloviansk; urban-type settlements Novodonetske, Oleksandrivka; villages Malynivka and Shostakivka.

Ten civilian facilities were damaged, including six residential buildings.

In Mykolaivka, Russian forces struck with three drones – three energy workers were killed and two others were injured. Two civilian vehicles and infrastructure were damaged.

In Sloviansk, the occupiers attacked with an FPV drone and a “Geran-2” UAV – damaging a private house and a private enterprise.

As a result of drone strikes in Druzhkivka and Malynivka, one private house was damaged in each settlement; in Novodonetske, an apartment building was damaged; in Shostakivka, two private houses were damaged.

Luhansk oblast

In the area under our responsibility in Luhansk Oblast, the occupiers struck three times with mortars. They also used towed artillery four more times. In three instances, they carried out fire with automatic grenade launchers. UAVs were actively employed.

The occupiers attempted to advance 18 times on the Lyman and Sloviansk directions. Combat actions affected nine settlements.

The invaders printed over 200,000 copies of graphic collections about the Russian army fighting in Ukraine, specifically for distribution in educational institutions, including in the occupied territories of Luhansk. Each child, regardless of age, is supposed to receive a copy. Remaining copies will be sent to libraries and museums.

In 43 schools of the so-called “LPR,” specialized classes for military preparation have been opened. Recruitment for such classes began back in 2015 in territories that Russia had occupied the year before. Currently, these educational institutions host 44 Cossack classes, seven classes under the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs system, and five classes of the Russian Investigative Committee.

What is happening now in the north of Ukraine

Kyiv oblast

The Regional Military Administration reported that demining operations are continuing in Kyiv oblast. Sappers from the State Emergency Service were destroying explosive devices in the Vyshhorod district.

Mayor Vitalii Klychko reported that heat supply has been restored to all 2,600 buildings in the capital that were left without heat as a result of the russian attack on 12 February. However, it is still impossible to supply heat to more than 1,100 buildings in the Dniprovskyi and Darnytskyi districts due to critical damage to the Darnytska Thermal Power Plant.

According to the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse visited the thermal power plant in Kyiv, which was damaged by russian attacks. The American partners witnessed the consequences of russian strikes on the facility, which, prior to the shelling, provided heat to over 1,000 residential buildings, as well as schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and other social infrastructure facilities in the city.

The RMA announced that 30 more Points of Invincibility have been opened in Kyiv oblast. They are located in vocational and pre-higher education institutions, as well as institutional care facilities in 18 settlements. Currently, there are 560 safe spaces  where people can warm up, recharge their gadgets and get in touch with their loved ones.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klychko announced that the capital has provided 1,200 multi-rotor systems of various types to the soldiers of the 25th Kyiv Brigade named after Prince Askold of the National Guard of Ukraine. Of these, 620 are anti-aircraft interceptor drones that will help protect the skies over Kyiv. Since the beginning of this year, the city has allocated 35 million hryvnias from the city budget to equip the 25th Brigade.

According to the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection of the Kyiv City State Administration, the UNESCO Monitoring Mission (ICOMOS) will assess the state of preservation of the National Reserve ‘St. Sophia Cathedral’ and adjacent monastic buildings, as well as the National Reserve ‘Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra’. St. Sophia Cathedral was damaged by russian shelling on 10 June 2025, and the buildings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve were damaged by heavy shelling of the capital on the night of 24 January. 

Zhytomyr oblast

The families of the Berdychiv community received state awards for fallen defenders of Ukraine. The ceremony to present state awards to five families of fallen servicemen took place on 18 February in the session hall of the Berdychiv City Council. The attendees honoured the memory of the fallen with a minute of silence.

Sumy oblast

Shostka Regional Military Administration reported that on the evening of 17 February, the russian army launched a missile strike on Berezivka community. As a result of the attack, a local enterprise was destroyed. Equipment used to support the functioning of this and neighbouring communities was damaged. Residential buildings were also affected.

Oleh Hryhorov, Head of Sumy Regional Military Administration, said that in Berezivka community on the same evening, a 46-year-old man was injured after a UAV struck a house.

Sumy branch of “Hazmerezhi” informed that in Sumy oblast, a gas supply facility was damaged as a result of a russian attack. Consumers in the villages of Holovashivka, Stepanenkove, Burchak, Postolne and Likarske have been left without gas until repairs are completed.

In Sumy, authorities are eliminating the consequences of a russian strike that occurred on 17 February. According to the City Council, 14 people were injured in a massive attack on the regional centre, eight of whom remain in hospital. Nineteen buildings were damaged, including residential houses, administrative premises and business facilities. More than 300 windows were shattered, and façades and roofs sustained damage.

According to Sumy Regional Military Administration, in Bilopillia community, four civilians were injured as a result of russian shelling on 17 February. Two men aged 39 and 52 were hospitalised. In Lebedyn community, two men aged 54 and 43 were injured in a UAV strike.

Over the course of 17–18 February, russian forces carried out more than 70 attacks on 26 settlements across 15 territorial communities of the oblast. The highest number of strikes was recorded in Sumy and Shostka regions. The enemy used artillery, mortars, FPV drones, UAVs and guided aerial bombs. Air raid alerts in the oblast lasted for 21 hours and 22 minutes during the reporting period.

Civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged or destroyed:

• In Velyka Pysarivka community, a non-residential building was damaged;
• In Krasnopillia community, premises of an educational institution were damaged;
• In Buryn community, an administrative building and a civilian infrastructure facility were damaged;
• In Bilopillia community, civilian infrastructure facilities, a non-residential building and a passenger vehicle were damaged;
• In Sumy community, administrative buildings, non-residential and office buildings, apartment blocks, premises of an educational institution, cultural institutions, a religious building and private passenger vehicles were damaged;
• In Konotop community, civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged;
• In Mykolaivka rural community, a private passenger vehicle was damaged;
• In Stepanivska community, non-residential premises and a vehicle were damaged;
• In Shostkynka hromada, private residential houses, apartment blocks and civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged;
• In Seredyna-Buda community, private residential houses were destroyed;
• In Berezivka community, administrative buildings, civilian infrastructure facilities, private residential houses and a vehicle were damaged;
• In Lebedyn community, non-residential premises and civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged.

During the day, 10 people were evacuated from border communities by local authorities in cooperation with units of the State Emergency Service, the National Police and public organisations.

The Department of Social Protection of Khotyn Settlement Council reported that a total of 790 residents of Khotin community received housing certificates for destroyed property. A further approximately 100 applications are currently under review.

Sumy City Council informed that in Sumy, families of 15 fallen defenders were awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of the City”. Parents, wives and children of the deceased servicemen received certificates and badges of “Honorary Citizen of Sumy City”, conferred posthumously in recognition of their courage and resilience.

Chernihiv oblast

Servicemen of the 158th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, formed in Chernihiv, captured five russian soldiers towards Northern Sloboda and Kursk.

Initially, Ukrainian defenders used a drone equipped with a loudspeaker to persuade two russian soldiers to surrender. The captured servicemen then recorded an appeal to other russian troops with them, urging them to surrender. Subsequently, three more russian soldiers laid down their arms. During the surrender of one of the russians, russian forces opened fire on him.

Viacheslav Chaus, Head of Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, said that on the evening of 17 February, the enemy attacked a village in Snovska community by a “Herbera” UAV. Three explosions were recorded. A 63-year-old local resident was injured and is currently in hospital. He also stated that on 17 February the enemy carried out a “Heran” UAV strike on transport infrastructure in Koriukivka region.

Oleksandr Seliverstov, Head of Novhorod-Siverskyi Regional Military Administration, reported that on the evening of 17 February, russian forces attacked Semenivka by “Molniia” drones. Three hits were recorded in the town, damaging façades, window glazing and doors in four houses. A vehicle was also damaged.

According to Oleksandr Seliverstov, Head of Novhorod-Siverskyi RMA, on 17 February, russians dropped explosives from a UAV on a former school in Kamianska Sloboda village, Novhorod-Siverska community. The explosion caused a fire that engulfed and completely destroyed the premises of the canteen and library.

Chernihiv Border Guard Detachment informed that over the course of 17 February, russian troops attacked three border communities of Chernihiv oblast: Novhorod-Siverskyi, Semenivka and Snovsk. The enemy carried out mortar shelling (four explosions) and tube artillery strikes (eight explosions), launched a “Molniia”-type UAV (one explosion) and FPV drone attacks (12 explosions). The town of Semenivka and six villages came under fire.

Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development, announced that in Chernihiv oblast, shelters are planned to be equipped in two kindergartens in Ponornytsia and Varva communities. The projects have been approved under the Ukraine Recovery Programme implemented jointly with the European Investment Bank.

Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine

Zaporizhzhia oblast

At around 5 am, russian forces carried out an MLRS strike on the village of Bilenke. As a result of the attack, houses were damaged. There were no injuries or deaths.

Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration reported that yesterday, 17 February, the occupiers carried out 638 strikes on 40 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. russian forces conducted 22 air strikes on Veselianka, Lisne, Yurkivka, Liubymivka, Myrivka, Odarivka, Liubytske, Kyivske, Zaliznychne, Vozdvyzhivka, Verkhnia Tersa, Myrne, Charivne, Kopani, Novoselivka, Dolynka, and Omelnyk. 448 UAVs of various types (mostly FPV drones) attacked Zaporizhzhia, Novomykolaivka, Lysohirka, Serhiivka, Kuprianivka, Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Stepove, Lukianivske, Huliaipole, Orikhiv, Zaliznychne, Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Bilohiria, Zelene, Staroukrainka, Varvarivka, Dobropillia, Pryluky, and Solodke. Five MLRS strikes targeted Stepove, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, Hirske, and Tsvitkove. 163 artillery strikes hit Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Stepove, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Bilohiria, Staroukrainka, Zelene, Dobropillia, and Pryluky. Authorities received 136 reports of damage to homes, vehicles, and infrastructure facilities. One person was killed, and seven others were injured as a result of enemy strikes on Zaporizhzhia city and Zaporizhzhia region.

The General Staff reported that there were 38 attacks in the area of Huliaipole, Dobropillia, Pryluky, Zaliznychne, Staroukrainka, Hirske, Sviatopetrivka, and Verkhnia Tersa towards Huliaipole. Six assaults were still ongoing. The occupiers attacked three times towards Orikhiv. Clashes took place near Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, and Prymorske. Over the past day, 17 February, the Defense Forces of Ukraine repelled 31 russian attacks towards Huliaipole.

Mykolaiv oblast

Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration reported that overnight, the enemy attacked the city of Mykolaiv with Shahed 131/136 drones. As a result of the attack, a fire broke out, and one private house was destroyed. The blast wave damaged seven additional private houses. There were no casualties.

Odesa oblast

Odesa Regional Military Administration reported that on the second day after the destructive shelling of the energy system on 17 February, electricity, heating, and water were unavailable in parts of the region and the city of Odesa. Yesterday, electricity was restored to 60,500 households in Odesa oblast, either fully or partially. However, 99,000 consumers remain temporarily without power. At more than 20 locations, the operation of heating units will be supported by generators provided by the State Emergency Service. In Odesa, 21 additional heating hubs were set up to support residents, where people can charge their devices, warm up, and receive assistance during prolonged outages.

Kherson oblast

The head of Kherson Regional Military Administration reported that an elderly man who had sustained severe injuries during russian shelling of Korabelnyi district of Kherson on the morning of 13 February died in the hospital.

Kherson Regional Military Administration also reported that four nurses from a hospital previously attacked by russian drones in Kherson sought medical assistance. They were diagnosed with blast injuries and concussions. Medical assistance was also provided to a woman who was injured on 16 February as a result of Russian shelling of the hospital in Kherson. The 56-year-old healthcare worker was diagnosed with a blast injury and concussion.

Police of Kherson oblast reported that yesterday, 17 February, the russian forces attacked Kherson, Antonivka, Kizomys, Velytenske, Sadove, Dniprovske, Soniachne, Prydniprovske, Komyshany, Yantarne, Bilozerka, Romashkove, Zelenivka, Molodizhne, Stanislav, Shyroka Balka, Sofiivka, Oleksandrivka, Beryslav, Zarichne, Novomykolaivka, Novopetrivka, Arkhanhelske, Olhivka, Novodmytrivka, Ivanivka, Marine, Blakytne, Urozhaine, Burhunka, Odradokamianka, Lvove, Kozatske, and Vesele. Four apartment buildings and three private houses, a critical infrastructure facility, a medical institution, three educational institutions, a bank building, and four vehicles were damaged. Six people were injured as a result of russian aggression.

Three women left Beryslav on their own: police evacuated three women and a dog from a dangerous area. After another shelling, the women decided to leave their homes to have a chance to save their lives. They walked out of Beryslav and proceeded along a road that runs through completely open terrain. By chance, they managed to reach a place with stable mobile reception and call the police. An evacuation team from Beryslav region police department immediately set out to assist them. The women, their belongings, and the dog were placed in an armored vehicle and quickly transported to a safe settlement.

Two more teenagers were evacuated from the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson oblast with the assistance of the charitable organization Save Ukraine. According to the head of the regional military administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, since the beginning of 2026, 29 children were evacuated from temporarily occupied communities in Kherson oblast.

Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine

Volyn oblast

Lutsk community sent 3 Mitsubishi L200 pickup trucks, 40 Mavic quadcopters, FPV drones, charging stations, Starlink satellite systems, radio electronic units, generators, walkie-talkies and other equipment worth UAH 15m to Ukrainian defense forces.

Zakarpattia oblast

Uzhhorod Resilience Center has provided over 2,800 services in almost 2 years of operation. Here, local residents and IDPs receive free professional psychological and legal assistance.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast

The RMA reported that on behalf of the President of Ukraine, a state award was presented to Mykhailo Voytovych – the III degree For Courage Order (posthumously).

Lviv oblast

Employees of Zymnovodsk Village Council sent a charging station to a resident of the village of Zymna Voda, who is currently serving in a unit that performs combat missions on the front lines.

Pidberiztsi community purchased tools for a soldier from the village of Verkhnia Bilka for the amount of UAH 9,820, for a soldier from the village of Pidhirne – a generator and a charging station with a total value of UAH 32,285, and for a soldier from the village of Myklashiv – Mitla sweepers for the amount of UAH 21,364.

75 donors from Zhovtanets community donated blood as part of the event organized by the With an Angel on Their Shoulders CF and Lviv Regional Blood Service Center.

Rivne oblast

The RMA held a meeting with Aida Lindmeier, Director of the International Labor Organization Office in Ukraine. This is a specialized UN agency that deals with issues of regulating labor relations. They discussed employment of veterans and interaction between employers and employees.

Ternopil oblast

246 defenders from Ternopil will receive a one-time cash payment to purchase the necessary equipment. In 2026, 1,173 servicemen received such payments.

Khmelnytskyi oblast

In 2025, over UAH 280m was allocated – almost 15% of the regional budget’s own revenues. In addition, over UAH 300m was invested in strengthening the material and technical base of municipal institutions.

Chernivtsi oblast

Chernivtsi City Council reported that the charity.cbg.ua CF, together with German partners Blau-Gelbes Kreuz e.V., donated 3 cars to Chernivtsi Vodokanal and Animal Sterilization Center municipal enterprises.

International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)

Pistorius, Defense Minister of Germany, reported that the country will provide Ukraine with an additional 5 PAC-3 Patriot interceptors, provided that other countries provide another 30. 

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Materials compiled by Tetyana Pidgorna, Olena Reka, Yana Hushchyna, Tamara Moshkovska, Sofia Ratynska, Ioanna Kryvenko, Helena Albahachiieva, Kristina Maknynia 

Translated by Tetyana Pidgorna, Yana Hushchyna, Alla Litrovnyk, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Ilona Korolevska, Tetiana Moiseienko, Marharyta Koval, Tetiana Kurbatova

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