According to the president, the situation at the front remains difficult, the epicenter of the fiercest and most principled battles is in Donbas.

The situation at the front remains difficult, there is an increase in the number of shelling and attempted offensive actions by the Russian occupiers.

“As always, I am in touch with our military all day today. The situation at the front remains difficult, the epicenter of the most brutal and principled battles is in Donbas. We are gradually recording an increase in the number of shelling and attempted offensive actions by the occupiers,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening video message.

He thanked the defenders who hold our positions.

“I thank the fighters of the 68th separate hunting brigade and the 36th separate brigade of marines for a very effective defeat of the enemy, and we need stability specifically in Donbas! We also thank the units of the GUR of the MoD for actions that reduce the chances of the occupiers,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

The war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine: the latest news from the front

As reported, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the invaders continue to focus their efforts on conducting an offensive in the Bakhmut direction and are conducting unsuccessful offensive actions in the Avdiiv direction.

On January 18, the General Staff reported that Ukrainian defenders shot down an enemy Ka-52 helicopter and powerfully hit the occupiers.