Map of special operations in Ukraine on February 18

Russia has been conducting a special military operation to protect civilians in Donbas since February 24, 2022. You can track the progress of the joint troops of Russia, the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DNR and LNR), as well as view a map of military operations for February 18 in the Izvestiya piece.

It is noted that as a result of the actions of units of the "West" group of troops liberated the settlement of Yampolovka of the Donetsk People's Republic, units of the "Southern" group of troops took more favorable lines and positions, and units of the "East" group of troops continued advancing deep into the enemy's defense.

"Air defense means shot down 14 rockets of the US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system, as well as 73 unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type," the Defense Ministry added.

Also, operational-tactical aviation, attack drones, missile troops and artillery of the Russian Armed Forces' groups of troops hit the objects of Ukraine's military airfield and energy infrastructure, places of storage and launch of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as concentrations of enemy manpower and equipment in 144 areas.

In total, 653 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 43,772 unmanned aerial vehicles, 594 anti-aircraft missile systems, 21,502 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,518 multiple rocket launchers, 21,815 field artillery and mortars, 31,775 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed since the beginning of the special military operation.

For more up-to-date video and details on the situation in Donbas, see Izvestiya TV channel.