What happened in Ukraine's regions by 18 August 2023?
A look back at regional developments reported in the days before 18 August 2023, from the front line in Donetsk Oblast to the port of Odesa.
What was happening across Ukraine's regions as of 18 August 2023? Reports from the preceding days pointed to movement on the front line, continued strikes on civilian areas and a test of a new shipping route from the Black Sea coast.
On 16 August 2023, Ukraine recaptured the village of Urozhaine in Donetsk Oblast from Russian forces, as part of the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.
The same day, a Russian strike in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast killed a civilian and injured six others. The attack also damaged agriculture and civilian infrastructure.
In Odesa, the Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship Joseph Schulte became the first vessel to depart the Port of Odesa, Ukraine's largest seaport, using new Black Sea shipping lanes. The route came into use after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Across the border, Russia's Federal Security Service said on 16 August 2023 that it had stopped a four-person Ukrainian sabotage group from infiltrating the border in Starodubsky District, Bryansk Oblast.
