Situation on the Hulyaipole/Omelnyk direction, Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

A few weeks ago, I wrote that Russia appears to have postponed their offensive on Orikhiv from the east following Ukrainian counterattacks near Hirke, Vozdyvzhivka, and Verkhnya Tersa.

That continues to remain the case today, as the intensity of fighting has significantly reduced. Russian artillery, MLRS, and KAB shelling has also massively dropped off in recent weeks. The situation now resembles that of other more or less inactive sectors of the frontline, with both sides carrying out sporadic counterattacks and infiltrations using small groups of infantry, while holding overlapping and intermingled positions.

Russia has continued to carry out deep infiltrations into the Ukrainian rear, specifically near the villages of Rivne and Novoselivka, however, these constitute one-time infiltrations, where the infiltrators are typically either killed, captured, or withdraw back to friendly positions.

However, no withdrawal of any Russian units from this direction has been recorded, despite offensive operations clearly being prioritised in the Dobropillya and Slovyansk directions. This means that the offensive on Orikhiv could be restarted at any moment, as a large assault force remains concentrated here. It's possible that some form of an operational pause or tactical regrouping is taking place.

Interactive map: amkmapping.com

It’s interesting seeing all the same people who assured me for so long that Ukraine couldn’t shoot down ballistic missiles with Patriot systems all of a sudden start celebrating that Ukraine is out of interceptors, saying that now they “can’t shoot down Iskanders anymore”.

Wouldn’t that imply that they were able to shoot down Iskanders while they did have interceptors? The inability of some people to self reflect is astounding.

This lines up with the claim by the IRGC that 10 missiles were launched, and the Jordanian military that 8 were shot down. However, the Jordanian military falsely claimed that 8/8 missiles were intercepted.

The IRGC announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to violations by vessels transiting through.

An anti-ship cruise missile was launched at a cargo ship that turned off its tracking systems, reportedly resulting in damage.

In response to the Iranian anti-ship cruise missile strike on a cargo vessel, the U.S. has launched a large wave of airstrikes against Iran.

Airstrikes have been carried out on the cities of Bushehr, Konarak, Chabahar, Bandar Abbas, Bandar Kangan, Qeshm Island, Jask, and Minab.

New U.S. airstrikes are targeting the cities of Bushehr and Bandar-e-Jask, southern Iran.

Additional unconfirmed reports of U.S. airstrikes on the city of Sirik, southern Iran.

The glow of a fire is seen in Bandar-e-Jask, southern Iran.

Several Iranian fighter jets are airborne over Tehran right now.

They may be flying to shoot down cruise missiles.

Additional U.S. airstrikes on Konarak, southern Iran.

U.S. ATACMS ballistic missiles were launched from Bahrain towards Iran earlier.

15 U.S. ATACMS missiles launched from Kuwait towards Iran flew over Iraq earlier. These missiles likely targeted Bandar-E-Mahshahr.

Video credit

U.S. airstrikes targeted the city of Bandar-e Mahshahr, southwestern Iran.

Map showing the different locations targeted by U.S. airstrikes tonight. As usual, targets were hit along the coastline of the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz.

Targets hit include port infrastructure, Bushehr airbase, the Choghadak-Bushehr missile site, the Jask Naval Base, among others. More than 85 munitions were used in total, including around 30 ATACMS ballistic missiles launched from Bahrain and Kuwait.