[DOCS] Add wayfinding for shared GitHub and support links (take 2)

docs/reference/release-highlights.md

@@ -5,10 +5,35 @@ mapped_pages:
 
 # Release highlights [release-highlights]
 
-These are the important new features and changes in minor releases. Every release also updates the Java API Client to the latest [API specification](https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch-specification). This includes new APIs and bug fixes in the specification of existing APIs.
+These are the important new features and changes in minor releases. Every release also updates the Java API Client to the latest [API specification](https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch-specification). This includes new APIs, as well as bug fixes in the specification of existing APIs.
 
-For a list of detailed changes, including bug fixes, please see the [GitHub project release notes](https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch-java/releases).
+For a list of detailed changes, including bug fixes, see the [GitHub project release notes](https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch-java/releases).
 
 ## 9.0.0 [release-highlights-900]
 
 [Release notes](/release-notes/9-0-0.md)
+
+## Earlier versions
+
+To view release notes for earlier versions, use the version dropdown in the top right corner of this page.
+
+% To facilitate GitHub and community links, use the anchor pattern _version_X_X
+% List up to 5 most recent releases
+
+### Recent releases
+
+#### 8.18 [_version_8_18]
+
+[Release notes](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/client/java-api-client/8.18/release-highlights.html)
+
+#### 8.17 [_version_8_17]
+
+[Release notes](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/client/java-api-client/8.17/release-highlights.html)
+
+#### 8.16 [_version_8_16]
+
+[Release notes](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/client/java-api-client/8.16/release-highlights.html)
+
+#### 8.15 [_version_8_15]
+
+[Release notes](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/client/java-api-client/8.15/release-highlights.html)