UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 104 - JUNE 23, 2022

The Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed during a meeting with the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov on June 3 that the Russian forces will "accelerate" the "special military operation" in Ukraine, although this is likely not possible. Kadyrov stated that Shoigu has identified "new tasks" that will enhance the effectiveness of Russian offensive maneuvers and tactics. Kadyrov did not specify what tasks the Russian forces will undertake to accelerate their pace. Previously, on May 24, Shoigu claimed that the Russian forces were advancing slowly in eastern Ukraine to avoid civilian casualties.

In a review of the 100th day of the war, the British Defense Ministry stated that the Russian forces are likely to gain control of the Luhansk region in the next two weeks, albeit at significant further costs. The British Defense Ministry also noted that the Russian forces have transitioned to defensive operations on all other axes to concentrate all available forces in Severodonetsk, stating that Russia must make substantial investments in personnel and equipment that it cannot quickly muster, if at all, to advance beyond the Luhansk region.

The Russian occupation authorities have started issuing Russian passports in the city of Kherson and Melitopol, although they continue to struggle to gain social control over the occupied territories and put an end to Ukrainian partisan actions.

The full Russian Offensive Update 103 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

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