UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 105 - JUNE 4, 2022

The Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully slow down the Russian operations to encircle the Ukrainian positions in the Luhansk region, as well as the Russian frontal attacks in Severodonetsk, through prudent and effective local counterattacks in Severodonetsk and the defense of the western riverbank of the Siversky Donets.

Ukrainian officials reported on June 3 that Ukrainian defenders have pushed back Russian advances in Severodonetsk and are actively impeding Russian advances on Lysychansk from the southwest. The head of the Luhansk Regional Administration, Serhiy Haidai, contradicted the British Ministry of Defense's forecast on June 3 that Russian forces would take the remaining 10% of the region in the next two weeks, claiming that Ukrainian forces have enough reinforcement and equipment to carry out further counterattacks and defend their positions. Haidai noted that Russian forces mistakenly believe in their own successes, allowing Ukrainian defenders to inflict high losses on unsuspecting Chechen units.

Pro-Russian milblogger Voenkor Kotyenok Z claimed that it is unlikely that Russian forces can break through Ukrainian defensive positions in Lysychansk from Severodonetsk (through continued frontal attacks and a reverse crossing of the Siversky Donets River). Voenkor Kotyenok Z claimed that Ukrainian forces could prevent Russian river crossings from Severodonetsk, pointing out that Russian forces have not secured access to two key highways to Lysychansk yet.

Russian forces have launched a series of unsuccessful offensive operations southwest of Izyum and in the area of Lyman.

Russian forces continue to defend previously occupied positions around the city of Kharkiv and have conducted missile and artillery attacks on Ukrainian defenders.

Russian forces have not carried out attacks on settlements in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, but continue to shell Ukrainian positions throughout southern Ukraine.

Despite Russian efforts to restrict movement and telecommunications, the Kremlin faces increasing partisan activity in southern Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials continue negotiations for a prisoner exchange of captured defenders from Mariupol.

The full Russian Offensive Update 104 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR online