UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 118 - JUNE 17, 2022

The Russian Armed Forces continue to deploy additional forces to support offensive operations in the area of Severodonetsk-Lysychansk, but Ukrainian defense remains strong. Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzyanyk reports that Russian forces are moving tanks, armored personnel carriers, technical equipment, and vehicles from Svatove, along the Russian Ground Lines of Communication (GLOCs) in the Luhansk region, to Starobilsk, just 40 km east of Severodonetsk.

Social media users report that Russian forces are likely relocating equipment from the northern Kharkiv Oblast to the Donbass and share images of the arrival of Russian heavy artillery by rail in Stary Oskol in the Belgorod Oblast on June 17. British Defense Minister Tony Radakin states that Russian forces are "weakening" when deploying large amounts of personnel and equipment for incremental successes in an area. The Russian military has concentrated the majority of its available combat power on capturing Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, at the expense of other advance axes.

Russian President Putin reaffirmed his determination to "complete" the Russian operation in Ukraine, but acknowledged that unspecified new Russian tactics (likely just an excuse for poor Russian performance) will need time.

Unconfirmed Ukrainian sources claim that the Kremlin has dismissed the commander of the Russian Airborne Troops, General Andrei Serdyukov, due to poor performance.

The full Russian Offensive Update 118 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR online