UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 127 - JUNE 26, 2022

Russian forces carried out a massive rocket attack on the Kyiv district of Schevchenkivskyi on June 26, apparently coinciding with the ongoing G7 summit. This is the first major attack on Kyiv since late April and likely a direct response to discussions by Western heads of state and government on aid for Ukraine at the current G7 summit, similar to previous attacks on April 29 during the visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Kyiv.

Ukrainian government sources reported that Russian forces attacked the infrastructure in the Shevchenkiwski district with X101 missiles fired from Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers above the Caspian Sea. The open-source Twitter account GeoConfirmed stated that the attacks targeted the general vicinity of the Artem State Joint-Stock Holding Company, a manufacturer of air-to-air missiles, automated air-guided missile training and maintenance systems, anti-tank guided missiles, and aircraft equipment. GeoConfirmed noted that the Russian forces likely fired the missiles from the maximum possible distance, disrupting GPS and radar correlation and resulting in the attack hitting civilian infrastructure. The Russian forces likely targeted the Artem plant to position themselves against Western military aid for Ukraine during the G7 summit, hitting residential infrastructure instead.

Russian General Colonel Gennday Zhidko likely assumed the role of overall commander of operations in Ukraine.

Russian forces continued their attacks on the southern outskirts of Lyssytschansk and solidified control over Severodonetsk and surrounding settlements.

Russian forces are conducting operations east of Bakhmut to maintain control over the T1302 Bakhmut-Lysychansk highway.

Russian occupation authorities are intensifying their measures to contain Ukrainian partisan activities in the occupied areas through increased filtration measures and the abduction of civilians.

The full Russian Offensive Update 127 is available directly at UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR online