UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 465 - JUNE 1, 2023

The Russian armed forces conducted another series of missile attacks on Ukraine overnight on May 31 and on June 1 during the day.

The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces fired ten ballistic Iskander missiles at the city of Kyiv from the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine on the morning of June 1, and that Ukrainian air defenses destroyed all ten missiles. The Ukrainian General Staff also reported that Russian forces fired two S-300 missiles at critical infrastructure in the city of Kharkiv on June 1 during the day. Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Colonel Yuri Ihnat stated that Ukraine cannot target Russian Iskander missile launch pads in Russia as Ukraine is obligated not to attack Russian territory with weapons supplied by the West.

The ISW has previously noted that Russian forces have begun a new limited air campaign in recent months to weaken Ukrainian counteroffensive capabilities, but prioritizing Kyiv likely further restricts the ability of the campaign to meaningfully constrain potential Ukrainian counteroffensive actions.

The full Russian Offensive Update 465 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR online