UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 815 – JUNE 6, 2024

During a meeting with the heads of foreign press organizations on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on June 5, Putin stated that Russia could begin supplying unspecified opponents of the West with long-range weapons. This was described as a "symmetric response" to the lifting of some Western restrictions on the use of Western weapons by Ukraine to attack military targets in Russia. Kremlin actors regularly threaten to directly target Western interests to exploit Western fear of escalation with Russia and pressure the West to stop supporting Ukraine.

On June 5, Putin hinted that Russian forces in Ukraine could suffer about 20,000 casualties monthly, which, if true, is roughly equivalent to the number of new soldiers Russia allegedly trains each month, or slightly below.

Limiting Western capabilities to train partner pilots in F-16 fighter jets reportedly creates shortages that impair Ukraine's ability to effectively employ F-16 fighter jets in the future.

French authorities are investigating several pro-Russian sabotage acts and societal influence in France, while Russia continues to wage a hybrid war against NATO states and France to weaken support for Ukraine.

The full Russian Offensive Update 815 can be found directly at UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR