Russian troops concentrating efforts in north of Luhansk Region - Commander-in-Chief
DENIS KARLOVSKY - SUNDAY, 12 JUNE, 2022, 21:23
The Russian occupiers have been concentrating their efforts on fighting in the north of Luhansk Oblast, including the massive use of artillery.
Source: Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Valerii Zaluzhnyi in a conversation with Mark Milley, Chief of the Joint Committee of the Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces and a general in the US Army
Zaluzhnyi's Quote: "I’ve informed General Milley about the current operational situation. So, I’ve stressed that the enemy is concentrating its main efforts in the north of Luhansk Oblast. It is using artillery en masse and, unfortunately, has a tenfold fire advantage. But, no matter what, we are continuing to hold our positions. Every metre of Ukrainian land there is covered with blood, but not only ours - also the occupier's.
The situation is difficult, in particular, in the city of Sievierodonetsk. The enemy has transferred up to seven battalion tactical groups there. Despite heavy fire, we managed to stop the enemy."
Details: General Zaluzhnyi told General Milley that the Russian occupiers had resumed shelling of residential areas in Kharkiv due to their failure in Luhansk Oblast.
He added that on some fronts, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have switched to counter-offensive action.
General Zaluzhnyi also told his American counterpart that the Russians were firing artillery and mortars at the borders of the Chernihiv and Sumy Oblasts, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces was striking back.
According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as of 12 June, the width of the front is 2,450 km, of which 1,105 km are areas of active fighting.
In his message, General Zaluzhnyi named General Milley as his mentor and thanked him for his advice and help. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine once again insisted that a delivery of a sufficient number of 155-mm artillery systems to Ukraine should be completed as soon as possible.
Background:
- The last such telephone conversation between Generals Zaluzhnyi and Milley took place on June 2. At the time, they discussed "unpleasant surprises" for the Russians amid news that Ukraine will be provided with modern High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.
- The Ukrainian military administration reports that during 12 June, the Russians opened heavy fire on Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk. A six-year-old child died as a result of the shelling. The Russians are "pushing through" the line of defence with powerful artillery fire.