Defence Forces continue counteroffensive in at least three frontline areas – ISW

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that on 12 June, the Ukrainian Defence Forces continued counteroffensive operations in at least three areas of the frontline.

Source: ISW

Details: The report states that the Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in at least three areas of the frontline and gained territorial successes on 12 June.

The analysts point out that on 12 June, Russian troops reportedly launched a counteroffensive in western Donetsk Oblast following tactical successes achieved by Ukrainian forces on 11 June in the Vremivka salient.

At the time of publication, the review said, Russian forces had not made any confirmed territorial gains in this counterattack, although some Russian sources reported that Russian forces had retaken Makarivka (5 km south of Velyka Novosilka).

However, Hanna Maliar, Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister, said that as of 12 June, Ukrainian forces were still in control of Makarivka.

Pro-Russian militant Igor Girkin stated that if these Russian reports are true, they confirm the "success of Russian flexible defence tactics" in the area, and that the Russian military command is more concerned with depleting the Ukrainian forces than with the retaking of territory.

Girkin claims that the typical defence of Russian troops is to retreat to the rear areas to remove Ukrainian infantry from the cover of air defence and electronic warfare.

He also alleges that Russian invaders then attack the area with the support of tanks and air defence to prevent Ukrainian forces from moving air defence systems to the liberated areas.

The report cited Russian sources as saying that bad weather conditions had forced Russian planes to land, making it difficult to defend against Ukrainian attacks near the administrative border between Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

The same sources said that Ukrainian forces managed to gain tactical advantages on 11 June due to heavy rain and fog, but that Russian aircraft resumed airstrikes on the defence forces on 12 June after the rain stopped.

Girkin said that weather would play an important role in determining the outcome of operations in the sector in the coming days.

To quote ISW's key takeaways on 12 June: 

• Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in at least three sectors of the front on June 12.
• Russian forces reportedly launched a counterattack on June 12 following Ukrainian tactical gains near the Vremivka salient in western Donetsk Oblast on June 11.
• Russian milbloggers claimed that poor weather conditions grounded Russian aircraft, impeding Russian defences against Ukrainian attacks near the administrative border between Donetsk and Zaporizhia oblasts.
• Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin announced on June 11 that he had received an order from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) to subordinate his forces under the Russian military command.
• The Russian MoD formalisation efforts are likely intended to centralise control of Russian irregular personnel and supplies to respond to Ukraine’s counteroffensive, as well as restrict Prigozhin's independence.
• Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov continues efforts to rhetorically align himself with the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and further distancing himself from Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin.
• Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks south of Kreminna.
• Ukrainian and Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks around Bakhmut.
• Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line.
• Ukrainian forces conducted ground attacks near the administrative border of Donetsk and Zaporizhia oblasts and made gains as of June 12.
• Russian sources reported that Ukrainian forces conducted limited counteroffensive operations southwest of Orikhiv.
• Social media video footage circulated on June 12 reportedly shows Russian barrier troops shooting Russian forces that abandoned their positions somewhere in Ukraine.
• Russia continues to strengthen the legal regime in occupied areas of Ukraine under martial law.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!