Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is ready to launch its long-awaited counteroffensive but admitted there were some unknowns about the operation; suggests Russia’s progress in Bakhmut may prove a double edged-sword for “the whole Russian force”.
Death toll in Russian border region rises to four
The civilian death toll in Russia’s Belgorod region has risen to four since military activity was reported yesterday.
The cause of the deaths is disputed, with the area’s governor blaming Ukrainian shelling while the Freedom of Russia Legion claimed the Russian army killed two civilians after mistaking them for members of its anti-Kremlin militia.
A further two deaths were the result of rocket attacks on the border town of Sobolevka, said Russian governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, adding six people were injured.
Attacks have intensified on Belgorod in recent days, according to Russian officials, who said they were evacuating 2,500 from nearby Shebekino yesterday.
The Freedom of Russia Legion launched its second incursion into Russia via the region this week.
All road and rail travel in the district has been suspended until June 30, Mr Gladkov said.
Russia’s progress in Bakhmut could prove ‘double-edged sword’
Regular readers may have noted Russia has claimed control of Bakhmut several times in the last few months, but its most recent declaration appears to have carried more weight.
Kyiv maintains it still holds part of the city, but Moscow’s decision to relieve Wagner Group mercenaries from the frontline suggests they have made progress, reflected too in control zone estimations by the Institute for the Study of War.
But Russia’s success in Bakhmut has come at the cost of one wounded or killed soldier for every 48cm of territory gained, and the city may prove a double-edged sword come any Ukrainian counteroffensive, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
Russia has “been forced” to deploy once-elite airborne forces (VDV) from four separate army divisions to hold the frontline in the city, meaning “the whole Russian force is likely to be less flexible in reacting to operational challenges”, the MoD said.
It added the VDV may be “much degraded from its pre-invasion ‘elite’ status” but the units are still “relatively capable” and commanders would have preferred to hold them as an “uncommitted reserve”.
Ukraine is ready to launch counteroffensive – Zelenskyy
Ukraine is ready to launch its long-awaited counteroffensive to recapture Russian-occupied territory, its president has announced.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he does not know how long it will take and “it can go a variety of ways” – but they “strongly believe” they will succeed.
“We are going to do it, and we are ready,” he said.
The counteroffensive has been delayed by wet weather leaving the ground unsuitable for heavy, armoured vehicles, but a dry spell in some parts of Ukraine has driven anticipation the operation might be imminent.
In recent weeks Ukraine has increased strikes on Russian ammunition depots and logistical routes.
Marinka could be one to watch over the coming days, after a Ukrainian military report said the Donetsk town was the focus of some fighting.
Yesterday, the Russian defence ministry said Chechen special forces were launching an offensive in the area.
COURTESY SKYNEWS
