Russia’s war on Ukraine. 06.05.2024

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) “Khortytsia”, on the Kupyansk direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 14 enemy attacks in the areas of Synkivka, Pishchane, Berestove, Stelmakhivka. On the Lyman direction, the enemy launched six attacks on the Ukrainian Defense Forces positions in the vicinity of Nevske, Novosadove, and Torske. On the Bakhmut direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 36 Russian attacks in the areas of Bilohorivka, Verkhnyokamianske, Spirne, Klishchiivka, Vyimka, Novyi, Rozdolivka, Ivanivske, and Andriivka. 

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zone on the Avdiivka direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 31 enemy attacks in the areas of Novooleksandrivka, Novopokrovske, Umanske, Yasnobrodivka, and Netaylove. On the Novopavlivka direction, they continued to hold back the enemy in the areas of Kostyantynivka, Krasnohorivka, Vodyane, and Urozhaine, where the adversary attempted to breach Ukrainian troops’ defenses 27 times. On the Orikhiv direction, the enemy attacked the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces 6 times in the area of Staromayorske and Robotyne.

In the operational zone of the “Odesa” OSG on the Kherson direction, the enemy remains determined to dislodge the units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River and launched 3 unsuccessful attacks.

General conclusion: 

• Russian forces have amassed a grouping of 20,000-25,000 personnel on the Chasiv Yar direction.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

• There were 125 combat engagements on various fronts.
• On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces captured Kotlyarivka, advancing to its western outskirts and south of Novoselivske. The enemy also attacked near Synkivka, Pishchane, Kyslivka, Berestove, and Stelmakhivka.
• On the Lyman direction, intense fighting occurred near Novosadove, Torske, Terny, Serebriansk Forest, Hryhorivka, and Bilohorivka.
• On the Bakhmut direction, Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked near Verkhnyokamianske, Vyimka, Spine, and Rozdolivka.
• Units of the 331st Airborne Regiment of the 98th Airborne Division of the enemy advanced towards the dacha zone north of the “Kanal” neighborhood and displaced the Ukrainian Defense Forces to the southern outskirts of the neighborhood. The enemy is consolidating its position in the Stupky-Holubivski-2 reserve. Intense fighting continues near the “Kanal” and “Novyi” neighborhoods, as well as near Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka.
• The Ukrainian Defense Forces launched counterattacks on the northern and western outskirts of Bohdanivka.
• On the Avdiivka direction, Russian forces bypassed the new defense line of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in Ocheretyne and managed to form a small salient, advancing slowly. The enemy continued offensive actions in the vicinity of Arkhanhelske, near Novokalynove, Novooleksandrivka, Berdychi, Semenivka, Novopokrovske, Sokil, and Solovyove.
• Russian troops attacked Netaylove and advanced into the village by 300 meters, attacked near Umanske and Yasnobrodivka.
• The Ukrainian Defense Forces regained control of positions previously lost in Nevelske.
• On the Novopavlivka direction, Russian forces achieved minor successes east of Krasnohorivka and in eastern Paraskoviivka, attacked in the areas of Novomykhailivka, Heorhiivka, Kostyantynivka, and Vodyane.
• On the Berdyansk direction, Russian forces advanced up to 500 meters near Novomayorske. Positional battles continued near Staromayorske, Urozhaine, Novopil, and Novodarivka.
• On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces have advanced in the southern part of Robotyne. Positional battles have been ongoing near Robotyne and Verbove.
• On the Kherson direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have expanded their positions in Krynky.
• Russian troops have conducted several unsuccessful assaults on Nestryha Island.
• In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
  • Mediterranean Sea: 1 ships, including 1 “Kalibr” sea launched cruise missile carrier. The total salvo is 16 cruise missiles.
• As a result of an operation conducted by Unit Group 13 of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, an enemy speedboat was successfully destroyed by the Magura V5 strike marine drone.

Changes in the enemy disposition:

• The Command of the adversary’s “Yug (South)” Operational Grouping, engaged in an offensive maneuver toward Kramatorsk, anticipates the full readiness restoration of the 54th Motorized Rifle Regiment, part of the 6th Motorized Rifle Division within the 3rd Army Corps, by June 1st. The regiment is currently concentrated at the training facilities of “Prudboy” and “Kadamovskiy” in Rostov Oblast. Training endeavors primarily target the preparation of artillery crew commanders, snipers, APC gunners, and light armored multi-purpose transporter-tractor mechanics, totaling up to 180 personnel.

Escalation indicators:

• The Russian Ministry of Defense plans to conduct tactical exercises with missile units of the Southern Military District in the near future, involving aviation and naval forces. These exercises will focus on practicing the use of tactical nuclear weapons.

Possible operation situation developments:

• The enemy’s military leadership is gearing up for tactical raids in Kharkiv and Sumy Oblasts. They plan to engage forces from the 11th and 44th Army Corps, and possibly the 138th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 6th Army. Their goal is to distract the Ukrainian Defense Forces command and prevent the use of reserves, especially strategic ones, in more critical areas. By launching a limited offensive in Kharkiv, they aim to threaten a breakthrough towards the city and tie down a significant portion of the Ukrainian Defense Forces there.
• The adversary may attempt to bypass Chasiv Yar without directly assaulting the city, by operating from the south and southeast, while simultaneously forming a northern flank for the Toretsk operation.
• The “Center” Operational Grouping command is focused on executing the following operational plan: to establish conditions for the blockade and encirclement of the Kurakhove area or to create advantageous circumstances for launching an offensive operation to encircle “Tavriya” OSG’s defense in Toretsk area from the south.
• The enemy’s “Vostok” Operational Grouping is gearing up for active operations on the southern flank of the Kurakhove-Vuhledar bulge of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in coordination with the left flank of the “Yug” Operational Grouping, which is currently attempting to break through towards Kurakhove through Hryhorivka and Paraskoviivka-Kostyantynivka along the Vovcha and Sukhi Yaly Rivers.
• The isolation or complete capture of Kostyantynivka will significantly impair the Defense Forces’ ability to maintain the frontline in the southern part of Donetsk Oblast, as it will disrupt the main logistical route along Highway N-20.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 06.05.24  

Personnel – almost 475,300 (+1040); 

Tanks 7,380 (+5); 

Armored combat vehicles – 14,213 (+34); 

Artillery systems – 12,250 (+38);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,057 (0);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 791 (+1);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 16,477 (+59);

Aircraft – 349 (0);

Helicopters – 325 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 9,683 (+47);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,148 (+1);

Boats/ships – 27 (0).

Humanitarian+general:

• According to information provided by the Situation Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian forces shelled 10 regions of Ukraine over the past day. A total of 111 towns and villages and 149 infrastructure objects were attacked with various types of weapons. The number of casualties is being updated/clarified.
• Overnight on May 6th, the enemy conducted an aerial strike on energy facilities in Sumy Oblast. Over 400,000 customers in the city of Sumy and surrounding areas were left without power. Critical infrastructure objects in Sumy were switched to backup power, and the city set up “resilience points.” Among the damaged civilian infrastructure is the high-voltage facility of “Ukrenergo” National Power Company.
• Ukrainian air defense systems successfully destroyed 12 out of 13 Shahed-131/136 enemy drones launched at Sumy Oblast.
• Russian forces continue their attacks on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. On Sunday evening, an enemy kamikaze drone damaged a high-voltage power line in the Chervonohryhorivska community.
• During the night of May 6, Russian forces attacked the village of Zolochiv in Kharkiv Oblast with glide bombs, injuring a woman and causing extensive damage. Over the past day, Russians have killed 1 and wounded at least 19 civilians in Kharkiv Oblast.
• Russian occupiers launched, for the first time, a modified 1.5-ton FAB-1500 high-explosive aerial bomb over the territory of Kupyansk district in Kharkiv Oblast, destroying an entire street and killing an 88-year-old woman. The Russians equipped the FAB-1500 with a special module to enable the bomb to glide in the air after being dropped from an aircraft.
• During the daytime on May 6th, Russian forces launched an attack on Kostyantynivka in Donetsk Oblast, resulting in injuries to four civilians. Two men aged between 34 and 53 were transported to the hospital with blast injuries and shrapnel wounds, with one of them in critical condition.
• According to the National Resistance Center of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Russian forces have begun exporting remnants of the destroyed Coking Plant from the captured town of Avdiivka. The scrap is being transported to the port of Mariupol, with proceeds from the sales going to front companies linked to Denis Pushilin.

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