Центр оборонних стратегій

Russia’s war on Ukraine. 01.06.2024

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational Group of Forces (OG) “Kharkiv” on the Kharkiv direction, the enemy conducted 2 unsuccessful attacks in the vicinity of Vovchansk and Lyptsi. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are actively engaging the Russian occupier units with fire.

In the “Khortytsia” Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) operational zone on the Kupyansk direction, the number of combat encounters increased to 12. Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled 5 enemy attacks in the areas of Synkivka, Berestove, Novoyehorivka, and Makiivka. Ukrainian defenders continue to repel another 7 attacks near Petropavlivka, Berestove, and Novoyehorivka. On the Lyman direction, there were 4 combat encounters. Russian attempts to advance in the areas of Terny, Dibrova, and Torske were unsuccessful. Ukrainian troops are strengthening the frontline defense. On the Siversk direction, there were 8 combat encounters, with the enemy particularly active near Vyimka, where they unsuccessfully attempted to penetrate the Ukrainian defensive lines. The situation remains tense. On the Kramatorsk direction, the aggressor attempted 6 attacks in the areas of Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and Chasiv Yar. All of them failed. On the Toretsk direction, Ukrainian troops repelled an attack near Kurdyumivka.

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zone, on the Toretsk direction, the most combat encounters occurred on the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy, supported by aviation and artillery, persistently tries to find weak spots in “Tavriya” OSG defense attempting to break into their lines with continuous assaults. Out of 27 combat encounters in the areas of Novooleksandrivka, Prohres, Sokil, Novoselivka Persha, Uman, Nevelske, and Netaylove, 15 were successfully repelled by Ukrainian Defense Forces, and 12 battles are ongoing. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are implementing measures to stabilize the situation and prevent enemy advancement. On the Kurakhove direction, there were 5 combat encounters. The invaders are trying to advance near Krasnohorivka, Novomykhailivka, and Kostyantynivka. Four enemy attacks were repelled, and the battle continues in the Krasnohorivka area. On the Vremivka direction, Russian invaders attacked Ukrainian Defense Forces near Staromayorske 3 times, failing in all instances. On the Orikhiv direction, there were 4 combat encounters. Russian occupiers failed to push back Ukrainian Defense Forces from Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Robotyne, and Novoandriivka.

In the operational zone of the “Odesa” OSG on the Prydniprovskiy direction, the occupiers continue to attempt to dislodge Ukrainian Defense Forces from positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Four combat encounters near Krynky ended unsuccessfully for the enemy.

General conclusion: 

  • In the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast, Russian aviation is delivering bomb strikes using glide bombs from an airborne standby position, involving groups of 4-5 Su-34s and Su-35s. The standby areas are located over Russian territory.
  • Russian forces constantly monitor the network of roads and highways in the northern Kharkiv Oblast, making it difficult for Ukrainian transport vehicles to move unnoticed.
  • Throughout May, the enemy conducted 296 strikes with Lancet loitering munitions. In March, there were only 178 such strikes.
  • Russian forces have intensified their efforts to find weak spots in the Ukrainian defense on the Kupyansk direction, but this increase in activity has only led to greater losses of Russian equipment and personnel.
  • On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces typically attack in groups of up to a platoon size.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

  • There were 81 combat engagements on various fronts.
  • On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces made slight advances within the eastern outskirts of Vovchansk and continued assaults near Starytsya.
  • Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked in the Vovchansk area and on the Lyptsi direction.
  • On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces entered Myasozharivka and continued offensive actions in the areas of Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Ivanivka, Berestove, Myasozharivka, Andriivka, Druzhelyubivka, and Novoyehorivka.
  • On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked near Makiivka, Terny, Dibrova, and the Serebriansk Forest.
  • On the Siversk Direction, Russian forces conducted offensive actions in the areas of Vyimka, Berestove, and Rozdolivka.
  • On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces advanced to the intersection of the Siversky Donets-Donbas canal and the T0504 Chasiv Yar-Kostyantynivka highway, reaching the eastern outskirts of Kalynivka. The enemy attempted to advance into the central and western parts of the “Canal” neighborhood. Fighting continued near Bohdanivka, Kalynivka, Ivanivske, Andriivka, and Klishchiivka.
  • On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces advanced southeast of Novooleksandrivka in the areas of Kalynove, Umanske, Semenivka, Yasnobrodivka, Netaylove, Karlivka, toward Novoselivka Persha, along the Karlivka Reservoir toward Yasnobrodivka. Battles occurred near Kalynove, Novooleksandrivka, Ocheretyne, Sokil, Yevhenivka, Prohres, Novoselivka Persha, Yasnobrodivka, Netaylove, Uman, and Nevelske.
  • UkrainianDefense Forces counterattacked near Sokil.
  • On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces advanced to the city council building in the center of Krasnohorivka, west of Solodke. Battles continued in the areas of Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Kostyantynivka, Paraskoviivka, and Vodyane.
  • On the Vremivka direction, positional battles continued near Staromayorske and Urozhaine.
  • On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces advanced near Mala Tokmachka, intensified offensive actions south of Shcherbaky, and assaulted Ukrainian Defense forces’ positions near Robotyne, Verbove, Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaky, and Novoandriivka.
  • In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
    • Azov Sea: 4 ships.
    • Mediterranean Sea: 2 ships including 1 cruise missile carrier; the total salvo is 8 cruise missiles.  
  • In the Armyansk area, in the occupied Crimea, Ukrainian Defense Forces hit the “Nebo-SVE” air defense radar with a missile strike.

Changes in the enemy disposition:

  • Units of the 752nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division of the 20th Army are operating near Novoyehorivka.
  • Units of the 7th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Army Corps of the 8th Army are operating near Nykyforivka.
  • Units of the 239th Tank Regiment and the 228th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 90th Tank Division of the 41st Army, as well as the 1st Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps, are operating near Netaylove and Umanske. Units of the 15th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Army and the 55th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Army are operating in the Sokil–Novopokrovske direction. Units of the 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps and the 74th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Army are operating in the Semenivka–Novoselivka Persha direction. Units of the 35th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Army and the 132nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps are operating in the Keramik–Oleksandropil direction.
  • Units of the 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps are operating in Krasnohorivka. Units of the 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 68th Army Corps and the 238th Artillery Brigade of the 8th Army are operating near Kostyantynivka. Units of the 14th Separate SOF Brigade are operating near Vuhledar. Units of the 255th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 20th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Army are operating in the Kurakhove direction.

Possible operation situation developments:

  • Despite the slowed pace of advancement in the Vovchansk direction, there are no signs of the enemy transitioning to defense on this direction, unlike on the Lyptsi direction.
  • The enemy’s “Sever” Operational Grouping command is preparing to cross the Vovcha River towards Hatyshche and Synelnykove to create conditions for the further advance of the 25th and 138th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 6th Combined Arms Army into the city of Vovchansk.
  • The enemy’s “Sever” Operational Grouping command will likely intensify efforts on the Vovchansk direction, possibly deploying 2-3 motorized rifle battalions and a tank battalion from the 6th Combined Arms Army towards Tykhe and Vovchanski Khutory.
  • Another potential development could be the enemy’s attempt to connect their footholds in the Vovchansk direction with those in the Lyptsi direction. To accomplish this, they might initiate offensive operations toward Buhruvatka-Starytsya, targeting Izbytske and Ternova. This would involve deploying additional motorized rifle and tank battalions on the western bank of the Siversky Donets River.
  • The deployment of reserves from the 44th Army Corps in the Lyptsi area (one battalion each from the 30th and 41st Motorized Rifle Regiments of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 44th Army Corps) cannot be excluded.
  • The enemy will soon capture the “Kanal” neighborhood in Chasiv Yar, as their forward units have taken an enveloping position around this part of the city.
  • 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 Russian military command may redeploy the 7th and 76th Air Assault Divisions from the Robotyne area to the Luhansk, Kherson Oblasts in Ukraine or Kursk Oblast in Russia.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 01.06.24  

Personnel – almost 508,780 (+1130); 

Tanks 7,740 (+12); 

Armored combat vehicles – 14,947 (+12); 

Artillery systems – 13,184 (+44);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,088 (0);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 815 (0);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 18,006 (+101);

Aircraft – 357 (0);

Helicopters – 326 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 10,617 (+30);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,230 (+1);

Boats/ships – 28 (0).

Humanitarian+general:

  • According to information provided by the Situation Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian forces shelled 16 regions of Ukraine over the past day. A total of 91 towns and villages and 120 infrastructure objects were attacked with various types of weapons. The number of casualties is being updated/clarified.
  • On the night of May 31-June 1, 2024, Russian forces launched a missile and air strike on critical infrastructure targets in various regions of Ukraine. In total, the enemy fired 53 missiles of different types and 47 attack drones. Ukrainian air defenders shot down 35 missiles and 46 drones.
  • On the night of May 31-June 1, the Russian military attacked energy facilities in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblasts. DTEK reported “serious damage” to two thermal power plants. This is the sixth massive attack on DTEK’s thermal power plants in 2.5 months.
  • During the massive Russian night attack, six cruise missiles hit three critical infrastructure sites in Lviv Oblast while the “West” Air Command destroyed 18 missiles and six Shahed drones within their area of responsibility.
  • The enemy struck critical infrastructure sites in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, causing a fire that covered an area of 400 square meters. The specific type of infrastructure affected has not been disclosed. There are no reported casualties.
  • After the Russian shelling on Saturday night, the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station in Zaporizhzhia is in critical condition. Currently, traffic from the left bank to the right bank is banned. Authorities are exploring the possibility of opening safe transport routes via the dam.
  • On June 1, two hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) came under Russian missile strikes that critically damaged their equipment, according to Ukrhydroenergo. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has destroyed the Kakhovka HPP and launched over 110 missiles at all Ukrhydroenergo’s HPPs and Hydro Accumulating Power Plants, the company emphasized.
  • Friday, May 31 set a record, with the enemy attacking towns and villages in Zaporizhzhia Oblast over 500 times, mostly targeting border areas.

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