Центр оборонних стратегій

Russia’s war on Ukraine. 15.06.2024

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational Group of Forces (OTG) “Kharkiv”on the Kharkiv direction, Russian occupiers attempted to storm the positions of Ukrainian Defense Forces units in the areas of Vovchansk and Tykhe 3 times, supported by aviation. All enemy attacks were repelled.

In the “Khortytsia” Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) operational zone there were 10 combat engagements with the occupiers on the Kupyansk direction. The enemy tried to improve their tactical position in the areas of Petropavlivka, Synkivka, and Pishchane. All enemy assaults near Synkivka were repelled, while battles continued in the areas of Petropavlivka and Pishchane.  On the Lyman direction, Russian forces attacked the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces 9 times in the areas of Hrekivka, Terny, and Nevske.  On the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy’s activity in the area of Andriivka was unsuccessful.

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zone, the enemy is intensively attacking on the Pokrovsk direction. The aggressor carried out 29 attacks. The highest activity of Russian troops is in the areas of Novooleksandrivka, Sokil, and Novopokrovske. In total, 17 attacks were repelled, and 12 battles are ongoing. The situation is complex but controlled by the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Ukrainian soldiers are making efforts to prevent the enemy from advancing deep into Ukrainian territory. On the Kurakhove direction, there were 20 combat engagements. The occupiers remain highly active, trying to advance in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Paraskoviivka, and Kostyantynivka.

There are no significant changes on other directions.

General conclusion: 

  • The military-political leadership of the Russian Federation has not abandoned its intentions to capture territories in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Oblasts.
  • Russian forces, during their offensive operation in the northern Kharkiv Oblast, are unable to create a “buffer zone” to “protect Russian border areas from Ukrainian strikes.”
  • In the areas of Klishchiivka and Andriivka, Russian troops are attacking on motorcycles and have abandoned traditional tactics, attempting to reach the forward edge of the Ukrainian defensive positions as quickly as possible to engage in close combat. The enemy operates in small infantry groups supported by armored fighting vehicles from long distances. The enemy has also intensified the use of UAVs.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

  • There were 81 combat engagements on various fronts.
  • On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces advanced up to 100 meters in Vovchansk. Fighting continued north of Lyptsi near Hlyboke, within Vovchansk, including near the aggregate producing plant, and near Tykhe.
  • On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces continued offensive actions in the areas of Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Pishchane, Stelmakhivka, and Berestove.
  • On the Lyman direction Russian forces attacked near Hrekivka and Nevske.
  • On the Siversk Direction, Russian forces advanced to the eastern outskirts of Rozdolivka and are advancing along the railway towards Vyimka, capturing the Bilohorivka chalk quarry. They also attacked near Verkhnyokamianske.
  • On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces are securing positions in the western part of the “Novyi” neighborhood, where they captured several multi-story buildings, advancing in the area of Klishchiivka and Andriivka to flank Ukrainian forces from the south and attack them from the rear. They also attacked near Kalynivka and Ivanivske.
  • On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces advanced southeast of Novoselivka, northeast of Sokil, conducted intense assaults on the Pokrovsk direction, advanced in the area of Novooleksandrivka, within Novopokrovske, north and west of Umanske, on the eastern outskirts of Karlivka, and near Nevelske.
  • On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces captured Heorhiivka and advanced within the eastern part of Maksymilianivka, in the center of Krasnohorivka, northwest of Solodke, continued to advance near Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, and Vodyane.
  • On the Vremivka direction, Russian forces continued attacks near Staromayorske and Urozhaine.
  • On the Orikhiv direction, positional battles continued near Robotyne, Verbove, and Mala Tokmachka.
  • On the Prydniprovskiy direction, positional battles continued near Krynky and on the islands in the Dnipro River delta.
  • A missile strike by the Ukrainian Defense Forces east of the Belbek airfield destroyed a 92N6E radar, a BAZ-6306 artillery tractor, and a 51P6 launcher from the S-300 complex. The enemy is deploying S-500 anti-aircraft missile systems to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
  • In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
    • Black Sea: 1 ship, including 1 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 4 cruise missiles.
    • Azov Sea: 8 ships, including 3 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 24 cruise missiles.
    • Mediterranean Sea: 2 ships, including 2 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 12 cruise missiles.  
  • Changes in the enemy disposition:
  • The “Aida” group from the “Okhotnik” detachment of the Special Rapid Response Unit “Akhmat” from the Chechen Republic, RF, is operating In Vovchansk. They were redeployed from the area of the Serebriansk Forest.
  • The “Burevesnik” UAV detachment formed as part of the enemy “Volunteer Assault Corps” is operating near Chasiv Yar.
  • The 228th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 90th Tank Division of the 41st Combined Arms Army is advancing near Novopokrovske.
  • The 30th Artillery Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army is operating near Urozhaine.

Possible operation situation developments:

  • On the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy is expected to soon attempt to push the “Khortytsia” OSG units beyond the canal south of the Kostyantynivka – Bakhmut road. The area of Klishchiivka, defended by the “Khortytsia” OSG units, will significantly complicate the enemy’s plans.
  • The 74th and 55th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 41st Army, the 15th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Army, and the 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps, reinforced by several regiments and battalions from territorial troops and mobilization reserves, will soon attempt to break through Vozdvyzhenka towards the Pokrovsk – Kostyantynivka road. Their goal is to cut it off between Malynivka and Nova Poltavka, reach the Vovcha River between Prohres and Komyshivka, and, if conditions allow, establish several bridgeheads.
  • The fighting in the Staromayorske area is a diversionary action aimed at forming a strike tactical group of 3-4 brigades and 1-2 regiments in the Mykilske-Novodonetske sector. The likely objective of this tactical group could be to break through the Kashlahach River in the Uspenivka area simultaneously with the “Yug” Operational Grouping’s advance towards Kurakhove.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 15.06.24  

Personnel – almost 525,150 (+1090); 

Tanks 7,956 (+20);

Armored combat vehicles – 15,263 (+29); 

Artillery systems – 13,855 (+37);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,103 (+2);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 853 (+4);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 18,911 (+57);

Aircraft – 359 (0);

Helicopters – 326 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 11,148 (+51);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,293 (+7);

Boats/ships – 29 (0).

Humanitarian+general:

  • According to information provided by the Situation Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian forces shelled 11 regions of Ukraine over the past day. A total of 84 towns and villages and 185 infrastructure objects were attacked with various types of weapons. The number of casualties is being updated/clarified.
  • Over the past day, Russian forces launched strikes on 18 towns and villages in Kherson Oblast, resulting in one fatality and one person injured.
  • At 7:21 am on June 15, rescuers extinguished a fire at an industrial facility in Kyiv Oblast caused by the Russian overnight attack on June 12.
  • On June 15, 2024, Russian military targeted the village of Ulakli in Volnovakha district, Donetsk Oblast. Initial findings indicate that the enemy employed “Smerch” MRLS loaded with cluster munitions. Three civilians were killed, and five others were injured.
  • The Department of the Occupation Administration of Crimea, responsible for historical artifacts and cultural sites on the peninsula, has instructed its subordinate institutions to prepare museum valuables for “evacuation.” This directive is detailed in a letter from Crimea’s so-called “Ministry of Culture” to the heads of museum institutions, as reported by the Center for National Resistance of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

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