Центр оборонних стратегій

Russia’s war on Ukraine. 16.06.2024

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational Group of Forces (OTG) “Kharkiv”on the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully halted 6 Russian attempts to improve their positions in the areas of Vovchansk and Tykhe.

In the “Khortytsia” Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) operational zone on the Kupyansk direction and Lyman directions, the total number of combat engagements increased to 15. The enemy tried to push the Ukrainian Defense Forces from their positions in the areas of Petropavlivka, Pishchane, Andriivka, Hrekivka, Makiivka, Nevske, and the Serebriansk Forest. 12 attacks have been repelled, and three engagements are ongoing in the areas of Hrekivka and Nevske. On the Siversk direction, the enemy made 4 unsuccessful attempts to attack in the areas of Verkhnyokamianske and Rozdolivka. 4 attempts to displace the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the areas of Hryhorivka, Chasiv Yar, and Klishchiivka on the Kramatorsk direction were also unsuccessful.

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zone on the Pokrovsk direction, the number of combat engagements increased to 33. The highest enemy activity remains in the area of Ocheretyne. The enemy continues to try to penetrate the Ukrainian Defense Forces’ positions near Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Kalynove, Sokil, Novoselivka Persha, Karlivka, and Umanske. 25 enemy attacks were repelled, and the fighting continues.  On the Kurakhove direction, the enemy conducted 11 assaults in the areas of Nevelske, Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobieda, Paraskoviivka, Novomykhailivka, and Kostyantynivka. 9 attacks were successfully repelled. The situation remains tense in the area of Krasnohorivka. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are taking measures to prevent the occupiers from advancing further into Ukrainian territory.

The activity of Russian occupiers on the Vremivka direction has tripled. The aggressor conducted 10 assaults on the forward defense line in the areas of Vodyane, Urozhaine, and Staromayorske. The situation is tense, and measures are being taken to stabilize it. On the Orikhiv direction, the enemy’s three attacks in the areas of Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne were unsuccessful.

In the operational zone of the “Odesa” OSG on the Prydniprovskiy direction, another enemy attempt to attack the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the area of Krynky failed.

General conclusion: 

  • The situation for Russian forces near Bohdanivka (northeast of Chasiv Yar) is difficult, as the Ukrainian Defense Forces hold key heights in this area. The situation southeast of Chasiv Yar near Klishchiivka and Kurdyumivka is dynamically changing.
  • Russian troops have increased the use of chemical substances on the Kramatorsk direction, mixing unknown chemicals with chloropicrin.
  • Intensive FPV drone strikes by the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Orikhiv direction, combined with remote mining using UAVs and the enemy’s persistent shortage of electronic warfare equipment, are hindering the movement of combat vehicles along the frontline in the western part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
  • Enemy Aerospace Forces use between 3,200 to 3,500 glide bombs (approximately 103-112 bombs per day) each month against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

  • There were 91 combat engagements on various fronts.
  • On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces continued offensive actions in the areas of Lyptsi and Hlyboke, as well as in the areas of Vovchansk and Tykhe.
  • In Vovchansk, after an unsuccessful attempt to cross the Vovcha River along Metalistiv Street, up to 400 enemy soldiers were surrounded at the aggregate producing plant, with around 30 occupiers captured. Two attempts to break through to the surrounded Russian forces were repelled by the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
  • In the Shebekino area, Russia, a UAV airstrike hit a TOC-1 ammunition depot.
  • On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces advanced northwest of Berestove, along the forest strip east of Synkivka. Fighting continued near Petropavlivka, Pishchane, Stelmakhivka, and Andriivka.
  • On the Lyman direction, the 12th “Azov” National Guard Brigade captured several enemy positions in the area of the Serebriansk Forest, effectively pushing the Russian military out of the wooded area. Fighting continued near Makiivka, Hrekivka, Nevske, and Torske.
  • On the Siversk Direction, Russian forces advanced 2 km near Rozdolivka and west of Vesele.
  • On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces are advancing in the northern part of the “Kanal” neighborhood. Fighting continued near Chasiv Yar and Andriivka.
  • On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces advanced southeast in the Sokol area, entered Karlivka, advanced on Novoselivka Persha, and attacked south of Novopokrovske and north of Umanske, advancing north of Netaylove towards Yasnobrodivka, and attacked in the areas of Novooleksandrivka, Kalynove, and Yevhenivka.
  • On the Kurakhove direction, the 46th Separate Air Assault Brigade repelled a powerful enemy attack involving 28 BTR-82, an IFV, and light armored multi-purpose transporter-tractor, destroying 13 armored combat vehicles on the O0510 highway. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are clearing Heorhiivka.
  • Russian forces pushed Ukrainian units out of Paraskoviivka, but the village remains a “gray zone.” They began fighting near Maksymilianivka and attacked near Krasnohorivka, Pobieda, Solodke, and Vodyane.
  • On the Vremivka direction, Russian forces advanced north of Zahirne towards Myrne and attacked in the areas of Staromayorske and Urozhaine.
  • As a result of an airstrike, the Ukrainian Defense Forces hit up to three enemy Su-34 bombers at the Morozovsk airbase.
  • On the Orikhiv direction, positional battles continued near Robotyne, Verbove, and Mala Tokmachka.
  • On the Prydniprovskiy direction, on the left bank of Kherson Oblast, positional battles continued near Krynky, Kozachi Laheri, and on the islands in the Dnipro River delta.
  • 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: 3 ships, including 2 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 12 cruise missiles.  

Changes in the enemy disposition:

  • The 27th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Tank Army is engaged in combat on the Kupyansk direction.
  • The 103rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division and the 238th Artillery Brigade of the 8th Combined Arms Army are operating near Heorhiivka. The 5th and 110th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 1st Army Corps are fighting in Krasnohorivka.
  • The 37th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army is operating near Urozhaine.
  • The honorary title “Guards” has been awarded to the 1466th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 5th Combined Arms Army and the 1472nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 68th Army Corps operating respectively in the Vremivka and Kurakhove directions.

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 16.06.24  

Personnel – almost 526,310 (+1160); 

Tanks 7,956 (0);

Armored combat vehicles – 15,269 (+6); 

Artillery systems – 13,913 (+58);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,104 (+1);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 853 (0);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 18,967 (+56);

Aircraft – 359 (0);

Helicopters – 326 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 11,159 (+11);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,296 (+3);

Boats/ships – 29 (0).

Humanitarian+general:

  • According to information provided by the Situation Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian forces shelled 9 regions of Ukraine over the past day. A total of 61 towns and villages and 87 infrastructure objects were attacked with various types of weapons. The number of casualties is being updated/clarified.
  • The Russian military struck the Izyum district of Kharkiv Oblast. In Pisky-Radkivski of the Borova community, three people were injured by a Russian attack, including a 13-year-old boy and a pregnant woman.
  • In Nova Poltavka, Kramatorsk district, Donetsk Oblast, a Russian strike on Sunday, June 16, injured five adults and two children.
  • In the evening of June 16, Russian forces shelled the village of Antonivka in the Kherson region. As a result of the attack, a local woman who was in her yard was injured.
  • In the occupied parts of Luhansk Oblast covert mobilization continues. People of certain professions are forbidden from leaving, even to Russia, according to Roman Vlasenko, head of the Sievierodonetsk district administration. Soldiers at all checkpoints are tasked with registering men. Movement between territories, employment services, and medical services are available only through military registration. Recruitment into the military is conducted through propaganda and a social benefits package.

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