UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-06-13
Slava Ukraini! In early 2022 I began a Telegram channel aggregating news from a number of sources daily on the war in Ukraine. Since June 2023 I have provided a daily draft for the Ukraine War Brief Podcast collecting news from over 60 sources daily, much of which forms the basis of the script. While the Podcast is on hiatus I will make this Draft available here both on my own Substack and The People’s Media for those who wish to keep up with events on a daily basis.
ALONG THE CONTACT LINE
GSAFU Morning Report
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its Operational Information update at 23:00 on June 12 stated that day 844 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was about to begin.
During the past day, 108 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 10 missile strikes, 34 air strikes, 513 drone strikes and 2874 shellings across the positions of Ukrainian forces.
At the same time, Ukrainian soldiers continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupying troops, exhausting the enemy along the entire front line and continue to disrupt the plans of Russian occupiers to advance deep into the territory of Ukraine.
Our Air Force and Missile and Artillery units have since earlier this day attacked three enemy weapons, artillery system and personnel and military equipment concentration area.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv axis: There were 5 unsuccessful Russian assaults in the vicinity of Lyptsi and Vovchansk. The AFU continues to take measures to strengthen defence positions and borders.
Kupyansk axis: Russian invaders attacked Ukrainian defences 13 times in the vicinity of Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Pishane, Novoselivake, and Makiivka. The situation is under control.
Lyman axis: Russian forces attacked Ukrainian defences 10 times in the vicinity of Druzhelyubivka, Nevske, Terny and the Serebryanskyy Forest. The fight is ongoing in the area of Druzhelyubivka.
Siversk axis: Russia made 14 attacks in the vicinity of Sprine and Rozdolivka. Defense Forces are taking measures to prevent invaders from advancing.
Kramatorsk axis: Russian forces made 10 attempts to breach Ukrainian defences in the vicinity of Chasiv Yar, Ivanske and Andriivka. The situation is under control.
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk axis: The hottest remains the setting in the Pokrovsky direction. With assaults in the vicinity of Kalynove, Novooleksandrivka, Yevgenivka, Novopokrovskke and Novoselivka Persha. The situation has escalated, clashes continue.
Kurakhove axis: Russian forces made 11 attempts to breach Ukrainian defences in the vicinity of Netailove, Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka and Paraskoviika. The situation remains tense.
Vremika axis: Russia made 5 assaults in the vicinity of Urozhaine and Vodaine
Orikhiv axis: Russian forces attacked 2 times in the vicinity of Mala Tokmachka, the situation remained without significant changes.
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Prydniprovsk axis: Russian forces assaulted Ukrainian defences on the left bank of the Dnipro in the vicinity of Krynky 3 times over the previous day, with air support. All attacks were repelled.
Ukraine targets Russian air defences in Crimea ahead of anticipated F-16 deliveries
US think tank The Institute for the Study of War, in its June 12 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment stated that Ukrainian forces may be conducting an effort aimed at degrading Russian air defences, which, if successful, could enable Ukraine to more effectively leverage manned fixed-wing airpower in the long run.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported on June 12 that Ukrainian forces targeted one S-300 air defence battery and two S-400 air defence batteries near occupied Belbek and Sevastopol, Crimea overnight on June 11 to 12.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that the strikes destroyed at least two S-300/S-400 Russian air defence radar systems and caused secondary ammunition detonations, and that the Ukrainian military is clarifying battle damage. Geolocated imagery published on June 12 shows damaged and destroyed Russian S-300 assets north of occupied Yevpatoria and a destroyed Russian S-400 radar system south of occupied Dzhankoy, supporting the Ukrainian General Staff's June 10 report about strikes against Russian air defence assets in these areas. Some Russian sources speculated that Ukrainian forces used ATACMS in the June 11 to 12 strike, although ISW is unable to confirm which systems Ukrainian forces used.
Founder of the Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) "Kraken" Regiment Kostyantyn Nemichev confirmed on June 12 that Ukrainian forces used HIMARS to destroy four Russian S-300 systems in Belgorod Oblast on an unspecified date, and Ukrainian outlet Suspilne referred to Nemichev's statements as the first official Ukrainian confirmation of strikes against a Russian S-300 battery in Belgorod Oblast on June 1 or 2. Ukrainian forces’ destruction of the Russian air defence systems in Belgorod Oblast reportedly prompted the Russian command to deploy air defence assets from Crimea to Belgorod Oblast in early June 2024, reportedly degrading Russian air defence coverage around Crimea.
GUR Spokesperson Andriy Yusov also clarified on June 12 that Ukrainian drone strikes against the Akhtubinsk Airfield in Astrakhan Oblast between June 7 and 8 damaged two Russian Su-57 fighter aircraft instead of just one aircraft as previously reported.
S-300/S-400 air defense systems and Su-57 fighters are significant Russian air defense and aviation assets that deny Ukraine the ability to fly aircraft near the front and support Russian offensive operations in Ukraine.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Elements of Russia’s single S-500 air defence system relocated from Moscow to Crimea
The Chief of Ukrainian Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), Kyrylo Budanov, stated that “elements of the S-500 have appeared” in Crimea, which he described as a “trial use” of the system by Russian forces. Budanov indicated this deployment aims to protect critical facilities and reinforce logistics connections between the occupied Crimean peninsula and Russia from potential Ukrainian missile attacks, Suspilne reported.
The move comes in response to recent successful strikes by Ukrainian forces against Russian air defence assets in Crimea.
The S-500 “Prometheus” represents Russia’s latest long-range anti-aircraft system, designed to complement the existing S-400 systems by providing enhanced missile defence capabilities.
However, Budanov noted that only certain “elements” of the full S-500 system have been moved to Crimea so far, suggesting it may be operating in a limited configuration during this initial deployment to the occupied region.
Additionally, Budanov confirmed that Russian military logistics and troop movements continue to rely on the Kerch Strait Bridge connecting occupied Crimea to Russia, despite Ukrainian strikes. He stated the bridge “is always used and will be used as long as it exists” for transporting personnel, though less for cargo shipments currently carried by ferries.
THE HOME FRONT
Zelenskyy announces signing of security agreements with US and Japan
On 13 June, Ukraine will sign security agreements with the US and Japan on the sidelines of the G7 summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on social media. The President is visiting the summit in Italy today.
In summer 2023, leaders from the G7, along with the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, endorsed a “Joint Declaration on Support for Ukraine” at the G7 summit, committing to specific long-term security collaborations with Ukraine. This year, Kyiv focused on signing bilateral security pacts with its allies.
“Bilateral security agreements will be signed during meetings with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The document with the United States will be unprecedented, as it should be for leaders who support Ukraine,”
Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s main priorities include forming a fighter jet coalition, expediting pilot training, accelerating aircraft delivery, and enhancing Ukrainian air defence systems with advanced Western technology. He also emphasised the importance of increasing long-range capabilities and utilising Russian assets to benefit Ukraine’s defence industry through approval formats for joint weapon production.
Hundreds of firefighters have been putting out fire caused by Russian strike on Kyiv Oblast for more than a day
State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that a fire at an industrial facility caused by a Russian attack on the night of 11-12 June is still being fought.
249 firefighters, 98 apparatus and 4 fire trains are working on site.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Nothing to report.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Eight EU countries call for restricting Russian diplomats’ movement
Eight European Union foreign ministers have called on the EU to ban Russian diplomats from moving freely around the bloc and restrict them to countries where they are accredited. Reuters reports.
In a letter to EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell seen by Reuters, dated 11 June, the ministers stated that the “free movement of holders of Russian diplomatic and service passports, accredited in one host state, across the whole Schengen area is easing malign activities.”
The ministers, from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania, said that intelligence, propaganda “or even preparation of sabotage acts are the main workload for a large number of Russian ‘diplomats’ in the EU.“
“We believe the EU should strictly follow the reciprocity principle and restrict the movement of members of Russian diplomatic missions and their family members to territory of a state of their accreditation only,” the ministers said, adding that “this measure will significantly narrow operational space for Russian agents.” The letter read.
New UK sanctions to crack down on Putin's war machine
UK announces 50 new sanctions designations and specifications to degrade Putin’s war machine, in co-ordinated action with G7 partners to support Ukraine.
New targets include ships in Putin’s shadow fleet, institutions at the heart of Russia’s financial system and suppliers supporting Russia’s military production.
These new sanctions, announced while the Prime Minister attends the G7 Leaders Summit in Italy, will bear down on Russia’s ability to fund and equip its war machine and show the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine.
Today’s action includes the UK’s first sanctions targeting vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet, used by Russia to circumvent UK and G7 sanctions and continue unfettered trade in Russian oil.
US issues new 'sweeping' sanctions against Russia
The U.S. State and Treasury departments issued what they called a "sweeping" set of sanctions against Russia and its financial backers on June 12, in the latest move to try and degrade Moscow's wartime economy.
Western countries have imposed extensive economic restrictions against Moscow over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, seeking to curb its state revenue and prevent it from obtaining key technologies needed for the war effort.
More than two years into its war, it is unclear if the measures have had their desired effect. Russia has increasingly mobilized its economy to support its war, and has proved resourceful in strengthening new economic partnerships and trade routes.
"Today's actions strike at their remaining avenues for international materials and equipment, including their reliance on critical supplies from third countries."
More than new 300 new sanctions were introduced between the State Department and Treasury, impacting individuals and companies across a wide swathe of the world.
G7 agrees $50 billion deal to support Ukraine
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies agreed an outline deal on Thursday to provide $50 billion of loans for Ukraine using interest from Russian sovereign assets frozen after Moscow launched its invasion of its neighbour in 2022. Reuters reports
The political agreement was the centrepiece of the opening day in southern Italy of the annual summit of G7 leaders, attended for a second successive year by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Ukrainian leader will sign a new, long-term security accord with U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday, as well as one with fellow G7 member Japan.
Many of the G7 leaders are struggling at home but determined to make a difference on the world stage as they also seek to counter China's economic ambitions.
"There is a lot of work to be done, but I am sure that in these two days we will be able to have discussions that will lead to concrete and measurable results," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told her G7 guests as their talks started in a luxury hotel resort in the southern region of Puglia.
The G7 plan for Ukraine is based on a multi-year loan using profits from some $300 billion of impounded Russian funds.
The technical details will be finalised in the coming weeks, a G7 diplomatic source told Reuters. The source, who asked not to be named, said the additional funding would arrive by the end of this year.
A senior U.S. official said the United States had agreed to provide up to $50 billion itself, but that amount could decline significantly as other countries announced their participation.
The aim of the deal was to ensure it can run for years regardless of who is in power in each G7 state - a nod to concerns that U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump might be much less sympathetic to Kyiv if he beats Biden in November, according to a person close to the talks.
MILITARY & TECH
Russians lose state-of-the-art R-416GM to Ukraine’s special forces
For the first time in the Russo-Ukrainian war, Ukraine’s forces hit Russia’s newest R-416GM mobile digital radio relay communications station, severing command links.
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) report achieving a significant first in the ongoing war by successfully targeting Russia’s latest R-416GM digital radio relay communications station, using a kamikaze drone.
Operating in one of the operational areas, operators from the 3rd SOF Regiment identified the Russian R-416GM station, according to SOF. This mobile station, which entered Russian service in 2018, is designed to enhance the effectiveness of radio relay communications units in field conditions.
Utilising one of the “latest acquisitions” put into service by the SOF, the Ukrainians delivered a precise strike on the enemy target, resulting in the hit on the R-416GM. This strike has effectively disrupted communication between the Russian command point and its units on the ground.
It is noteworthy that this is the first instance of an R-416GM station being struck by Ukrainian forces since the all-out war began. The loss of this advanced communications system deals a blow to Russia’s ability to coordinate its forces effectively in the field.
Norway donates $ 45 mn in mortar ammunition to Ukraine
Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported on 13 June that Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said Norway is donating 81-mm mortar ammunition worth approximately $45 million to Ukraine.
“Ukraine has huge needs for all kinds of ammunition, and they have specifically requested what we are now sending. There are great needs, and we are trying to assist in a struggle that is difficult for Ukraine,” Gram told NRK.
“They have attacked a peaceful neighbouring country. It is clear that Ukraine has a struggle for its own existence, but it is also a defence for Europe, so that Russian aggression in its own neighbourhood does not prevail,” he added.
NRK reported that Norway has also recently donated hand grenades worth around $4.7 million and sniper ammunition worth approximately $280,000.
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