As Russia’s full-scale invasion enters its sixth calendar year, Ukraine braces itself for further escalation. RFE/RL’s live briefing highlights key developments.
On Thursday afternoon in Kropyvnytskyi in central Ukraine, one civilian was killed and eight were injured when a missile attack hit an energy company’s facilities, apparently using an X-59 missile, according to regional governor Oleksandr Gnipenko.
Shakhtarske axis
Ukraine’s defense ministry reported that Russia has escalated its attacks against it, in what Ukrainian military intelligence suspected was a new offensive escalation. Additionally, Ukrainian military intelligence revealed Russian troops testing ground-to-ground missiles near Shakhtarske.
On the northern front near Belarus, a Ukrainian air strike hit a mercenary convoy near Belgorod oblast and wounded four soldiers, according to its regional governor. Additionally, houses were damaged and power supplies were temporarily cut in certain areas as a result of this strike.
At Lyman Axis, Ukrainian missile, artillery and unmanned aerial systems destroyed 3x Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs belonging to enemy forces. Ukrainian troops also launched attacks near Mykhailivka, Kherson Oblast where one 6-year-old boy was killed while his sibling received treatment for shrapnel wounds at hospital. Meanwhile, Wagner mercenary group head claimed that top military leaders attempted to restrict ammunition supply for his fighters.
Zaporizhzhia axis
Ukraine’s military has made steady progress in breaking through Russia’s southern defense line in Zaporizhzhia axis, US Army General Mark Milley said during an interview with Al-Mamlaka TV (Jordanian public service news channel).
Milley noted that Ukrainian Armed Forces were employing cutting-edge weapons in their attacks. Specifically, he pointed out the 76th Landing and Assault Division as using these “modern arms”.
On the Lyman axis, invaders attempted offensive operations near Bilohorivka and Nevs’ke (Luhansk oblast), but ultimately failed. Additionally, they shelled more than 10x settlements such as Novobakhmutivka, Stelmakhivka, Spirne and Oleksandropillya (Zaporizhzhia oblast) as well as Ivanivka and Kupyansk (Kharkiv oblast).
Odesa operational-strategic group
Over the past day, Ukrainian troops successfully repulsed 18 Russian attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivka, Klishchiivka and Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). Occupiers are trying to surround and surround Bakhmut by moving towards these areas.
OSG troops have successfully stopped enemy advances through shelling enemy positions and air strikes, inflicting substantial losses of manpower and equipment onto them while Ukrainian soldiers secure new positions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Odesa oblast and met with warriors on the front line, awarding them with state honors. Additionally, he addressed Odesa residents about their need to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces so they may achieve victory as one unit; now is the time for action and not propaganda!
Kupyansk axis
Russia remains determined in its pursuit of Ukrainian troops stationed along the Kupyansk – Lyman frontline, even after incurring significant losses. Russia reportedly attempted to encircle Kupiansk and reach Oskil river according to Colonel General Andriy Syrskyi of Ukraine’s Land Forces.
He stated that offensive operations of the enemy had been successfully repulsed nine times around Synkivka, Podolye, Petropavlivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). Furthermore, their attempts at gaining foothold near Maryinka and Novomykhailivka had also been foiled.
The enemy conducted 8 air strikes and 57 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) attacks against Ukrainian troops and occupied territory, damaging residential houses and other infrastructure, as well as numerous vehicles destroyed using first-person view (FPV) drones.
Lyman axis
Russian occupiers are making every attempt in Lyman axis to break through Ukrainian defences at Ridkodub and Karpivka, bypass Kupyansk to the north, and reach Oskil river, according to Ukraine’s army commander in eastern regions. “However, Ukrainian troops, despite serious losses, courageously held the defense,” according to him.
He reported that Lyman was being overrun with enemy troops who were moving reserves from different sectors in the region into Lyman to support offensive actions of assault units composed of former criminals, which are carrying out aggressive operations against local residents. Furthermore, according to Mr. Taylor’s claim, attackers had increased their use of attack drones against innocent citizens.
Belgorod in southern Russia has seen residents being evacuated after Russian missile and drone strikes caused damage to homes, forcing 600 residents from the city. Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported these airstrikes had caused 600 residents to vacate their residences due to airstrikes originating in Siberia and leaving homes damaged, according to local media reports.