Ukraine Summer Offensive Update for June 23: The Slow Grind

Snapshot

Ukraine inches forward in the south at Rivnopil and Robotyne in Donetsk, and Kreminna in Luhansk; Russia deploys more air power in attempts to slow Ukrainian advances; a 6th Russian Ka-52 Alligator was destroyed this month; pro-Russian sources cite unsuccessful counterattacks against reclaimed Pyatyhatky in Zaporizhzhia.

Analysis

An initial Kyiv Post review of the available data shows that Russia is increasingly deploying air power to defend against Ukrainian attempted advances, particularly in the boundary between the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk. This is both against forward positions of advancing Ukrainian forces and at the rear area logistics, supply, command and reserve locations.

Ukraine’s Claims

US Abrams tanks may appear on the battlefield during the current phase of the summer offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Zone A. TO518 / Mokri Yaly River Axis - boundary of the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions

• Ukrainian and Russian forces continued offensive operations on the administrative border between Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, according to ISW.
• Pro-Russian sources said Ukrainian forces had successfully advanced near Rivnopil, and also attacked near Staromayorske.
• Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said that Russian forces are bring up reserves and seeking to retake positions lost in this zone and in Western Zaporizhzhia around Orikhiv.

Zone B. Western Zaporizhzhia

• Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in the western Zaporizhzhia region, according to ISW.
• Ukrainian military spokesman Captain Valeriy Shershen reported Ukrainian forces have advanced up to one kilometer in the western Zaporizhzhia region.
• The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said partially successful advances took place at Novodanilivka/Robotyne and Mala Tokmachka/Novofedorivka. Pro-Russian sources confirmed that Ukrainian forces had assaulted positions at Robotyne.
• Malyar said that offensive action continues in the south with some success which included “filling in” the line of attack.
• Ukrainian milbloggers said that a Russian counterattack took place at Pyatyhatky, which had recently liberated by Ukraine. Pro-Russian sources said the counterattack was unsuccessful.

Zone C. Bakhmut

• Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks near Bakhmut, according to ISW.

Other Zones & Activity, including Luhansk, Northern Donetsk, Avdiivka and Mariinka.

• Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations near Kreminna in the Luhansk region, according to the ISW.
• Malyar said that Ukrainian forces in the Kreminna area in the Luhansk region achieved partial success and consolidated themselves in new positions.
• Pro-Russian sources said Ukrainian forces had successfully advanced near Staromykhailvka which is 10 kilometers north of Mariinka.
• The General Staff reported combat engagements near Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region; at Avdiivka and Severne, and near Mariinka and Pobeda in the Donetsk region.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Ukrainian forces also conducted offensive operations along the Avdiivka–Donetsk City front.
• Ukrainian administrative authorities reported heavy Russian shelling on Kherson City and Kherson region, including 91 artillery barrages with 415 shells, and on Ukrainian-controlled Zaporizhzhia region, including 94 artillery barrages, which led to two civilians being killed.
• Russian and Ukrainian forces continued to exchange ground attacks near the Kupyansk-Svatove line.
• Ukrainian anti-aircraft gunners shot down a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter in the Donetsk region, Ukraine’s Air Force said.
• Russia targeted a military airfield in the Khmelnytsky region with 13 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles, which Ukraine’s Air Force claimed were all destroyed.
• Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces are transferring GRU Spetsnaz units to Kursk and Bryansk oblasts to fight against Russian partisans.
• A drone attack was reported in Kursk, Russia.

The daily update of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at 06:00 on June 23 reported:

• 49 Russian air strikes.
• 50 Russian Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) strikes.
• 30 defensive firefights around Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mariinka areas.
• Russian air raids against locations in the following regions: Donetsk (17); Zaporizhzhia (one), Kharkiv (two), and Luhansk (one).
• Russian artillery, rocket and mortar fire against locations in the following regions: Kharkiv (21); Sumy (seven); Luhansk (three); Donetsk (31); Zaporizhzhia (seven), and Kherson (10).
• The Ukrainian Air Forces made seven air strikes against Russian positions and equipment.