(1/6) In recent days, both Russia and Ukraine have continued to conduct heavy artillery bombardments on axes to the north, east and south of the Sieverodonetsk pocket, but with little change in the front line.
(2/6) Combat units from both sides are committed to intense combat in the Donbas and are likely experiencing variable morale.
(3/6) Ukrainian forces have likely suffered desertions in recent weeks, however, Russian morale highly likely remains especially troubled. Cases of whole Russian units refusing orders and armed stand-offs between officers and their troops continue to occur.
(4/6) The Russian authorities likely struggle to bring legal pressure to bear on military dissenters, hampered by the invasionโs official status as a โspecial military operationโ rather than as a war.
(5/6) Drivers for low Russian morale include perceived poor leadership, limited opportunity for rotation of units out of combat, very heavy casualties, combat stress, continued poor logistics, and problems with pay.
(6/6) Many Russian personnel of all ranks also likely remain confused about the warโs objectives. Morale problems in the Russian force are likely so significant that they are limiting Russiaโs ability to achieve operational objectives.
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(2/7) On 17 June 2022, Ukrainian forces claimed their first successful use of Western-donated Harpoon anti-ship missiles to engage Russian maritime forces.
(3/7) The target of the attack was almost certainly the Russian naval tug Spasatel Vasily Bekh, which was delivering weapons and personnel to Snake Island in the north-western Black Sea.
(1/6) Russian ground and tactical air operations have remained focussed on the central Donbas sector over the weekend.
(2/6) In the conflict to date, Russiaโs air force has underperformed. Its failure to consistently deliver air power is likely one of the most important factors behind Russiaโs very limited campaign success.
(2/7) In the last 48 hours, Russia has likely renewed its efforts to advance south of Izium, with the goal of advancing deeper into the Donetsk Oblast, and to envelop the Sieverodonetsk Pocket from the north.
(3/7) Since 14 June, Russian and separatist officials have claimed they are attempting to establish humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to evacuate Sieverodonetsk.
(1/6) Over the last 24 hours, Russian forces have likely continued to attempt to regain momentum on the Popasna axis, from which they seek to surround the Sieverodonetsk pocket from the south.
(2/6) In Russia, the war has accelerated the stateโs long-term trajectory towards authoritarianism. In recent weeks, the Duma has started the process to introduce a 20-year sentence for Russians who fight against the Russian Federation.
(1/7) All of the main bridges over the Siverskyy Donets River, which link the contested town of Sieverodonetsk and Ukrainian-held territory, have now highly likely been destroyed.
(2/7) Ukraine has probably managed to withdraw a large proportion of its combat troops, who were originally holding the town. The situation continues to be extremely difficult for the Ukrainian forces and civilians remaining east of the river.
(1/4) After more than a month of heavy fighting, Russian forces now control the majority of Sieverodonetsk. Russiaโs urban warfare tactics, which are reliant on heavy use of artillery, have generated extensive collateral damage throughout the city.
(2/4) Elements of Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with several hundred civilians, are sheltering in underground bunkers in the Azot Chemical Plant, in the cityโs industrial zone.