#WagnerGroup financier #Prigozhin claimed that the Russian relief in-place operation in #Bakhmut may continue past his initial June 1 deadline & last until June 5. The tempo of Russian operations around Bakhmut remains notably low. isw.pub/UkrWar052823
2/ #Prigozhin appears to have again indirectly undermined Russian President Vladimir #Putin’s authority and regime. Prigozhin may be attacking Putin for failing to give Prigozhin some promised reward for seizing #Bakhmut.
3/ The #WagnerGroup held a reportedly illegal pro-#Wagner rally in #Yekaterinburg, #Russia on May 28 despite the reported banning of the rally by Yekaterinburg authorities.
4/ Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov criticized former Russian officer and ardent nationalist Igor #Girkin on May 27. isw.pub/UkrWar052823
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2/ The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive operations near Masyutivka (13km northeast of Kupyansk) and did not conduct offensive operations in the Kreminna area.
3/ Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced from Masyutivka, although ISW has still not seen visual confirmation of these advances nor confirmation that Russian forces control Masyutivka.
#Russia deployed more S-400 air defense systems (probably at least a battery) to #Belarus on May 28. These systems will likely enter service with the Belarusian military but under #Russian operational control. ⬇️ isw.pub/UkrWar052923
2/ The Belarusian Ministry of Defense released a video on May 28 showing a train with S-400 systems deploying to an unspecified area in #Belarus. These systems will likely enter service with the Belarusian military but under #Russian operational control.
3/ #Russia’s and #Belarus’ Joint Regional Air Defense System (established in 2009 and operational in 2016) effectively subordinates Belarus’ air defense assets to the Russian Western Military District.
Prigozhin responded to a journalist’s question about 🇷🇺 state media banning any discussions re: Wagner forces ... then gave advice to an unnamed official: “If you are starting a war, please have character, will, & steel balls—& only then you will be able to achieve something.” 2/
#Prigozhin implied that accomplishing real achievements would let the official avoid lying about the construction of new buildings, metro stations, and bridges in an effort to look good. 3/
The Russian Ministry of Justice registered the civil society group “Council of Mothers of Wives” as a foreign agent on May 26, likely to curb resistance to #Russia's ongoing and future force generation efforts. isw.pub/UkrWar052723
2/ The “Council of Mothers and Wives” routinely advocated for their relatives serving in the Russian military by reaching out to local officials following the start of partial mobilization in late September 2022.
3/ #Putin previously tried to dull the informational impact of the group’s criticism of mobilization in late November 2022 by attending a meeting with hand-picked women in the Russian political sphere falsely presented as mothers of mobilized personnel. isw.pub/UkrWar112522
1/ Russian forces continued to target southern Ukraine with artillery, drone, and air strikes on May 27. The Ukrainian Southern Operational Command reported that Russian forces’ primary tactic in southern Ukraine is counterbattery fire. isw.pub/UkrWar052723
2/ Ukrainian forces continued to strike rear logistical nodes in #Zaporizhia Oblast on May 27. Russian and Ukrainian sources reported that Ukrainian forces struck Polohy and #Berdyansk, Zaporizhia Oblast on May 27.
3/ The Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) warned on May 26 that Russian forces are preparing to conduct large-scale provocations to create radiological danger at the #Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). isw.pub/UkrWar052723
Russian forces continued limited offensive operations northeast of #Kupyansk and south of #Kreminna on May 27. Geolocated footage published on May 26 indicates that Russian forces likely advanced NW of Bilohorivka, #Luhansk Oblast (12km south of Kreminna). isw.pub/UkrWar052723
2/ The Ukrainian General Staff reported on May 27 that Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive operations near Bilohorivka and Masyutivka, #Kharkiv Oblast (13km northeast of Kupyansk).
3/ A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces recaptured several recently lost positions southeast of Bilohorivka, although ISW has not observed visual confirmation of this claim.