Ukrainian troops launch a missile strike on a Russian military base in Henichesk, in Kherson region. Ukrainian troops storm Russian positions near Krasnohorivka taken in 2014. The Russians consider retreating from Crimea after a strike on the Chonhar bridge, Ukraine’s defense intelligence says.
Explosions rock Russian-held Henichesk, Skadovsk in Kherson region
Russian media said explosions had rocked Henichesk and Skadovsk in the Russian-held part of Kherson region. Russian-installed regional head Vladimir Saldo alleged that the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired four Storm Shadow missiles.
In Henichesk, the strikes hit a base of the Russian Guard, causing casualties. Medics rushed to the site.
Russian forces occupied Henichesk on February 24, 2022. On the same day, all units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, territorial defense, Security Service and police left Skadovsk. There were no street fights inside the town. On March 12, Russian forces entered the town.
On June 18, 2023, blasts ripped through the Russian-held part of left-bank Kherson region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces said the strikes hit a large Russian ammunition depot.
Local Telegram channels said explosions rocked Rykove (Partyzany), Skadovsk, and Lazurne. The strikes hit targets in Rykove, causing ammunition at a depot to detonate.
Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk said explosions in Henichesk were Ukraine’s response to Russia’s missile terror. In a post on Telegram, he shared a video that circulates on Russian social media showing the aftermath of the attack. Russian occupying forces will never feel calm on Ukrainian land, he said.
Ukrainian troops storm Russian positions near Krasnohorivka taken in 2014
Open source intelligence experts said Ukrainian troops achieved success after storming Russian positions east of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk region that Russia captured in 2014.
Military Land account posted a video on Twitter on June 22, saying that the operation was conducted by the 79th air assault brigade.
On June 23, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces continued to conduct offensive operations. They repulsed Russian forces on the Kupyansk and Lyman axes, and made gains in the south.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has acknowledged battlefield progress has been “slower than desired”, adding that “we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best.”
On June 15, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said Ukrainian troops were advancing in multiple directions. There is a gradual, but steady progress, she said. Russian forces take heavy losses, she added.
“This is a very difficult fight, it is a very violent fight and it will likely take a considerable amount of time and at high cost,” Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said, speaking of Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
Russians consider retreating from Crimea after strike on Chonhar bridge, Ukraine’s defense intelligence says
Following a strike on the Chonhar bridge, the Russians consider various scenarios of a retreat from Crimea, Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s defense intelligence, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
According to Yusov, a large number of Russian-installed officials and Russian commanders in Crimea have already sent their families and assets out of the peninsula, anticipating the defeat of Russia. Some companies in Crimea prepare for evacuation and collect documents to take with them to Russia.
Russian occupying forces repeatedly said they “were fine” in Kherson and claimed they will stay there “forever”. Shortly after that, they retreated and Kherson was recaptured by Ukrainian troops, Yusov said.
“With that in mind, we can understand what will happen in the rest of the occupied territory,” he added.
According to Yusov, a large number of trenches and defensive fortifications that Russian forces construct in Crimea are far from the administrative border with mainland Ukraine.
Commenting on the strike on the Chonhar bridge, Yusov earlier said that this is the planned work of the security forces and it will be continued.
The situation with Ukrainian refugees in EU countries. Ukraine in Flames #470
Millions of Ukrainians sought refuge abroad, and within 16 months of the war, some successfully assimilated into the European lifestyle and pace. Surveys indicate that a considerable portion of Ukrainians abroad have no intention of returning home. They are gradually adjusting to new circumstances. However, enduring a prolonged period residing between countries, with family members spread across the globe while some remain in Ukraine, has posed a true challenge. Watch Ukraine in flames #470 to find out about Ukrainian refugees in the EU countries and how, when and under what conditions will they return home.
Guests:
- Yulia Tyshchenko, Co-Founder of the National Platform for Resilience and Social Cohesion
- Oleksii Poznyak, Head of Migration Studies Department at Institute for Demography and Social Studies
- Iryna Kalupakha, Director of the Department for the Protection of the Rights of Citizens Affected by Armed Aggression
- Oleg Wojchek, Activist helping Ukrainians in the Czech Republic