Russia's war on Ukraine. 17.06.24

Operational situation

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational Group of Forces (OTG) "Kharkiv", on the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces attacked 5 times in the Vovchansk area. 3 assaults were repelled.

In the "Khortytsia" Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) operational zone on the Kupyansk direction, the enemy made 4 attempts to push Ukrainian Defense Forces from their positions in the areas of Synkivka, Stepova Novoselivka, and Berestove. 2 enemy attacks were successfully repelled, and clashes continue near Synkivka and Stepova Novoselivka. On the Lyman direction, Russian invaders, supported by aviation, attempted to advance 10 times in the areas of Hrekivka, Druzhkivka, Makiivka, and Nevske. Four attacks were repelled by Ukrainian Defense Forces. The situation remains tense with ongoing battles near Druzhkivka and Nevske. The situation on the Siversk direction has not changed significantly. 9 attacks in the areas of Verkhnyokamianske and Rozdolivka were repelled by units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The aggressor unsuccessfully attacked Ukrainian defenders 3 times near Ivanivske and Andriivka on the Kramatorsk direction.

In the "Tavriya" OSG operational zone on the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy has significantly intensified its efforts. The number of clashes increased to 40, the highest number since early June. With the support of all available means of firepower (aviation, artillery, armored vehicles, strike UAVs, FPV drones, and small arms), Russian forces tried to penetrate Ukrainian combat formations near Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Kalynove, Sokil, Novoselivka Persha, and Umanske. 32 enemy attacks were repelled, and 8 clashes continue. Ukrainian Defense Forces are making every effort to exhaust and contain the Russian invaders in this direction. The situation on the Kurakhove direction has not changed significantly, with 10 clashes occurring. 4 attacks in the areas of Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, and Kostyantynivka were successfully repelled. The situation remains tense near Krasnohorivka, where battles continue. On the Vremivka direction, the occupiers, supported by aviation, made 11 attempts to push Ukrainian Defense Forces units from their positions near Vodyane, Urozhaine, and Staromayorske. 10 attacks ended in failure for the Russian invaders, with fighting ongoing in the Vodyane area.

On the Orikhiv and Prydniprovskiy directions, 7 enemy assaults were unsuccessful. No positions were lost.

General conclusion: 

• The enemy is striking Maksymilianivka in preparation for further attacks.

• Heavy strikes with glide bombs in the area of Staromayorske indicate that Russian forces may intensify offensive actions on this section of the front in the coming days.

• Russian forces have started relocating their combat aviation between airfields after Ukrainian Defense Forces have targeted aircraft and air defense systems at other airfields in Crimea in recent months. The operation of the Zavodske airfield has already begun. Russia does not want to fully withdraw its aviation and air defense assets from occupied Crimea, but some airfields, such as Baherove, lack the necessary infrastructure to accommodate all modern military aircraft.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

• There were 104 combat engagements on various fronts.

• On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces attacked in the areas of Hlyboke, Vovchansk, and Tykhe, holding positions in the northwestern part of the aggregate producing plant.

• Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Hlyboke and in the Vovchansk area.

• On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces continued their attacks and advanced approximately 2 km near Pishchane.

• Fighting continued near Petropavlivka, Pishchane, Berestove, and Andriivka.

• On the Lyman direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced 2 km in the area of the Serebriansk Forest. Fighting continued near Makiivka, Druzhkivka, Hrekivka, Nevske, and in the Serebriansk Forest area.

• On the Siversk Direction, Russian forces intensified their pressure but unsuccessfully attacked near Verkhnyokamianske and Rozdolivka.

• On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces advanced in the wooded area southwest of Bohdanivka and launched powerful strikes, including from heavy flamethrower systems, on buildings in the “Kanal” neighborhood. The enemy unsuccessfully attacked near Hryhorivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka.

• On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces advanced towards Novoselivka Persha and near Sokil, on both the northern and southern banks of the Karlivka Reservoir, up to 650 meters along Naberezhna Street in Novooleksandrivka, 500 meters along the forest strip south of Novopokrovske, and up to 1 km in the direction of Netaylove–Yasnobrodivka. The enemy stormed positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces near Kalynove, Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Novoselivka Persha, Ocheretyne, Vozdvyzhenka, Umanske, and Nevelske.

• On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces advanced to a multi-story building north of Sumska Street in the center of Krasnohorivka. Fighting continued near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, Vodyane, Pobieda, Kostyantynivka, and Novomykhailivka.

• On the Vremivka direction, fighting continued near Urozhaine and Staromayorske. Russian forces captured Zahirne, which the Ukrainian Defense Forces had left in 2023. The terrain features in this area previously did not allow the enemy to establish a reliable foothold in the village until recently.

• On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces continued their attacks near Robotyne, Verbove, and Mala Tokmachka.

• On the Prydniprovskiy direction, positional battles continued on the left bank of Kherson Oblast in the area of Krynky.

• Russian forces are restoring inactive airfields in occupied Crimea, including the airfields of Kirovske, Baherove, and Zavodske.

• In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:

  • Black Sea: 1 ship, including 1 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 4 cruise missiles.

  • Azov Sea: 6 ships, including 3 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 24 cruise missiles.

  • Mediterranean Sea: 1 ship, including 1 cruise missile carrier; the total salvo is 8 cruise missiles.  

Changes in the enemy disposition:

• On the Kharkiv direction, units of the 138th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 6th Army unsuccessfully attempt to advance. The command of the "North" Operational Grouping is trying to withdraw the 25th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 6th Army and the 83rd Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Russian Airborne Forces from combat, as they have lost combat effectiveness. Units of the 128th Separate Rifle Brigade of the 44th Army Corps operate near Vovchansk. Units of the 11th Tank Regiment of the 18th Motorized Rifle Division of the 11th Army Corps operate near Hlyboke.

Escalation indicators:

• The enemy is increasing the intensity of airstrikes in the areas of Maksymilianivka and Staromayorske, preparing for an offensive.

Possible operation situation developments:

• On the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy is expected to soon attempt to push the "Khortytsia" OSG units beyond the canal south of the Kostyantynivka - Bakhmut road. The area of Klishchiivka, defended by the "Khortytsia" OSG units, will significantly complicate the enemy's plans.

• The 74th and 55th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 41st Army, the 15th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Army, and the 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps, reinforced by several regiments and battalions from territorial troops and mobilization reserves, will soon attempt to break through Vozdvyzhenka towards the Pokrovsk - Kostyantynivka road. Their goal is to cut it off between Malynivka and Nova Poltavka, reach the Vovcha River between Prohres and Komyshivka, and, if conditions allow, establish several bridgeheads.

• The fighting in the Staromayorske area is a diversionary action aimed at forming a strike tactical group of 3-4 brigades and 1-2 regiments in the Mykilske-Novodonetske sector. The likely objective of this tactical group could be to break through the Kashlahach River in the Uspenivka area simultaneously with the "Yug" Operational Grouping's advance towards Kurakhove.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 17.06.24  

Personnel - almost 527,390 (+1080); 

Tanks 7,958 (+2);

Armored combat vehicles – 15,287 (+18); 

Artillery systems – 13,927 (+14);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,104 (0);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems - 853 (0);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 18,991 (+24);

Aircraft - 359 (0);

Helicopters – 326 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 11,167 (+8);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,296 (0);

Boats/ships – 29 (0).

Humanitarian+general:

• According to information provided by the Situation Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian forces shelled 8 regions of Ukraine over the past day. A total of 62 towns and villages and 100 infrastructure objects were attacked with various types of weapons. The number of casualties is being updated/clarified.

• On June 16, Russians wounded 10 residents of Donetsk Oblast: 7 in Nova Poltavka, 2 in Krasnohorivka, and 1 in Toretsk.

• On the morning of June 17, a Russian kamikaze drone attacked a civilian car in Osokorivka, Kherson Oblast, killing one person.

• In Kharkiv Oblast, paramedics came under fire when they responded to a call for a 17-year-old girl. The attack wounded a pregnant woman, a child, and a man.

• On the afternoon of June 17, Russian occupiers struck civilian infrastructure in the city of Myrhorod, Poltava Oblast, injuring 12 people, including two children. A power line damage has resulted in power outages for 53,000 residential and 2,400 business consumers.

• In Kharkiv Oblast, air raids last an average of 16 hours a day, significantly complicating business operations, according to the head of the Kharkiv Oblast State Administration, Oleh Syniehubov. In addition, due to enemy actions, about 50,000 residents of the region are currently without electricity.

• Almost 130,000 internally displaced persons were forced to return home to conflict zones or temporarily occupied territories due to housing and employment issues, emphasized Maksym Tkachenko, the head of the parliamentary temporary investigative commission on the protection of IDPs' rights.

• This winter, the electricity deficit could reach up to 35%, resulting in Ukrainians receiving five to six hours of electricity per day if generation and import capacities remain at current levels, said Serhii Kovalenko, CEO of YASNO. According to him, there will be a shortage of electricity, and the current discussion is about the scale of the deficit.

• According to a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), 70% of respondents agree that Volodymyr Zelensky should remain president until the end of martial law, while 22% disagree. The level of support varies by region, with 65-74% of respondents in favor, indicating that the vast majority of Ukrainians do not question the president's legitimacy.

• Additionally, most Ukrainians (58%) agree that the Ukrainian government should not make compromises in negotiations. Another 30% believe that Ukraine should continue fighting for as long as necessary.

• Russian authorities continue to rewrite history and create an alternate reality for the residents of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. They plan to release a textbook titled "The History of Novorossiya: From Ancient Times to the Present Day." In this textbook, they will attempt to prove the existence of a distinct Russian civilization and its right to the seized Ukrainian lands, according to the National Resistance Center of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.