Ukraine – 6/11 Sitrep
Compiled by: Robert Homans
Twitter: @rhomansjr
June 11, 2022
Latest Denis
The news from Denis, almost exclusively from Donbas, is largely not good, and it underscores the need for delivery of the weapons from the West. On the other hand, the news also illustrates the slow pace of the Russian advance in Donbas. Major developments include:
· Ukrainian troops have been pushed back from the Russian border opposite Kharkiv.
· Kharkiv continues to be hit by missile strikes.
· Russia has crossed the Svero Donetsk River south of Izyum, but they they seem to be taking their time following up the crossings.
· Sievrodonetsk continues to remain contested.
ICF/Ukraine
A couple of days ago I described a collaboration between the International Coaching Federation/Ukraine Chapter, and the Chapter in Metro Washington, D.C. (ICF/Metro DC), where coaches from ICF/Metro DC were providing pro-bono coaching services to member coaches from ICF/Ukraine. This is a relationship that was largely established by my wife, who is past President of ICF/Ukraine.
Some of the coaches from ICF/Ukraine are expressing surprise that they’re counterparts from ICF/Metro DC are referring to them as “victims.” They react by telling their American counterparts that they don’t consider themselves as “victims.” Although circumstances are much more difficult because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian coaches participating in the program are reminding their American counterparts that they are still living and working in Ukraine, trying to maintain their businesses as best they can, and they often volunteer as circumstances warrant. That these professionals do not consider themselves as “victims,” is one small example of why Ukraine will win this war.
Galicia
This is a very interesting lecture about Galicia by Martin Pollack, an Austrian journalist and author. The lecture is entitled “The Myth of Galicia.” Lying roughly between Krakow, Poland, in the West, Lv’iv, Ukraine, in the East, and Ivano Frankivsk, Ukraine, in the South, Galicia was part of the Austrian Empire from 1772, after the First Polish Partition, until 1918, when Galicia was split between Poland and Ukraine, and in 1922, part of the Ukraine Soviet Socialist Republic.
It is worth listening to the last 10-15 minutes of Pollack’s lecture, where he talks about how Putin’s Russia is using what Pollack calls the “Myth of Galicia” in their anti-Ukrainian propaganda. Galicia has been a major site for Ukrainian national identity that, for Russia, as based on Ukrainian nationalism which, according to Russian propaganda, is Fascism under another name.
Russian Conscripts and Andrey Kurkov
These are two interesting articles from the Financial Times, the first about Russia’s use of conscripts from the occupied “people’s republics” in Donbas, and the second by acclaimed Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov, entitled “Tales of Transcarpathia,” where he and his family are living as internally-displaced people.
Because of their huge losses in Ukraine Russia is running out of regular Army personnel and regular draftees. They appear to be trying to make up for the shortfall with untrained conscripts. Ukraine now seems to have a manpower advantage, if not yet a weapons advantage. An increasing share of the missiles they are firing are either semi-guided or unguided, likely because of a shortage of computer chips.
6/11 Sitrep
INTERNATIONAL
Russia wanted to discuss a new nuclear security treaty with the United States, - Russian media. Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatolyi Antonov suggested that Washington begin negotiations on the development of a treaty that will replace START-3. The State Department has previously spoken of interest in extending the treaty beyond 2026.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Mallory Stewart said in early June that the United States wants to ''keep limits on Russian systems covered by START-3 after 2026''. She noted that Washington wants to limit new types of nuclear systems that Russia is developing.
Bloomberg: US President Joe Biden said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi dismissed warnings that Russia would invade his country in February. "I know a lot of people thought I was maybe exaggerating, but I knew, and we had data to sustain, he was going in off the border. There was no doubt. And Zelenskyi didn't want to hear it, nor did a lot of people."
The phrase "did not want to hear", probably, requires clarification. Moreover, if you remember, the President of Ukraine called on partners to introduce a package of preventive sanctions to encourage Russia to withdraw troops and de-escalate the situation. It is possible to say that our partners "did not want to hear us".
Austrian Chancellor: Ukraine should become a candidate for EU membership with Moldova. According to Negammer, the President of France has suggested it.
Estonian Prime Minister Kallas, in a joint press conference with Nehammer, said that she supports granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership, but Kyiv must be ready to implement complex reforms.
The Swiss trader Trafigura leaves the East Oil project in Russia. Trafigura will continue to fully comply with all subsequent sanctions packages. Moreover, the group froze its investments in Russia and announced its intention to quit the project "East Oil", which it owns 10%.
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Denmark supports Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union, but the decision on granting candidate status will be made after receiving the opinion of the European Commission. He added that Denmark is focused on helping Ukraine with the reforms needed to achieve EU candidate status.
Forbes: Russia stopped issuing digital passports because of sanctions. Now there is not enough plastic and chips to produce plastic cards. Therefore, the Government of Russia decided that it is inappropriate to spend scarce materials on electronic passports.
CNN: By blocking Ukrainian ports, Russia is "deliberately using starvation as a weapon" . "This is a particularly disgusting kind of warfare that Russia is engaged in," says German Agriculture Minister during a visit to Kyiv. The minister also discussed with Ukrainian economists alternative ways to export grain from Ukraine
Russian Media: Unknown persons, calling themselves the «Revolutionary Cell of the Volga region», claimed responsibility for the arson of Natalia Abiyeva’s car in Nizhny Novgorod - founder of the fund to help the Russian military in Ukraine.
TASR: Slovakia will not only repair but also modernize Ukrainian military equipment. The head of the Slovak Ministry of Defense noted that the repair and modernization of military equipment are provided by a contract based on the requirements of Ukraine.
Russia wants to ban foreign language signboards. The author of the initiative said that in Moscow, up to 80% of signboards contain foreign words, and it is «disrespect to the Russian language and native country». The Speaker of the State Duma supported the idea. If the law is passed, posters with the letter Z will be banned.
China responded to the US appeal not to provide military assistance to Russia. Chinese Defense Minister and his American counterpart had their first face-to-face meeting. The conversation was particularly about Ukraine. The US called on China not to provide any material support to Russia. The Chinese side assured that they did not do so.
US President Joe Biden called the highest inflation in 40 years "Putin’s tax". «We have never seen anything like Putin’s tax on both food and gas,» he said in Los Angeles.
The Guardian: Serbian President rejected German Chancellor request to join the sanctions against Russia. He did not believe sanctions are “efficient” and that his country is in a complicated position, given the long-standing special relationship between Serbia and Russia.
Türkiye President promised Greece a "tragic end" if it continues to build up weapons on islands in the Aegean Sea.
Reuters: The UK will not negotiate directly with the Russian Federation on the release of two of its citizens sentenced to death from the so-called "DPR", but will give priority to working with the Ukrainian authorities, – Prime Minister.
The UN has said the death sentences handed down to three foreign fighters 'amount to a war crime' in the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" (DNR).
"Such trials against prisoners of war amount to a war crime. “OHCHR is concerned about the so-called Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic sentencing three servicemen to death. According to the chief command of Ukraine, all the men were part of the Ukrainian armed forces and if that is the case, they should not be considered as mercenaries.” Der Tagesspiegel: German government spokesman says that it is now difficult to talk about schedules and dates for the shipment of weapons to Ukraine. According to him, the preparations are in full swing, and the supply of weapons "does not happen overnight."
The British Foreign Secretary stressed that the sentence against the captured British is a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions. "Britain continues to support Ukraine in the backing of Putin's barbaric invasion".
Belarus President addressing Belarus Parliament "My dears, God forbid some kind of mess starts, you understand that we (the authorities - ed.) will go ahead. And it's not a fact that I will be on the front with a machine gun - you will be sent to run ahead".
It may be necessary to fight for Western Ukraine, so that they do not take the land. Western countries may prepare for an invasion. They have not yet left the goal of straightening the front line to Smolensk-Pskov, Smolensk-Bryansk-Kursk and Rostov. They need to straighten the front... and it may be necessary to fight for Western Ukraine so that they [ed. - Western countries] do not take the land. It is like death for us, not only for Ukrainians. Scary things are happening around here.
The Polish Ambassador to Ukraine considers it quite realistic to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership at the end of June. "It's absolutely real and we support it. It is not yet the time to say "no" to Ukrainians," the Polish diplomat said.
Ukrainian President met with the British Defense Secretary in Kyiv. "Arms, finances, sanctions - three things in which the UK consistently shows its leadership in supporting Ukraine. We appreciate such truly real, united work, when words and communication constantly turn into actions."
Ukraine is capable of ousting Russia from the Donbas – British Defense Secretary Indeed, we now see that Ukraine is able to oust Russia from the Donbas. We see that the regime I have already mentioned is on the verge of collapse, at least in terms of military power. That is, they are now also on the verge of exhaustion
German Chancellor: Serbia will not join the EU until it recognizes the independence of Kosovo.
Finnish Ministry of Defense: Finland will provide a new aid package to Ukraine, which includes military equipment. The corresponding decision was made by the President of the country based on a Finnish government proposal.
Government Website: Switzerland joined the sixth package of EU sanctions, including an embargo on Russian oil supplies.
Figaro: French President Emmanuel Macron may visit Kyiv next week.
Russian Foreign Minister: Poland preparing to occupy Western Ukraine.
Danish Foreign Minister: Spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart on how to strengthen the Danish-Ukrainian partnership even further and support Ukraine on its European path. Denmark ready to provide strong support to the reconstruction and post- war recovery of Ukraine.
Montenegro Ministry of Defense: Montenegro will provide Ukraine with additional assistance, perhaps not only military, but also financial or humanitarian. Specific positions will be determined after consultation with the Ukrainian side.
Twitter has blocked the account of the press service of RT France in the EU, the head of the channel reports.
Czech radio: The Czech carrier RegioJet launches on Saturday, June 11, a regular train service between Prague, Lviv and Kyiv. A ticket from Prague to Lviv costs 9 euros, and to Kyiv - 25 euros.
NATIONAL
British Intelligence:
Russian forces around Sieverodonetsk have not made advances into the south of the city. Intense street-to-street fighting is ongoing, and both sides are likely to suffer high numbers of casualties. Russia is massing fires with its artillery and air capabilities in an attempt to overwhelm Ukrainian defences.
Since April, Russian medium bombers have likely launched dozens of 1960s-era Kh-22 (NATO designation, AS-4 KITCHEN) air-launched, heavy anti-ship missiles against land targets. These 5.5-tonne missiles were primarily designed to destroy aircraft carriers using a nuclear warhead. When employed in a ground attack role with a conventional warhead they are highly inaccurate and can therefore cause significant collateral damage and civilian casualties.
Russia is likely resorting to such inefficient weapon systems because it is running short of more precise modern missiles, while Ukrainian air defences still deter its tactical aircraft from conducting strikes across much of the country.
The Institute for the Study of War
Russian troops reportedly took control of the Kinburn Spit in the northern Black Sea, near the mouth of Dnieper River opposite Odesa, which will allow them to exert further control of the Black Sea coast
Russian forces are preparing to renew offensive operations toward Sloviansk and made minor gains to the north of the city.
Russian forces are continuing ground assaults within Severodonetsk but have yet to secure full control of the city as of June 10.
Operational report of the General Staff:
In the Slavic Sloviansk, the Russian troops are focused on preparing for the offensive on Sloviansk. They are storming in the direction of Pasika - Bohorodychne.
In the Sievierodonetsk direction, Russian troops are conducting offensive operations in the direction of Novotoshkivske — Orikhove. They have partial success and are fixed on the northern outskirts of the Orikhove village. They continue to conduct assault operations in Sievierodonetsk city.
In the Bakhmut direction, the Russians are regrouping to launch an offensive on Mykolaivka and Komyshuvakha. In order to strengthen the group of troops moved to one battalion tactical group.
In the Donetsk and Luhansk directions, the Armed Forces of Ukraine repulsed 14 attacks and destroyed four tanks, two artillery systems, 11 armoured combat vehicles, and three cars and a warehouse with ammunition of the Russian Army. Air defence units shot down four Orlan-10 UAVs.
Social Media: In Ukraine, there are billboards with quotes from the late President of Ichkeria - Dzhokhar Dudayev.
President’s Office: Two Russian generals were killed in Stara Zburivka, Kherson region. One from the army and another from the FSB (Federal Security Bureau). One of the killed generals was responsible for the organization of the referendum in the Kherson region. The names of the dead are still being reviewed.
First Lady: More than 1,000 women have become commanders in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A total of 37,000 women serve in the AFU.
State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection: Russian hackers send emails to Ukrainian media. The «E-mails contain an application in the form of a document «LIST of links to interactive maps.docx», the opening of which can lead to downloading of the malware CrescentImp».
Oleksii Chubashev, a famous military journalist, a warrior, and the author of the program "Recruit UA", died. His friends and brethren reported on social networks on June 10. Chubashev is known as the author of the program Recruit UA. He was a former head of the "Army FM" and the Military Television of Ukraine.
Come Back Alive' Foundation: The Russian military claims it sank a Ukrainian coast guard vessel and is showing aerial photos of the listing vessel. The vessel has been waiting for welders to cut it into scrap at Ochakiv for over nine months.
Health Minister: 12 medics have died and 47 more have been seriously injured since the beginning of Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “Potentially, the number is higher, but there is no confirmation”.
Ukrainians have "aged" 15-20 years because of the war. Age-related diseases that used to happen to people at 60 years will now happen to the inhabitants of the country at the age of 40-45. "In particular, it would be due to psychological changes in our body" .
Ukraine Military Intelligence: In Russia, there is a shortage of high-precision cruise missiles used by the Russian troops to shell Ukraine. As a result, Russian soldiers began to use Soviet missiles.
State Security Service: The Russians planned to issue Kyiv residents with USSR passports. The military of the Russian Federation planned to create an occupation administration in the Kyiv region and organize a pseudo-referendum to proclaim a local republic. They wanted to register all residents and, in exchange for Ukrainian documents, forcibly distribute USSR passports - at least for the first time before the issuance of Russian documents.
State Security Service - Intercepted Russian Conversations
14:19 June 10, In a conversation with parents a Russian soldier talks about a major who lost his entire platoon and is happy because he no longer has to take part in active battles. The soldier said that he also refuses to fight and his commander threatened him with charges. The soldier has been waiting for ten days to be charged.
Ukrainian Defense Ministry: Russian troops are located in 10 Belarus settlements. Iskanders are deployed there, which threatens to launch missile attacks on Ukraine. "In the past few weeks, the armed forces of Belarus, consisting of up to seven battalions, have been trying to"cover"a section of the Belarusian-Ukrainian border."
Russia is looking for weaknesses in the Ukrainian defense of the Severskyi Donets River. The Russian military wants to storm the area after its defeat by the Ukrainian military.
AFP: Ministry of Internal Affairs - The government quarter or the historical center of Kyiv could become a new target for Russian missiles.
Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration: The EU has prepared a 'positive' and 'negative' decision on the status of a candidate for Ukraine. Plan A provides that the European Commission will provide a conclusion that Ukraine meets the criteria, and the EU recognizes its candidate status now. All subsequent steps, such as the start of negotiations, will be subject to reforms. Plan B, promoted by several countries, stipulates that the conditions are put forward now, and until they are met, Ukraine will be a "candidate".
The State Bureau of Investigation: Russians living in Ukraine are burning their passports in protest against the war. The number of requests for renunciation of Russian citizenship has increased.
Operational Command Pivden (South): There are 40 cruise missiles aimed at Ukraine, they are based on two submarines and four surface missile carriers. In addition, now on duty at sea, we have recorded one large landing ship of the Russian Federation, the rest are staying closer to their bases in the annexed Crimea".
In the Kherson region, Ukrainian reconnaissance forces found and destroyed a group of Russian paratroopers, and seized Russian weapons and communications equipment
Ministry of Reintegration: Russia continues to block the evacuation of residents of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. The hotline of the Ministry of Reintegration receives daily calls from temporarily occupied settlements with a request to open a corridor for evacuation to the territory controlled by Ukraine.
SUMY
Regional Military Administration: Yesterday the communities of Esman, Krasnopillia and Velyka Pysarivka territorial communities were shelled. One person was killed.
KHARKIV
Suspilne: Kharkiv Mayor; Barvinkove and the nearest settlements in the south of the Kharkiv region are under constant Russian shelling. According to him, there is practically no street where there are no mass injuries. In total, about two thousand people remain in Barvinkove.
Regional Military Administration: Yesterday 6 people were killed, 28 were injured as a result of shelling of Kharkiv and the region. The enemy fired artillery and MLRS at the Shevchenkovskyi district of Kharkiv and the Kharkivskyi, Chuguevskyi, Bogodukhovskyi, and Izyumskyi districts of the region.
In the Kharkiv region, active hostilities continue. In the village of Korobochkino, Chuguiv district, a shell hit a private house: 4 dead, 1 wounded. 2 people were wounded in Derhachi, 1 in the village of Pechenihy, 2 in the village of Malynivka.
DONETSK
Social Networks: An explosion in the center of Donetsk near the administration of the so-called "head of the republic" Denis Pushilin.
An hour later there was one more explosion in the center of Donetsk near the administration of the so-called "head of the republic" Denis Pushilin.
City Council: Russians are demolishing houses in Mariupol without sorting through the rubble, the bodies of the dead are being removed along with concrete.
Russians are taking out surviving vehicles, playgrounds and medical equipment from Mariupol.
"Cholera, dysentery and other diseases can cause the death of thousands of Mariupol residents by the end of this year".
Regional Military Administration: Denied the fake about the ban on evacuation from Sloviansk and Bakhmut. In social networks, information is being disseminated that in the event of an escalation of hostilities, evacuation from Slavyansk and Bakhmut will be prohibited. This is an outright lie of Russian propaganda.
On June 10, the Russians killed two civilians of the Donbas: in Kostiantynivka and Hirnyk. Seven others were injured. Moreover, one person injured in the Luhansk region was treated in Bakhmut
Over the past 24 hours, the Russians have attacked Donbas 16 times: Russian troops have hit 13 villages. There are wounded and killed among the civilian population. Russian troops fired on the civilian population from tanks, small arms, heavy artillery, mortars, missiles, “Uragan”, “Grad”, and “Tornado” multiple rocket systems.
National Police: Per day, the police recorded 10 attacks in the Donetsk region. The Russians shelled 7 settlements, killed and wounded civilians. 22 residential buildings and other civilian objects were destroyed.
LUHANSK
Ukrainian military journalist: Russians shelled the village of Vrubivka in the Luhansk region from the "Solntsepek" Heavy Flamethrower System, after which they fired rockets, presumably with phosphorus.
Regional Military Administration: Twenty-three residents were evacuated from Lysychansk. "English volunteer Philip assembled a super brigade from Sievierodonetsk, which today managed to convince 23 people to go to a quiet place,"
"When the occupation of Luhansk is over, we will count the number of dead; I am talking about the civilian - it will be a terrible, huge number,"
Russians hit Vrubivka with a fire-thrower multiple rocket system, they storm Sievierodonetsk. The number of victims in Vrubivka in Popasna territorial communities is unknown. During the night, the Russian troops used a fire reactive system - a lot of houses burned down.
Russians tried to hold a meeting in one of the buildings of Sievierodonetsk city, but something went wrong, there are many dead;
In Severodonetsk, street fighting continues, and most of the city is controlled by the Russians;
ZAPORIZHIA
The mayor of Melitopol: Russians designated Melitopol as the "capital" of the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia region and are preparing to hold a "referendum" here on becoming part of Russia.
An armored train of the Russian Federation was recently damaged near Melitopol.
KHERSON
Russian forces are demanding that citizens in Kherson register and voluntarily surrender weapons and ammunition" - such an order was issued by the “military commander” of the Kherson region. The Armed Forces of Ukraine soldiers remaining in the occupation should come and give their weapons. Russians threaten to kill those who will not come.
Suspilne: In Kherson, due to the lack of the Internet, cash machines do not work. You can withdraw cash only in cafes, shops and in the market at 7%. More than 1,100 people signed up in line at the PrivatBank branch with the hope that they would start issuing money.
DNIPRO
Regional Military Administration: The Russians again shelled the Dnipropetrovsk region In the Kryvyi Rih district, the Russian troops hit from MLRS “Uragan” and artillery on two territorial communities: Zelenodolsk and Shyroke. Two people were wounded.
MYKOLAIV
Regional State Administration: More than 4.7 thousand civilian facilities have already been damaged in the Mykolaiv region. The damage to the regional center alone reaches 450 million UAH.
The head of the Mykolaiv United Territorial Community Oleh Pylypenko was released from Russian captivity
Comparing Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to Russian invasion of Ukraine using Wikipedia and Ukraine Ministry of Defense Daily Bulletins. Soviet and Russian military losses not including captured equipment.
SOURCES
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/
https://euromaidanpress.com/
https://invite.viber.com/?g2=AQBD3wxTrZ6XUU7IdXeHUfjVCydekezQCCGuwYnT6qPd1r7n1aVbFIewa6ng6Lis