INSTITUTE FOR STADY OF WAR UPDATES
3 min read
26 June 2022: Here are the key takeaways from this evening’s Ukraine update from the Institute for the Study of War:
— Russian forces conducted a massive missile strike against Kyiv on June 26, likely to coincide with the ongoing summit of G7 leaders. This is the first major strike on Kyiv since late April and is likely a direct response to Western leaders discussing further aid to Ukraine.
— Russian forces targeted infrastructure in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district using missiles fired from Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers over the Caspian Sea. The strikes targeted the general vicinity of the Artem State Joint-Stock Holding Company, a manufacturer of air-to-air missiles, automated air-guided missile training and maintenance systems, anti-tank guided missiles, and aircraft equipment.
— The Kremlin continues to carry out “covert mobilization” to support operations in Ukraine without conducting full mobilization. The Russian State Duma announced plans to review an amendment to the law that would allow military officials to offer contracts to young men immediately upon “coming of age” or graduating high school, circumventing the need to complete military service as conscripts before receiving a contract.
— The Head of the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate stated on June 25 that due to continuous Russian mobilization efforts, Ukrainian forces cannot wait for the Russians to exhaust their offensive potential before launching counteroffensives. He also noted that the Kremlin has already committed 330,000 personnel, over a third of the Russian Armed Forces, and that Russian President Putin will face substantial domestic and social opposition if he increases this number by carrying out general (as opposed to covert) mobilization.
— Colonel-General Genady Zhidko, the director of Russia’s Military-Political Directorate, is now likely the overall commander of Russian forces in Ukraine. Zhidko sat next to and conferred with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu during an inspection of Russian ground forces in Ukraine on June 26, though Zhidko’s nameplate was blurred out and his position has not been officially confirmed. Zhidko has likely replaced Commander of the Southern Military District Alexander Dvornikov as overall commander.
— Russian forces continued attacks against the southern outskirts of Lysychansk and consolidated control of Severodonetsk and surrounding settlements.
— Russian forces are conducting operations to the east of Bakhmut to maintain control of the T1302 Bakhmut-Lysychansk highway.
— Russian forces conducted unsuccessful ground assaults to the northwest of Slovyansk.
— Russian forces intensified artillery strikes against Ukrainian positions along the Southern Axis.
— Russian occupation authorities are escalating measures to stem Ukrainian partisan activity in occupied areas through increased filtration measures and the abduction of civilians.
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