Amid the ongoing offensive in the Kharkiv Oblast, Russian forces are pressing further into Ukrainian territories, reporting gains in the Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts as well. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claims these operations have inflicted substantial casualties and disrupted Ukrainian military assets.
Advances in the Kharkiv Oblast, Northern Ukraine
Russian military operations in Ukraine’s Kharkiv Oblast have intensified, with the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) reporting advancements by its Northern grouping. This formation has reportedly penetrated deeper into Ukrainian defenses, engaging several Ukrainian brigades including the 57th Motorized Infantry, 82nd Air Assault, and 125th Territorial Defense Brigades (TDB) in areas such as Neskuchnoe, Granov, and Konstantinovka. The Russian MoD claims to have inflicted casualties on Ukrainian forces and destroyed military equipment including a tank, two armored combat vehicles, four cars, and two D-30 howitzers.
Reportedly, the Northern grouping also successfully repelled five Ukrainian counterattacks in the Liptsy and Volchansk areas, Kharkiv Oblast, resulting in approximately 215 Ukrainian military casualties.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has indicated a slowdown in the Russian offensive near Kharkiv, attributing it to strengthened Ukrainian defensive lines.
Advances near the Luhansk Oblast, Eastern Ukraine
The Russian Western grouping reportedly repelled three counterattacks in Chervona Dibrova (Luhansk Oblast) and Hryhorivka (Donetsk Oblast), with the Russian MoD claiming enemy losses of around 435 soldiers, as well as several vehicles and artillery pieces, including an American M119 howitzer and an electronic warfare station.
The Western grouping allegedly secured new positions, defeating the 43rd Mechanized Brigade and the 112th TDB in the areas of Zahorivka (Kharkiv Oblast) and Stelmakhivka (Luhansk Oblast).
Advances in the Donetsk Oblast, South-Eastern Ukraine
The Southern grouping also reported advances in the disputed territory of the Donetsk Oblast, targeting the 72nd Mechanized and 67th TDB. According to the Russian MoD, this resulted in over 310 Ukrainian casualties and significant equipment losses.
As of the end of May, ?? occupies a total of 17.57% (+0.03%) of Ukraine, including Crimea and areas of Donetsk and Luhansk occupied before 2022.
This represents a net gain by ?? approximately 201km², the largest change in control for almost a year. pic.twitter.com/zKMSyzurm9
— War Mapper (@War_Mapper) June 2, 2024
Impact of the general advances: shifts in the Ukrainian targets
At the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed a policy shift permitting Ukraine to utilize American-supplied weapons for operations near the Russian border. However, this amendment restricts the use of long-range armaments to the vicinity around Kharkiv.
This modification is part of a broader strategy designed to shift the conflict closer to, or even within, Russian territory, driven by the necessity to sustain effective strikes amidst ongoing Russian advancements in Ukraine.
Moreover, countries such as France, Germany, and more recently the Netherlands, have reportedly authorized Ukraine to employ their provided weapons directly against targets within Russia, marking a significant escalation in their support.