Key developments on June 13:
- Ukrainian MiG-29 strikes Russian drone hub, ammo depot in Zaporizhzhia route, releases video
- Ukrainian navy denies NYT claims about Russian presence in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
- Russia getting ready strategic reserves for conflicts past Ukraine, Ukraine warns
- Ukraine repatriates our bodies of 1,200 residents, troopers below Istanbul take care of Russia
- Russian navy tools reportedly hit in Ukrainian drone assault towards Crimea
A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet carried out a precision strike on Russian positions within the Zaporizhzhia route, focusing on a command put up for drone operators and a mixed ammunition and gasoline depot, Ukraine's Air Pressure reported on June 13.
The Air Pressure didn’t disclose the precise location of the strike however thanked worldwide companions for offering the guided munitions used within the assault.
"We thank our companions for his or her extremely correct and efficient 'arguments'," the service wrote.
The MiG-29, a Soviet-designed multirole fighter jet, stays a front-line platform in Ukraine's air drive and has been tailored to hold Western-supplied precision-guided weapons.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast, situated in southeastern Ukraine, stays one of many battle's most contested areas. Whereas the town of Zaporizhzhia is below Ukrainian management, southern elements of the area stay occupied by Russian forces.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated on Might 31 that Russia has intensified offensive operations throughout a number of key areas, together with Zaporizhzhia, as a part of a broader summer season push.
Ukrainian forces have continued to conduct airstrikes and sabotage missions to degrade Russian provide strains and disrupt offensive preparations.
The Kyiv IndependentChris York
Ukrainian navy denies NYT claims about Russian presence in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
There isn’t any confirmed data that Russian troops have entered Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, spokesperson Victor Tregubov of the Khortytsia group of forces informed Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne on June 13, refuting earlier claims printed by the New York Occasions (NYT).
The NYT cited Ukrainian navy sources claiming that Russian troops crossed the executive boundary into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for the primary time for the reason that battle started.
The reporting additionally referenced a map by the Institute for the Examine of Conflict (ISW) indicating that Russian forces advancing within the area had allegedly secured a foothold.
Tregubov stated the scenario stays unchanged as of June 13. He indicated that no data suggests Russian forces have crossed the executive border, however he famous that up to date intelligence could also be obtainable later within the day.
Andrii Zadubiny, press officer of the Khortytsia forces, additionally rejected the claims.
"No enemy incursion into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast has been recorded. We refute this data," he informed Suspilne. He instructed that ISW may be counting on Russian sources.
On June 8, Russia's Protection Ministry claimed that its forces had entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a declare that has not been substantiated by Ukrainian authorities.
The Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState additionally reported no proof of Russian forces getting into the oblast. A map depicting Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine signifies that the Russian troops are solely a few kilometers from the border.
To this point, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — a serious industrial area in central Ukraine — has not seen confirmed Russian floor incursions, although it has remained below fixed menace from missile and drone assaults.
In late April, Ukrainian authorities started necessary evacuations of households with youngsters from 4 front-line villages — Kolona Mezhova, Novopidhorodne, Raipole, and Sukhareva Balka — situated simply kilometers from Russian positions.
The most recent developments come amid rising strain on Ukrainian defenses throughout a number of fronts and continued failure of U.S.-mediated negotiations to supply a ceasefire settlement.
The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
Russia getting ready strategic reserves for conflicts past Ukraine, Ukraine warns
Overseas Minister Andrii Sybiha warned on June 13 that Russia has begun getting ready strategic navy reserves, signaling plans for navy operations that will lengthen past Ukraine.
"In accordance with our intelligence, Russia has began to arrange strategic reserves, which signifies plans for fight operations not solely in Ukraine," Sybiha stated in the course of the Globsec convention in Prague, calling for pressing diplomatic and financial strain.
"Allies want full diplomatic mobilization to cease this battle. This isn’t only a query for Ukraine. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin solely understands energy, and proper now it's essential to use sanctions in a well timed method, utilizing them as financial weapons to strain Russia," Sybiha stated.
The feedback come as Russia intensifies its navy offensives and missile strikes throughout Ukraine, regardless of collaborating in two latest rounds of peace talks in Istanbul. The primary talks have been held on Might 16, adopted by a second assembly on June 2. Whereas each rounds produced agreements on prisoner exchanges, they did not safe a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in a June 12 interview with Germany's Bild newspaper that Russia is utilizing the talks to delay more durable U.S. sanctions, whereas persevering with to escalate assaults on Ukrainian cities.
Russia additionally continues to concern nuclear threats to Western nations. Putin claimed on June 11 that Russia possesses the world's most superior nuclear methods, with 95% of its strategic nuclear forces reportedly made up of recent tools.
Putin emphasised the necessity to considerably strengthen Russia's floor forces. Russian protection spending has surged to six.3% of GDP, the best stage for the reason that Chilly Conflict, as Moscow continues to ramp up its navy funding amid the continuing battle.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Ukraine repatriates our bodies of 1,200 residents, troopers below Istanbul take care of Russia
Ukraine has introduced house the our bodies of 1,200 Ukrainian troopers and residents as a part of an settlement with Russia in Istanbul, the Coordination Headquarters for the Therapy of the Prisoners of Conflict (POWs) introduced on June 13.
The repatriation comes after Ukraine introduced again the our bodies of 1,212 fallen service members earlier this week, with Moscow voicing readiness to launch the stays of some 6,000 Ukrainians complete throughout latest peace talks in Istanbul.
The headquarters coordinated the operation with the Safety Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Ombudsman's Workplace, the navy, the Inside Ministry, and different state and protection our bodies. The Worldwide Committee of the Crimson Cross has additionally offered help.
It’s not instantly clear whether or not Ukraine launched the our bodies of Russian troopers in return. Throughout the earlier change on June 11, Moscow claimed it had repatriated the our bodies of 27 Russian service members.
On the Istanbul assembly on June 2, Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed on a brand new change of POWs however failed to achieve a ceasefire settlement.
The talks led to probably the most in depth prisoner swap in late Might, involving 1,000 captives on all sides. The exchanges continued this week, specializing in severely sick and wounded troopers.
Russia accused Ukraine on June 7 of failing to uphold a proposed prisoner change, a cost Kyiv denied. Russian media printed footage exhibiting refrigerated containers allegedly holding the our bodies of Ukrainian troopers, suggesting Kyiv had rejected their return.
POW Coordination Headquarters deputy head Andrii Yusov informed Ukrainian Pravda that the footage had been filmed inside Russia and never at a chosen change website.
Kyiv has repeatedly urged Moscow to undertake an "all-for-all" prisoner change components. Whereas over 5,000 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity since March 2022, Russia continues to withstand a complete swap.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
Russian navy tools reportedly hit in Ukrainian drone assault towards Crimea
Explosions could possibly be heard throughout Crimea early on June 13, together with in Sevastopol and Simferopol, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported amid Russian claims of Ukrainian drone assaults.
Atesh partisans reported "exact hits" towards Russian navy services close to Simferopol.
"Our brokers report that because of the negligence of the (Russian) command, useful tools was broken, in all probability an air protection missile system," the group stated on Telegram.
"There are additionally losses among the many troops," Atesh stated, including that the precise numbers are tough to ascertain.
The professional-Ukrainian Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported successful in Simferopol, Crimea's capital, sharing a photograph of a plume of smoke rising within the neighborhood of a neighborhood energy station and of the village of Perevalne. Blasts in Yevpatoriia, Saki, Fedosia, and elsewhere have been additionally reported.
Russia's Protection Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down 125 Ukrainian drones in a single day on June 13, together with 70 over Crimea and 7 over the Black Sea. Russian officers didn’t touch upon doable injury.
The Kyiv Unbiased couldn’t confirm the claims. Ukraine has not commented on the alleged assaults.
Russia has illegally occupied Crimea since 2014, remodeling the peninsula right into a closely militarized stronghold to assist its battle towards Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces have repeatedly focused the peninsula with missiles and drones for the reason that outbreak of the full-scale battle in 2022. Most lately, Ukrainian drones attacked an ammunition depot utilized by Russia's 126th Coastal Protection Brigade close to the village of Perevalne.
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