Russian forces intensify pace of offensive and assault operations - General Staff

Photo: Ukrainian military (Getty Images)

Since the beginning of the day, Russian troops have been increasing the pace of offensive and assault operations at the front. They are looking for ways to break into the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and try to push Ukrainian units out of the established bounds, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the General Staff, the number of combat engagements along the entire frontline has increased to 99. The situation is the hottest in the Pokrovsk direction and in the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian defenders are repelling attacks, destroying personnel and equipment.

The situation in the directions

In the Kharkiv direction, two enemy attacks are currently ongoing in the area of Vovchansk. Another seven enemy attacks in that direction were repelled - near Lyptsi and near Vovchansk.

Today's activity of the Russian forces in the direction resulted in 124 Russian soldiers killed and wounded. Three artillery systems, four vehicles, and a unit of special equipment were destroyed. Enemy casualties are still being counted.

In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled seven assault attacks by the Russian forces near Synkivka, Berestove, Stelmakhivka, and Stepova Novoselivka since the beginning of the day. A firefight is currently ongoing near Stepova Novoselivka.

Eleven attempts by the enemy to improve its tactical position failed in the Lyman direction. The enemy continues two attacks in the areas of Nevske and Makiivka. The situation is under control. The enemy attacked the territory of Serebryanskyi forest with four guided aerial bombs.

In the Siversk direction, the Russian army continues activity in the areas of Bilohorivka, Spirne and Rozdolivka. Four attacks of the Russian forces were repelled, five more combat engagements are ongoing.

In the Toretsk direction, the number of attacks increased to seven. The enemy is making the main efforts to attack towards the city of Toretsk.

In the Pokrovsk direction, the Russian forces are not slowing down their offensive. Since the beginning of the day, the enemy has attacked Ukrainian defense positions 34 times. Twenty-three of the enemy's assaults failed, and 11 more attacks are ongoing.

Fighting continues in the Kurakhove direction. Since the beginning of the day, the enemy has been attacking, in particular, near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka and Paraskoviivka. The total number of attacks here has increased to seven.

In the Prydniprovskyi direction, five enemy assaults were unsuccessful. No positions were lost.

"The situation in the other directions has not changed significantly," the General Staff added.

Situation at the front on June 26

According to analysts of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainian soldiers succeeded in the area of Vovchansk, where they regained lost positions in the city. Meanwhile, the Russians may have formed another combined arms army for deployment to Ukraine, particularly in the Kharkiv direction.

Earlier, the General Staff reported that Russians are attacking in the Kupiansk direction with the support of aviation.