Russians downplay Ukrainian forces’ achievements, especially defense line breakthrough — ISW

This information is included in a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) based on activities on Sunday, June 11.

The report highlights that the Ukrainian military conducted counteroffensive operations in at least three directions and recaptured some territory on June 10 and 11. 

Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Hanna Maliar, also stated that offensive operations are taking place in the Bakhmut area.

Russian sources, on the other hand, claim that the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to carry out ground attacks on the northern and southern flanks of the city. 

Geolocation footage and Russian sources confirm that the Ukrainian forces liberated several settlements during ground attacks in the western part of Donetsk region, specifically to the south, southwest, and southeast of Velyka Novosilka. Russian sources also reported the continuation of the offensive to the southwest of the Zaporizhzhia region, where success was achieved.

Ukrainian forces visually confirmed the offensive in the western part of Donetsk region and Zaporizhzhia region, which was also acknowledged by Russian sources, although they attempted to downplay it. 

Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar reported that the Armed Forces advanced between 300 and 1,500 meters in the southern part of the country. Various Ukrainian and Russian sources confirmed that the Defense Forces made progress in the south of Velyka Novosilka, and liberated Makarivka, Neskuchne, Blahodatne, Storozhove, and Novodarivka between June 10 and 11.

Some Russian sources suggested that fighting continues in disputed areas or the "gray zone," indicating that Ukrainian forces are operating in areas that Russian forces did not fully occupy before the Ukrainian attacks in the southern regions. Analysts believe that Russian sources use the term "gray zones" to downplay Ukraine's successes and avoid reporting on the breakthrough of the occupiers' defense lines.

ISW also noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated several settlements, but it is premature to consider it a full-scale breakthrough.

•  Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar provided updates on the progress of the offensive in the Bakhmut direction on June 5. 

• On June 6, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have the ability to penetrate Russian defenses. 

• Ukrainian military expert Roman Svitan expressed confidence on June 10 that significant movement of the Armed Forces, not just a few hundred meters, but several kilometers, would be seen by the end of the following week.