Victorious news of 474th day of war: more Patriot systems are likely to come, Ukrainian Armed Forces recapture settlements in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions

Five more Patriot air defense system batteries for Ukraine

Raytheon Technologies plans to manufacture five more batteries of the Patriot air defense system for Ukraine by the end of 2024, the company's CEO, Greg Geiss, told the Wall Street Journal.

The company aims to increase production to 12 Patriot systems per year. He also stated that the company was impressed by how well the complex performed, along with other air defense systems, in destroying nearly 90% of Russian targets.

Ukraine has improved the Patriot air defense software to enable the system to track and destroy hypersonic missiles traveling at twice the speed. Ukraine currently possesses two systems. One was provided by the USA, and the other came from Germany in collaboration with the Netherlands.

Ukrainian Defense Forces advance 250 to 700 meters in Bakhmut direction

As of June 12, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have advanced 250 to 700 meters on the flanks in the Bakhmut sector, thus pushing Russian troops back, said Serhiy Cherevatyi,  spokesman for the AFU Eastern Grouping, on the United News telethon.

Ukrainian defenders counterattack in the Bakhmut direction.

"Thus, 66 Russian soldiers were killed, 83 were wounded and 3 were taken prisoner. At the same time, 2 enemy infantry fighting vehicles, 2 amphibious assault vehicles, 1 armored personnel carrier, 2 Nona self-propelled artillery systems, a D-30 howitzer, an anti-tank missile system, as well as a field ammunition depot were destroyed," the spokesman summarized.

The officer said that Ukrainian defenders are repelling the invading troops with all the forces and means they receive from foreign partners. Ukrainian soldiers are making progress, despite the numerical superiority of the Russian army.

“They are currently conducting rotational activities, and we will definitely use this to our advantage. We know the terrain better, we have certain intelligence data, and our headquarters are much more powerful. So with minimal forces and means, we always achieve an advantage, and even if we advance a few hundred meters every day, we liberate our land,” added Cherevatyi.

Novodarivka in the Zaporizhzhia region and Storozhove in the Donetsk region liberated

Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Hanna Maliar said that the Ukrainian flag is seen over Storozhove, Donetsk region, again. On June 4, 2023, the village of Novodarivka was freed from the occupiers. This accomplishment was achieved through the combined efforts of a mechanized unit and the joint unit of the Zaporizhia Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. 

"The enemy’s numerous attempts to regain control of the settlement, which lasted several days, were unsuccessful. The brigade's units continue to multiply their success!" the post reads.

Hanna Maliar announced the liberation of Storozhove on Telegram in the morning, on June 12. 

“The state flag is now seen over Storozhove once again, and this will be the case for every town until we liberate all of Ukraine's land. We express our gratitude to the 35th Separate Marine Brigade. There is more to come…” the post says. 

The largest air exercise in NATO's history is taking place in Europe

About 10,000 participants from 25 countries will take part in air operations in European space. A large-scale exercise of NATO member states to deploy Air Defender 23 has started in Germany.

“Air Defender 23 is the largest air force exercise since NATO's founding,” the statement says. The United States alone will send 100 combat vehicles to Germany. These air exercises within the framework of the North Atlantic Alliance will last from June 12 to 23.

"The exercise scenario is modeled on the basis of a scenario of assistance in accordance with Article 5 of the NATO Charter," the statement said.

It will involve 250 aircraft from NATO countries under the leadership of the German Air Force. The task will be carried out partly over the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, as well as over northern Germany and the North Sea, in the east and south of Germany.

Artillery shells from Denmark worth USD 36 million 

The Danish government has supported the supply of additional 2,000 artillery shells to Ukraine, amounting to about DKK 250 million.

"We stick to the overall description. It is something that is in demand from the Ukrainian side, and it is something that helps on the battlefield," Poulsen said, without specifying the type of ammunition.

Foreign Minister Rasmussen said that the shells would help Ukrainian forces during the offensive and allow them to respond to the enemy. "It is a substantial contribution that Ukraine needs very urgently," Rasmussen added.