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Russo-Ukraine War - 17 June 2023 - Day 479

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that since the start of Ukrainian counter-offensive operations in southern Ukraine, Russia has re-enforced its attack helicopter force in the region.

Imagery shows that over 20 extra Russian helicopters deployed to Berdyansk Airport, approximately 100km behind the front line.

n the constant contest between aviation measures and counter-measures, it is likely that Russia has gained a temporary advantage in southern Ukraine, especially with attack helicopters employing longer-range missiles against ground targets.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of June 16, Russian forces carried out 37x airstrikes, launched 19x MLRS attacks.

The threat of missile and air strikes remains high across Ukraine.

Russia continues to focus its main efforts on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Mar'inka axes and heavy battles continue. During the day, 22x combat clashes took place.
Volyn' and Polissya axes: the operational situation has not changed significantly. There are no signs of the formation of offensive groupings. On the training grounds of the Republic of Belarus, combat training and coordination of units of the russian troops are underway after which they are sent to the frontlines on the territory of Ukraine.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russian forces maintain an enhanced military presence in the border areas with Ukraine. They carried out an airstrike on Yanzhulivka, Chernihiv Oblast. Russians shelled with mortars and artillery Yanzhulivka, Kostobobriv, Gremyach of the Chernihiv Oblast, Chuykivka, Bachivs'k, Svarkovo, Atyns'ke, Starykovo, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Stari Virky, Sosnivka, Iskristivshchyna, Volfine, Basivka, Myropyllya, Stepok, Krasnopillya, Novodmytrivka, Velika Pisarivka, Ponomarenki of the Sumy Oblast, as well as Guryiv Kozachok, Udy, Chervona Zorya, Kozacha Lopan, Strelecha, Staritsa, Ogirtsevo, Pletenivka, Vovchanski Khutory, Pokalane, Okhrimivka, Krugle, Budarka, Zemlyanki, Loshakovo, Potikhonovo and Komisarov in Kharkiv Oblast .
Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces carried out offensive operationss in the vicinities of Novoselyvskyi, Luhansk Oblast, and Berestovoy, Kharkiv Oblast, without success. Figolivka, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kam'ianka, Kislivka of Kharkiv and Novoselivs'ke of Luhansk Oblasts were sshelled by artillery and mortars.
Lyman axis: Russian forces carried out offensives in the direction of Bilogorivka, Luhansk Oblast, without success. Stelmakhivka, Nevs'ke, Belogorivka of the Luhansk Oblast and Tors'ke, Verkhn'yokam'ians'ke, Rozdolivka, Spirne, Serebryanka of the Donetsk Oblast were shelled by artillery.
Bakhmut axis: the areas of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Khromov, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivs'ke, Ozaryanivka, Bila Hora, Kostyantynivka, Pivdenne settlements of the Donetsk Oblast were shelled by Russian artillery.
Avdiivka axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive operations in the vicinities of Stepovoy and Avdiivka. They carried out airstrikes near Sukhoi Balka and Avdiivka. Shelled the settlements Stepove, Tonenke, Pervomais'ke, Avdiivka, Vesele, Karlivka of the Donetsk Oblast.
Mar'inka axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled all Russian attacks in the vicinities of Marinka. Russian forces launched an airstrike near Krasnohorivka, Donetsk Oblast. At the same time, the adversary shelled Krasnohorivka, Heorgiyivka, Mar'inka, Pobyeda, Maksimilianivka, Kostyantynivka of the Donetsk Oblast.
Shakhtars'k axis: Russian forces carried out offensives on the Novomykhailivka and Vodyanyi axes, Donetsk Oblast, albeit without success. They carried out airstrikes near Zolotaya Niva and Blagodatny. russians shelled the settlements such as Shakhtars'ke, Prechistivka, Novomykhailivka, Vugledar, Storozheve, Novosilka, Novopil' of the Donetsk Oblast.
Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russian forces are on the defensive. They launched an airstrike near Mala Tokmachka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Kozatskyi, Kherson Oblast. The Russian occupiers shelled the settlements of Olhivs'ke, Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Hulyaipils'ke, Novodarivka, Levadne, Malynyvka, Chervone, Novoandriivka, Stepove, Lobkovo, Stepnohirsk, Kam'ians'ke of Zaporizhzhya Oblast; Nikopol', Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; Mykhailivka, Novodmytrivka, Chervnoi Mayak, Shlyakhove, Beryslav, Vesele, Kozats'ke, Mykolaivka, Burgunka, Olhivka, Tyaginka, Novotyahinka, Poniativka, Sadove, Molodizhne, Antonivka, Kherson, Chornobayivka, Romashkovo, Dniprovs'ke, Berehove, Veletens'ke, Kizomys, Sofiivka of the Kherson Oblast and Ochakiv, Mykolaiv Oblast.

The Russian occupiers continue to commit ecocide on the Dzharylgach island, where they have set up a training ground and conduct military training for the mobilized, in particular, with the firing of artillery units.

Ukrainian Air Force conducted 9x strikes on Russian manpower concentrations.

Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed a Russian anti-aircraft missile system.

Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit 2x control points, 2x ammunition warehouses and 1x artillery unit at a firing position.