(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Ukraine Invasion Day 837: Kharkiv-Belgorod axis remains active [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-06-08 It is unclear whether Russian forces have altered the planned end strength of the Northern Grouping of Forces since launching the offensive operation into northern Kharkiv Oblast on May 10. Russian forces conducted limited drone and missile strikes against Ukraine overnight on June 7 to 8. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk reported that Russian forces launched a Kh-59 cruise missile from Kursk Oblast and 13 Shahed-136/131 drones from Kursk Oblast and occupied Cape Chauda, Crimea overnight.[90] Oleshchuk reported that Ukrainian forces shot down the Kh-59 missile and nine Shahed drones over Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Poltava, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration Head Serhiy Lysak reported that Russian strikes damaged an unspecified infrastructure facility in the oblast.[91] Ukrainian Khortytsia Group of Forces Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn stated on June 8 that Russian forces have launched over 10,000 glide bombs at Ukraine since January 1, 2024, including more than 3,2000 glide bombs just in May 2024.[93] www.understandingwar.org/... https://x.com/HerrDr8 The first official statement from the Ukrainian side appeared on April 4, 2023, when Yurii Ihnat, a Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson, said that the Russians were dropping “up to 20 gliding bombs a day.” Ihnat continued: “They launch them from Su-35 Flanker and Su-34 Fullback aircraft, which do not enter our air defense zone.” Since then, there have been repeated statements from Ukrainian officials reflecting on the difficulty of intercepting these weapons, which have been described as “almost impossible to shoot down.” https://x.com/HerrDr8 Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike against a Russian military airfield in the North Ossetia-Alania Republic on the night of June 7 to 8. Ukrainian outlet Suspilne reported on June 8 that its sources in the Ukrainian special services stated that Ukraine's Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) conducted a drone strike against an airfield in North Ossetia on the night of June 7 to 8.[17] Geolocated footage published on June 8 shows a drone targeting the Mozdok Airbase followed by a rising smoke plume.[18] North Ossetia-Alania Republic Head Sergei Menyaylo claimed that Russian forces shot down three drones targeting a military airfield in Mozdok and that unspecified objects sustained minor damage and caught fire.[19] The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Russian forces destroyed a drone over the North Ossetia-Alania Republic on the morning of June 8.[20] www.understandingwar.org/… In the north of Kharkiv region, on June 8th, Ukrainian defenders repulsed four attacks by the russian fascist invaders in the areas of Lyptsi, Hlyboke and Vovchans'k. https://x.com/mhmck The Russian military command is reportedly transferring an unspecified number of forces to the Ukrainian-Russian border area near Kharkiv Oblast, but it is unclear if the Russian military command plans to immediately commit these redeployed forces to combat or use them to reinforce the Northern Grouping of Forces to bring it closer to its reported planned end strength. Chechen Akhmat Spetsnaz Commander Apty Alaudinov claimed in an interview with Russian state media outlet RT on June 8 that Russian authorities decided to transfer elements of the Akhmat Spetsnaz to the Kharkiv direction from unspecified areas at the end of May 2024.[1] Alaudinov claimed that the "Kashtan" detachment, formerly known as Akhmat "Kamerton" detachment and renamed after its new commander, is operating in the Kharkiv direction. Ukrainian Khortytsia Group of Forces Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn stated on June 8 that Akhmat forces are serving as blocking units – specialized disciplinary units that fire upon friendly forces if they engage in an unauthorized retreat – in the international border area, and it is possible that the Russian military command transferred Akhmat forces to the area solely for this purpose and not to conduct offensive operations.[2] Voloshyn also stated that the Russian military command is increasing the Russian force grouping near the border area by transferring elements of unspecified regiments and brigades from other sectors of the front, including from occupied Kherson Oblast. Voloshyn stated that the Russian military command intends to commit unspecified airborne (VDV) elements and additional elements of the 11th and 44th Army Corps (both of the Leningrad Military District [LMD]) to offensive operations in unspecified areas of the border area. Elements of the 11th and 44th Army Corps have been conducting offensive operations in northern Kharkiv Oblast, and a battalion of the 98th VDV Division is reportedly operating in a border area in Kursk Oblast.[3] The Ukrainian Resistance Center stated on June 8 that the Russian military command is redeploying unspecified units and drone operators from the Kherson direction to the Kharkiv direction.[4] Russian forces reportedly had roughly 35,000 personnel in the international border area as a part of the Northern Grouping of Forces when they started offensive operations on May 10, whereas Ukrainian sources have indicated that the Russian military initially sought to concentrate at least 50,000 to 70,000 personnel in the international border area as of early May.[5] It is unclear whether Russian forces have altered the planned end strength of the Northern Grouping of Forces since launching the offensive operation into northern Kharkiv Oblast on May 10. www.understandingwar.org/... Key Takeaways: The Russian military command is reportedly transferring an unspecified number of forces to the Ukrainian-Russian border area near Kharkiv Oblast, but it is unclear if the Russian military command plans to immediately commit these redeployed forces to combat or use them to reinforce the Northern Grouping of Forces to bring it closer to its reported planned end strength. Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets noted on June 8 that a fraction of the reported 30,000 personnel that Russia generates each month arrives at the front as combat force replacements and reinforcements and that Russian force generation efforts have allowed Russian forces to establish only limited operational and strategic reserves. Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike against a Russian military airfield in the North Ossetia-Alania Republic on the night of June 7 to 8. Russian strikes have caused widespread damage to Ukraine's energy grid, and Ukraine will continue to face serious constraints on power generation capacity. US President Joe Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on June 7. Longtime Russian Central Bank Head Elvira Nabiullina is reportedly a balancing force among Russian President Vladimir Putin's economic advisors despite pressure for Russian officials to unequivocally support the long-term war effort in Ukraine. Ukraine's Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) and Russian opposition outlets reported that unspecified actors attempted to assassinate the former Russian occupation mayor of Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast, Hennadiy Matsehora in Stary Oskol, Belgorod Oblast on June 7. Russian forces recently advanced north of Kharkiv City, southeast of Kupyansk, within easternmost Chasiv Yar, northwest of Avdiivka, and southwest of Donetsk City. Russian actors are using video appeals from Russian servicemen to refute reports of high Russian losses in northern Kharkiv Oblast. www.understandingwar.org/... x ⚡️ WAR IN #UKRAINE - JUN 8, 2024 ■ Daily casualties & engagements around average (7-day casualties -2%) ■ Daily equipment losses below average (7-day losses +20%) ■ 19 air defence systems hit in the last 7 days (2024 record matched) ■ Increased strikes on both sides;… pic.twitter.com/EdiII9q93s — Ragnar Gudmundsson 🇮🇸🇺🇦 (@ragnarbjartur) June 8, 2024 Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted tactical counterattacks northeast of Kharkiv City in Vovchansk on June 7 and 8 while Russian forces continued offensive operations near Vovchansk, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in this area.[45] Ukrainian Khortytsia Group of Forces Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn stated on June 8 that Russian forces have launched more than 300 guided glide bombs at Vovchansk since May 1, 2024.[46] Voloshyn also claimed on June 8 that Ukrainian forces maintain control over most of Vovchansk, implying that Ukrainian forces recently conducted tactical counterattacks within Vovchansk.[47] German outlet BILD reported on June 8 that Ukrainian forces counterattacked within Vovchansk and liberated several of the town’s blocks.[48] ISW is unable to verify reports of successful Ukrainian counterattacks within Vovchansk at this time. US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby stated on June 7 that the Ukrainian first line of defense has stalled Russian advances in the Kharkiv direction and that Russian forces have pulled back some units operating in the Kharkiv direction from the frontline.[49] x Russian forces recently advanced north of Kharkiv City, southeast of Kupyansk, within easternmost Chasiv Yar, northwest of Avdiivka, and southwest of Donetsk City. Map Updates 🧵(1/8) https://t.co/bvT0oG7Z5d pic.twitter.com/Igl6j3JNza — Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) June 9, 2024 Russian strikes have caused widespread damage to Ukraine's energy grid, and Ukraine will continue to face serious constraints on power generation capacity. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated on June 7 that only 27 percent of large Ukrainian thermal power plants (TPPs) are operational and that Russian missile and drone strikes damaged or destroyed the other 73 percent.[23] Shmyhal stated that recent Russian strikes have knocked out 9.2 gigawatts of Ukrainian generation capacity and stated that this is half of the generation capacity that Ukraine used in Winter 2023-2024.[24] The Financial Times (FT) reported on June 5 that Russia has knocked out or captured over half of Ukraine's generation capacity, bringing Ukrainian energy production to below 20 gigawatts from 55 gigawatts before the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.[25] Shmyhal stated that Russian forces have destroyed 42 power generators and damaged 20 hydropower generators at Ukrainian energy generation facilities.[26] Shmyhal emphasized that Ukraine is taking steps to relieve pressure on Ukraine's energy grid and plans to restore as much energy generation capacity as possible before Winter 2024-2025.[27] Ukraine’s nuclear operator Energoatom stated on June 7 that it connected an additional reactor at an unspecified nuclear power plant to the energy grid.[28] The head of Ukrainian state electricity transmission operator Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, stated that this will relieve Ukrainian power constraints for the next two weeks before increased summer consumption begins.[29] Shmyhal stated that Ukraine is currently importing 1.7 gigawatts from the European Union (EU) but that the EU is able to export a maximum of 2.2 gigawatts to Ukraine.[30] x ⚡Ukraine uses over 110 types of vehicles on the battlefield. More than 110 models of Ukrainian and foreign-made military vehicles have been approved for use in the Armed Forces of Ukraine since March 2022, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said on June 8. — The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) June 8, 2024 x The way russian armored equipment is destroyed. 📷: 24th Mechanized Brigade pic.twitter.com/YmqyoW264G — Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 8, 2024 Urkaine is using the general approach of the US. They have not concentrated forces a lot in the war because of drones and Russian artillery that cause more casualities with no corresponding gain. This war features a series of smaller unit actions due to drones, that are new on the battlefield. https://x.com/randymot4 x 🇩🇪🇺🇦 Germany launched the production of 155-mm self-propelled howitzwers PzH 2000, the first contract for the production of the first 22 units was signed. 👀 Earlier it was reported that Germany plans to produce howitzers for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/JuOJLonu2u — The Ukrainian Review (@UkrReview) June 8, 2024 x How should Ukraine navigate the risks of Russian nationals fighting on its behalf? History holds some lessons. https://t.co/9Lgluer1LW — Modern War Institute (@WarInstitute) June 8, 2024 x ✍️ 'The rickety old Kuznetsov seems unlikely to put to sea again', writes @daxe Read his column here👇https://t.co/lnWR2Lf3gT pic.twitter.com/p82u3OQYdW — The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 7, 2024 x Normalizing extremism (including the use of political violence) has been critical to @realDonaldTrump and the broader MAGA movement's success, writes @ruthbenghiat. https://t.co/GDbpneIQdH pic.twitter.com/ES0X4OcKQV — Project Syndicate (@ProSyn) June 8, 2024 [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/6/8/2245577/-Ukraine-Invasion-Day-837-Kharkiv-Belgorod-axis-remains-active?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/