Ukrainian forces continue their deliberate advance towards Melitopol, with little change on the ground, according to recent reports. The Ukrainian General Staff has claimed “partial success” in areas such as Bakhmut, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and Kurdyumivka. The Eastern Group of Forces of Ukraine has also stated that it has ejected Russian forces from Minkivka and Dubovo-Vasylivka.
In addition, Ukraine has reported that its surface drones hit two Russian patrol vessels in the Black Sea. However, Russian sources claim that the uncrewed boats were successfully repelled. Post-strike assessment of the damage to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet reveals that the two warships hit by Ukrainian missiles were effectively destroyed. The UK’s Ministry of Defence confirms that the landing ship Minsk and the Kilo 636.3 class submarine Rostov-na-Donu suffered extensive damage. The destruction of these vessels is a significant blow to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, with the Rostov’s potential return to service estimated to take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The damage to the fleet’s repair facilities also presents a challenge in sustaining fleet maintenance.
In other news, a summit between North Korea’s Chairman Kim and Russia’s President Putin took place this week. Chairman Kim expressed solidarity with Russia against “imperialism” and invited President Putin to visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The meeting has been labeled a “pariah summit” by the Atlantic Council, as North Korea has long been regarded as an isolated state, and Russia’s courtship of Pyongyang is seen as a humiliation by many.
Moreover, President Putin will also meet Belarusian President Lukashenka in Sochi. The meeting comes after the European Parliament passed a resolution linking Belarus with Russia’s war against Ukraine. The resolution holds the Lukashenka regime accountable for its involvement in Russia’s aggression and calls for the prosecution of Belarusian officials complicit in the crimes committed against Ukraine. Belarus has allowed Russia to station forces on its territory for use against Ukraine and provided temporary refuge for Wagnerite mutineers.
Meanwhile, there is a growing sentiment in Russia’s Duma to tighten control over online information. Lawmakers are considering measures to restrict or ban virtual private networks (VPNs), following China’s model of the Great Firewall for information control. This move reflects increasing concerns about online freedom and censorship in Russia.
Additionally, US Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for a Congressional investigation into Starlink’s decision not to provide service in the vicinity of Sevastopol last year. The absence of Starlink connectivity affected Ukrainian plans for a drone strike against units of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Senator Warren is particularly concerned about the vulnerability of purchased services to corporate decisions and the potential danger it poses to the United States, Ukraine, and the rest of the world. However, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall believes that Starlink made unilateral decisions as they were not on contract with the US at the time.
Despite these developments, the absence of Starlink connectivity has not seemed to be an operational issue for Ukrainian forces in the region since last year. The situation on the ground remains tense as Ukrainian forces continue their advance and Russia faces significant setbacks with the destruction of key warships and the erosion of its military reputation.