< p>It is possible that Ukrainian forces are making efforts aimed at disrupting Russian air defenses, which, if successful, could enable Ukraine to use manned air power more effectively in the long term.
This is according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) daily analysis.
On June 12, the Ukrainian General Staff announced that on the night of June 11-12, Ukrainian forces struck one S-300 air defense battery and two S-400 air defense batteries near occupied Belbek and Sevastopol. Crimea.
Some Russian sources suggest that Ukrainian forces used ATACMS during the June 11-12 strike, although ISW could not confirm which systems Ukrainian forces used.
The founder of the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Military Intelligence (GUR) regiment "Kraken" Kostyantyn Nemichev confirmed on June 12 that Ukrainian forces used HIMARS to destroy four Russian S-300 systems in the Belgorod region on an unspecified date, and the Ukrainian publication Suspilne cited Nemichev's statements as the first official Ukrainian confirmation of strikes against a Russian S-300 battery in the Belgorod region on June 1 or 2.
Recent actions have forced the Kremlin to transfer air defense units from Crimea to Belgorod Oblast.
Ukrainian forces may be actively seeking to degrade Russian air defenses before Ukraine receives a significant number of aircraft to set the stage for Ukraine's future use of manned aircraft closer to frontline areas.
Ukrainian forces may be trying to degrade Russian air defenses ahead of expected deliveries of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which will reportedly begin in small numbers in the summer and fall of 2024.
Ukrainian forces may eventually be able to work on a concept of operations that combines air power in support of ground operations if the Ukrainian military receives sufficient fighter jets, Western partners train sufficiently trained pilots, and if Ukraine succeeds in worsening Russian air defense capabilities.
On June 12, warships of Russia's Northern Fleet arrived in the port of Havana, Cuba, for a planned five-day port stay.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia "will leave" and "will decide when to leave" the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) during a question-and-answer session at the National Assembly of Armenia on June 12 amid Armenia's continued efforts to distance itself from security and political ties with Russia.< /p>
The Georgian opposition publication "Mtavari" announced that the Georgian government plans to resume diplomatic relations with Russia.
Russian forces confirmed their progress near Volchansk, Siversk and Avdeevka and in the western part of the Zaporozhye region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin named employees of Russian defense companies among the latest winners of labor awards during a speech on the occasion of Russia Day. on June 11, indicating Putin's continued emphasis on strengthening Russia's defense industrial base (DIP).