Russian troops make some progress in advancing to Slovyansk — ISW

Russian troops continue attempts to advance southeast of Izyum in the direction of Slovyansk, and did have some success on June 12, according to the American Institute for the Study of War.

Analysts cite a statement by militants of the so-called "DPR" that they took control of Bohorodychne on the border of Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts, about 20 km from Slovyansk. In addition, ISW notes that Russian troops have made unsuccessful attempts to advance on Dovhenke, Dolyna and Mazanivka, settlements between Izyum and Slovyansk.

The Russians also continued ground and artillery attacks east of the city of Bakhmut. The occupiers conducted unsuccessful assault operations in Vrubivka and Mykolayivka, and near the critical Bakhmut-Lysychansk highway. According to ISW, Russian troops are likely to continue assault operations near the route to support Lysychansk encirclement.

And on the front line in the Kharkiv Oblast, Russian troops probably tried to push back the Armed Forces and on June 12 fired on Ukrainian positions in and around the city of Kharkiv. According to the General Staff, the occupiers unsuccessfully attacked in the direction of Starytsia and Rubizhne in the Kharkiv Oblast. Analysts suggest this shows that the Russians are constantly trying to prevent further advance of the Armed Forces to the state border. The occupiers also fired on the city of Kharkiv and surrounding settlements.

ISW analysts noted that in the south of Ukraine, the Russians focused on defense. At the same time, in Severodonetsk, the occupiers continued ground raids under artillery cover, but did not establish full control over the city. The Institute reported that Russian troops had destroyed two bridges across the Siverskyi Donets River between Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, and a third was being shelled.