Date—June 1, 2022 (evening)

For more information, 

subscribe on Telegram channel

Stories

1. In April, command of Russian troops stationed in Ukraine was transferred to Army General Alexander Dvornikov, who heads the Southern Military District. It was noted that this general had “extensive experience in operations in Syria.” Dvornikov, taking command, tried to improve the coordination of Russian ground and air units. However, according to military experts interviewed by the publication, the systemic shortcomings of the Russian army are “deep and fundamental,” and it is impossible to correct them in a few weeks. In particular, they believe that the Russian military has no one at the lowest level to make independent decisions. In Western countries, this role is assumed by sergeants with the appropriate training and authority. According to a source in the Pentagon, everything in the Russian armed forces is still based on the same principles as in the days of the Soviet Army, when all commands were given from above. “General Dvornikov’s new tactics, resetting command and control to make a decision-maker, were right or appropriate,” said General Philip Breedlove, former commander of the European Union’s European Command and commander-in-chief NATO’s Joint Forces. in Europe. However, he added, “even our army would find it difficult to rebuild and reorganize in the two weeks after it received a good boost.” Breedlove said Russian troops were thrown into battle in Donbas too quickly. He suggests that such a decision “came from Moscow.” In just a week, the situation in Donbas has changed dramatically. Evelyn Frakas, head of the McCain Institute think tank, said that according to Western intelligence, Russian President Vladimir Putin is increasingly personally involved in making tactical decisions regarding the actions of Russian troops in Ukraine. “We know that presidents who interfere in goal setting and operational tactics are the sure path to disaster,” she added. It is unknown whether Dvornikov continues to command Russian troops in Ukraine. There have been no reports of his whereabouts since mid-May. CIT reported on May 26 that the command of Russian forces in the battle for Donbas, according to some reports, was transferred to the Deputy Minister of Defense, Chief of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Armed Forces, Colonel-General Gennady Zhidko. It is not possible to confirm or refute this information. Officially, the Russian authorities did not even announce the appointment of Dvornikov. (Source: NYT).

War

1. The Russians, with the support of Ka-52 Alligator helicopters, are advancing in the direction of the Lyman-Old Caravan, and fighting continues. (Source: Censor).

2. In Severodonetsk, there are positional battles, and units of the Armed Forces are trying to nullify the superiority of the occupying forces in artillery. “We are defending Severodonetsk. Fighting positions, fighting in the city. Artillery fire. We are maneuvering, trying to destroy the occupier as much as possible,” said Captain of the National Guard Petro Kuzyk, commander of the Svoboda battalion. Vin claims that the battalion did not receive an order to retreat or prepare for it. “We do not plan to retreat. They plan in the General Staff, and we carry out orders. There will be an order to retreat – we will carry out, there will be an order to attack – we will attack, there will be an order to hold positions – we will hold positions. “I don’t see him preparing. On the contrary, we are pressing. Our task now is to push the enemy as far out of the city as possible, which we are trying to do,” Kuzyk said. Kuzyk notes that the Russians began to fight more competently than before. “They have concluded and are fighting much more competently now. They have minimized contact with us. They have an advantage in artillery, in tanks in this direction, so they use it,” he said. At the same time, it is “not quite easy” for the occupiers because the anti-battery artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is working against them, destroying the long-range equipment of the Russian army. (Source: Liga).

Opinions

1. Kevlyuk: “Private military company Wagner some time ago, it seems, was rebranding, the name “Private military company League” appeared. According to my information, today, it looks like this: all more trained mercenaries were separated into a separate structure called the “League. ” They perform the most complex and responsible tasks, similar to those assigned to assault units. In the Wagner PMC itself, they remained simpler and worse. At the training ground in the Rostov region, where they have a base camp, out of 170 candidates selected by recruiters “PMC Wagner,” “Liga” took no one to the “League.” High standards are maintained, but only for a separate “League” and not for the entire “PMC Wagner.” All the rest underwent a two-week training course and ended up near Popasna at the forefront. “It is known that the recruiters of “PMC Wagner” very seriously reduced the requirements for both combat experience, health status, and, among other things, simplified relations with the crime. If a person was not convicted under serious criminal articles, he might find himself in the Wagner PMC,” expert of the Center for Defense Strategies Viktor Kevlyuk appoints. The main striking force is supplementing these units with airborne troops who have already suffered serious losses and largely lost their combat capability. The Wagner PMC is used as cement, as a cell for the formation of strike units. On the one hand, the state has no there are really no obligations in terms of social protection. They can be used in any way and have neither material nor moral consequences. On the other hand, they are effective fighters who carry along with military personnel who have lost motivation. The capture of Popasna showed that this form of use PMCs have a right to exist. From what is known from their actions toward each other in their directions, the fighters of the “League” show themselves as aggressive, enterprising, and daring in their actions. They are a worthy adversary on the battlefield. “PMC Wagner” is gradually degrading due to lower requirements for candidates. And our soldiers speak of them, shall we say, low fighting qualities. Dmitry Utkin mainly resides in the Rostov region, where he manages the company’s affairs. Most likely, he does not take part in hostilities. The previous position of the Deputy Commander of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation, General Alexei Avdeev: Head of the Frunze Military Academy, that is, a person who is an applied way studied the tactics of operational art, taught, was aware of all the novel methods and developments. He was able at some stage to “creatively” organize the assault on Popasnaya. However, after they succeeded, new units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine approached and returned the situation to normal, where the airborne assault units of our armed forces still dominate. This is not the last tactical novelty in his performance, which we will see. (Source: CT).

Economy, Social life, and Culture

1. Prosecutor’s Office: “During the pre-trial investigation it was established that despite the imposition of sanctions and the beginning of a full-scale invasion of the Russian armed forces, Ukrainian citizens – owners of a restaurant chain Tarantino Family numbering up to 70 establishments, 12 of which are located in Moscow, retained control on the territory of the aggressor country, by renaming the Moscow part of the business and transferring it to the management of a company controlled by a well-known Russian restaurateur.” (Source: UP).

2. SBU: Law enforcement officers exposed the deputy head of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration for humanitarian aid fraud. The official facilitated ambulances for commercial purposes, which were transferred to Ukraine from Italy as humanitarian aid. He was responsible for the distribution of “ambulances” and identified one of the regional medical institutions as the recipient of part of this humid care. The equipment was managed by the general director of the medical institution. Accordingly, the head of the hospital re-registered the 5 received “ambulances” to a controlled public charity organization, the founder and owner of which is himself, to provide paid transport services to patients. The attackers earned money on cars intended for free assistance on behalf of the state. (Source: UP).

3. NBU: Private remittances worth $ 1.01 billion were sent to Ukraine in April, which is $ 72 million more than in March and 14.7% less than in April last year. The total volume of remittances to Ukraine amounted to $ 4.04 billion in January-April 2022, which is 10.5% less than in the same period of 2021. The NBU takes into account both legal and informal channels of money transfers to Ukraine. In April, $521 million was sent to Ukraine through legal channels and $ 490 million through informal channels. (Source: Liga)

Invasion Damage

1. On June 1, the Russian Federation fired six missiles in the Sumy region. “At about 1:25 p.m., observers recorded two jets behind the engine noise, which launched about six missiles along the Ukrainian border with Russia in the direction of Hudovo National Park,” the military said. According to the head of the Sumy OVA, Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, the blow was struck on the territory of the Shalygin community of the Shostka district of the region. “Data on the destruction and casualties are being clarified,” Zhyvytskyi added. (Source: LB).