Ukraine: Heavy fighting continues in Severodonetsk area as of June 4 /update 120

Event

Russian forces continued to conduct offensive actions in Ukraine as of June 4, utilizing airstrikes to assist troops and artillery on the ground in the Donbas. Heavy street fighting has continued in Severodonetsk over the past day, with Russian troops making nominal gains in eastern parts of the city. For their part, Ukrainian officials have claimed that their forces have recaptured some parts of the city after conducting counterattacks in the area. Additionally, Ukrainian officials have asserted that Russian forces are attempting to destroy bridges across the Siverskiy Donets River to inhibit the movement of Ukrainian reinforcements and civilian aid into the city. Despite the stiff Ukrainian resistance, Russian troops will probably capture Severodonetsk in the coming days, achieving the primary offensive objective that Moscow has pursued in recent weeks. Significant fighting has also been reported in neighboring Lysychansk, located across the Siverskiy Donets from Severodonetsk, with Russian forces bombarding the area with various projectiles. The two cities are the last major urban areas in the Luhansk Region over which Russian forces have not consolidated their control.

Russian forces have also stepped up attacks in the Donetsk Region over the past day, with the Ukrainian military reporting that Russian forces have increased their use of electronic warfare around Slovyansk, among other parts of the Donbas. However, recent Russian attacks west of Lyman have been unsuccessful, and Russia is unlikely to make significant territorial gains in the direction of Slovyansk over the short term. Moscow's troops and artillery have notably fired on multiple areas around Donetsk city, Bakhmut, and Lyman over the past day while refraining from launching assaults on Avdiivka. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have attempted to stage counterattacks on Russian positions in Berestove and Bilohorivka, located along the Donetsk-Luhansk administrative border, to mitigate the Russian threat to the T1302 road connecting Bakhmut and Lysychansk.

In the Kharkiv Region, Russian forces have continued to conduct airstrikes and fire missiles on Ukrainian targets in Kharkiv city and other towns primarily in the north. However, no significant changes have been recorded on the ground over the past day, with Russian troops conducting unsuccessful assaults southeast and southwest of Izyum. Moreover, Russia continues to shell targets further north in Sumy and Chernihiv regions, highlighting the continued threat from such attacks, particularly in areas close to the border.

In the south of the country, Ukrainian forces' counteroffensive along the administrative border between Kherson and Mykolaiv regions likely pushed Russian forces back to their defensive positions on the eastern bank of the Inhulets River in recent days. In response, Russian forces have carried out limited attacks in northern Kherson Region over the past day but have failed to recapture positions lost to Ukrainian forces. Despite these limited offensive maneuvers, Russian troops in southern Ukraine will likely continue to focus on defending positions under their control over the short term.

Disruptions and Shortages
Ukrainian Railways (UZ) has restored near-regular commuter services throughout much of the central and western parts of the country and continues to operate evacuation trains from most major cities, including Kyiv; however, rail services are subject to disruptions without warning. Civilian aviation remains suspended, and the nation's seaports are closed.

The government has extended Ukraine's existing nationwide martial law decree until Aug. 23. Curfews are in effect in multiple regions. In Kyiv Region, a curfew is in effect 23:00-05:00, with some municipality-level variations, until at least June 12. In Mykolaiv, a curfew is in place 22:00-06:00. In Zaporizhzhia Region, the curfew runs 22:00-05:00. Generally, civilians must stay indoors during curfew hours; exemptions exist for workers in critical infrastructure and persons seeking urgent medical care or bomb shelters. Authorities may extend or amend curfew hours on short notice depending on local developments.

Intermittent telecommunications, internet, and utility disruptions continue across much of the country. Reports also indicate a shortage of basic supplies, including groceries and pharmaceutical products, in multiple cities facing Russian ground assaults. Finally, the National Bank of Ukraine has limited foreign currency transfers and withdrawals.

Context

Russia has increasingly focused men, military equipment, and operational resources on furthering the encirclement of defenders in the Severodonetsk area and, to a lesser extent, on approaching the city of Slovyansk from the north and west. Ukrainian forces in the Donbas are conducting coordinated and uncoordinated withdrawals from poor defensive positions following the partial Russian breakthrough at Popasna. Ukraine likely aims to continue weakening Russian forces with the goal of eventually stalling Russia's advance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rebuffed Western attempts to create a format for negotiations between the Kremlin and Kyiv. Instead, the Kremlin has repeatedly warned the West against sending increasingly advanced offensive weaponry to Ukraine and used the weapons shipments as partial justification for ongoing missile attacks and airstrikes against targets in central and western Ukraine. Despite the increased aerial bombardment in recent weeks, Western weapons shipments will likely flow ever faster into Ukraine as the conflict continues. The threat of said weapons shipments in some way sparking a wider conflagration between Russia and NATO remains minimal.

Advice

Avoid travel to Ukraine until the situation stabilizes; consider exiting the country if safe to do so. Where fighting or airstrikes are occurring, shelter in place until the situation becomes clear. If officials report incoming fire, stay away from windows and exterior walls. Strictly heed the instructions of local security personnel, particularly when ordered to air-raid shelters.

Stockpile food, fuel, and water when possible and safe to do so. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations. Confirm that a thorough communication plan exists to ensure rapid accountability for all personnel operating in Ukraine. Reconfirm the status of public transport services, road routes, and borders before departure. Due to the threat of unexploded ordnance, consider avoiding off-road travel. Travel on well-used routes only. Do not approach suspected unexploded ordnance.

Resources

Ukrainian Railways - UZ
Listing of Available Trains by City
State Border Guard Service