Ukrainian Counteroffensive's Slow But Steady Advance

"[The defence ministry's daily intelligence update said there was a] realistic possibility [the warship] will form part of a task group to intercept commercial vessels Russia believes are heading to Ukraine."

"[At the same time, Ukraine's ministry of defence said Russian forces were] practising blocking sea areas, detecting and destroying ships."

"Obviously, the Russians are practising destroying civilian vessels that will be sent to and from the ports of Ukraine [the ministry stated]."

U.K. Ministry of Defence

 

"We're two months into the Ukrainian counteroffensive."

"It's still slow progress being made. But we're still waiting for the Ukrainians to commit a second echelon against whichever axis they depend upon."

"[Troop advances have been [very slow [and hampered by heavily fortified Russian defences and poor weather]."

Unnamed Western official 

"Ukraine has long been the bread basket not just for its neighbors in the region or for Europe, but for the world. Blockades on ports in the Black Sea are holding thousands of tons of wheat, grain and fertilizer hostage - with devastating consequences for millions already caught in growing hunger crises worldwide. These blockades must be lifted immediately."

"In places like Ethiopia, where 8.6 million are going hungry as the region is pushed into a catastrophic hunger crisis, the UN humanitarian appeals remain less than one-third funded. These millions are being doubly punished as life-saving supplies are held hostage."

"The war in Ukraine and its knock-on effects on other humanitarian contexts cannot be underestimated, and are a tragic representation of the System Failure of the international community to address and prevent humanitarian suffering."

International Rescue Committee

According to British and Ukrainian intelligence officials, Russia is deploying naval vessels that have the potential to blockade Ukraine's ports. Aligned with that is an expectation that Russia is in preparation to attack civilian shipping. The newly commissioned Sergey Kotov, a Russian corvette, has been deployed to the southern Black Sea for the purpose of patrolling shipping between the Bosphorus and Odessa, according to the U.K. Ministry of Defence.

 

This handout photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service shows a Russian navy ship during drills in the Black Sea.

 

This is a cruise missile-armed patrol ship and its movement to this new location follows less then ten days after Russia declared its intention to remove itself from an humanitarian agreement that would allow the safe passage of Ukrainian grain. Simultaneously, Moscow warned that any agencies that attempted to convey Ukrainian grain, would heretofore risk being regarded by the Russian navy as representing an enemy vessel carrying weaponry, and be bombed. Cargo ships linked to Ukraine grain would be sunk.

The Telegraph was informed by one naval source that it was not clear whether Russia possessed the capability to attack international shipping, but the issuance of the threat would likely be sufficient to warn international shipping off any plans to risk misadventure by challenging Russia's serious intent. It could be assured that maritime insurers would withhold cover, effectively stopping any cargo vessels transiting the Black Sea.

 

Members of a Ukrainian military brigade of military drones carry out manoeuvres and missions during a morning in the Kherson area Credit: Hector Adolfo Quintanar Perez/Zuma Press / eyevine

 

Russia has prepared a vast array of fortifications and defences along the southern front lines which contain some of the densest minefields ever before seen by combat veterans; a mix of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines laid, reset to drastically stall possible Ukrainian advances toward the main Russian lines of defence. Kyiv's forces meanwhile, are pushing forward slowly on three main axes of attack; south out of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia, and Velkya Novosilka in Donetsk and on the southern and northern flanks of Bakhmut.

In their slow-going efforts and careful approach, the Ukrainian troops have frequently had little option but to dismount from their armoured vehicles to wade through the minefields by foot, taking care as they demine by hand, while gradually pressing forward.

"[Kyiv's troops have pushed forward on the southern flank of the eastern city of Bakhmut]. In the city of Bakhmut itself, shelling continues from both sides. The enemy is intensively firing, including from large caliber machine guns, ATGMs, and has deployed a surveillance system."

"The enemy is active in the Kupiansk and Lymansk directions. Today there were several attempts to advance, but failed and suffered losses."

"Fighting continues in the Avdiiv direction. The enemy is unsuccessfully trying to advance. But our defenders do not leave him any chance." 

"[In the south, in the direction of Berdyansk and Melitopol, Ukraine's soldiers are] gradually but confidently advancing."

Ukraine's deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar