Ukraine Crisis Updates

Russian-backed separatists maintained heightened offensive operations along the front line in the week following the June 3 assault on Ukrainian forces west of Donetsk. Attacks intensified near the H20 and T1303 highways which respectively link the separatist-held capitals of Donetsk and Luhansk to the major government-controlled cities of Mariupol and Sievierodonetsk.

Russian-backed separatists launched an offensive maneuver on June 3 after several weeks of military buildup and an expansion from concentrated shelling to attacks across a coordinated front.  Separatist combined arms forces stormed Ukrainian military positions bordering the western city districts of Donetsk.

The continued broadening of attacks on Ukrainian frontline positions in Donbas suggests that the Russian-backed separatists have transitioned to a new phase of offensive operations. Separatists expanded their offensive operations most ostensibly into Ukrainian-held areas south and west of the city of Donetsk.

Russian-backed separatists broadened their offensive operations along the frontline in Donbas ahead of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s trip to the EU Eastern Partnership summit

Russian-backed separatists continue to posture for a surprise offensive.

Russian-backed separatists intensified attacks on Ukrainian forces for the third week in a row, signaling their complete aband

Russian-backed separatists appear to have abandoned the February 12 ceasefire agreement after redeploying banned heavy weapons to the front line and intensifying their attacks on Ukrainian positions.

Russian-backed separatists intensified attacks this week possibly in preparation of launching offensive maneuvers and rupturing the framework of the ceasefire agreement.