Russia's Defense Ministry announced that intensive strikes, carried out in six groups, were conducted against targets in Ukraine between June 13-19. The ministry stated these attacks were in response to Ukraine's actions against civilian targets.
According to the statement, the targets included defense industry facilities, energy infrastructure, transport and port facilities, military airfields, and ammunition and fuel depots. The ministry also reported that centers for the preparation and launch of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles were hit.
The Russian side claimed that Ukrainian army losses on the front last week exceeded 9,525 personnel. The same statement said settlements in the Donetsk People's Republic—Artema, Ray-Aleksandrovka, Novıy Donbass, Kutuzovka, and Yurkovka—were brought under control.
Russia also reported that Ukrainian forces were dispersed in Krasnyi Lyman, 37 positions were taken, and 251 buildings were captured. Fighting reportedly continues in the southwestern part of Konstantinovka and the Nikolayevskiy district, where 627 buildings were captured and over 540 Ukrainian soldiers were neutralized.
The ministry also announced that air defense systems shot down 89 guided bombs, five HIMARS rockets, eight land-launched cruise missiles, and 3,909 aircraft-type drones over the week.
The statement further indicated that Russian officials pointed to new investigations being initiated on the U.S. side regarding biological programs in Ukraine and to funding claims related to some biological laboratories in Ukraine. These assessments relayed by Russia's Defense Ministry have not been independently verified.
On foreign policy topics, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov argued that Europe is trying to position itself against Russia via Ukraine. Lavrov also said they have the impression the U.S. could change its stance on Ukraine. On the Ukrainian side, claims were made of a partial evacuation in Zaporizhzhia city, the formation of combined rifle units from faculty at the Kharkiv National Air Force University, and a weapons theft from the Desna training center.
