Russian forces conducted an at least platoon-sized mechanized assault in the Toretsk direction on June 17. Geolocated footage published on June 17 shows that Russian forces conducted a mechanized assault west of Yablunivka (west of Toretsk) with at least three armored vehicles and four motorized vehicles, likely all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).[1] Ukrainian military observer Yuriy Butusov reported on June 18 that Russian forces conducted a reinforced company-sized mechanized assault near Kostyantynivka and that Ukrainian forces destroyed 15 pieces of heavy equipment and eight motorized vehicles.[2] Russian forces have been conducting mechanized assaults less frequently since Winter 2024–2025, likely due to Ukrainian drone capabilities and Russia’s dwindling supply of armored vehicles.[3] ISW recently observed reports indicating that Russia’s consumption of Soviet-era tank stores is slowing.[4] Russian forces have become increasingly reliant on civilian vehicles, ATVs, and motorcycles for assaults, and the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) began efforts in April 2025 to formally integrate motorcycle usage into offensive operations.[5] Russian mechanized assaults in the Toretsk direction may indicate that the Russian military command intends to prioritize this sector of the front. ISW will continue to monitor this area of the frontline for additional evidence of mechanized assaults.
Ukraine’s Western partners continue to supply Ukraine with military aid and announce new sanctions packages against Russia. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on June 17 that Canada will provide Ukraine with two billion CAD (roughly $1.4 billion) for the purchase of helicopters, drones, armored vehicles, and ammunition and will lend Ukraine 2.3 billion CAD (roughly $1.6 billion) for the reconstruction of Ukrainian infrastructure.[12] Canada is providing Ukraine with the loan through the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans mechanism, which will finance and repay the loan using future profits from seized Russian assets.[13] Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced on June 17 that Canada is imposing sanctions against 77 Russian individuals, 39 entities, and 201 vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet and sanctioning the trade of goods, including those related to chemical and biological weapons, dual-use industrial goods and technologies, and Russian coal and metal exports.[14] The European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) recently announced additional sanctions against Russia’s financial, military-industrial, and energy sectors.[15]
The Kremlin continues to crack down on critical Russian milbloggers as part of its years-long effort to censor and control the Russian information space. Kremlin newswire TASS reported on June 18 that its law enforcement sources stated that Russian authorities detained Mikhail Polynkov, the administrator of the “Soldatskaya Pravda” Telegram channel.[16] TASS‘s sources claimed that Russian authorities opened a criminal case against Polynkov for abandoning his military unit. Russian state media outlet RBK reported that Polynkov’s lawyer stated that the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) detained Polynkov and took him to the 517th Military Investigative Department of the Russian Investigative Committee but that the charges against Polynkov were still unclear.[17]Polynkov reported his detention on his Telegram channel on June 18 and implied that Russian authorities may have detained him due to his previous posts criticizing Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov’s stance on Israel and Iran.[18] Russian milbloggers and opposition outlets noted that Polynkov was a member of the Russian Strelkov Movement, which advocates for the release of imprisoned former officer and ardent ultranationalist Igor Girkin.[19] The Russian Strelkov Movement claimed on June 18 that Polynkov’s arrest was due to his efforts to search for Russian servicemembers who are missing in action (MIA), suggesting that Russian authorities may have detained Polynkov over concerns he would expose the scale of Russian losses.[20] The Kremlin has been engaged in a wide censorship campaign against the Russian information space since 2022, including by arresting the administrators of Telegram channels that were publicly critical of Russian political and military leadership.[21]
Key Takeaways:
- Russian forces conducted an at least platoon-sized mechanized assault in the Toretsk direction on June 17.
- The Kremlin likely aims to use the ongoing St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) to support ongoing efforts to consolidate control over the information space and prepare Russian society for a prolonged war effort.
- The Kremlin also aims to use SPIEF to promote Kremlin narratives to Western audiences.
- Ukraine’s Western partners continue to supply Ukraine with military aid and announce new sanctions packages against Russia.
- The Kremlin continues to crack down on critical Russian milbloggers as part of its years-long effort to censor and control the Russian information space.
- Russian forces advanced in northern Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts and near Chasiv Yar and Toretsk.