Ukrainian War | Russia’s Attack On Ukraine: Day 91 | OSW

The Ukrainian side reports an increase in the intensity of operations at the junction of the Kharkiv, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Lyman has been partially captured by the aggressor’s forces, which are to prepare for a further strike in the south-eastern direction – on Siversk–Bakhmut. The defenders are trying to prevent the seizure of the Lysychansk–Bakhmut road section in the Donetsk Oblast, halting the assaults in the Biolohorivka–Nahirne–Berestove area. The main Ukrainian grouping near Sievierodonetsk has been split into two parts – Lysychansk–Sievierodonetsk and Hirske–Zolote – which the enemy is trying to surround. The Russians are also advancing towards Bakhmut from the south-east (they were stopped in the area of the village of Vidrodzhennya). Attempts to break through Ukrainian defences were made in the rest of the Donetsk Oblast and, after a break of several days, on the border of the Kherson Oblast with the Mykolaiv (Tavriiske) and Dnepropetrovsk (Mykolaivka) oblasts. The air and artillery of the aggressor do not cease their attacks on the enemy positions and their hinterland in all directions.
The invaders are reconstituting a strike group in the areas bordering the Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts. Local Ukrainian sources report that, for the time being, there are no signs of preparations for an attack, but the artillery shelling of the defenders’ positions continues. The Operational Command ‘South’ draws attention to the strengthening of the enemy on Snake Island and the preparation of provocations with the use of seized units of the Ukrainian fleet.
The Russian authorities have shortened the process of passportization of the population in the occupied territories. On 25 May, Vladimir Putin signed a decree on simplifying the procedure for granting Russian citizenship to Ukrainians from the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts. The document stipulates that applications by residents of these territories for its granting should be considered for no longer than three months. In Mariupol, information was disseminated about the possibility of acquiring Russian citizenship without first obtaining a passport of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, but obtaining new documents requires travel to Russia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considered the decree illegal and grossly violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the invaded country and the norms and principles of international law.
The claim that the Kremlin is accelerating the annexation scenario towards Donbas is confirmed. The head of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, Denis Pushilin, admitted that once the entire Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts have been seized, a ‘referendum’ will be held on the inclusion of these areas into Russia. He added that its outcome is obvious.
In occupied Mariupol, the invaders have extended the school year until 1 September and are preparing schools to implement the Russian curriculum. This is primarily aimed at indoctrinate the local youth. Throughout the summer, they will study the Russian language and Russian literature and history. The occupiers plan to open nine schools, but so far only 53 teachers have been found willing to work.