Russia’s mass strike on Ukraine on the night of June 1 to 2 was aimed at taking advantage of Patriot interceptor shortages and distract from Russia’s inability to secure its deep rear from Ukrainian long-range strikes, as well as from its battlefield setbacks.
According to Ukrinform, this is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts note that prior to the attack, the Kremlin attempted to frame it as a legitimate response. In particular, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated claims that Ukraine’s May 21 to 22 strike against a Russian Rubikon Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies headquarters in occupied Starobilsk, Luhansk region, hit an exclusively civilian object.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that after a June 1 meeting, Putin ordered a retaliatory strike. The following day, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that the June 2 attack was in response to the Starobilsk strike and listed military and defense industry targets it allegedly hit.
However, ISW analysts emphasize that Russian strikes caused significant damage to Ukraine’s civilian and critical infrastructure and resulted in numerous civilian casualties.
