Russia's Efforts to Normalize the Situation in Occupied Areas Amid Ukraine's Counteroffensive

On Thursday, June 15, Russia announced its intention to hold elections in the occupied regions of Ukraine within three months. Reuters reported that this is Moscow's latest attempt to demonstrate that it still maintains control over these areas while Ukraine is launching a counteroffensive to reclaim them. Reuters also independently confirmed that Ukraine has pushed back Russian forces in some occupied areas, including in the southern region. Ukraine's attack is in its early stages, and military experts say that decisive battles are still ahead. Reuters noted that the bodies of Russian soldiers and burned armored vehicles are found along roads and in villages recently reclaimed by Ukrainian forces, indicating the largest military advance for Ukraine since last year. Last year, Russia annexed four Ukrainian provinces, although it does not fully control any of them, and the main population centers of two provinces remain outside Moscow's control. Kyiv states that any elections held by Russians on Ukrainian soil will be deemed invalid and illegal. Reuters pointed out that the significant test of Ukraine's counteroffensive is still to come, especially since Russia had months to prepare its defensive lines for Ukraine's counterattack. Ukrainian forces have yet to reach the heaviest Russian defensive fortifications. It is believed that Kyiv has prepared a force for the attack consisting of about 12 brigades made up of thousands of soldiers, most of whom are using armored vehicles supplied by Western countries. Reports indicate that only a portion of these forces have currently engaged with Russian troops. In contrast, Russia has released images of Western tanks and armored vehicles, claiming to have destroyed or captured them. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin attended a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday. The aim of this meeting was to coordinate Western military aid to Ukraine to counter Russia's aggression. Mr. Austin stated that he has called for assistance in air defense and munitions from countries to help Ukraine defend its people. Netanyahu criticized Moscow and Tehran's military cooperation in a 'call with the Russian government.' Russia is delivering tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. The Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese parts are aiding the rapid construction and delivery of Iranian drones to Russia. Ukraine's counteroffensives against Russia continue; a village in Donetsk has been 'liberated.'