Ukraine morning briefing: Russia loses ground in strategic city of Severodonetsk
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Good morning. Ukrainian troops have pushed back Russian forces in the besieged city of Severodonetsk, according to local officials.
Sergiy Gaiday, the governor of the eastern Luhansk region, said that Kyiv's forces had gained control of around half of the city, but that the situation had "worsened a little" once again on Monday.
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, praised Ukraine's defenders as he visited two cities near the front line.
Here's what happened overnight – and you can follow the latest updates in our live blog.
1. Britain pledges missiles after Putin’s threats
Britain has promised to send its first long-range missiles to Ukraine after a similar US pledge, which on Sunday triggered Vladimir Putin to threaten to strike new targets.
Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, said: "As Russia’s tactics change, so must our support to Ukraine.
"These highly capable multiple-launch rocket systems will enable our Ukrainian friends to better protect themselves against the brutal use of long-range artillery, which Putin’s forces have used indiscriminately to flatten cities."
Meanwhile, President Zelensky took time to congratulate the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee, and also thank her for supporting his country:
Congratulations on the Platinum anniversary of the reign of the Queen of 🇬🇧 Her Majesty Elizabeth II @RoyalFamily. Grateful for supporting 🇺🇦 in the fight for our freedom and independence. I wish Her Majesty well-being and peace and prosperity to 🇬🇧 people.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 5, 2022
READ MORE: Britain’s pledge of advanced missiles for Ukraine triggers threats from Putin
2. Russia strikes Kyiv for first time in weeks
Russia took aim on Sunday at Western military supplies to Ukraine, launching airstrikes on Kyiv that it claimed destroyed tanks donated from abroad.
Vladimir Putin warned that any Western deliveries of longer-range rocket systems would prompt Moscow to hit "objects that we haven't yet struck". The Russian leader's cryptic threat of military escalation did not specify what the new targets might be.
Ukraine said the missiles aimed at Kyiv hit a train repair shop.
Elsewhere, Russian airstrikes in the eastern city of Druzhkivka destroyed buildings and left at least one person dead, a Ukrainian official said. Residents described waking to the sound of missile strikes: "It was like in a horror movie."
Ukraine's General Staff also said Russian forces fired five X-22 cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea towards Kyiv, with one destroyed by air defences. Four other missiles hit "infrastructure facilities".
3. Ukraine pushes back Russians in Severodonetsk
Ukrainian troops pushed back the Russian forces to control half of the besieged city of Severodonetsk, local officials said.
Ukraine's gains in the eastern city represent a significant advance by Kyiv's troops, who days earlier appeared on the verge of being driven out of the city.
"The Armed Forces have cleared half of Severodonetsk and are moving forward," said Sergiy Gaiday, the governor of the Luhansk region.
However, he warned on Monday morning that the situation in the city had "worsened a little" again.
"Our defenders managed to undertake a counter-attack for a certain time; they liberated almost half of the city. But now the situation has worsened a little for us again," he said.
4. Zelensky visits the front lines
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he visited Lysychansk and Soledar, two cities very close to some of the most intense fighting on the eastern front line between Ukrainian troops and Russian forces.
The beleaguered city of Lysychansk is just a few miles south of Severodonetsk, where one of the war's biggest ground battles continues to rage.
"I am proud of everyone whom I met, whom I shook hands with, with whom I communicated, whom I supported," Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address after his visit. "Each family has its own story. Most were without men.
"Someone's husband went to war, someone's is in captivity, someone's, unfortunately, died. A tragedy. No home, no loved one. But we must live for the children. True heroes - they are among us."
5. Russia has moved air defences to Snake Island, claims MoD
Russian forces have likely moved multiple air defence assets to Snake Island in the western Black Sea in the wake of the Moskva ship being destroyed in April, Britain's Ministry of Defence has said.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 6 June 2022
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/7sDt8fXMK3
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/BwzT24DRlM— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) June 6, 2022
The MoD said that the weapons - including SA-15 and SA-22 systems - are intended to provide air defence for Russian naval vessels operating around the island.
It added that Russia's activity on the small island is contributing to its blockade of the Ukrainian coast and is hindering the resumption of maritime trade, including the export of grain.