UA forces conducted airstrikes in Kherson Oblast, Russia advances in Sievierodonetsk outskirts: last night's highlights

Ukrainian Armed Forces carried out four air attacks on the southern front, the Russian forces had partial success in the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk, and people sheltering at the Azot chemical plant in Sievierodonetsk refused to evacuate. Here is what you may have missed from the previous night.

People sheltering at the Azot chemical plant in Sievierodonetsk refused to evacuate, says Head of Luhansk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Haidai. The National Guard of Ukraine communicated with the population and recorded the refusal on video.

At the same time, Haidai says it is inappropriate to compare Azot with Azovstal calling the situation "completely different."

"Despite all bridges leading to Sievierodonetsk are destroyed, communication with the city is maintained. There are ways to evacuate and deliver everything needed,"  says Haidai.

Ukrainian Armed Forces carried out four air attacks on the southern front on June 18,  reports  Operational Command South. With three helicopters, Ukrainian defenders struck at a concentration of Russian forces in Kherson Oblast, particularly in Davydiv Brid and Snihurivka, and also attacked a Russian ammunition depot in Bilozerskyi district of Kherson Oblast.

The Russian forces had partial success in the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk on June 18,  reports  the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Russian troops likely advanced to Metolkine ( south of Sievierodonetsk) but slowed down the offensive on other front axes.

ISW also says that Russian forces likely intend to capture the southern suburbs of Sievierodonetsk and advance to the Severskiy Donets river before assaulting the center of Ukrainian resistance in the Azot chemical plant.

The US Senate may consider a resolution recognizing Russia as a sponsor of terrorism next week,  says  Yevhenia Kravchuk, deputy head of the Servant of the People party. Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi supported the resolution during a meeting with a delegation of Ukrainian parliamentarians.

"We have received clear support from Nancy Pelosi for adopting a resolution recognizing Russia as a sponsor of terrorism. This resolution will probably be considered in the Senate next week,"  said Yevhenia Kravchuk.

The Russian forces are trying to suppress the resistance movement in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and intimidate the local population through the alleged introduction of the death penalty, says Head of Zaporizhzhia Military Administration Oleksandr Starukh.

"Ukrainian guerrillas will continue to resist. At this time, the occupiers continue to fight among themselves for power and finances," added Starukh.

The Pentagon is leaning toward sending four more missile launchers to Ukraine as the next tranche of military aid,  writes  Politico, citing the US Department of Defense officials. The US is already sending Ukraine four HIMARS mobile rocket launchers.

If approved by the White House, this decision will double the number of highly mobile artillery missile systems sent to Ukraine.