The summer campaign has opened in Ukraine. In a move of desperate vandalism, Russia appears to have ordered the blowing up of the Nova Kakhovka dam on the Dnipro, and widespread flooding could threaten the stability of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex. Even so, it is hard to see the fighting bringing a conclusion over the coming months.
For Ukraine’s forces surprise is now vital. That is why reports of the actions of the past two days must be treated with reservation. Russia has claimed a successful battle in open fields in Donetsk, destroying a squadron of tanks, numerous armoured carriers and 250 Ukrainian infantry dead.
