Ukraine Strikes Target 800 km Inside Russia; Zelenskyy Announces Major Pay Hikes for Troops.

Ukrainian Forces Deliver Blows in Response to Russian Aggression

According to UATV: On June 12, 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported significant successes by Ukrainian forces countering Russian aggression. Specifically, he confirmed that Ukrainian strikes had hit targets inside Russia, including a site in the Samara region located over 800 kilometers from Ukraine's state border, as well as an oil facility in Tatarstan. These operations occurred on the 1,570th day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Plans to Boost Army Funding and Recruit Foreign Volunteers

Zelenskyy also outlined new measures to increase financial support for Ukraine's military. Under the plan, personnel stationed in rear areas will receive a minimum of 30,000 hryvnias in additional pay, while those serving on the front lines can expect average supplements of 300,000 hryvnias. The Cabinet of Ministers is scheduled to begin issuing these new payments as early as June 2023.

The president stressed the importance of both moral and military resilience, stating: 'The front must disappoint Russia, and that is a prerequisite for the main goal we all need—peace for Ukraine.'

He further expressed his intention to expand opportunities for foreign volunteers to join the Ukrainian armed forces, saying: 'I will open significantly more avenues to bring foreign volunteers into the Ukrainian army.'

Zelenskyy also urged vigilance and caution, adding: 'We must rely on our own strength and our own attentiveness. Above all, protect lives.'

These announcements reflect Ukraine's ongoing efforts amid the protracted conflict and its determination to strengthen national defense. The planned pay increases and recruitment of foreign volunteers could significantly enhance the ability of Ukrainian forces to withstand future threats. Against the backdrop of active combat operations and the broader global security context, these steps underscore Ukraine's strategic commitment to a long-term struggle for independence and territorial integrity.