Ukraine – 4/19/23 Sitrep
By: Robert Homans & Bohdan Chomiak
April 19, 2023
A Seymour Hersh Ukraine Hit Piece/Substack
This article, entitled “Trading With the Enemy,” is, naturally, about corruption in Ukraine .
Almost all the accusations Hersh makes are without attribution, based on 2nd hand information at best. One should expect more from a reporter who became famous for uncovering the My Lai Massacre that took place during the Vietnam War.
The most credible source of information about corruption in Ukraine has been from Ukrainian investigative reporters working in the Ukrainian print media. These reports include allegations against Pres. Zelenskyy and senior members of his government, yet Hersh fails to cite a single article or report from the Ukrainian print media. His sources all appear to be un-named American officials. Why rely on un-named American officials when plenty of grist for Hersh’s corruption mill can be found by citing members of the Ukrainian print media.
Hersh uses the same tactic used by Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Indiana) when she criticized senior officials in Pres. Zelenskyy’s Government. They were the same accusations that Ukrainian journalists had already made.
Hersh mentions the meeting that CIA Director William Burns had with Pres. Zelenskyy, where Burns allegedly revealed the names “of thirty-five generals and senior officials whose corruption was known to the CIA and others in the American government.” I suspect that this is all common knowledge to the Ukrainian print media, yet Hersh appears to suggest that un-named American officials are the only whistleblowers focused on Ukraine and Pres. Zelenskyy.
Hersh states, “Many government ministries in Kiev have been literally “competing,” I was told, to set up front companies for export contracts for weapons and ammunition with private arms dealers around the world, all of which provide kickbacks.” There has never been any credible evidence that Ukraine is re-selling weapons delivered to Ukraine by its Western partners, either to third countries or individual arms dealers, and Hersh doesn’t provide any here, other than his claim that he got this information from an “American expert on international trade.” Again, no attribution.
The only report on diesel sales that I have heard is that India is buying Russian crude oil, refining it into diesel, and reselling it European buyers. This is likely a sanctions violation. If true, it’s reasonable to assume that some of this refined diesel ends up in Ukraine. Note that Hersh doesn’t use the word “directly,” when he claims that Ukraine is buy diesel from Russia.
Sloppy reporting from someone who should know better. The least Hersh can do is to correctly use the correct spelling of Ukraine’s capital city.
“Russia Having Difficulty Making New Weapons, But Might Heve Older Ones”/CNN
This article cites a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies concluding that Russia is having an increasingly difficult time replacing weapons that they have used up or lost in Ukraine, with state of the art replacements. Instead, they are increasingly relying on old Soviet stocks. The report says that Russia has plenty of stocks of older weapons to continue the war. The report says that Russia may’ve lost “almost 10,000 units of key equipment such as tanks, trucks, artillery pieces and aerial drones, according to one estimate.” This report seems to confirm the anecdotal information in recent posts by “Reporting From Ukraine” about Russian tank losses in fighting around both Avdiivka and Vuhledar.
Some specifics include:
· Russia is increasingly having to rely on older model gunner’s sights for its tanks, rather than the optical systems that they used to receive from France.
· 55% of Russia’s pre-war supply of ball bearings, necessary for a tank to hit moving targets, came from Europe and North America. With those sources now lost, it may try to make up the deficit with domestically produced supplies or imports of lower quality from China or Malaysia, the report said.
· Russia still has large quantities of older equipment which, according to the report and along with its manpower advantage, will allow Russia to continue the fight.
News From the Battlefield
Reporting From Ukraine continues to describe how Ukraine is making life difficult for Russians in and around Bakhmut. Russia is having trouble moving across the railroad line into the remaining portion of Bakhmut that they don’t already control. The railroad station is back in Ukrainian hands. Ukrainians continue to hold the flanks and, with them, the critical supply roads. Combined with reversals around Avdiivka and Vuhledar, Donetsk seems to have become an open sore for Russia.
4/19/23 Sitrep
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon April 18 to 12:00 noon April 19, 2023
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
Wednesday April 19
11:54 AM: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has instructed officials to prepare for the launch of North Korea's first military reconnaissance satellite, Yonhap news agency said.
· It is noted that the planned launch is a priority for state security amid the strengthening of the alliance between the United States and South Korea.
11:10 AM: Some M2 Bradley armored vehicles have already arrived in Ukraine, Pentagon spokesman Charlie Dietz told The War Zone.
10:10 AM New York Times: British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace expressed confidence in Ukraine's planned counteroffensive, but made it clear that the war is likely to continue next year.
· "I am optimistic that between this year and next year, Ukraine will maintain momentum and a strong position. I also think we have to be realistic: there won't be a single magic moment when Russia collapses," he told reporters in Washington.
8:55 AM: Great Britain handed over 14 Challenger 2 to Ukraine, - the press service of the British Armed Forces.
08:10 AM: In the event of an escalation of violence and a massive strike on civilians, South Korea could join Western countries in providing military assistance to Ukraine. This was stated in an interview with Reuters by South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol.
8:09 AM: The European Commission has proposed to take additional measures to increase the cyber resilience of member states by adopting the EU Cyber Solidarity Act.
· This was announced in Strasbourg during a briefing on the results of the Collegium of the European Commission by the Executive Vice-President of this institution Margrethe Westeiger.
7:55 AM: A peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan will become real if both countries clearly, without ambiguity and pitfalls, recognize each other's territorial integrity, says Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
· During a speech in parliament the day before, Pashinyan actually recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh, calling on Baku in response to recognize the territorial borders of Armenia within those that existed during the Soviet era.
12:52 AM: Artem Moroz, a veteran of the 206th Territorial Defense Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the call sign "Tiomich", who lost both legs only seven months ago during fierce fighting in the Kherson region, ran 5 kilometers at the Boston Marathon, one of the most prestigious marathons in the world.
· This was reported in the 241st brigade of territorial defense of the city of Kyiv.
12:35 AM: 30 thousand tons of Ukrainian grain were delivered to Yemen thanks to financial assistance from the governments of the United States, France, Spain and with the support of WFP, the President's Office reports.
· The Grain From Ukraine initiative continues to work and help people suffering from hunger.
12:17 AM: US President Joe Biden has decided to extend for a year the ban on receiving ships flying the flag of Russia or otherwise associated with the Russian Federation in US ports.
Tuesday April 18
11:59 PM: A number of classified Pentagon documents that appeared on the Web as a result of the leak do not correspond to reality, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said.
· "We have all seen that some of these leaks are not true and are the object of manipulation. I don't think they will affect what NATO allies do in relation to Ukraine."
11:20 PM: World media about Ukraine April 18
🟢The New York Times: American journalists The New York Times wrote (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/18/business/economy/us-russia-chips-sanctions.html) an article stating that Russia imports Western weapons technology in circumvention of sanctions.
🟢The Washington Post: The Washington Post wrote (https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/18/vladimir-putin-kherson-visit-ukraine/) about Vladimir Putin's visit to two occupied regions in Ukraine.
🟢Politico: Politico wrote a (https://www.politico.eu/article/former-wagner-group-commanders-azmat-uldarov-alexey-savichev-confess-murder-ukraine-civilians-including-children/) article about ex-Wagnerites who confessed to killing Ukrainian children.
🟢The Guardian: The Guardian wrote (https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2023/apr/18/volodymyr-zelenskiy-visits-ukrainian-troops-in-avdiivka-video) about Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the frontline Avdiivka. The President visited Ukrainian military in Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine.
🟢BBC: The BBC has written (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-65298926) an article about the life of Ukrainian refugees in the UK.
10:50 PM: The land and building of the Russian center of science and culture, which belong to the Russian Federation, are arrested in Finland. This is due to sanctions.
· It is reported by Helsingin sanomat with reference to the debt collection office.
10:34 PM CNN: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman reported that Russia has not yet transferred nuclear weapons to Belarus.
· The NATO Secretary General added that the threat to transfer nuclear weapons to Minsk "is part of a pattern that we have been seeing for many years (especially after the invasion of Ukraine) dangerous and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric."
CNN 9:55 pm: The coming weeks and months will be critical for Ukraine. The United States will try to provide Kyiv with everything "necessary."
· This was stated by Coordinator for Strategic Communications of the US National Security Council John Kirby.
CNN 9:36 p.m.: The U.S. has secret nuclear technology at one of Ukraine's nuclear power plants and warns Russia not to touch it.
· This is stated in a letter from the US Department of Energy, sent last month to Rosatom. It says that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Energodar contains nuclear technical data, the export of which is controlled by the US government.
8:55 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
· "He spoke about the course of hostilities and the urgent defense needs of Ukraine in armored vehicles, long-range artillery, air defense and aviation. He assured that Ukraine is ready to report on every dollar of American assistance.
· They discussed the need to strengthen sanctions pressure on Russia, reduce the price ceiling on Russian oil and gas. I invited Kevin McCarthy to visit Ukraine," Zelensky said.
8:16 PM: The Patriot air defense system, promised by Germany already in Ukraine, is the German Ministry of Defense.
8:05 PM Politico: The Joe Biden administration is preparing to announce unprecedented measures to curb US investment in China aimed at curbing Beijing's technological and military development.
7:47 PM: Poland has agreed to unblock the transit of Ukrainian grain, - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.
· As a result of the negotiations, it was decided that the transit of Ukrainian goods through the territory of Poland will be unblocked on the night of April 20-21.
7:01 PM: UIA plane downing by Iran: Ukraine and international experts accused Tehran of fictitious justice.
· "The sham trials that took place in Tehran should not distract the world's attention from Iran's failure to comply with its international obligations and avoid responsibility for its actions. Neither the trials nor the verdicts announced this week have brought truth or justice to the families of the victims. The entire process, starting with Iran's investigation into the circumstances of the downing, was not impartial and transparent," the International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 said in a joint statement on the trials in Iran on the Foreign Ministry's website 8:41 PM]
6:53 pm: The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has decided not to allow the Russian team to the pre-qualification tournament for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
· This was reported on the official website of the organization.
5:51 PM: Swedish vodka producer Absolut will not supply it to Russia.
· This decision was made in response to criticism of the company after its owner, the French concern Pernod Ricard, announced on April 11 the resumption of sales of Swedish alcohol in Russia.
4:53 PM: European Commission organizes meeting of five states that are dissatisfied with grain exports from Ukraine - PAP.
· The meeting of ministers with Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis is to take place in the format of a video conference in the afternoon on Wednesday, April 19.
· Recall that at the end of March, at the initiative of the Polish side, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia addressed the EC with a joint letter, demanding to respond to
4:28 pm: Maxar showed satellite images of the airport of the Sudanese capital Khartoum after the attempted coup in the country.
· The New York Times has identified 20 aircraft that have been destroyed or heavily damaged since the conflict began. Among them is the plane of the Ukrainian airline SkyUp.
4:11 pm: Preparations for the country's largest NATO exercise, Anakonda 2023, have begun in northern and eastern Poland, says Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.
· "The Anakonda-2023 exercises will take place from April 17 to May 16 and will be held at training grounds in Poland, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia with the participation of 13,000 soldiers," Blaszczak said.
2:29 PM: Lukashenka received DPR Gauleiter Pushilin in Minsk and promised him help from Belarus.
1:41 PM: The Canadian Armed Forces published a photo of Leopard-2 tanks being sent to Ukraine.
· It is reported that on April 11, Leopard 2 tanks were loaded and transported to southwestern Poland by a Royal Canadian Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft as part of the Operation UNIFIER program.
1:23 PM The Washington Post: Egypt changed its mind about supplying ammunition to the Russian Federation and began producing shells for Ukraine.
· Initially, Cairo considered sending Moscow 40,000 122-mm Sakr-45 shells. But in early March, after U.S. intervention, Egypt changed its mind and decided not to provide Russia with ammunition.
NATIONAL
Wednesday April 19
10:42 AM: 9 enemy ships are on alert in the Black Sea, including 3 carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles, with a total salvo of up to 16 missiles - the Ukrainian Navy.
· It is reported that there is 1 enemy ship in the Sea of Azov; in the Mediterranean Sea on combat duty is up to 8 enemy ships, including 4 carriers of cruise missiles "Caliber", a total salvo of up to 36 missiles.
10:25 AM: The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry commented on Lukashenko's meeting with Pushilin.
· "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemns the meeting held by Alexander Lukashenko on April 18 in Minsk with Denis Pushilin as an attempt to legitimize this representative of the Russian occupation administration in Donetsk," the statement said.
· In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine decided to summon the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Belarus Ihor Kizim for consultations.
7:06 AM General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
· Over the past day, the enemy inflicted 4 missile and 60 air strikes, carried out 58 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems.
· The enemy focuses its main efforts on conducting offensive operations in the Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mariinsky directions. Over the past day, in these sectors of the front, units of the defense forces of Ukraine repelled more than 60 enemy attacks. The fiercest battles are for Bakhmut and Marinka.
· In the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region, Russian troops continue to mine the area, increasing defense capabilities.
· The waters of the Konka and Dnieper rivers are also subject to mining. There are cases of explosions of local residents on enemy mines when trying to go out into the water
· Aviation of the Defense Forces over the past day inflicted 11 strikes on areas of concentration of personnel and 2 strikes on anti-aircraft missile systems of the Russian Federation.
· Besides, 2 enemy reconnaissance UAVs ("Orlan-10" and "Superkam"), as well as 8 shock UAVs (7 - "Shahed-136" type and 1 - "Lancet") were shot down.
· Missile troops and artillery units hit 3 areas of concentration of manpower, an electronic warfare station and another important military facility of the Russian Federation.
Tuesday April 18
11:23 PM: The Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that six kamikaze drones "Shahed-136/131" and UAV "Orlan-10" were destroyed tonight.
06:45 PM: More than 7,000 servicemen are considered missing in Ukraine, says Commissioner Kotenko.
· According to statistics, about 60-65% of missing people are in captivity, and the rest are dead. Thanks to the exchange of prisoners of war and their stories about where they were, how many people they saw.
6:26 PM General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
· During the day, the Russian Federation inflicted 4 missile and 44 air strikes, carried out about 20 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, civilians were injured.
· The main efforts are focused on conducting offensive operations in the Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mariinsky directions. During the day, in these sectors of the front, about 30 enemy attacks were repulsed. The fiercest battles are for Bakhmut and Marinka.
· Aviation of the Defense Forces during the day inflicted 3 strikes on areas of concentration of personnel and a strike on the anti-aircraft missile system of the Russian Federation.
· Missile troops and artillery units hit 2 areas of concentration of manpower, weapons and military equipment, an electronic warfare station and another important Russian military facility.
6:10 pm: More than 7,000 Ukrainian soldiers are missing, of whom 60-65% are in Russian captivity.
· This was announced on the air of the telethon by the Commissioner for Persons Missing in Special Circumstances, Oleg Kotenko.
5:44 PM: "Bucha Kombucha" and "Armed crackers of Ukraine": Rada proposes to fine military-themed commercial advertising.
· It is noted that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, entrepreneurs began to apply for registration of trademarks with elements of military symbols, names of affected cities and military operations.
· People's deputies emphasize that this problem must be solved at the legislative level, by preventing the exploitation of war symbols and establishing criminal liability for this.
5:11 PM: Yelensky explained why the UOC-MP still rules the service in the Lavra: the state shows leniency.
· In addition, the head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky - in a comment to Espresso correspondent Valeria Pashko - debunked Russian myths about "canonical Orthodoxy", said that the state may not extend the lease agreement with one of the cathedrals of the Pochayiv Lavra.
4:56 pm: EU Council approves proposal for mobile roaming between Ukraine and the European Union, says Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.
3:55 pm: Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov showed AMX-10 combat vehicles donated by France, which are called wheeled tanks.
3:27 PM: In the Cherkasy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad regions of Ukraine, a red level of danger has been declared due to spring flooding. The most difficult situation is on the Dnieper.
· This was announced during a briefing by the head of the hydrological forecasts department of the Ukrhydrometeorological Center of the SES Ilya Perevozchikov.
· According to him, a high level of danger also remains in Kyiv and Chernihiv regions.
2:25 pm: 11 Russian ships are on alert in the Black Sea, including 3 carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles, with a total salvo of up to 16 missiles, - the Ukrainian Navy.
2:11 pm: The SBU detained an employee of Ukrzaliznytsia who was transporting evaders abroad in the ventilation system of a passenger car.
· During the comprehensive measures, the conductor of the Zaporizhzhia-Przemysl train was detained, who established a new channel for evaders to escape to EU countries.
Mordor - russia
Wednesday April 19
11:25 AM: The SBU will try two traitors who helped the FSB carry out hacker attacks on the government of Ukraine.
· The defendants are two former SBU officers in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, who in 2014 defected to the enemy and joined the ranks of the FSB. There they became part of the Russian-controlled hacker group "Armageddon".
· Attackers face up to 15 years in prison.
09:15 AM: At night, an unidentified UAV attacked a military registration and enlistment office in the Bryansk region in Russia, Russian media reported.
Tuesday April 18
11:34 PM: Explosions were heard in the Bryansk region.
· Governor Bogomaz said that a drone attacked the building of the military registration and enlistment office of the city district of Novozybkiv in the Bryansk region, there were no injuries, the building was partially damaged.
9:36 PM: Putin visited not military positions in Zaporizhzhia and Luhansk regions, but a rest camp deep in the rear - BBC.
· Journalists checked and confirmed the conclusions of the Ukrainian press: Russian President Putin during a trip to the occupied territories of Ukraine was in Henichesk and, in particular, on the territory of the former recreation center "Brigantina" on the Arabat Spit, a few kilometers south of Henichesk.
· The BBC verified the geolocation of the footage with Putin by comparing the photos and establishing the identity of the buildings and the water tower on them.
7:10 PM Intelligence Directorate Ukrainian Ministry of Defense: The Defence Intelligence published an intercept of a conversation in which a Russian soldier tells his wife about the terrible situation at the front and hopelessness about his return home.
5:26 PM: The State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a law on life imprisonment for treason.
· In addition, the new law significantly increases responsibility for terrorist articles - the maximum term has been increased from 15 to 20 years.
4:41 pm: The SBU served a notice of suspicion to the occupying head of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, Oleg Romanenko, who disconnected the plant from Ukraine's power grid, the SBU said.
· It was established that in the period from March 11 to November last year, he ensured the implementation of Moscow's instructions to disconnect the nuclear power plant from the unified energy system of Ukraine.
3:51 PM: WSJ journalist Hershkovich remanded in custody.
· The court hearing was attended by US Ambassador to Russia Lynn Tracy. The meeting was held behind closed doors. An online broadcast was organized for journalists and diplomats who arrived at the courthouse.
3:06 PM: The Kremlin called the key point of the "peace plan" that Russia needs to end the war with Ukraine.
· Russian dictator's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would agree to consider a "peace plan" to end the war against Ukraine that would take into account Moscow's interests.
· "Any ideas that take into account Russia's interests, Russia's concerns, of course, deserve attention, they should and should be heeded, and Russia is ready to do so. The main thing for us is to ensure our own interests," Peskov said.
1:55 PM Institute for the Study of War: The visit of China's Minister of Defense to Russia will not expand military cooperation between the countries.
· Analysts note that the official minutes of the meeting between the two sides do not contain any mention of Russia's war in Ukraine. In addition, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin confirmed China's intention to facilitate peace talks in Ukraine.
KHARKIV
Wednesday April 19
10:55 AM State Emergency Service: Last night, Russians attacked the center of the city of Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, with aircraft
· As a result of the strike, fires broke out, to eliminate which rescuers went immediately after the explosions stopped.
· The head of the RMA, Oleh Sinegubov, said that during search and rescue operations at the site of the air strike, the bodies of 2 dead civilians - a 50-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman - were found.
Tuesday April 18
5:32 PM: Today in Balakliia, Kharkiv region, a civilian was blown up by a mine "Petalok", according to the main department of the State Emergency Service in the Kharkiv region.
· According to rescuers, the mine on which the woman stepped was almost in the city center. It is noted that the victim was hospitalized with a diagnosis of a lacerated wound to the left foot.
LUHANSK
Wednesday April 19
9:55 AM Luhansk RMA: about events in the region on the morning of April 19:
· Russians admit to Lysychansk and Popasna only if they have registration;
· Russians catch people trying to establish mobile communication with relatives;
· The invaders promised not to hold a spring draft, but nevertheless announced it.
Tuesday April 18
5:14 pm: The SBU exposed a Russian weapons cache in the frontline areas of Luhansk region.
· The cache was placed in a dilapidated room of an abandoned household in one of the villages of Svatove district. SBU officers seized there:
o RPG-22 rocket-propelled grenade;
o RGSh-1 rocket assault grenade;
o Kalashnikov light machine gun;
o 4 Kalashnikov assault rifles;
o 32 F-1 grenades;
o 20 RGO grenades;
o 4 boxes of ammunition of various calibers with a total amount of more than 4 thousand. Od.
DONETSK
Wednesday April 19
11:40 AM Donetsk RMA: Around midnight, the Russians launched a missile strike on Druzhkivka, with minor damage to the hospital building.
· In Donetsk sector, Avdiivka was shelled by Grad rockets and artillery. In the Horlivka sector in Bakhmut, 7 high-rise buildings and 3 private houses were damaged. In Lysychansk sector, 2 houses were destroyed, a school and a shop in Pereizne of Zvanivska hromada were damaged.
12:19 PM Social Networks: Explosions heard in Kramatorsk district.
Tuesday April 18
2:55 pm: During a working trip to the Donetsk region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the forward positions of Ukrainian defenders in Avdiivka, the Office of the President reported.
· The President heard the report of the commander of the operational-tactical group "Donetsk" on the situation in the area of his responsibility and awarded the servicemen.
· Avdiivka. Advanced positions of Ukrainian defenders. I'm honored to be here today. Next to servicemen of the Marines, Air Assault, Mechanized and Artillery units. Next to our heroes," Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
· Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a hospital where Ukrainian defenders are undergoing treatment.
2:40 PM Donetsk RMA: Russian artillery shelled Ukrainsk, Donetsk region. As a result of the enemy attack, eight people were injured.
· Russian soldiers also damaged 3 high-rise buildings and 18 trade pavilions of the local central market.
12:25 PM Donetsk RMA: Over the past day, Russians shelled Sloviansk, Novoukrainka, Perechchystivka, Bogoyavlenka, Avdiivka, Toretsk and Soledar communities, Siversk, Torske and Zarichne.
· Residential buildings, an entertainment center, a business center, cars and an agricultural enterprise were damaged. No casualties.
12:08 PM: State Border Guard Service publishes video of street fighting for Bakhmut :
· "The battles for Bakhmut have moved to the central part of the city. In some places, the occupiers and Ukrainian defenders are separated by a few meters. No signs of 'projectile starvation', which was previously reported by PMC Wagner, are noticed here."
ZAPORIZHIA
Tuesday April 18
9:15 pm: In the Zaporizhzhia region, in the occupied villages between Tokmak and Vasylivka, Russians are driving with loudspeakers urging residents to evacuate, Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov said.
8:09 PM Social Networks: Explosions heard in Zaporizhzhia.
DNIPRO
Wednesday April 19
10:26 AM Social Networks: Explosions heard in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region
Tuesday April 18
11:00 PM Operational Command East: 1 enemy drone destroyed on the outskirts of Dnipro.
KHERSON
Wednesday April 19
10:31 AM Social Networks: Explosions heard in Beryslav district of Kherson region.
8:25 AM Kherson RMA: over the past day, the enemy carried out 79 attacks, firing 350 shells from heavy artillery and UAVs. The enemy shelled the city of Kherson 12 times.
· Russian troops targeted residential areas of settlements in the region; hit the territory of the market and the building of an educational institution in Kherson.
· Due to Russian aggression, 1 person was killed, 10 were injured.
Tuesday April 18
11:42 PM Social Networks: Explosions heard in Kherson.
4:55 PM Social Networks: Explosions heard in Kherson.
1:08 PM Kherson RMA: The number of victims due to Russian shelling of the center of Kherson has increased to ten: 1 person killed, 9 wounded.
12:36 PM Kherson RMA: Russian shelling of a market in Kherson killed one person and injured seven.
ODESA
Wednesday April 19
7:40 AM Operational Command South: At night, Russian forces attacked Odesa region with Shahed-131/136-type kamikaze drones. 10 of the 12 attack drones destroyed by air defense forces.
· A hit on a recreational infrastructure object was recorded. The fire was quickly extinguished by rescue services. No people were injured.
04:05 AM Officer of the Odesa RMA: Russians attacked Odesa region with Shahid-136 type UAVs. There are hits on public infrastructure
· According to preliminary information, no casualties.
· Measures are being taken to localize the fire, SES units and other structures are involved at the scene.
2:16 AM Social Networks: Repeated explosions heard in Odesa, followers report.
1:56 am Social Networks: Explosions heard in Odesa, followers report. Previously, the work of air defense.
KYIV
Wednesday April 19
9:30 AM: Flooding in Kyiv is declining, but some areas of the capital remain flooded, - CMVA.
· Currently, no emergency flooding has been recorded in Kyiv – the water level has decreased by 7 cm. Flooding of some territories continues to be observed - islands in the park "Muromets", "Hydropark", Trukhanov Island.
· The department noted that the peak of the flood is expected on April 22.
SUMY
Wednesday April 19
9:40 AM Sumy RMA: grenade launcher attack (AGS) carried out on the outskirts of Seredyna Buda at night – 3 arrivals. Preliminarily – without consequences.
Tuesday April 18
12:50 PM Sumy RMA: The night passed without shelling. In the morning, Russians shelled the territory of the Bilopilska hromada – 5 arrivals. No consequences.
POLTAVA
Tuesday April 18
11:12 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited one of the medical institutions where Ukrainian servicemen in the Poltava region are being treated.
· The President had a conversation with wounded warriors. He presented awards to soldiers and representatives of the medical forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Comparing Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to Russian invasion of Ukraine using Wikipedia and Ukraine Ministry of Defense Daily Bulletins. Soviet and Russian military losses not including captured equipment.
SOURCES
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/
https://espreso.tv/
https://cutt.ly/Blyskavka
Hersh proves that Russian propaganda is effective. As I recall many of the allegations of corruption and the Nazi symbology of the Azov brigade date to 2004. The constancy of such propaganda has many in the US divided. I would rather believe the propaganda of Holmans along with the several YouTube channels he references. Most important the Institute Study War has been accurate over several wars. Those alternate sources confirm and agree about many things so I'm inclined to accept them as truth. CNN from time to time reports on the fighting, more from an human, emotional perspective but actual news people reporting on-site. Haven't seen much from Fox.
i wish i could figure out how to unsubscribe to this stack