Ukraine – 4/22/23 Sitrep
By: Bohdan Chomiak & Robert Homans
April 22, 2023
News From the Battlefield – Reviewing the Bidding
“Reviewing the Bidding” derives from the game of Contract Bridge, when one of the players is allowed to ask the 3 other players to repeat the bids they made, thus helping to clarify the state of play and the relative strength of the cards held by the other players. Occasionally, as in Contract Bridge, we step back and give our overall, admittedly un-educated assessment of where things stand on the battlefield and what might happen. We haven’t done one in a while so, on the eve of Ukraine’s expected counteroffensive, we will do so. This is my own assessment.
Bakhmut – From several months of looking at YouTube videos published by “Reporting From Ukkraine” and the “Latest Denys,” it seems clear to me that Ukraine’s underlying strategy in Bakhmut is to cause maximum Russian casualties and loss of equipment, while trying to minimize their own. For Ukraine, Bakhmut has no other military significance. Ukraine’s objective is to tie down, and liquidate, Russian forces operating in and around Bakhumt, and thus they cannot be moved elsewhere.
To achieve this, Ukraine is likely pursuing 2 complementary strategies. First, Ukraine is likely keeping a minimal number of forces in the center of the city, such as snipers using the latest Western rifles and gun sights, and some infantry, and rely on its longer-range artillery to hit Russian formations which, in turn, are making minimal advances. Shorter range Russian artillery cannot hit Ukrainian artillery.
Second, the ground forces Ukraine does have around Bakhmut are positioned on the flanks, north and south of the city, to keep supply roads open and prevent Russian efforts to encircle Bakhmut. According to “Reporting From Ukraine,” Russia very nearly cut one of supply roads running through Khromove, west/northwest of Bakhmut, but it seems as if Ukraine was able to maintain operational control over the road.
From what I can tell, in Bakhmut it seems that Ukraine is succeeding in its strategy. I think Ukraine is pursuing the same strategy in Avdiivka and Vuhledar, with the added effect that in Avdiivka and Vuhledar Ukraine is inflicting significant Russian losses in armor in addition to people, which is likely not the case in Bakhmut. North of Bakhmut, between Kreminna, Svatove, and the Russian border, the area that Ukraine liberated last Fall, Russia has achieved minimal gains.
Main Battle Tanks Constitute a Red Herring – I have mentioned several times that all the discussion about how many, or how few, main battle tanks Ukraine is getting from the West, and all the accompanying hand-wringing by the pundits, deflects away from what Ukraine is really getting from the West, equipment that will make a critical difference in Ukraine’s ability to launch a counteroffensive. I’m referring to armored personnel carriers (APCs), from the US, Germany, France, Australia, the UK, and elsewhere. Yesterday’s Ramstein meeting revealed that Ukraine has received a total of over 1,500 APCs, to me a shocking number. I had expected somewhere around 500 APCs. According to the report, mentioned in the Latest Denys, the large number of APCs has allowed Ukraine to man 9 armored brigades, largely made up of soldiers trained in the UK, Germany and elsewhere. Training has included combined arms training that will improve Ukraine’s ability to launch coordinated ground operations.
Three things that must be remembered about APC’s, relative to main battle tanks:
· Last Fall, in both the Kherson and Kharkiv offensives, Ukraine succeeded through their judicious use of APCs, both Soviet and earlier Western versions, that are far less capable than the APCs Ukraine now has.
· During the 1st Gulf War, Bradley fighting vehicle destroyed more Iraqi T-72 tanks than were destroyed by M1-A1 Abrams tanks. The Bradleys that are now in Ukraine’s possession have the same anti-tank missiles used so effectively in the 1st Gulf War, the TOW anti-tank missile.
· The ground is still drying out. APCs can operate effectively over muddy ground, often not the case with main battle tanks.
I’m all in favor of main battle tanks, but it has been very surprising to me that the pundits have given almost no attention to the APCs Ukraine now has, and the type of Western training Ukrainian forces have received.
Surprises – As we’ve said in previous emails, when it comes to Ukraine’s upcoming counteroffensive, expect surprises. Ukraine cannot afford to lose large numbers of soldiers in large offensive over a large expanse of ground, against Russian fixed defenses. Ukraine must look for opportunities where there is lower potential loss of life but a big upside. Here are 3 possibilities:
· A sudden incursion to the south, linking up with Ukrainian partisan groups operating in Tokmak and Melitopol.
Melitopol has been a focus of Ukrainian partisan activity since the start of Russia’s latest invasion. Ukrainian Partisans have caused considerable damage, especially in and around Melitopol, cutting rail lines, hitting Russian troop concentrations, designating targets for Ukrainian drone strikes, and whacking Russian civic officials and Ukrainians working for Russia.
The upside is considerable, cutting the Russian “Land Bridge” in two, bringing all of Crimea within range of Ukrainian long-range artillery including the Kerch Bridge, and cutting off resupply to Russian operating in Russian occupied Kherson Oblast.
· A crossing of the Dnieper River in force, possibly around Nova Khahovka, perhaps in conjunction with the link-up with partisan groups. One major dividend from a crossing of the Dnieper River is the ability of Ukraine to cut off surface water supply to Crimea via the North Crimea Canal that originates at the Nova Khahovka Dam.
· An “end run” (called a “Cat’s Claw” in the UK) around Russians operating in northern Luhansk Oblast, allowing Ukraine to attack Russian forces operating in Bakhumt and the Kreminna-Svatove Line from behind. This has been described elsewhere, and would almost certainly include Ukrainian ground movements through Russian territory. This may be a “bridge too far,” for both Ukraine and its Wetern backers.
The odds of the first two, especially the first, are good. I don’t place much stock in the “Cat’s Claw,” but I’m not surprised by anything Ukraine does. In any case, we won’t have to wait long.
Ukrainian Grain Exports to the EU
This is a very informative article about the current controversy over Ukrainian grain exports to the EU, that are allowed under the Ukraine-EU Free Trade & Association Agreement (FTA), but are being blocked by individual EU Member States. It is a harbinger of the issues Ukraine will face during its own EU accession talks.
Ukraine is the low-cost producer of most agricultural products produced in Europe. The prospect of Ukraine joining the EU, and having access to duty-free exports of their agricultural products, is threat to most existing members, especially large agricultural producers like France and, to a lesser extent, Poland and Germany. Added to this is the perception, likely true, that when Ukraine does join, the locus of EU power will inevitably move east, away from France. Thus, Ukraine joining the EU may be considered by many in France as a double-barreled danger.
I will add a couple observations that may help explain the policies of the individual member states, and why those policies can run counter to the positions of the European Commission in Brussels:
· Poland - Although the ruling Law & Justice Party in Poland has been a major supporter of Ukraine, their major power base is in rural eastern Poland. The leadership of Law & Justice is almost certainly responding to concerns from their supporter about what Ukrainian grain exports into Poland are doing to prices.
· Is the EU really a single market? – No. The EU is still a collection of 27 individual markets. A Founder and former CEO of a Ukrainian private equity firm once described to me the problems that one of their companies was having exporting to the EU. The company makes bricks. After the FTA was signed the company decided to start exporting its products to the EU. They soon found out that there were still 27 different quality standards applying to building materials, 27 different distribution channels, and so on.
· Is the EU a single market for financial services? – No. A Spaniard applying for a home mortgage cannot get financing from a Greek bank. Non-bank subsidiaries, like leasing companies that are owned by European banks, such as OTP Bank inHungary, cannot operate across borders. Each member state still has financial regulatory authorities that can, and do, enact policies that effect the operations of banks and non-bank within their borders.
4/22/23 Sitrep
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon April 21 to 12:00 noon April 22, 2023
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
Saturday April 22
10:01 AM: Spain will supply Ukraine with six out of ten promised Leopard 2A4 tanks in the coming days, says Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.
· According to the minister, Spain wants to supply Ukraine with six Leopard 2A4 tanks out of a total of ten promised in the coming days.
· "After that, there will be a second package with four more tanks," Albares said.
08:33 AM: Portugal will transfer three armored personnel carriers and two command and staff vehicles to Ukraine, according to the Portuguese Ministry of Defense.
8:32 AM Bloomberg: Lithuania will test exit from Russia's power grid and connection to Europe's grid
8:31 AM Bloomberg: The largest oil carrier from Russia to Asia is deprived of international insurance.
Friday April 21
11:45 PM: The operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the territory of Russia are quite acceptable, - said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
· "As long as cities, civilians, civilian objects are not attacked, we will have to put up with this. Reluctantly, but this should happen, for example, to cut off supply routes," he stressed.
10:50 PM: During the Ramstein meeting, the Czech Republic proposed expanding the T-72 tank modernization program for Ukraine.
· This was stated by Deputy Czech Minister of Defense Daniel Blažkovec.
· He said that the current priorities of Prague in terms of supporting Ukraine are infantry fighting vehicles BMP-2, tanks, large-caliber ammunition, means of electronic warfare, reconnaissance and air defense.
11:20 PM: Ukraine cannot join NATO in parts. There will be membership in the Alliance only if internationally recognized borders are respected.
· This was stated by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Yevhen Perebyinis on air of a telethon.
· "Ukraine cannot and will not join [NATO] Parts. Ukraine is a state that has internationally recognized borders. Of course, we will join certain organizations within internationally recognized borders," he stressed.
10:35 PM: France refused to provide Ukraine with a digital card of the territory of Belarus, — Le Monde.
· Such digital maps (DTED – ed.) detail the terrain and allow combat aircraft or drones to perform tasks at low altitudes.
· DTED contains information about interference, such as high-voltage lines or wind turbines, as well as military equipment, such as radars or anti-aircraft batteries.
10:15 PM: Latvia will give Ukraine all remaining Stinger MANPADS.
· This was stated by the Minister of Defense of the country Mūrniece at a meeting in the Ramstein format.
· Also, she added, by the end of the year, Latvia plans to train up to three thousand Ukrainian military.
10:00 PM: The combat aircraft will be the next stage of negotiations on military assistance to Ukraine, as air defense systems are now the main need.
· This was stated by Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov after the Ramstein meeting.
· "Of course, we are discussing combat aircraft as the next stage, but it will take time to train pilots, engineers, etc. But it will be done," Reznikov said.
9:45 PM: More than 16,000 Ukrainian troops have already been trained in the European Union.
· This was announced by the head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell on Twitter.
· According to him, EU member states have supplied Ukraine ammunition and missiles worth more than 600 million euros.
9:30 PM: Participants in the 11th meeting of the Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format supported the provision of missiles to Ukraine's air defense.
· This was announced by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
· "Many participants in this meeting also supported the proposal to provide missiles for air defenses and other heavy weapons," Austin said.
7:02 PM: Remarks at Ramstein-11 Press Conference:
· Ukraine's priority now is ground-based air defense systems to provide protection against Russian missile attacks;
· Ukraine received the green light to cooperate with the NATO procurement agency - NSPA;
· The West provided Ukraine with more than 230 tanks and 1500 other armored vehicles to equip 9 armored brigades;
· about 25,000 Ukrainian troops are currently undergoing training in Germany, about 8,000 have already completed it and returned home.
· 5:44 pm: Germany and the Netherlands will provide Ukraine with mine rollers, vehicles and tankers.
· This was announced by the head of the Pentagon Lloyd Austin at a press conference following the results of "Ramstein-11".
· He also confirmed that the M1A1 Abrams will arrive in Germany to train Ukrainians over the next few weeks.
5:37 pm: Albania abolished the summer visa-free regime for Russian citizens.
· This was reported by the press service of the Albanian Embassy in Russia.
· According to the embassy, now Russians will need to issue visas in accordance with the purpose of the trip.
4:45 pm: Poland plans to create a Leopard 2 tank maintenance center for Ukraine, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov has said, summing up the Ramstein meeting.
· Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said that "in the last few months alone, we have provided equipment and training to support nine more armored brigades for Ukraine."
4:25 PM: The Czech Republic for the first time in modern history did without Russian gas supplies in the first quarter of 2023, - Minister of Industry and Trade Josef Sikela.
· According to him, the decisive role was played by the reduction of consumption, as well as alternative gas supplies from Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway.
3:15 PM Reuters: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang says both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to China and that it is right and appropriate for him to defend his sovereignty.
· According to him, recently an "absurd logic" has been spreading, accusing China of violating the status quo, peace and stability in the Gulf of Taiwan.
· He noted that "honest people can see who is engaged in hegemonic intimidation and arrogant practices."
2:14 PM: Twitter dropped labeling "state-affiliated media" and "state-funded media." It is reported by Agence France-Presse.
· The marks were removed, in particular, from the accounts of Russian media, such as TASS, RT.
2:00 pm: Canadian Minister of Defense Anita Anand announced a new package of military assistance for Ukraine at a Ramstein meeting.
· The package includes a $28.9 million contribution to the Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine (CAP) Trust Fund.
· In particular, Ukraine will receive 40 sniper rifles of 50 caliber and ammunition from Prairie Gun Works. Canada will also transfer 16 radio stations to Ukraine to accompany the Leopard 2 tank from L3Harris Technologies.
1:45 pm: The German defense minister called Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory "completely normal" if they do not pose a threat to civilians.
· "It is quite normal for an attacked person to move into enemy territory, for example, blocking supply routes," he said on ZDF.
1:30 pm: PMC Wagner gives weapons to Libyan group fighting for power in Sudan — CNN.
· The publication publishes satellite images showing the activity of IL-76 transport aircraft between Wagner bases on the border with Libya, where the territory is controlled by Libyan General Khalifa Haftar.
1:05 pm: In the coming weeks, the United States will begin training the Ukrainian military on Abrams tanks, ABC News said, citing US officials at the Ramstein-11 meeting.
NATIONAL
Saturday April 22
11:47 AM: "Ukrzaliznytsia" launches non-stop car "Vienna — Chop — Vienna.” Chop is a city in Ukraine, on the border with Slovakia and Hungary.
· It will run from April 24. The ticket price from Chop to Vienna is 1730 UAH. Tickets are already available at the international ticket offices of Ukrzaliznytsia.
10:55 AM: The SBI together with NABU reported a new suspicion to the former Deputy Minister of Defence, as well as the acting Director of the Department of State Procurement and Supply of Material Resources.
· In December 2020 – January 2021, they caused millions of hryvnias of losses to the state during the purchase of products for the army.
· Previously, we mistakenly pointed out that the suspicion was brought against the ex-deputy of the current head of the Ministry of Defense, Vyacheslav Shapovalov. However, according to Liga. net in law enforcement agencies, we are talking about the former Deputy Minister of Defense Andriy Taran - Igor Khalimon.
9:26 AM Operational Command South: Ukraine does not rule out a massive missile strike by the Russian Federation on May 9.
· "It is unlikely that the enemy will have enough strength, means and time to prepare several such strikes, but for one, probably, they will gather. It is likely that the enemy can devote such a blow just to his sacred dates, as he likes to do with a certain symbolism, that is, in the area of May 9," Humeniuk said.
07:42 AM: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
· "In the Shakhtarsk sector last day, the enemy conducted unsuccessful offensive operations in the Vuhledar area.
· He also shelled Prechystivka, Novoukrainka, Zolota Niva, Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk region."
· Fierce fighting for the city of Bakhmut continues in the Bakhmut sector.
· Near Hryhorivka and Bohdanivka, the enemy conducted unsuccessful offensive operations.
· Rozdolivka, Vasiukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Novomarkovo, Hryhorivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Bila Hora, Dyliivka, Zalizne, Pivnichne, Pivdenne and New York of Donetsk region suffered from enemy shelling.
01:30 AM: The Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that on the evening of April 21, 2023, at about 19:00 hours, the Russians attacked Ukraine from the southeast direction with Shahed-136/131 kamikaze attack drones.
· The forces of the PC "East" of the Air Force, in cooperation with the air defense of the National Guard of Ukraine, destroyed four out of five "shaheds".
· Aviation of the Defense Forces over the past day inflicted 5 strikes on areas of concentration of the occupiers, and units of missile troops and artillery hit 2 areas of concentration of manpower, an anti-aircraft missile system and 2 other important military facilities of the enemy.
12:06 AM: Russians illegally deport Ukrainian children to Russia under the guise of "treatment".
· This was announced by Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.
· "The support of the international community is extremely important, so we count on strengthening sanctions against those guilty of deporting Ukrainian children in the 11th sanctions package," Lubinets said.
Friday April 21
11:52 PM: Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Law No. 7253 on "decolonization" — it prohibits geographical names that are associated with, extol or perpetuate Russia.
· Self-government bodies and military administrations should free public space from symbols of the Russian Federation in six months: dismantle monuments and memorials, rename streets and other objects. Also, settlements whose names propagate Russian imperial policy and its leaders should be renamed.
9:14 PM: The government has banned collecting debts for communal flats from IDPs who left the temporarily occupied territories or territories where hostilities are taking place.
· This was reported by the Ministry for Reintegration of Ukraine.
· We are talking only about the debt that has accumulated after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.
8:25 pm: Former Deputy Minister of Defense Vyacheslav Shapovalov and former acting Director of the Department of State Procurement and Supply of Material Resources have been given new notices of suspicion.
· The investigation was conducted by the SBI and NABU, the press service of the State Bureau of Investigation reports.
· They are suspected of abuse of power and official position, as well as obstruction of lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during a special period, which led to serious consequences and caused millions of hryvnias in losses to the state.
8:12 pm: Now, to obtain Ukrainian citizenship, you will need to pass exams for knowledge of the Ukrainian language, history and the Constitution.
· The relevant bill was signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
7:15 pm: The Ukrainian capital and the EBRD have agreed on a partnership worth €100 million.
· "It is aimed at a wide range of projects to support Kyiv's energy security, provide emergency liquidity assistance for municipal assets, compensate for import losses and more. Even in this difficult time for Ukraine, the EBRD is doing its best to help Kyiv. And we are very grateful for this," said Vitali Klitschko.
6:25 PM Update from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on April 21:
· "During the day, the enemy inflicted 2 missile and 28 air strikes, carried out about 20 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems.
· Tonight, for air strikes, the enemy used 12 strike UAVs of the "Shahed-136" type, 8 of them were destroyed by our defenders."
· "The enemy focuses its main efforts on conducting offensive operations in the Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Maryinsky and Shakhtarsk directions.
· Units of the defense forces of Ukraine during the day repulsed about 30 enemy attacks in these sectors of the front. The city of Bakhmut remains in the epicenter of hostilities."
· "Recently, a unit of the occupiers numbering about 300 people, from among the convicts, arrived in the temporarily captured Skadovsk, Kherson region, allegedly to ensure law and order.
· Rumors are spreading among the occupiers about the imminent end of hostilities with territorial concessions in favor of the Russian Federation, probably to raise the spirit of the invaders."
· "It is known that some combat units that were previously in the temporarily occupied Skadovsk are gradually being withdrawn from the settlement to the occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea."
· "Aviation of the Defense Forces for the current day struck at the area of concentration of personnel and military equipment of the occupiers.
· Missile troops and artillery units hit the area of concentration of manpower, an anti-aircraft missile system and two other important military facilities of the enemy."
5:16 pm: One priest of the UOC-MP was exchanged for 28 Ukrainian servicemen.
· This was reported by SBU Head Vasyl Malyuk.
· "The SBU detects enemy agents in a cassock. 52 criminal proceedings and 19 suspicions, 6 court verdicts," Malyuk added.
· The SBU announced suspicion to Roman Chervinskyi, a key figure in the failed and uncoordinated "special operation", as a result of which the FSB received information about the location of Ukrainian aircraft. This was announced by SBU Head Vasyl Malyuk.
· "The scoundrel, whose actions led to the death of one Ukrainian soldier and the wounding of 17 others, the destruction of Ukrainian aircraft and equipment, should be deservedly punished," Vasyl Malyuk said.
· Recall that a group of military planned to steal a plane from the Russians, but instead leaked information to the FSB and directed a missile strike on the Ukrainian airfield.
4:57 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renault-Basso.
· "I urged the bank to pay attention to the housing segment and to stimulate housing construction in Ukraine, in particular, in the context of the implementation of the state mortgage program.
· It is necessary to accelerate the implementation of all EBRD projects in Ukraine. Speed now, in the conditions of war and rapid reconstruction, is a critical element," the President of Ukraine said.
2:46 pm: The court remanded Pavlo Lebed under round-the-clock house arrest until May 30.
· The Metropolitan of the UOC-MP will leave the building of the Kyiv Court of Appeal back under arrest to his house in Voronkiv near Kyiv.
2:31 pm: The Ukrainian Team and Wladimir Klitschko handed over a Ukrainian-made Kobra armored vehicle to the 204th Battalion of Kyiv's TRO.
· "It can accommodate 10 people and is able to protect fighters from machine gun bursts, mines and ambushes. Therefore, such an armored car is very necessary at the front line," the Ukrainian team said in a statement.
2:24 PM: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "At the Stavka meeting, we analyzed the current situation in all sectors of the front. We heard Budanov – we know about all the plans of the enemy in the near future.
· We are developing an even better scheme for the distribution of weapons and ammunition by units, special attention here is paid to the newly created brigades. They also discussed the establishment of the production of missiles and ammunition by domestic enterprises."
12:53 PM: The Kyiv Court of Appeal has begun a hearing on the appeal of the defense of the Governor of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Paul.
12:25 PM: Ukrzaliznytsia for the first time since February 24 opens sales for regular long-distance flights to Pokrovsk, Donetsk region.
· Thus, from April 28, non-stop groups of cars will start running in trains of flights 86/234-233/85 Lviv-Pokrovsk-Lviv and 80/234-233/79 Kyiv-Pokrovsk-Kyiv.
· Departure from Lviv daily at 10:40, arrival in Pokrovsk at 13:00, return flight at 14:15, arrival at 12:44.
· Departure from the capital daily at 23:05, arrival in Pokrovsk at 13:00, return flight at 14:15, arrival at 05:54.
12:11 PM: The SBU detained two traitors who set fire to a fire and rescue unit in the Kyiv region at the beginning of the Russian invasion.
· The perpetrators were two officials of the 41st State Fire and Rescue Unit of the Main Department of the State Emergency Service in Kyiv region.
· In addition, the offenders "leaked" personal data of resistance movement participants, including former ATO fighters, to Russians.
Mordor - russia
Saturday April 22
11:16 AM: 'Immortal Regiment' cancelled to not give reason to talk about modern losses - British intelligence
· It is difficult for the Russian state to maintain consistency in one of the main narratives justifying the war: that the invasion of Ukraine is supposedly analogous to the Soviet experience of World War II.
10:09 AM: Air defense forces have worked out in the temporarily occupied Crimea, - the so-called "head" Sergei Aksenov.
· Residents of the surrounding areas heard loud noises. There was no damage or casualties.
9:12 AM Institute for the Study of War: Prigozhin probably managed to find a patron in the Russian Ministry of Defense and convey a message to Putin about the need to temporarily freeze the war.
· According to experts, the Russian military command may be interested in freezing the war in order to rebuild units of its army and reduce public discontent with the lack of success on the battlefield.
07:32 AM: In Lyubertsy near Moscow, a workshop for the disposal of plastic and rubber caught fire, according to Russian media.
· The area of ignition was 1.5 thousand square meters. A huge column of smoke rose into the sky.
Friday April 21
11:35 PM: New interception of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine
· A Russian soldier talks about how, in order to evade cash payments for wounding or killing a serviceman, the command of Russian units retroactively "transfers" soldiers to other units and registers them as missing.
11:05 PM: Battery maker Duracell has announced its withdrawal from the Russian market.
· The corresponding letter signed by the head of Duracell Russia Yuri Korotaev was sent to employees.
· According to the letter, there will be no new Duracell supplies to the Russian market, the company will only sell off existing stocks. Employment agreements with Duracell employees and commercial contracts in Russia will be terminated.
3:00 pm: A Russian fishing vessel caught fire off the coast of South Korea, the Yonhap.
· The vessel was carrying 100 tons of seafood in waters near Ulsan, about 300km southeast of Seoul, towards Russia, when a fire broke out at 00:43.
· On board were 25 citizens of the Russian Federation. As a result of the fire, two people were injured. In addition, four crew members are missing.
1:15 pm: Russians have seized 740 Ukrainian mineral deposits and are using them illegally. This was announced by Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ruslan Strilets.
· "Today, Russia has occupied 740 Ukrainian mineral deposits. Criminally, they actually steal what does not belong to her.
· But in civilized relations there is no place for either this country or its companies that directly or indirectly finance terrorism and crimes against the Ukrainian people," he said.
KHARKIV
Saturday April 22
11:32 AM Kharkiv RMA: Last day, Russians continued shelling border and frontline settlements of Kharkiv, Kupiansk and Chuhuiv districts.
· In particular, Goptivka, Vovchanski Khutory, Krasne Pershe, Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kotliarovka and Berestovo were under Russian fire. There was no large-scale destruction and casualties.
12:51 AM: An agrarian from Grakove, Kharkiv region, modified a tractor for demining operations in fields in the de-occupied territory.
· "Sappers now have a task to clear power lines and gas pipelines to the population, they do not have time," said inventor Oleksandr Kryvtsun.
· The tractor is sheathed with parts of the Russian infantry fighting vehicle, an autopilot is installed there - it drives through the field with remote control without a driver.
Friday April 21
12:06 PM Kharkiv RMA: Kozacha Lopan, Goptivka, Kupiansk, Dvorichna, Vovchansk and other settlements were under Russian fire.
· As a result of shelling of Kupiansk, at least 2 private households were damaged and fires occurred. In addition, Russian troops fired from artillery and mortars at the villages of Dvorichna and Kucherivka. No casualties.
DONETSK
Saturday April 22
10:42 AM: The SBU exposed 9 Russian accomplices and found a cache with Russian weapons during stabilization measures in Lyman.
· The SBU continues large-scale stabilization measures in the de-occupied territories in Donetsk region.
10:26 AM Donetsk RMA: 3 private houses damaged in Maryinska community. In the morning there was shelling of Kurakhove.
· Russians hit Kostiantynivka with at least four missiles, damaging 3 two-story buildings, 5 private houses, 2 buildings on the territory of a social institution and an administrative building. 2 people were injured in New York, including a child. In the town, 6 houses and an infrastructure facility were damaged. In Bakhmut, damage to 5 more high-rise buildings was recorded. The outskirts of the Lyman community are under fire.
8:50 AM Donetsk RMA: On April 21, Russians killed 1 resident of Donetsk region - in Ocheretyne,
· Another 2 people in the region were injured.
12:36 AM: Satellite images of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stronghold near Khromovo, near Bakhmut.
· Ukrainian soldiers hold the O0506 highway, through which the Bakhmut garrison is supplied from the west.
12:21 AM: The 3rd Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published a photo of the destroyed Bakhmut from a bird's eye view.
Friday April 21
12:47 PM Institute for the Study of War: Russians failed to encircle Ukrainian Armed Forces in Marinka – ISW.
· Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks on Marinka and Pobeda. The settlements are located 23 and 27 km south-west of Donetsk. Russian troops also conducted unsuccessful offensive operations near Avdiivka, 5 km north-east in Kamyanka, as well as within 15 km to the west.
12:38 PM: In Mariupol, Russians are making a movie about the "liberation" of the city in 2022, says Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to the mayor.
· "Yesterday all evening the Kalmius district heard the "game" of machine guns and machine guns. So loud that they cleared the chats. It turns out that there is a "movie" about the "liberation" of Mariupol... I wonder if the lyceums understand that for our Mariupol Resistance or the "punishment of heavenly Holy Cotton" — they are a well-founded military goal? Equipment, uniforms – who will separate them from the military? The occupier is an occupier," Andryushchenko said.
ZAPORIZHIA
Saturday April 22
8:20 AM: The mayor of temporarily occupied Melitopol confirmed an explosion in the city.
· "The occupiers fussed and sent an ambulance, police and fire truck towards the area of New Melitopol. We are clarifying the details," Fedorov said.
8:04 AM Social Networks: An explosion was heard in the temporarily occupied Melitopol.
11:54 AM Social Netoworks: Explosions heard in Oleshky, Kherson region.
Friday April 21
8:52 PM Social Networks: Explosions heard in Zaporizhzhia.
3:35 pm: Mayor Ivan Fedorov said Russian vehicles carrying an air defense system had capsized on the road along Bohdan Khmelnytsky Avenue, in the heart of the so far occupied Melitopol.
DNIPRO
Friday April 21
9:18 PM Social Networks: Explosions heard in Dnipropetrovsk region.
KHERSON
Saturday April 22
9:42 AM Kherson RMA: Russians shelled peaceful settlements of Kherson region 45 times.
· Russian troops attacked residential areas of settlements in the region.
· Over the past day, there have been no civilian casualties.
ODESA
Saturday April 22
11:18 AM: An explosion occurred in Chornomorsk in Odesa region, according to local media.
KYIV
Friday April 21
4:00 pm: The SBU detained a traitor lawyer who collected data on HIMARS and maps of "minefields" near Kyiv for the Russian Federation.
· The attacker turned out to be a local active lawyer who previously worked in the prosecutor's office and, due to unsuccessful certification, was dismissed from this structure in 2021.
· During the investigation, it was established that the offender also established a scheme for illegal travel abroad of Ukrainian citizens of military age.
7:55 PM Kyiv City Military Administration: Today, SES units are carrying out work on the destruction of explosive objects on the territory of Vyshgorod district.
· It can be loud in Kyiv and the region, keep calm.
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
www.ubn.news