Ukraine – 4/6/23 Sitrep
By: Bohdan Chomiak & Robert Homans
April 6, 2023
Ukraine’s New IMF Program
In his latest blog Tim Ash describes the conditions of the IMF’s latest $15.6 billion, 48 month Extended Financing Facility (EFF). It is one of the very rare occasions where IMF extended a credit to a country involved in a war. Equally rare is the term – 48 months. As Ash states, the term reflects the desire among IMF’s major shareholders to ensure that Ukraine has adequate funding through to the end of the war, and after the war is over. The fact that the term extends for 2 years beyond the next U.S. Presidential inauguration is another thumb in the eyes of Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson and other fellow travelers and Russian useful idiots who want to pull support from Ukraine.
Ash also mentioned his proposal to use approximately $400 billion of Russian Central Bank assets to purchase bonds whose proceeds would be used for Ukraine reconstruction. Russia would be the creditor and receive bond payments. Aside from the fact that such an arrangement may be in violation of due process laws the details, such as Russia making bond payments during sanctions, who the custodian would be, and other factors, may also be very difficult to work out. However, it’s a great idea and it’s worth pursuing.
Meduza – “Not a Single Step Back”
Late last year, after the liberation of Kherson, Russia started to distribute a pamphlet to Russian soldiers bound for Ukraine. According to Meduza the pamphlet is similar to Stalin’s Order No. 227 where he called for “ “alarmists and cowards” to be “annihilated” on the spot.” It was issued in the summer of 1942, after Soviet defeats at Kharkiv and Voronezh. Order No. 227 called for the creation of barrier and penal units, the former to shoot deserters or those who refuse to fight, the latter containing those accused of cowardice and “instability” (perhaps referring to soldiers suffering from PTSD). Russia has used barrier units in Ukraine, most recently during the rout of Russian soldiers around Vuhledar.
“Two Cheers for Ukraine’s Oligarchs” Wall Street Journal
I hope you can all read this article. The theory is that, unlike Russia, the evolution of oligarchs in Ukraine ensured the growth of Ukrainian democracy. For those who cannot surmount WSJ’s paywall, I’ve included the following quotes (my comments In perentheses):
· “Today, Russia under President Vladimir Putin is an autocracy verging on military dictatorship, while the Ukrainian political system, for all its flaws, has retained two important features of democracy: free competition among parties and the peaceful turnover of power. This difference, not any threat of NATO aggression, was the real reason why Mr. Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Had Ukraine been allowed to complete its fits-and-starts transition to a stable, prosperous, and Western-oriented democracy, it would have become an imminent threat to Mr. Putin’s regime. (So much for those who blame NATO expansion).”
· “In this sense, (in both Russia and Ukraine) the oligarchs played a role similar to the nobility of medieval Europe. Like today’s oligarchs, those aristocrats were rapacious and corrupt, but by challenging and limiting the authority of kings they played a role in the eventual development of free societies.”
· “Democratic uprisings in 2004 and 2013-2014 would not have garnered mass support as quickly and decisively if Ukrainian television had been in the hands of the state.” (This statement is surprising, in that during Euromaidan most of the television channels were either in the hands of the State and supporting Yanukovich, or in the hands of oligarchs supporting Akhmetov who were, in turn, supporters of Yanukovich. The only broadcast channel supporting Euromaidan was Channel 5, owned by Petro Poroshenko)
The author goes on to show how Putin essentially wiped out the ability of Russian oligarchs to operate independently of the State, whereas this never happened in Ukraine thus limiting the power and authority of the executive.
However, David Aaron, the author and Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, ends the article ends with a cautionary tale, describing the direction that President Zelenskyy was going, prior to the start of the war, in suppressing oligarchs –
“Ukraine’s current president, Volodymyr Zelensky, began a “de-oligarchization” campaign shortly before the Russian invasion, and the war has only intensified it. In late 2021, Mr. Zelensky signed a law banning individuals with million-dollar incomes and “influence” over media from funding political parties. In January 2022, former president Poroshenko was accused of treason in a case involving the sale of $50 million worth of coal by pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk. (The allegation was never withdrawn, but no formal charges have been brought.)”
“Last March, after the war began, Mr. Zelensky issued a decree that all television channels were to broadcast only “unified news” drawn up by the president’s office. Ukraine’s richest man, Rinat Akhmetov, promptly surrendered his media licenses to the government, and the security services raided the home of Mr. Kolomoisky, whose money and television station had played a key role in Mr. Zelensky’s election.”
“Good riddance to these oligarchs, you might say. Let Ukraine move beyond their corruption and meddling in national politics. And you would be right—provided that Ukrainian civil society proves mature enough to replace them. Alexander Gabuev, a top Russian political analyst, has observed that thanks to the independence of the oligarchs, “coalitions of powerful players were constantly reassembling…to prevent the emergence of someone like Putin” in Ukraine. It is very unlikely that after three decades Ukraine would imitate Russian-style authoritarianism. Still, wars endanger civil and political liberties even in mature republics, and Mr. Zelensky’s status as a war hero multiplies the usual temptations of unlimited power.” There are many Ukrainians who were concerned about the direction Zelenskyy was going in at the start of the war. (Civil Society has not been operating in Ukraine for a long time. Civil Society groups have become a type of “shadow government,” as must Ukrainians, at least before the war, distrust their government).
News From the Battlefield
Recent decline in Russian deaths - It is noted in the sitrep, that yesterday there were “only” 390 Russian casualties, compared to over 600/day in previous days. One reason is that Wagner, fighting in front of Bakhmut, has changed tactics, because they no longer have prisoners to throw against Ukrainian defenses. Most of them are either dead or they finished their 6 months, got their pardons, and have gone home. Another reason, one that is often mentioned, is that Russians are simply exhausted. It will be interesting to see if the decline continues.
The latest “Reporting From Ukraine” describes how Ukrainian forces are protecting their flanks, north and south of Bakhmut by, among other things, setting off a 90 meter “line charge.” Both supply roads remain open, and “Reporting From Ukraine” assess the risk of Bakhmut being surrounded is “low.”
At around 1:55 into his video, the Latest Denys describes a Russian counterattack north of Avdiivka. If it is sustained, the attack could sever a Russian salient north of the city. At the beginning of his video, Denys describes rocket and artillery strikes against Russian installations in and around Melitopol, possibly a precursor to a Ukrainian offensive going south, toward Crimea. He describes how difficult it is for Ukrainian troops to cross the narrow isthmus connecting Crimea with Ukraine proper.
What Denys didn’t discuss was why, at the beginning of the war, that Russia was able to cross the isthmus in large numbers, and easily take Melitopol, Kherson and Berdyansk. It will likely be necessary to wait for answers until after the war.
4/6/23 Sitrep
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon April 5 to 12:00 noon April 6, 2023
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
Thursday April 6
11:56: China can convince Russia to stop fighting in Ukraine and return the parties to the negotiating table, Macron said at a meeting with Xi Jinping.
· Macron also said the Russia-Ukrainian war had dealt a blow to stability, "ending decades of peace in Ukraine."
11:25: French President Macron has already met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing - media.
10:42: The issue of Taiwan is the first "red line" that cannot be crossed in Sino-US relations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
· The department reacted to the meeting between Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen and US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, calling it "connivance with the activities of separatists."
10:19: Representatives of Turkey and Sweden will meet in the first half of June to discuss the prospects of Stockholm joining NATO.
· This was stated in an interview with the Anadolu agency by adviser to the President of Turkey Ibrahim Kalin.
09:59: The United States will send Ukraine experimental weapons to combat Iranian and Chinese drones, reports the American newspaper Defense One, citing representatives of the state contracting company SAIC.
· A source from SAIC told Defense One that his company should send 10 anti-drone systems to Ukraine.
09:42: US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Simi Valley, near Los Angeles, despite threats of retaliation from China - NHK.
· "Friendship between the peoples of Taiwan and America is an extremely important issue for the free world and it is critical to maintaining economic freedom, peace and regional stability," McCarthy said.
09:27: Hospitalized former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was diagnosed with a serious blood disorder, - Corriere della Sera.
08:49 Politico: As part of the program to provide 1 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine, EU countries have reached an agreement on the transfer of shells from warehouses, and the details of ordering new ones are still being discussed.
08:14: The United States Department of State imposes visa sanctions on four Georgian judges and members of the High Council of Justice of Georgia who are believed to be involved in corruption. This is stated in a statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
08:13: The Estonian authorities decided to impose an entry ban on the directors of the Nitya theater from Yekaterinburg and cancel its tour, which was planned in the country this week - ERR.
08:00: The Pentagon signed a contract with the American company General Dynamics Land Systems for $ 27.1 million for the production of M1A1 Abrams tanks for Ukraine, - the press service of the Pentagon.
1. The funds were allocated within the framework of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides for the conclusion by the US Department of Defense of relevant contracts with manufacturers, rather than the provision of certain equipment and means directly from its stocks.
00:41: Andrzej Duda said that the only condition that world leaders should demand from Russia is the complete withdrawal of troops from Ukraine.
· "We must stand with Ukraine. We cannot doubt. This is our duty to the victims of Putin's aggression. We believe in you! We believe in your victory," the Polish president added.
00:25: Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Polish tanks were already on the battlefield in Ukraine
· "I am pleased to note that our preliminary agreements have already been fulfilled. There is obvious Polish leadership in the tank coalition. Polish tanks are already on the battlefield in Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
00:09: 49 countries and the European Union condemned Russia for organizing a meeting of the UN Security Council on the alleged legal grounds for the abduction of children from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
· The signatories stressed that no amount of disinformation from Russia can either refute the truth or protect it from responsibility for crimes.
Wednesday April 5
23:46: Ukrainian military took part in a NATO international training course
· The course was held at the Center for Preparation for Foreign Missions in Kielce, Poland.
· "The purpose of the training was to prepare civil-military cooperation officers to perform assigned tasks, within the framework of international peacekeeping and military operations, as well as to exchange experience of participants from around the world," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.
23:16: Bulgaria has identified Russian military aggression as an immediate threat to global peace.
· It is reported by Euractiv with reference to the report of the Ministry of Defense of Bulgaria.
· "The Russian armed forces have committed systematic war crimes. The war has also led to the expansion of Russian hybrid sabotage against NATO and EU countries," the report says.
22:16: Ukraine remains in a joint bid with Spain, Portugal and Morocco to host the 2030 World Cup.
· This was announced by Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa at a meeting of the UEFA Congress.
· "We have an ambition - together with Spain, Morocco and Ukraine to organize the 2030 World Cup with a joint bid, between the two shores of the Mediterranean Sea," Costa said.
21:55: An unknown person began shooting from the Trump Tower skyscraper in Chicago, police and special forces surrounded the building.
21:40: Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspected samples of military equipment that Poland plans to transfer to Ukraine.
· "The more military aid comes Ukraine, the faster the situation in Bakhmut and other sectors of the front will change," the president wrote.
20:47 Politico: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be checked for involvement in fraud for 30 billion euros
· According to the publication, the German opposition wants to launch a parliamentary investigation into Scholz's alleged involvement in a large-scale scandal with tax evasion.
20:19: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki signed a protocol on the supply of defense equipment to Ukraine.
· This was reported by the Office of the Polish Prime Minister on Twitter.
19:55: Poland will provide Ukraine with a new package of military assistance.
· This was announced by Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference with Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki.
· The package will include MiG-29 fighters, Rosomak armored personnel carriers, Rak self-propelled mortars and Piorun air defense systems.
19:42: Volodymyr Zelenskyy together with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki honored the memory of those killed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw.
· "Lamps were installed to the monument to the victims of the Smolensk tragedy of 2010 and to the monument to the President of Poland in 2005-2010 Lech Kaczynski," the president wrote.
17:46: The Czech Republic plans to provide military assistance to Ukraine in the amount of almost $33 million.
· It is reported by ČTK with reference to the statement of the Minister of defense of the Czech Republic Jana Chernokhova.
· It is noted that the Minister of Defense today provided a list to Czech President Petr Pavel, and he also handed him a list of assistance that the Czech Republic has already sent to Ukraine earlier.
17:31: Belgrade and Pristina during the next round of talks in Brussels agreed to form the Community of Serb Municipalities.
· This was stated by the head of the Chancellery of Kosovo and Metohija under the Cabinet of Ministers of Serbia Petar Petkovic.
17:15: Serbia will conduct military exercises jointly with the United States and ten other partner countries.
· This was stated by the head of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic Miloš Vučević on air of the B92 TV channel.
· In mid-June, the Platinum Wolf armies will be trained in southern Serbia.
16:46: Turkey wants to return Russia and Ukraine to the peace negotiating table, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, according to Anadolu.
· According to him, the Turkish authorities see that the parties are preparing for a serious offensive in the coming months. However, the country believes that Ukraine and Russia should return to negotiations.
16:29: Estonia blocks access to Russian TV channels on the Internet, says the Department of Consumer Protection and Technical Supervision of Estonia.
· "The department blocked access to 53 domains through which it was possible to watch Russian TV channels banned in the EU, and informed Internet providers about this," the ministry said in a statement.
16:16: China has begun patrolling in two areas of the Taiwan Strait ahead of a meeting between US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, the Chinese Maritime Safety Authority of Fujian province said on WeChat.
15:26: Polish President Andrzej Duda said that at the NATO summit in Vilnius this summer, Ukraine could receive additional security guarantees.
· "We want to receive additional security guarantees at the NATO summit in Vilnius, which will support Ukrainian soldiers in the fight against the invaders. We hope that we will be able to get such guarantees for Ukraine," he said.
· At the same time, Duda noted that Ukraine should become a full member of the EU and NATO as soon as possible.
15:10 President of Poland: Four MiG-29 fighter jets have already been sent to Ukraine, 4 more are being sent, and Poland is ready to send 6 more.
14:56 The Guardian: China can play an important role in ending the war in Ukraine because of its close relationship with Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron has said.
· Speaking to reporters at the French embassy in Beijing, Macron stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue with China, since Russia should not be allowed to hold exclusive talks with Beijing.
14:28: Chinese Ambassador to the EU Fu Cong called the statement about China's "boundless friendship" with Russia a "rhetorical device", writes The New York Times, citing an interview with the ambassador.
· He stressed that China was not on Russia's side in the war. He said Beijing did not condemn the invasion because it understands Russia's claims of a defensive war against NATO encroachments and because his government considers "root causes more complex" than Western leaders say.
· "The fact that Xi is not talking to Zelensky also does not mean that China is on Russia's side on the Ukrainian issue," Fu Cong added. There are contacts between Ukraine and China at a lower level, he assured.
14:11: President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Warsaw will sign a protocol with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on the supply of defense equipment to Ukraine, media reports say.
13:12 Reuters: Spain will transfer six promised Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine in the second half of April, Defense Minister Margarita Robles said.
· Four more tanks are at the stage of retrofitting. In total, Ukraine will receive 10 Leopard 2 from the Spanish side.
12:12 p.m.: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the First Lady arrive at the Royal Castle in Warsaw. They met with Polish President Andrzej Duda and his wife.
· In Poland, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was awarded the Order of the White Eagle for deepening relations between Poland and Ukraine, fighting and resilience in protecting human rights.
· The anthem of Ukraine was played in front of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland.
NATIONAL
Thursday April 6
11:10 Operational Command South: The night explosions in Melitopol are the preparation of Ukrainian troops for a counteroffensive.
· Command spokeswoman Natalia Humeniuk said the strikes "should set the occupiers up for what they need to be prepared for in the future."
10:30: About 5 thousand consumers in Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions were left without electricity due to bad weather - the Ministry of Energy.
08:56: Due to icing of the contact network and snowfall in western Ukraine, 8 trains are late, - "Ukrzaliznytsia".
07:10 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Over the past day, the Russian Federation inflicted 3 missile and 29 air strikes, carried out 51 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems.
· The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on conducting offensive operations in the Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mariinsky directions.
· Over the past day, more than 60 enemy attacks were repulsed. Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka remain in the epicenter of hostilities.
· in the Zaporizhzhia region, the local hospital of Mala Belozerka was converted by Russians into a military hospital.
· Currently, Russian doctors work in a civilian medical institution. They provide their services exclusively to Russian servicemen.
· As of April 2 of this year, about 80 Russian soldiers were treated with wounds of varying severity.
· Aviation of the Defense Forces over the past day inflicted 17 strikes on areas of concentration of personnel and military equipment of the Russian Federation.
· At the same time, Ukrainian defenders destroyed a Russian Ka-52 helicopter and 2 Orlan and Supercam UAVs.
· Missile troops and artillery units hit 2 control points, 3 ammunition depots, 3 positions of air defense systems and 4 stations of enemy electronic warfare.
Wednesday April 5
22:45: The General Staff will choose the best time and place for the counteroffensive, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said.
· "Yes, there will be a counteroffensive, its task is to weaken the enemy's defense, break through it in certain places using modern equipment.
· But we will not say the exact dates, because many factors, including weather conditions, soil conditions, in general, many factors influence this decision," Reznikov said.
22:31: The Avenger air defense system is already on combat duty in the Northern operational zone, said the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant-General Serhii Nayev.
· The Avenger air defense system is capable of providing short-range mobile air defense for civilian infrastructure and ground units from cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, aircraft and helicopters.
21:25: The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine appealed to the residents of the temporarily occupied Crimea to cooperate with the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
· The Main Directorate of Intelligence calls for the transmission of information about:
o leadership and personnel of the occupying forces;
o warehouses with BC and fuels and lubricants;
o Russian military equipment, electronic warfare and electronic warfare means, air defense;
o headquarters and control points of the occupying forces.
· Chatbot of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine on Telegram: @krymbavovna_bot
18:50 Update from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on April 5:
· "During the day, the enemy inflicted 3 missile and 21 air strikes.
· The enemy carried out more than 35 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems on the positions of our troops and civilian infrastructure of settlements."
· "During the day, more than 40 attacks by the occupiers were repulsed
· The settlements of Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka remain at the epicenter of hostilities."
· "The Russian occupiers are strengthening counterintelligence and police regimes in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region.
· In particular, in the Kakhovka district, starting from March 23 this year, raids by the Russian Armed Forces continue to check personal phones of the local population for photo and video materials, as well as "prohibited" content."
· "During inspections in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region, the occupiers conduct searches in the homes of local residents.
· First of all, those who make phone calls to free Ukraine are subject to verification."
· "Aviation of the Defense Forces during the day inflicted 12 strikes on areas of concentration of the occupiers.
· Missile troops and artillery units hit 2 control points, 2 ammunition depots, 2 positions of air defense systems and 4 stations of enemy electronic warfare."
18:25: On the eastern front, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed a Russian Ka-52 helicopter, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
15:56: 477 ammunition was neutralized during the day by pyrotechnicians, the SES reported.
12:27: Ukraine is considering the possibility of building another power line, - President of Energoatom Petro Kotin.
· According to him, it will be possible to increase the capacity of lines to the European Union.
Mordor - russia
Wednesday April 5
23:54: There was a loud explosion in Kursk. This is reported by local social networks.
23:31: Ukrainian Armed Forces showed video of artillery strike on Russian territory
· Russians are located in a forest belt near a farm 1.3 km from the border with Ukraine. Their positions were discovered by Ukrainian scouts from the 4th Kharkiv border detachment.
· Ukrainian artillery shelled the positions of the Russian army near the village of Tsapivka, Belgorod region.
23:00: The emergency services of the Russian Federation reported that the fire in the Ministry of Defense occurred due to the ignition of the kettle. At the moment, the fire has been extinguished.
20:02: A fire broke out in one of the buildings of the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, according to local emergency services.
18:00: Lukashenko is reported to have arrived in Moscow. Photo from social networks.
13:25: Russia does not have enough long-range missiles, - speaker of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Ihnat.
· "The Russians have spent a strategic stockpile of high-precision long-range warheads, including Kalibry, Kh-101, and ballistic Iskanders," spokesman Yuri Ihnat said.
KHARKIV
Thursday April 6
09:09 Kharkiv RMA: Last day, the Russian Federation shelled the border settlements of Kupiansk, Kharkiv, Izyum and Chuhuiv districts.
· In particular, civilians and civilian infrastructure in Kupiansk, Kucherivka, Dvorichna, Udy, Veterinary, Lypets, Kozacha Lopan and other settlements were under enemy strikes.
· In the village of Kucherivka, Kupiansk district, a 65-year-old civilian man was wounded and hospitalized.
Wednesday April 5
18:14: As of now, no suspicions have been handed over to officials of the Kharkiv RMA, said Oleh Sinegubov, head of the Kharkiv RMA.
· "The regional military administration continues to work normally," Sinegubov wrote.
16:00: NABU conducts investigative actions in the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.
· The press service of the regional administration reported that the anti-corruption bureau is conducting investigative actions with the management of the Kharkiv regional administration and the department of agro-industrial development.
DONETSK
Thursday April 6
11:01 Donetsk RMA:
· In Donetsk sector, shelling of Marinka, Krasnohorivka and Avdiivka took place.
· In the Horlivka sector, 2 dead and 2 wounded civilians are known in Bakhmut, as well as damage to a kindergarten, 2 private houses and 3 high-rise buildings.
· In Soledar community, 4 apartment buildings, 2 private houses and a shop in Nykyforivka, and 3 houses in Vasiukivka were damaged.
· In the Lysychansk sector, there was a massive shelling of Zvanivka, damaging a school, a cultural center, a shop and more than 20 private houses.
Wednesday April 5
15:39: Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the situation in Bakhmut the most difficult on the territory of Ukraine. At the same time, he stressed that the enemy does not control the city and the Armed Forces of Ukraine are in place.
· "For me, the most important thing is not to lose our military, and of course, if there is a moment of even hotter events and the danger that we may lose personnel due to the environment, there will certainly be appropriate correct decisions of the general on the spot," the president said.
15:36 Social Networks: Explosions heard in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region.
13:42 Donetsk RMA: Russians shelled the village of Oleksievo-Druzhkivka near Kramatorsk.
· According to preliminary data, they hit the residential sector with cluster munitions. Two people were killed and four civilians were wounded.
12:40 President's Office: Russians shelled the village of Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk region.
· As a result of the enemy attack, one person was killed, two more were injured.
12:37 Social Networks: Explosions heard in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region.
ZAPORIZHIA
Thursday April 6
10:09: The SBU detained an enemy informant who recorded the consequences of a Russian missile strike on a high-rise building in Zaporizhzhia.
· It was established that it was he who recorded and sent to the enemy a photo of the destroyed apartment building, which the Russians struck on March 22 this year.
· An investigation is underway to bring the attacker to justice.
09:34 Zaporizhia RMA: Over the past day, Russian forces carried out four air strikes, three UAV attacks, three MLRS strikes and 58 artillery attacks. Under the attack of the Russian Federation were Pology and Vasilyevsky districts.
· "In Huliaipole, enemy artillery hit an agricultural enterprise, in addition, destroyed several apartments in residential areas. And in the Vasylivskyi district, during shelling, the enemy attacked the private sector. Experts record new destruction and eliminate the consequences", – stated in the message.
09:20: Loud night in the temporarily occupied Melitopol for all districts of the city, especially the Aviation Town, Mayor Ivan Fedorov has said.
· "According to preliminary data, a "long-suffering" Russian enemy base exploded in the area of the captured airfield. The occupiers immediately reported on "accurate air defense". And they themselves sent ambulances towards the airfield. We calculate the losses of the Russian Federation," the mayor wrote.
02:12 Social Networks: Explosions heard in temporarily occupied Melitopol.
Wednesday April 5
19:27: Explosions were heard in the temporarily occupied Molochansky district and Tokmak, said the mayor of the acting Melitopol Ivan Fedorov.
· "A few hours ago it was loud near the village of Myrne, Melitopol district. Residents recorded 2 loud explosions," Fedorov added.
KHERSON
Thursday April 6
10:42 Social Networks: Explosions heard in Kherson.
08:40: At night, the Russian army shelled Kherson again. There are no dead or wounded, - MBA.
· In total, 16 attacks on the territorial community were recorded over the past day. Most hits were in the Korabel microdistrict, Suvorov and Dniprovskyi districts of Kherson. Antonivka, Prydniprovske, Molodizhne, Sadove also came under fire.
· According to the Kherson Regional Administration, Russian troops fired 42 times at peaceful settlements in the Kherson region. 151 shells were fired from mortars, artillery and drones.
Wednesday April 5
20:33 Kherson RMA: Russian army shelled two utility companies in Kherson,
· "One of the walls of the building on the territory of the enterprise and the asphalt pavement in the yard were damaged.
· According to preliminary data, people were not injured during these enemy attacks," the statement said.
16:01 Social Networks: Explosions heard in Kherson.
13:56: In the Kherson region, it was forbidden to visit cemeteries, hold services during curfew and organize mass gatherings of people on Easter in churches.
· The decision was made by the Regional Defense Council, explaining this by mine danger and high risk of shelling.
MYKOLAIV
Thursday April 6
07:46 Mykolaiv RMA: Yesterday, Russians launched mortar attacks on the waters of the Ochakiv community.
· "In the city of Mykolaiv, Pervomaisky, Voznesensky and Bashtanka districts, day and night passed relatively calmly," he added.
KYIV
Wednesday April 5
17:00: Outstanding Kyiv athletes and coaches, aged 60 and older, will receive a scholarship from Vitali Klitschko
· We are talking about athletes who took 1-6 places at the Olympic, Paralympic and Deaflympic Games, and champions, prize-winners of sports competitions of international, all-Ukrainian level. Also, scholarships will be awarded to coaches and specialists in the field of physical education and sports who have been actively working for at least 30 years.
SUMY
Thursday April 6
09:49 Sumy RMA: Mortar shelling of Bilopilska hromada carried out from Russian territory at night – 6 arrivals
· According to Sumyoblenergo, power lines in the Bilopilska community were damaged due to Russian shelling. The repair of the line will begin immediately after obtaining permission from the Armed Forces and the State Emergency Service.
ZHYTOMYR
Thursday April 6
00:51: In the Zhytomyr region, a projector was installed on the border with Belarus, which broadcasts videos about the Russian invasion on a billboard. The video was published by the opposition Belsat channel.
LVIV
Thursday April 6
10:50: In Lviv, the church of the Apostolic Prince Vladimir, which was illegally established by the UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate, is demolished.
1. "The OCU community is landscaping, taking away existing illegal structures of the Moscow Patriarchate in Sykhiv," said Deputy Mayor for Urban Development Liubomyr Zubach.
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
Interesting take on Ukraine’s Oligarchs. Perhaps in any society some will gain great wealth, others not so much. Much depends on how that wealth was obtained. Seems like the Russian and Ukraine crime bosses depended on government corruption which of necessity ought to be reclaimed by the people (government) if the system is fair. How interconnected have the Russian and Ukrainian oligarchs been?