Ukraine – 4/9/23 Sitrep
By: Bohdan Chiomiak & Robert Homans
April 9, 2023
The “Global South”
The “Global South” seems to have become somewhat of a thorn in Ukraine’s side and a source of support for the cause of the Russian Federation. The “Global South” appears to include countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
Personally, I don’t care for the term “Global South,” any more than I care for the term “Collective West.” In my opinion, they are both terms used by people who are too lazy to understand the differences among countries that make up either the Collective West or the Global South, and thus assume or conclude that are no differences. Australia and New Zealand are in the “Global South,” but both countries are strong supporters of Ukraine. Hungary, in the “Collective West,” has often been a supporter of the Russian Federation. Austria has been a lukewarm supporter of Ukraine, but Austrian politicians can often be found accepting lucrative director’s positions in Russian State-owned energy companies.
Until recently, Ukraine has been remiss in not paying more attention to the Global South. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba has made at least one trip to Sub-Saharan Africa. Ukraine needs to do more, especially to point out to countries in the Global South the inconsistencies in their overt support of the Russian Federation and, especially, reminding countries in the Global South that it was the Russian Federation that started the war, and it is the Russian Federation that can end it. Consider:
· Last week Brazil’s Socialist President, Lula da Silva, suggested that Ukraine cede Crimea back to Russia, as a way of ending the war as if Ukraine, having been invaded by Russia 3 times since 2014, is solely responsible because they have decided to fight back.
· The African Union (AU) has a strict policy among its Member States against one member state taking the territory of a neighboring state by force. The result is that there has never been a single instance of one AU member state taking the territory of another by force. Yet, several AU member states give Russia a “pass” for doing the exact same thing to Ukraine, some suggesting that it’s a fight among long-time colonialist countries that doesn’t involve them. Ukraine, a colonialist country?
· Countries in the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia with food deficits don’t seem to blame Russia for the interruptions of grain exports from Ukraine. Instead, they appear to blame Ukraine for a situation where Russia, not Ukraine, is solely responsible, and something that Russia can immediately resolve. Yet Ukraine often seems to be criticized for not agreeing to a ceasefire, that would allow for continued grain exports. There are two problems with this position: A ceasefire would almost certainly involve Ukraine agreeing to loss of territory; the territory that Ukraine would agree to give up contains some of its most productive agricultural land, land that Russia has already either damaged or expropriated, often stealing the harvest from the rightful owners.
· South Africa, under the African National Congress (ANC), appears to the support the cause of the Russian Federation, because of the support the former Soviet Union gave to the ANC during the period when they were resisting Apartheid. Recently, South Africa and the Russian Federation, along with China, conducted joint naval exercises off the coast of South Africa. In providing support to the Russian Federation, South African effectively gives a “pass” to the Russian Federation for its consideration of Ukraine as their “colony,” not to mention the long history of colonization and subjugation of non-Slavic ethnic minorities in Siberia, the Caucuses, and the Kola Peninsula, engaged by both the Russian Federation and its predecessor states, the former Soviet Union and the Russian Empire.
· There is now communal violence inside the Russian Federation, relating to opposition by Eastern Orthodox groups against construction of a mosque in Moscow, including the burial of the head of pig at the construction site. Countries in the Global South, especially countries that are Muslim majority or contain a significant Muslim population should be asking questions of a country, namely Russia, where the Orthodox Church amounts to a State religion, and what that means for Russia’s large Muslim minority.
It seems that Russia has never been held to account by the Global South, for Russia’s own colonialist policies, going back at least as far as similar policies engaged in by European powers. In addition, Ukraine is often blamed for lack of food security in many countries in the Global South, where the blame should be solely on the Russian Federation.
Friends and colleagues from Sub-Saharan Africa get these emails. All of them support Ukraine. Since 2010 I have worked in 5 different Sub-Saharan African countries. We are doing our part.
News From the Battlefield
“Reporting From Ukraine” covers more of the same from Bakhmut. Ukrainian long-range artillery and HIMARS continue to pound Wagner positions inside the city, and to the east of the cidty, from distances where Russia cannot hit them, and Ukraine continues to hold the flanks north and south of the city. The Latest Denys, at around 3:15 into his video, has an excellent tactical map of Bakhmut. At around 14:35 he also includes the tactical map from the Wagner Group.
4/9/23 Sitrep (my comment in bold face)
Bohdan reports –
“One year ago today, Russia sent a rocket hitting the waiting platform of the Kramatorsk railway station. Approximately 60 killed, including several children, while waiting for the train to evacuate from the front.”
“At the same time one year ago was the first time we were able to drive to our Dacha. The trip took three and a half hours as we made a very broad detour because bridges had been taken out and about every fifteen minutes would pass through a checkpoint where our documentary identification was thoroughly reviewed. At the dacha we missed all the spring flowers but were able to capture a few remaining narcissus.”
I understand that foreigners now visiting Kyiv, many on official business, are looking at all the cars in the streets and the crowded restaurants and wonder where the war is, and whether Ukraine needs all the assistance they’re getting, as if Ukrainians are somehow not entitled to live in a secure environment, or are disappointed that they cannot take pictures of a destroyed building. I suggest that they can do any one of the following:
· Go to Irpin, not far from Kyiv, although the Mayor once told me that they’re getting tired of hosting people only interested in taking photos of the destruction.
· Go to the front, where it’s likely that they’d only get in the way.
· Go to our neighborhood in Kyiv, Vinograda, where one can snap photos of the brand-new shopping center, 10 minutes’ walk from our place, that was destroyed by a Russian missile early in the war.
· Go to a destroyed building, not far from the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, where the sommelier of “Good Wine,” who once helped me select wine for my birthday party, was killed when an Iranian drone struck her building.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon April 8 to 12:00 noon April 9, 2023
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
Sunday April 9
12:00: Grain imports from Ukraine to Poland have been temporarily suspended until at least July, Polish Deputy Minister of Agriculture Janusz Kowalski said.
· In his opinion, the first step in resolving the situation should be the Polish-Ukrainian grain agreement. He also proposes to introduce duties on all agricultural products from Ukraine.
10:59 Bild: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky may visit German Aachen in May, where he is scheduled to be awarded the Charlemagne Prize.
· The Charlemagne Prize is awarded for his contribution to the unification of Europe. This year, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian people decided to award the prize.
08:15: The last prosecutor of the Nuremberg trials, Benjamin Ferentz, dies in the United States at the age of 103. This is with reference to his son, reports the Washington Post.
08:14 AP: The US Navy has sent a nuclear submarine with guided missiles capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk missiles to the Persian Gulf.
· This is with reference to the spokesman of the 5th fleet of the US Navy.
Saturday April 8
23:01: RT France propaganda channel officially liquidated in France - ex-president of RT France Ksenia Fedorova
· "The Nanterre court has ruled to liquidate RT France, a media outlet that has not pleased Emmanuel Macron since its launch and which was subject to EU sanctions a year ago," the woman wrote.
22:44: North Korea tests an underwater drone capable of carrying a nuclear warhead
· This information was shared by the state media of the DPRK. There is no confirmation from independent sources.
· According to publications, the tests of the "unmanned nuclear attack boat" Haeil-2 took place from 4 to 7 April.
22:32 Fox News: The FBI has begun using social media to recruit Russians and gather intelligence against Putin's regime.
· A corresponding video was posted on Facebook and Twitter, in which listeners are urged to help the FBI counteract the Kremlin's aggression.
· "The FBI plans to get big returns by bringing in more potential candidates to spy for the U.S.," said former U.S. intelligence officer Rebecca Kofler.
21:30: Two Russian Su-27 warplanes have fallen into NATO's area of responsibility, the Romanian Air Force said.
· According to the agency, on April 7, two F-16 fighter jets of the Carpathian Vipers detachment were alerted by the NATO Air Operations Center in Judem, Germany.
· After being intercepted and identified over the Baltic Sea, they were safely removed from the Alliance's area of responsibility.
18:10: The US Department of Justice launches an investigation into the alleged "leak of classified documents" about the preparation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for a counteroffensive.
· It is reported by SkyNews with reference to the US Department of Justice.
· The ministry noted that they are in contact with the Pentagon on this issue.
17:57: Historic event is being prepared between Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania in summer, says Polish politician Chekh
· Polish politician Miroslav Chekh noted that Russia is trying to play on historical differences and the historical memory of Poles and Ukrainians.
· The center of Europe shifted from Berlin to Warsaw,2
· "The chief of the Polish General Staff, General Andrzejczak, who returned in December from a trip to Washington. In Poland generals do not talk about politics when they are in service, but he said that the center of Europe has shifted from Berlin to Warsaw, and this is a fact. In the security sphere, this fact has happened," he stressed.
16:56: The United States may send its soldiers to Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion of the island.
· This was stated by Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the US House of Representatives Michael McCaul.
· According to McCall, this is a sanctioned use of military force, which would be approved by the committee, or a declaration of war.
16:48 The Washington Post: Even in conditions of shortage, the Armed Forces of Ukraine fire about 7700 shells a day, or about one every six seconds.
· It is noted that Ukrainians, like the Russian army, are experiencing an acute shortage of ammunition. In a situation of "projectile starvation", the advantage is given to those who manage to save more weapons. At the same time, sources of the publication emphasize that even in conditions of shortage, Ukraine releases about 7700 shells a day, or about one every six seconds. At the same time, Russia is shooting more — three times by some estimates.
16:10: In the Vatican during the procession combined testimonies of Ukrainian and Russian teenagers, writes Vatican News
· A Ukrainian teenager told how he fled his family from Mariupol to Italy, where his grandmother lives, at night. The Russian teenager is about his older brother, who "a few days after his 18th birthday went on a trip, and later received a letter informing him of his death," the report said
13:11: From 12 to 23 June, NATO will hold the largest aviation exercise in its history, involving almost 220 aircraft. In addition to Germany and the United States, 22 allied countries will take part in them.
· This was reported on the website of the US National Guard.
· The exercise should test interoperability and the ability to rapidly deploy and use coalition aircraft.
NATIONAL
Sunday April 9
12:00: Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi congratulated Western-rite Christians on the Resurrection of Christ
· "May the feast of Christ's Resurrection grant us insubordination of spirit and victorious peace. So that the long-awaited day when all families will unite at a common table as soon as possible, congratulating each other on the Resurrection of Christ!" he wished.
11:00 Palm Sunday at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
· OCU believers pray in the Refectory Church of the Upper Lavra. At the same time, a festive liturgy for believers of the UOC-MP is served in the Holy Cross Church of the Lower Lavra.
· There are no clashes between believers, activists are not visible, services are calm, our correspondent reports.
09:57 Operational Command South: There are 11 Russian ships in the Black Sea,
· "Currently, 2 submarines with 8 "Calibers" are ready for use."
07:32: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Western Rite Christians on Easter.
· "I sincerely congratulate Ukrainians and all Christians who celebrate Easter today. Celebrated on the frontline and in our various cities and villages.
· This is the modern world. A world that seeks to live freely. A world in which life, respect and equality of every person are valued. Ukraine stands guard over this world today. He fights for his land and fights for his values," the president wrote in his address.
07:02 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
· Over the past day, the enemy inflicted 4 missile and 40 air strikes, carried out 58 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian infrastructure of settlements.
· Also, over the past day, more than 50 enemy attacks were repulsed.
· Russians continue to strengthen the counterintelligence and police regime in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region,
· In the Hornostaivskyi district of Kherson region, raid measures are underway to check personal phones of the local population for photo and video materials, as well as "prohibited" content.
· Aviation of the Defense Forces during the day inflicted 12 strikes on areas of concentration of personnel and military equipment of the occupiers,
· Also, Ukrainian defenders shot down 2 UAVs of "Supercam" type, 6 UAVs of "Orlan-10" type and 6 UAVs of "Zala" type.
· Missile troops and artillery units hit 2 areas of concentration of manpower, weapons and military equipment, 1 ammunition depot, 1 position of air defense systems and 5 stations of enemy electronic warfare - the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
00:01 Ukrenergo: Russians fired more than 1200 missiles and drones at Ukraine's energy facilities.
· More than 250 missiles and drones hit their targets and damaged about 43% of the main network facilities.
Saturday April 8
23:41: The loss of 10,000 pieces of equipment since the invasion on February 24, 2022 has been visually confirmed, — Oryx OSINT.
· From this:
o 6470 units – destroyed;
o 304 units – damaged;
o 392 units – abandoned;
o 2834 units – taken by the Armed Forces of Ukraine as trophies.
(ORYX is an international NGO that uses open source website photo’s, video clips whose geographic location, date and time can be confirmed independently against rashist and Ukrainian registries. From this base they identified almost 3 thousand captured pieces of rashist equipment now in use by Ukraine and about 7 thousand destroyed or decommissioned rashist weapons systems. https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-equipment.html - ed. Ukrainian military reports higher numbers but does not use a strict public accounting methodology, instead relying on field reports only.)
23:21: 33 children were to be returned to Ukraine, not 31. This was announced by the executive director of the charitable organization Save Ukraine Mykola Kuleba.
· However, in Russia, during a lengthy interrogation by the FSB, a grandmother died as he was supposed to pick up two more deported grandchildren
· Now the body of the woman must be returned home along with the two children deported by the Russians.
22:31: "Now a hundred, and a hundred later": Ukraine will receive 200 Rosomak armored personnel carriers from Poland - Zelensky announced the transfer of Polish armored personnel carriers
22:14: Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Onufriy, whom he, according to his own statement, has already "abandoned" his Rashist passport
· "There were good fraternal relations between Ukraine and Russia. When that relationship began to deteriorate, especially in the last ten years, I resigned my Russian citizenship. I do not have a Russian passport. This was especially confirmed when I spoke out against Russia's war with Ukraine and condemned Russian aggression. I consider myself a citizen of Ukraine only," said the head of the UOC-MP.
20:25: UOC-MP priest Ihor Slobodyan, who attacked a soldier in Khmelnytskyi, is wanted.
· The corresponding card is published in the database of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
· He faces a fine or up to a year of correctional labor for intentional light bodily harm.
20:02: Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky showed how Ukrainian artillery works.
· "Along with foreign weapons, Ukrainian soldiers deftly combine domestic artillery systems that hit enemy targets on the battlefield," Syrsky wrote.
19:33: Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi published a video of the work of Polish self-propelled howitzers AHS Krab on the territory of Ukraine.
· "The self-propelled artillery installation "Crab" showed itself well both in the speed of guidance and in the firing range," the soldier notes in the video.
18:30 Update from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on April 8:
· "During the day, the enemy inflicted 2 missile and 34 air strikes, carried out more than 36 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems.
· In the Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mariinsky directions, more than 35 enemy attacks were repelled."
· "The Russian invaders continue to suffer significant losses.
· In order to replenish them, the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation decided to hold early graduations from higher military educational institutions of the Russian Federation in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kostroma, Penza, Omsk, Tyumen, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Volsk and Blagoveshchensk on April 29 of this year."
· "Aviation of the Defense Forces during the day inflicted 8 strikes on areas of concentration of the occupiers. An enemy reconnaissance UAV was also shot down.
· Missile troops and artillery units hit 2 areas of concentration of manpower, weapons and military equipment, 1 ammunition depot, 1 position of air defense systems and 3 stations of enemy electronic warfare."
17:42: The liberation of Crimea is likely to take place by military means - presidential representative in Crimea
· Russia did not want to talk about the political and diplomatic return of Crimea both before and after the start of a full-scale war. After attempts to occupy part of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, it became clear that the military element of the de-occupation of the peninsula became key. This was stated by Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Tamila Tasheva
17:02: In Kamyanets-Podilskyi, people voted for the transfer of the parish of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
· They tried to interfere with the buses brought together by supporters of the UOC-MP. But in vain. The participants of the meeting unanimously voted in favor.
16:01: Minister of Education Lisovyi reacts to language scandal at the State Tax University
· "Manipulation around language is nothing but hypocrisy. Measures will be taken in this case.And not only in violation of the law issue. The behavior of this lady is... To put it mildly... inappropriate to her role. The educational community forms the nation. That is why it is at least strange when pupils or students show a higher level of consciousness than their teachers," the minister said.
15:57: Air Force Command spokesman Yuriy Ihnat explained that the Russians are using guided aerial bombs along the entire front line. To counter this, means are needed to help destroy enemy aircraft at long distances.
· "To repel such attacks, Ukraine needs ground assets, such as Patriot or SAMP-T. And best of all, these are modern aircraft, for example, F-16 or other 4+ generation aircraft, capable of withstanding Russian aviation at long distances, which have both powerful radars and air-to-air missiles," Yuriy Ihnat said.
14:42: A man was detained at the border with Moldova who tried to take the relics of 80 saints and church utensils from Ukraine, the SBGS reported
· Border guards handed over information to the SBU and police, the report said
13:26: Representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Andriy Yusov said on the air of the national telethon that the leaked so-called "classified military documents" about the plans of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are forgery and a special operation of Russian special services.
· Andriy Yusov added that there will be a counteroffensive, and the enemy will see and feel the main plans on the battlefield. He also suggested that the Russians may have forged documents to disrupt or slow down Western aid to Ukraine.
12:59 p.m.: Supporters and opponents of the Moscow Patriarchate gathered near the Cathedral of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky in Kamenetz-Podolsk.
· Local activists report that the UOC-MP brings its "parishioners" by buses to start a violent confrontation and prevent them from moving to the OCU.
12:55: "Ukraine values every person, appreciates every community. Ukraine is grateful to the Muslims of our state and everyone in the Muslim community of the world who equally seek peace and protection from evil with us," Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Mordor - russia
Sunday April 9
11:45 The Washington Post: In February, the Wagnerites tried to buy weapons from Turkey.
· Pentagon documents published online show that in February representatives of the Wagner PMC sought to buy weapons from Turkey for activities in Mali and Ukraine.
· The Pentagon report said Mali's interim president, Assimi Goita, "confirmed that Mali may acquire weapons from Turkey on behalf of Wagner."
11:38 Institute for the Study of War: The Russian offensive is nearing its climax, as evidenced by the slowing pace of the enemy's advance
· The Institute for the Study of War notes that the pace of shelling in Bakhmut and several other sectors of the front has decreased significantly, and in some sectors the front has stopped.
· Also, the Russian army is unsuccessfully trying to take control of Marinka, although the city has already been virtually destroyed.
09:45: UK Ministry of Defence: The Kremlin is trying to present the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine as normalizing, despite active hostilities.
· In fact, as noted by British intelligence, a significant part of these territories remains a zone of active hostilities, is subject to guerrilla attacks and has extremely limited access to basic services for many citizens.
Saturday April 8
19:52 Telegraph: Twitter has stopped applying restrictions against Putin's accounts and Russian departments, which were introduced in April 2022.
· According to the publication, tests showed that Russian government accounts began to reappear at the top of individual search results and subscription recommendations.
· According to former Twitter executives, such changes probably couldn't have been accidental.
5:11 p.m.: Anti-war graffiti "Forgive them, because they don't know what they're doing" appears in St. Petersburg, Russia.
· The photo of graffiti was published on Instagram by a St. Petersburg artist under the nickname vano bogomaz.
· "2,000 years have passed, and we all cannot stop doing evil," he wrote.
· In the center of the graffiti depicts the crucified Jesus Christ, drawn from a painting by Diego Velasquez, on both sides of him stand soldiers in uniform.
14:04: There was a loud explosion in Sevastopol, the correspondent of Krym.Realii reports
· The Russian-controlled head of occupied Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, writes that the sounds are related to the exercises of the Russian military
13:43: Moscow's attempt to destroy Ukraine's energy system fails, British intelligence says.
· Russia has launched long-range strikes since October 2022, but large-scale attacks have become rare since early March 2023. Smaller scale strikes (fewer than 25 carriers) continue, but it is likely that they will not affect the system.
· "The energy situation in Ukraine is likely to improve with the arrival of warmer weather. Planning and preparations for next winter have probably already begun," the British Ministry of Defense said.
12:11 The New York Times: Russia's offensive has run aground, its gains in recent months are minimal and do not justify colossal losses.
· Analysts of the publication note that instead of the planned seizure of Donbas, the Russians managed to capture only three small settlements and lose a lot of personnel and military equipment in the Bakhmut, Vuhledar and Avdiivka directions.
KHARKIV
Sunday April 9
08:52Kharkiv RMA: Last day, border and frontline settlements of Kharkiv, Kupiansk and Chuhuiv districts were under Russian shelling.
· Yesterday morning, the enemy launched a missile strike (previously a Kh-59 missile) on the territory near the Lozovenkivskyi reservoir in the Kharkiv region. The buildings of the restaurant complex and the house in the village were partially damaged. Malaya Danilovka.
· The Russians launched a missile strike on the village of Velykyi Burluk, Kupiansk district. 3 residential buildings and 3 outbuildings were partially damaged.
Saturday April 8
20:40 Kharkiv RMA: Russian shelling of Kupiansk district kills two men.
· "In addition, a 65-year-old woman was injured in the village of Podil. Currently, doctors are providing her with the necessary assistance," Sinegubov wrote.
DONETSK
Sunday April 9
10:10 Donetsk RMA: On April 8, Russians wounded 2 residents of Donetsk region: in Toretsk and Bakhmut.
· In Donetsk sector, 2 high-rise buildings in Krasnohorivka, Maryinska community, and 4 private houses in Hosty, Kurakhivska community, were damaged.
· In the Horlivka sector in the Kostiantynivska community, a house in Mykolaivka was damaged. Sporadic shelling was recorded in Minkivka, Vasiukivka, and Rozdolivka of the Soledar community.
· In the Lysychansk sector, 10 houses in Zvanivka were damaged, and Pereizne was also under fire.
08:36 RMA: The remaining children will be forcibly removed from Avdiivka,
· Now there are 4 children in the city. The whereabouts of the two authorities are known, they will be evacuated from April 10. The search for two more continues.
00:05 Social Networks: Explosions heard in Kramatorsk district.
Saturday April 8
21:53: 59th separate motorized infantry brigade named after Yakov Handziuk destroyed a Russian self-propelled gun with a FlyEye reconnaissance drone in Donetsk region.
· The video was published by Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Mykhailo Fedorov.
· According to him, thanks to donations through the UNITED24 platform, 20 such drones have already been transferred to different directions.
16:41: The 45th separate artillery brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed an infantry fighting vehicle and a field warehouse of the Russian BC in the Bakhmut direction.
12:00: In Kramatorsk, the railway station honored the memory of the victims of the Russian missile strike
· On April 8, 2022, at 10:28 a.m., the Russian army shelled the train station where thousands of civilians were waiting to be evacuated. As a result, 61 people died, 121 were injured.
· Today, at 10:28, a minute of silence honored the memory of the victims
ZAPORIZHIA
Sunday April 9
07:51: As a result of Russian shelling of Zaporizhzhia, a residential building was partially destroyed, followed by a fire on an area of 100 square meters. m, - SES.
· As of 8:00 a.m., 2 people had died at the scene, a 50-year-old father and an 11-year-old daughter. SES officers rescued a 46-year-old mother from the rubble.
01:52 Social Networks: Explosions heard in Zaporizhzhia.
Saturday April 8
18:23: Russians turn fields of occupied Zaporizhzhia region into a dead zone - Melitopol mayor
· Russian invaders "sow" Ukrainian fields with mines, and their equipment causes chemical pollution of land and groundwater. This was announced by Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov.
· According to the official, the Russians are destroying fertile land in the temporarily occupied territory. In particular, they created a fortified area, digging a line of trenches about 70 km long and placing the so-called "dragon's teeth" - pyramidal concrete obstacles to the advance of the enemy.
17:32 Prosecutor General's Office: Two men were wounded as a result of Russian shelling of Huliaipole and Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region.
· "Damaged outbuildings and private residential buildings, in which the shock wave broke windows", – stated in the message.
12:41 Office of the President: In the morning, the Russians launched two missile strikes on Huliaipol in the Zaporizhzhia region. One person was injured.
DNIPRO
Saturday April 8
22:12 Dnipro RMA: Russians again shelled Nikopol district with heavy artillery and UAV.
· "Marhanets and Myriv communities were targeted. There, shells damaged a gas pipeline and a fence. People were not injured," Lysak wrote.
17:50 Operational Command South: Ukrainian military shot down a Russian Supercam drone in the Mykolaiv region.
KHERSON
Sunday April 9
09:20 Kherson RMA: Russians shelled peaceful settlements of Kherson region 71 times. 495 shells were fired from MLRS, mortars, artillery, tanks, gas stations, drones and aircraft
· The residential areas of Kherson were attacked 6 times by the Russian army. The enemy hit power lines and the territory of the enterprise. Over the past day, there have been no civilian casualties.
KYIV
Sunday April 9
00:26: Today in Kyiv region, a tractor driver hit a Russian mine
· This was reported by the head of the police of the region Nebitov Andrey
· The 34-year-old driver was injured and hospitalized. When experts began to examine the area, 13 more mines were found near the site of the explosion.
SUMY
Sunday April 9
10:27 Sumy RMA: In the morning, 3 artillery attacks on the Seredyno-Buda community were carried out from the territory of the Russian Federation.
· At least 5 "arrivals" were recorded, without casualties.
POLTAVA
Saturday April 8
12:26 Minister of Culture: In Poltava, monuments to Soviet generals Zygin and Vatutin, as well as the poet Pushkin, are being dismantled.
· In addition, according to the official, the issue of demolishing the monument to Peter I is being resolved.
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
Regarding the global south discussion, the Russian propaganda has been effective and long going. Given that they started back in 2014 with little counter propaganda or push back, not surprising that it has stuck. As noted the answer is more outreach on a busy nation without many assets for counter propaganda. Sad that other nations have not risen to assist.