Ukraine – 5/9/23 Sitrep
By: Bohdan Chomiak & Robert Homans
May 9, 2023
Victory Day 2005
I was in Kyiv for Victory Day 2005, the 60th Anniversary of the end of the War in Europe. I went to the parade. Some memories:
· It was very cold, windy and wet, around 45F (+7 Celsius). Nonetheless streets were jammed.
· The parade consisted exclusively of veterans. There was no military equipment.
· At the front of the parade there were banners listing the 4 major fronts that comprised the Soviet counteroffensive, from north to south the 1st and 2nd Belorussian Fronts and the 1st & 2nd Ukrainian Fronts. The veterans marched behind the banners, depending on which front they fought.
· The names of the Marshalls that led each fronts kind of rolls of your tongue, Rokossovsky, Konev, Timoshenko, and of course Zhukov.
· Many veterans wore their uniforms; all wore their medals. The parade lasted about 2 hours, a solid line of veterans, mostly in their late 70s and early to mid 80s, stretching almost all the way across Kyiv’s main boulevard, Khreshchatyk.
· There were thousands of women who fought, and they were very evident in the parade.
· I talked to several people about what this day meant to them. Many talked about taking pleasure in the participation of their parents and grandparents in the parade.
· The parade took place about 6 months after the end of the Orange Revolution, a time when Ukrainian – Russian tensions were beginning to come to the surface. During the 2004 Ukrainian Presidential campaign, President Yushchenko had been poisoned with Dioxin, that had almost certainly come from a Russian lab. Some said that Victory Day was an opportunity for both Ukrainians and Russians to share a sense of accomplishment for defeating Nazi Germany. I doubt this sentiment was ever shared by many Russians.
· The parade was delayed until 2PM, to allow President Yushchenko to attend the parade in Moscow and return to Kyiv.
Given that this was the 60th Anniversary, it was likely the last time that the old veterans appeared in such large numbers for a major anniversary. I feel very fortunate that I had an opportunity to see it. We won’t see its like again.
“A Brewing Crisis of Faith Threatens the Unthinkable in Putin’s War”/Daily Beast
The article is written by Anna Nemtsova, the daughter of Boris Nemtsov, who was murdered in February 2015, when he was walking across a bridge in front of the Kremlin with his female companion.
Nemtsova begins her article with these paragraphs –
“Peremoga—or victory—has become the national toast of Ukraine, whether it’s raising a glass of vodka to it, praying for it, or wishing someone peremoga on their birthday.”
“For many Ukrainians, it’s also increasingly clear that the West does not share their taste for all-out victory. Avoiding a crushing defeat at the hands of Vladimir Putin’s Russia, yes, but Kyiv is growing frustrated that Europe and the U.S. are stopping short of helping them secure their cherished peremoga!”
“The West does not have a plan for Russia’s defeat,” says Daria Kaleniuk, who leads the International Center for Ukraine’s Victory. “Their fear causes the death of our children.”
“The frustration with the West’s pessimism about defeating Russia—coupled with delays in military aid—is shared by many public officials, military, leaders, and ordinary people in Ukraine, where 97 percent of the population believe their country has a real shot at winning.”
I agree with everything Nemtsova says here . This morning I was having coffee with a friend of mine, a businessman from Kyiv who was visiting Washington. We talked about the level of support for Ukraine within the United States. He asked me my thoughts.
I said that I felt that the vast majority of Americans continue to support Ukraine. I went on to say that most of the reticence Nemtsova describes comes from small but influential quarters in Washington, where there is fear about Ukraine winning outright, and the impact it might have on Russia. Much of this fear comes from officials inside the White House.
Susan Rice just left her job as Pres. Biden’s economic adviser. In 2014/2015 Rice was President Obama’s national security adviser, where she opposed the United States supplying Javelin missiles to Ukraine. The locus of reluctance coming from the White House and the Pentagon has since moved on, from Javelin missiles to ATACAMS rockets and F-16s.
Anyone who thinks that Rice confined her advice to domestic policy in the Biden White House is naïve (to put it mildly). America’s continual dithering on supplying weapons to Ukraine, when they first asked for them, likely reflects our squeamish attitude on what might happen in Russia, because of its likely defeat by Ukraine.
There is similar fear in the Pentagon, perhaps starting with Defense Secretary Austin, as evidenced by his often reluctance to use the word “victory,” in articulating the objectives of the United States in supplying needed weapons requested by Ukraine.
Things have improved in both the White House and the Pentagon – sort of.
Ukrainian Losses in WW-II
My collaborator Bohdan included a very interesting graphic showing Ukrainian losses during WW-II. Much of the war on the Eastern Front was fought on territories that that now Ukraine and Belarus. Certainly, there were major battles fought on territory that is now part of Russia, the Siege of Leningrad, the Battle of Stalingrad the fighting in front of Moscow in the Fall of 1941, and Kursk being the most notable. However, to get to Leningrad, the Germans had to transit the 3 Baltic States; to get to Stalingrad the Germans had to transit the entire width of Ukraine.
Cherkassy is a city about 70 miles south of Kyiv. In early 1944, the Battle of Korsun-Cherkassy took place, where the Germans fought their way out of a Soviet double envelopment, similar to what happened to the German 6th Army in Stalingrad just over a year before. Who remembers Korsun-Cherkassy?
Much of Russia was untouched by WW-II. Not so Ukraine and Belarus.
News From the Battlefield
“Reporting From Ukraine” had a very interesting review of the current fighting going on around Bakhmut. Considering the amount of artillery Ukraine now has arrayed around Bakhmut, described in Reporting From Ukraine’s video, it is hard not to at least consider the possibility of Ukraine launching an offensive north and south of Bakhmut, and threaten to cut off Russian forces operating along the contact line in Donbas, past Avdiivka and south toward Vuhledar.
Just a thought. Expect Ukraine to spring a surprise.
5/9/23 Sitrep
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon May 8 to 12:00 noon May 9, 2023
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
Tuesday May 9
11:28am Washington Post: UK prepares to send long-range missiles to Ukraine.
· We are talking about Storm Shadow missiles, which can hit targets at a distance of up to 300 km, according to The Washington Post.
· In an announcement published on May 2 by the Arms Procurement Fund for Ukraine, the British Ministry of Defense expressed interest in providing missiles with a range of up to 300 km.
10:52 am: In Romania, the postponement of the commemoration of Victory Day from May 9 to May 8 is because the celebration has turned into a propaganda occasion to support Russian aggression in Ukraine, says Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă.
· "To reflect the true symbolism of the surrender of Nazi Germany, I will initiate steps to recognize May 8 as the official date of celebration in Romania together with our transatlantic partners," Chuke said.
9:31 am: The United States will today announce a new $1.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine.
· It will include Hawk air defense systems, anti-aircraft munitions, drones, artillery, missiles, satellite imagery, as well as maintenance funding and spare parts for various systems.
8:34 am: European Union border mission Frontex will continue patrol flights over the Black Sea after an interception of a Polish plane by a Russian fighter jet, - EUobserver.
8:33 am: The United States deployed a squadron of fifth-generation F-22 Raptor multipurpose fighters to Emari Air Base near the Estonian capital Tallinn, the US Air Force Command in Europe.
· According to the command, the planes arrived in Estonia from Poland to deter aggression in the Baltic Sea region.
12:54 am: Ukrainian journalists win Pulitzer Prize - media.
· Associated Press staff Mstislav Chernov, Yevhen Maloletka and Vasilisa Stepanenko won the Pulitzer Prize for "courageous reporting from besieged Mariupol."
12:34 am USA Today: Abrams tanks that the United States will supply to Ukraine are being modified to remove sensitive technology.
· According to U.S. officials and military experts, this is a necessary precaution in case the Russians seize one of the vehicles and use it for reconnaissance.
· The publication notes that because of this, American tanks will not participate in the spring offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
12:04 am: 29 criminal cases opened in Switzerland due to attempts to circumvent sanctions against the Russian Federation.
· It is reported by Tages-Anzeiger with reference to the statement of the head of the State Secretariat for the economy of Switzerland Helen Budliger-Artieda.
· "During this time, 130 suspicious cases were identified. In 29 cases, they led to the initiation of administrative and criminal cases, 14 of which were completed with legal force", – stated in the message.
Monday May 8
10:35 pm The Jerusalem Post: NATO aviation readiness increased after Russian provocation over the Black Sea, an unnamed NATO official said.
· "NATO air policing units have been put on high alert in response to the dangerous behavior of a Russian military aircraft near a Polish Frontex aircraft. over the Black Sea near Romania", – stated in the message.
06:53 pm: Poland delivers 10 promised MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine.
· It is reported by Defence24 journalist with reference to the statement of the Minister of Defense of Poland Mariusz Blaszczak.
6:19 pm: German goods are supplied to Russia through the CIS countries bypassing sanctions, the EU special representative for sanctions has already drawn attention to this.
· It is reported by Bild with reference to data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany.
· According to the agency, last year imports of German goods to Kazakhstan, Armenia and Georgia doubled.
4:11 pm Bloomberg: For the first time, the European Commission is going to add to the sanctions list 7 companies from China that supply equipment to Russia that can be used for military purposes.
· According to the publication, we are talking about such Chinese companies as 3HC Semiconductors and King-Pai Technology, as well as Sinno Electronics and Sigma Technology, based in Hong Kong.
03:42 pm: From today in Ukraine, at 16 checkpoints with European countries, an electronic queue for crossing the border has begun to operate, the press service of Ukrtransbezpeka reported.
· So far, "eQueue" can only be used by truck drivers with a license for international cargo transportation, but from July the service will be extended to bus drivers. And from August 2023 - for car owners.
3:10 pm: Russia has blocked the inspection of grain initiative vessels, the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine has said.
· As of today, 90 vessels are awaiting inspection in the territorial waters of Turkey, of which 62 are vessels under loading. Inspections of both incoming and outgoing fleets are blocked. In general, exports of Ukrainian agricultural products through the grain corridor in April did not reach 3 million tons.
2:28 pm: The European Commission last week sent proposals to EU member states for the 11th package of sanctions against Russia, EC spokesman Eric Mamer said at a briefing in Brussels.
· According to him, on Wednesday, May 10, the first discussion of the new package of sanctions is expected at a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper).
1:56 pm: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Kyiv tomorrow, the press service of the EC said.
· "On Europe Day, May 9, President von der Leyen will visit Kyiv, where she will meet with President Zelensky to reaffirm the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine," the statement reads.
NATIONAL
Tuesday May 9
8:47 am: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in Kyiv.
· "It's nice to be back in Kyiv. Where the values we value are defended every day. Therefore, it is such an appropriate place to celebrate Europe Day. I welcome the president's decision to hold Europe Day on May 9 also here in Ukraine," she wrote on Twitter.
7:42 am General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Russians continue to focus their main efforts on the Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mariinsky directions
· There are heavy battles for the cities of Bakhmut and Marinka. In total, over the past day, 42 attacks were repulsed in these sectors of the front.
· Russians do not stop robbing Ukrainian citizens, enterprises and state institutions in the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia region
· To export looted property from settlements near the line of contact, Russians attract drivers and truck owners from among local collaborators. They take it in the direction of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
· Aviation of the Defense Forces over the past day inflicted 16 strikes on areas of concentration of personnel and military equipment of the Russian Federation. Over the past day, our defenders destroyed, in particular, an enemy reconnaissance UAV of the "Zala" type
· Missile troops and artillery units hit 3 areas of concentration of manpower, 2 ammunition depots and 3 more important enemy targets.
7:31 am: 23 out of 25 cruise missiles destroyed - Ukrainian Air Force.
· During two waves of shelling of Ukraine, the Russians launched 25 Kalibr and Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles.
Monday May 8
11:24 pm: The Ministry of Health of Ukraine is considering lifting quarantine restrictions imposed due to COVID-19.
· This was stated by Head of the Ministry of Health Viktor Liashko.
· "We are considering reversing all this. However, this must be prepared. Now we will assess the state of readiness to lift all quarantine restrictions," Liashko said.
10:59 pm: Residents of temporarily occupied cities of Ukraine burn and throw away St. George's ribbon on the eve of May 9 - resistance movement "Yellow Ribbon".
· "Now the Rashists are conducting their action called 'Georgievskaya Lenta', they are deliberately imposing on you the symbol of Russian Nazism, they want to make you tangential to their crimes," the Yellow Ribbon writes.
8:55 pm: The likelihood of an escalation in the war on May 9 is impossible to predict, it exists regardless of the date.
· This was stated by Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar.
· "It is impossible to 100% affirm or disprove," Maliar wrote.
8:41 pm: Ukraine has received almost €190 million from the World Bank in salaries for teachers and civil servants, according to the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine.
· It is known that the loan was provided within the framework of an agreement between Ukraine and the International Development Association (IDA). The loan repayment period is 10 years with a 4-year grace period.
8:02 pm: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: "Aviation of the Defense Forces conducted 11 strikes on areas of concentration of enemy personnel and military equipment during the day.
· In addition, during this day, our defenders destroyed a reconnaissance UAV of the "Zala" type.
· Missile troops and artillery units hit 3 areas of concentration of manpower, 2 ammunition depots and 3 more important enemy targets."
7:10 pm Update from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on May 8:
· "During this day, the enemy inflicted 11 missile, 59 air strikes and 76 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems.
· Civilians were injured, private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged."
· "The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on the Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mariinsky directions - the enemy has carried out about 30 attacks.
· There are heavy battles for the cities of Bakhmut and Marinka."
· "In the city of Skadovsk, there was a curtailment of the activities of district and city administrations.
· Thus, on the night of May 6-7, the occupiers loaded documentation, office equipment and other property of state institutions into road transport, and on the morning of May 7, together with their families, a significant part of the Russian occupation administration left the city.
· Currently, a similar situation is observed in such settlements of the region as Mykhailivka, Petrivka, Shevchenko, Shyroke, Ulyanivka and Krasne."
5:41 pm: "Lightning" ranks second among the most popular channels in Viber, according to the official report of the company Rakuten Viber.
· The audience of our information channel in Viber exceeds 3.2 million subscribers! Together we destroy the enemy on the information front and move towards a common goal.
5:15 pm: Russia tries to disrupt a planned counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but due to poor-quality intelligence, it hits residential buildings instead of barracks.
· This was stated by representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Andriy Yusov.
· "That is, the goals (now - ed.) there are logistics, supply routes, equipment, manpower," Yusov said.
4:56 pm: According to the SBU, a "reactivated" agent of the military intelligence of the Russian Federation will spend 15 years behind bars, - the press service of the SBU.
· The offender collected intelligence on the locations and movements of the Defense Forces on the territory of Vinnytsia region.
· In addition, he handed over to the aggressor the locations of local authorities, energy facilities and social institutions, including boarding schools. According to his guidance, the occupiers planned to carry out a series of targeted missile strikes on the region.
3:26 pm: "Every year on May 8, Ukraine bows its head together with the entire civilized world. On this day, Ukraine says: "NEVER AGAIN." But for those obsessed with the idea of a Soviet empire, the memory of World War II became something else. The vow of "Never Again" is forgotten. Now it has been replaced by the threat: "WE CAN REPEAT"," Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
12:56 pm: 15 enemy ships are on alert in the Black Sea, including 4 carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles, with a total salvo of up to 32 missiles - the Ukrainian Navy.
Mordor - russia
Tuesday May 9
11:12 am: The Ukrainian Armed Forces are "tearing the flanks" in the Bakhmut direction and will launch a counteroffensive soon, - PMC Wagner chairman Yevgeny Prigozhin.
9:47 am Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv region.
8:19 am Dnipro RMA: Debris from a Russian missile fell on a four-story building in Dnipro. A 32-year-old woman is wounded, she is in hospital
· On the third floor found the warhead of the rocket. While the explosives were working, several dozen residents were evacuated. Dangerous debris has already been removed, they will be destroyed.
· Russians hit Nikopol and Marhanetska hromada with heavy artillery. One private house was destroyed, another 4 were damaged. An outbuilding and power lines were damaged. People are whole.
Monday May 8
10:11 pm: Red marks allegedly appeared on the streets of Moscow before May 9.
7:47 pm: Lukashenko arrived in Moscow on a working visit, according to Russian media.
· Now it is expected that six leaders of the countries - Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - will be present at the Victory Parade in Moscow.
4:41 pm: Statements by PMC Wagner chief Prigozhin regarding the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are part of the preparation of Russian elites for life after losing the war with Ukraine.
· This was stated by representative of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense Andriy Yusov.
4:26 pm: Russian recruiters target migrant workers from Central Asia to Russia to serve in Ukraine. Thus, they want to postpone a new open compulsory mobilization - British intelligence.
· According to British intelligence, high monthly wages and bonuses in hiring encourage some migrant workers to register. These recruits are most likely sent to the Ukrainian front line, where casualty rates are extremely high.
2:56 p.m.: The SBU has served a notice of suspicion to Russian propagandist actor Mashkov, who has called for the destruction of Ukraine.
· The defendant is part of the inner circle of the top military-political leadership of the aggressor country.
· After the start of a full-scale invasion, he repeatedly spoke in support of the occupiers during mass events with Putin's participation.
KHARKIV
Monday May 8
11:35 pm: According to preliminary information from the State Emergency Service, all missiles bypassed Kharkiv, - Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
· "According to rescuers, today's evening arrivals came to the suburbs," he said.
10:16 pm Kharkiv RMA: Previously, Russians shelled the city and region with S-300 missiles.
· "At least six 'arrivals' were recorded. Emergency services are working on the ground. Information on the victims and the scale of destruction is being clarified," he said.
10:13 pm: Five explosions heard by Kharkiv residents, - Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
· Three of them are around Kharkiv. The places of two more arrivals of the SES are specified.
10:03 pm Social Networks: Explosions heard again in Kharkiv.
9:53 pm Kharkiv RMA: The chairman urged residents of the region to stay in shelters.
9:50 pm Social Networks: Explosions heard in Kharkiv.
DONETSK
Tuesday May 9
11:47 am Donetsk RMA: Late at night, 2 explosions sounded in Kramatorsk - Russian missiles fell on the territory of an industrial plant. No casualties.
· Kurakhivska hromada, Avdiivka, Marinka, Maksymilianivka, Toretsk, Soledar community, Chasiv Yar, and Zarichne were under fire.
· 1 person wounded in Bakhmut.
Monday May 8
9:33 pm: Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut destroyed an enemy machine gunner firing from a high-rise building.
· The video was published on the channel of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
1:40 pm Operational Command East: In the Bakhmut sector, the Russian military has lost about 100 thousand manpower over the past 9 months.
· "This is an indicative calculation. I am confident that further verification will only lead to an increase in this figure," he said.
12:39 pm: Mobilization has begun in temporarily occupied Mariupol, - advisor to the mayor of Mariupol Petro Andryushchenko
· The military enlistment office has already sent the first batch of male state employees to undergo a military commission for conscription.
12:23 pm: SBU detains two Russian informants in Donetsk region: one of them worked for "Wagnerites" who storm Bakhmut
· They "leaked" to the Russians the locations of the Defense Forces in the frontline and frontline areas of Donetsk region.
ZAPORIZHIA
Tuesday May 9
10:33 am Zaporizhia RMA: 68 strikes hit 19 frontline settlements: 65 artillery shelling, 2 MLRS strikes and a UAV attack.
· 38 reports of destruction of residential buildings, cars and other private property, premises of social institutions, communal networks.
· During the shelling from the Smerch MLRS, a 15-year-old resident of the Matviivska community was injured.
DNIPRO
Monday May 8
11:47 pm Dnipro RMA: The situation in the Dnipropetrovsk region is under control.
· For security reasons, the information will be provided later, he added.
10:20 pm Social Networks: Explosions heard in Dnipro.
10:18 pm Dnipro RMA: Air defense is operating in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
10:06 pm Social Networks: Explosions heard in Dnipropetrovsk region.
9:14 pm Dnipro RMA: Russian army hit Pavlohrad district with missiles today
· "Probably, the enemy targeted Iskanders. There are no dead or injured due to the missile attack.
· The places of "arrivals" are examined by rescuers", – stated in the message.
5:59 pm Operational Command South: Ukrainian military in Kherson region destroyed 3 Russian UAVs: 2 Lancet-type strike UAVs and one ZALA-type UAV.
KHERSON
Tuesday May 9
11:14 am Social Networks: Explosions heard in Beryslav district of Kherson region.
Monday May 8
2:11 pm Kherson RMA: Six people were injured in the shelling of Stanislav in Kherson region.
· Russian troops also hit Antonivka: two people, the district mayor and his employee, were wounded. They were near the "point of invincibility."
1:24 pm Kherson RMA: Russians shelled Stanislav in Kherson region. It is previously known about four victims. Emergency services are currently working there.
· Also, the Russian military once again dropped aerial bombs on Kizomis, destroyed two houses.
KYIV
Tuesday May 9
10:18 am: Not all 15 missiles were shot down overnight over Kyiv. 1 missile was shot down in the south, another 14 in the area of responsibility of the command "Center", which takes care of the sky of the capital in the central and northern regions, - Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat.
7:19 am: The Ministry of Internal Affairs published the wreckage of a Russian missile that fell in the courtyard of a private house in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv.
7:12 am: National Police Head Andriy Nebytov posted a photo of a crater in Kyiv region.
· Its diameter is about 8 meters, the depth is more than 2.5 m. There are no injuries or damage.
6:38 am: About a dozen enemy air targets were detected and destroyed over Kyiv, no hits were recorded, - Kyiv City Military Administrtion.
· "Today's night attack was carried out from four sides of Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the Caspian Sea area. The cruise missiles fired, most likely of the type Kh-101 (Kh-555), did not reach their targets", – stated in the message.
6:18 am: The first results of today's attack on the capital from the Kyiv City Military Administrtion:
· in Holosiivskyi district, as a result of falling debris into the courtyard of a private house, a fire occurred. The information is verified;
· in the Shevchenkivskyi district, debris was found on the roadway. Information on the victims was not reported.
5:09 am: Air defense is operating on the outskirts of Kyiv! - Kyiv City Military Administrtion
5:06 am: Kyiv region. Attention! Missile threat! Sili Air defense work on targets, - Kyiv OVA
· Stay in shelters until the air raid alarm goes off.
· Observe information silence – do not record or post the work of our defenders online.
4:59 am Social Networks: Explosions heard in Kyiv region.
10:04 am President's Office: reported that downed Kh-55SM missiles have already been found in the villages of Myrotske and Tarasivka in the Kyiv region.
· In the Cherkasy region, in a forest near the village of Orshanets, the remains of an X-101 missile were found.
· The blast wave damaged 47 windows of the Cherkasy Regional TB Dispensary. In the Zvenigorod district, they found the site of the fall of the second rocket - there without consequences.
· There were no casualties from the missile attack.
Monday May 8
7:35 pm: The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine posted on Twitter a video of yesterday's work of air defenses in Kyiv during an attack by enemy "Shaheds".
2:40 pm RMA: Sounds of explosions can be heard in Kyiv region.
· Today, explosive objects will be destroyed in Vyshgorod district.
SUMY
Tuesday May 9
11:26 am Social Networks: Explosions heard in Sumy region.
Monday May 8
03: 56pm: Ukrainian military destroyed three Russian drones in the east.
· The SBGS noted that Russian drones were shot down in the Svatove direction.
12:07 pm Sumy RMA: At night, the enemy carried out 4 shelling of the border guard. 23 explosions were recorded.
· Settlements of Seredyno-Budska, Znob-Novgorodska, Novoslobodska communities were shelled.
CHERKASY
Tuesday May 9
9:46 am Cherkasy RMA: reported a morning missile attack on the area.
· "According to preliminary data, the attack was two cruise missiles. We find out the details. Fortunately, there were no casualties. In one case, we had a minor fire at the crash site. The blast wave also damaged windows in a communal facility."
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
“For many Ukrainians, it’s also increasingly clear that the West does not share their taste for all-out victory. Avoiding a crushing defeat at the hands of Vladimir Putin’s Russia, yes, but Kyiv is growing frustrated that Europe and the U.S. are stopping short of helping them secure their cherished peremoga!”
“The West does not have a plan for Russia’s defeat,” says Daria Kaleniuk, who leads the International Center for Ukraine’s Victory. “Their fear causes the death of our children.”
What I think is going on with this is the creation of yet another highly lucrative "forever war" - the object is not to win, but to make money. and lots of it, just like in Afghanistan, for the Military Industrial Complex. I think Ukraine should be concentrating on re-engineering some of the armaments supplied to make them more ... effective.
It is clear these lunatics will not stop short of killing every man, woman and child in Kiev Ukraine in pursuit of their noble dream: total extermination of their own Donbas brothers. 250,000 of them dead now. I represent the dead. As a dead man I say I would rather be alive. I say all those who urged this death on me should be lying where I lie now. They are far beyond rationality.