Slava Ukraini! In early 2022 I began a Telegram channel aggregating news from a number of sources daily on the war in Ukraine. Since June 2023 I have provided a daily draft for the Ukraine War Brief Podcast collecting news from over 60 sources daily, much of which forms the basis of the script. While the Podcast is on hiatus I will make this Draft available here both on my own Substack and The People’s Media for those who wish to keep up with events on a daily basis.
ALONG THE CONTACT LINE
GSAFU Morning Report
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its situation update at 06:00 on Apr. 26 stated that it was day 793 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 114 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 4 missile strikes, 75 air strikes, and 66 MLRS attacks across the positions of our troops and settlements. As a result of the Russian attacks, unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population. Destruction and damage to residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure.
At the same time, Ukrainian soldiers continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupying troops, exhausting the enemy along the entire front line.
More than 110 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under enemy fire.
Ukrainian missile forces struck 1 command post and 1 concentration of the russian troops
Air Force Daily Report
The Ukrainian Air Force in its situation update at 06:00 stated that during the previous day they launched air strikes on 2x command posts, 8x concentrations of troops, and 3x anti-aircraft missile systems
On the night of April 26, 2024, the Orlan-10 reconnaissance UAV was destroyed by the air defense of southern Ukraine in the Kherson region, and the ZALA UAV was destroyed in the Odesa region during the past day.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the Kup’yans’k, Lyman, and Bakhmut axes, in the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kup’yans’k axis: The enemy carried out 10 assaults, with air support, in the vicinity of the settlements of Kyslivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast), and Stel’makhivka (Luhansk oblast). unsuccessfully trying to improve its tactical position.
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 20 attacks in the vicinities of settlements of Druzhelyubivka (Kharkiv oblast), Makiivka, Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Tors’ke, Terny, and Zarichne (Donetsk oblast) where the occupiers attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive lines.
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian forces repelled 65 Russian attacks, supported by aviation, in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) Verkhn’okam’yans’ke, Spirne, Vyimka, Novyi, Mykolaivka, Ivanivske and Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast).
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the Avdiivka, Novopavlivka, and Orikhiv axes, in the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Avdiivka axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 30 attacks in the vicinities of settlements of Keramik, Ocheretyne, Berdychi, Umans’ke, Netailove and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast) where the invaders, with air support, attempted to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions.
Russia continues to advance incrementally west of Avdiivka
The UK Ministry of Defence in its Apr. 26 Intelligence Update stated that The advance of Russian forces west of Avdiivka has accelerated within the last week. Russian Ground Forces (RGF) have created a narrow salient further into Ukrainian territory to enter into the town of Ocheretyne, located approximately 15km north of Avdiivka.
Since the RGF took control of Avdiivka in mi February 2024, the area has remained one of the primary areas of Russian operations. Despite sustaining continued high losses, itis highly likely that RGF are able to continuously target Ukrainian positions in the area and have taken control of several small settlements.
Meanwhile the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its Apr. 25 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment stated that Russian forces are stabilizing their small salient northwest of Avdiivka and may make further tactical gains that could cause Ukrainian forces to withdraw from other tactical positions along the frontline west of Avdiivka to a more defensible line.
Geolocated footage published on April 25 indicates that Russian forces advanced into central Solovyove (northwest of Avdiivka) from Novobakhmutivka after likely seizing all of Novobakhmutivka on the night of April 24 to 25.
Russian forces have committed roughly a reinforced division’s worth of combat power (comprised mainly of four CMD brigades) to the frontline northwest of Avdiivka and appear to be attempting to widen their penetration of the Ukrainian defense in the area following significant advances into Ocheretyne (northwest of Avdiivka) as of April 18.
These recent Russian gains northwest of Avdiivka have been relatively quick but still relatively marginal, with Russian forces advancing at most roughly five kilometers in depth since April 18. Russian forces continue offensive operations throughout the frontline west of Avdiivka but have so far only achieved gradual marginal gains west and southwest of Avdiivka
Novopavlivka axis: Ukrainian Defence Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka and Vodyane (Donetsk oblast), where the invaders, with air support, made 19 attempts to breach Ukrainian defences.
Orikhiv axis: The enemy conducted 2 attacks, with air support, on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast), Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Kherson axis: Ukrainian defenders continue to maintain their positions. Over the past day, the enemy carried out 3 unsuccessful assaults on the positions of the Ukrainian Defence Forces on the left bank of the Dnipro River.
Russians deploy submarines in Black Sea after long pause
The Defence Forces of Ukraine’s South released a statement on Apr. 26 that following a lengthy gap, the Russian army deployed two submarines in the Black Sea.
"After a brief respite, the enemy deployed two underwater missile carriers for combat duty in the Black Sea. Their combined number of Kalibr missiles is up to eight missiles." the statement read.
The rest of the Russian fleet, the statement says, remain at their bases. Ukrainians are urged to stay vigilant amid the air-raid warnings.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Ukrainian Railways target of mass attacks by Russia
JSC Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) has become the target of mass attacks by Russia: as a result of the strike in Donetsk region, three railway workers were killed, three employees were injured during the attack in Kharkiv region. In Cherkasy region, the railway infrastructure was damaged, without casualties,The occupiers also attacked Kharkiv region, as a result of which three UZ employees were injured. UZ said in a Telegram message on Thursday. As reported by Interfax Ukraine.
“Ukrzaliznytsia has become the target of mass attacks by Russia today. As a result of an enemy strike in Donetsk region, three railway workers were killed while doing their work. Four workers received shrapnel wounds and concussions. Now people are hospitalized. Mute grief and irreparable tragedy for the railway family. We express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the victims,” the message reads.
The victims are Bohdan Kovaliov, 26 years old, Serhiy Kuznetsov, 37 years old, Mykhailo Andriyevsky, 26 years old. All three worked as electricians on the railroad.
Threat of a Russian attack: two hospitals are being urgently evacuated in Kyiv
Due to the threat of a Russian attack, Kyiv has begun an urgent evacuation of two hospitals, one of which is a children's hospital, located on Bohatyrska Street. This was stated by KCSA, UNN reports.
The agency explains that a video is currently being widely circulated on the Internet, which actually announces an enemy attack on these medical facilities. And that there are allegedly military personnel in these hospitals
This is an absolute lie and a provocation of the enemy, which he is trying to use to strike at the social infrastructure of the capital
- KCSA.
The city council explained that the city authorities are now doing everything possible to move patients and doctors to other medical facilities in the capital.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Arrest of Russian defence minister's deputy may be strike by rival 'clan'
Sergei Shoigu, Russia's defence minister, has tried to send a "business as usual" message since his deputy was arrested on a bribery charge. But the widening scandal looks bad for him too, and is seen as a push by a rival clan to dilute his power. Reuters reports.
On the surface, the timing of the detention on Tuesday of Timur Ivanov, one of Shoigu's 12 deputy ministers, was unexpected, coming when Russia is waging war in Ukraine and the authorities have made discrediting the army a jailable offence.
Allegations of graft funding a lifestyle way beyond his means made against 48-year-old Ivanov by the late opposition politician Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption foundation had been in the public domain for more than a year with no apparent fallout.
Yet this week state TV suddenly showed Russians a perplexed-looking Ivanov - who denies wrongdoing - dressed in full military uniform, standing in a clear plastic courtroom cage of the type that so many Kremlin foes have occupied before him.
His arrest, say Russian political analysts including some former insiders, shows how the war is shaping infighting between the "clans" that jostle for wealth and influence in Russia's sharp-elbowed political system.
The clans - alliances of like-minded officials or business people - centre around the military, the intelligence and law enforcement agencies, the military-industrial complex and also include a group of people from President Vladimir Putin's native St Petersburg who have known him personally for many years.
"Someone in the elite didn't like the fact that Shoigu had grown stronger," Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told Reuters.
"Ivanov is one of the closest people to Shoigu. His arrest on the eve of the appointment of a new government suggests that the current minister's chances of staying in his chair are sharply declining," he said.
Ivanov was arrested as a result of an investigation by the counterintelligence arm of the FSB security service, according to Russian state media.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Another shipment of Ukrainian grain delivered to Sudan
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that this week the Grain from Ukraine initiative, our Sudanese partners and the World Food Program delivered another shipment of Ukrainian grain to Sudan, which will allow monthly assistance to 2 million people facing acute hunger and food insecurity." Interfax Ukraine reported.
“Ukraine continues to support the Sudanese people, even when it is defending itself from Russian aggression. This is our guiding principle: we not only seek help from the world, but also help others in the world,” he wrote on Twitter on Friday.
According to him, the Grain from Ukraine initiative will continue to deliver new cargo to more countries to alleviate the food crisis and help those in need.
Zelenskyy noted that Russian strikes have already damaged or destroyed 215 port infrastructure facilities in Odesa region. Despite these difficult circumstances, Ukraine continues to send cargo, in particular vital food, to countries around the world, including Africa and Asia. Thus, as part of the Grain from Ukraine initiative, critical humanitarian supplies are delivered to a number of countries, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen and Sudan.
Pentagon Chief – 21st Rammstein format meeting will focus on boosting Ukraine's air defences
A special focus of the 21st meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group will be on the strengthening of Ukraine's air defence, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III has said. The US Dept of Defence reports.
"Ukraine is in dire need of more air defence systems and it urgently needs more interceptors. That is going to be a huge priority for all of us today. Ukraine also needs more artillery and armour to defend its citizens and reclaim its stolen territory. And we are going to do everything we can to help them," he said while opening the 21st meeting in the Ramstein format online on Friday.
Austin said that Russia is launching increasingly fierce attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, including targeting its power plants and "more and more Ukrainian civilians are dying."
According to the U.S. Secretary of Defense, if Putin gets his way in Ukraine, his "fellow autocrats would draw a dangerous lesson and the whole world would become insecure."
Zelenskyy at Rammstein meeting: Ukraine is forming new brigades to strengthen its positions, but needs support
In a speech to partners at the Ramstein meeting, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine has the potential to produce drones. He also emphasised that Ukraine is currently forming new brigades to strengthen its positions, but they need support, as the best soldiers will not change the situation on the battlefield without weapons, UNN reports.
"Ukraine now has the potential to produce drones, in particular, which significantly increases our financial capabilities. It is the same with electronic warfare systems, and similarly in many areas in your countries. We need to fill our defence capability with real orders. We are now forming new brigades to strengthen our positions, and they need support just like the brigades already operating at the front," Zelenskyy said.
The President stated that the best soldiers will not change the situation on the battlefield without weapons.
During his speech to partners at the Ramstein meeting , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine needs at least 7 Patriot air defence systems for defence, pointing out that Russia has already used more than 9,000 guided missiles against Ukraine this year.
Ukraine and Latvia discuss increasing joint production of drones
The Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Latvia, Dmytro Kuleba and Baiba Braže, have discussed defense cooperation, with a special emphasis on increasing joint production of drones. Kuleba reported on Twitter.
I was pleased to welcome @Braze_Baiba to Kyiv and congratulate her on her recent appointment as Latvia’s Foreign Minister. I appreciate that she is making her first foreign visit to Ukraine. This is a sign of respect for our country and its defenders.
We held meaningful negotiations on military aid to Ukraine and defense cooperation, with a particular emphasis on increasing our joint production of drones.
We both agree that Ukraine's victory will ensure the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic community, and we are working together to bring it closer. I am grateful to Latvia for its strong and consistent support for Ukraine, both bilaterally and within the EU and NATO.
— Dmytro Kuleba on Twitter
MILITARY & TECH
US announces another Billion dollar aid package for Ukraine
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the United States is providing another $1 billion defence aid package to Ukraine, which will include HIMARS missiles, artillery rounds, air defence systems, and other armaments. Ukrinform reports.
The defence chief spoke at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on April 26, Ukrinform reports.
"Today, I'm pleased to share that the United States will provide through presidential drawdown authority another $1 billion worth of assistance, including more ammunition for HIMARS, 155 mm ammunition, air defence interceptors and armoured vehicles.," the Pentagon chief said.
He also praised the efforts of other members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group that continue to contribute to covering Ukraine's defence needs.
"Just look at the Czech Republic's extraordinary initiative to procure thousands of artillery shells from third countries. And the UK has announced its largest single package of equipment ever, worth approximately $620 million. Or consider Germany's bold announcement that it will donate another Patriot system to Ukraine," Austin noted.
The 21st meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine is being held in a virtual format on Friday, with the participation of about 50 nations.
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