UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-04-06
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.
INSIDE UKRAINE
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. 6 stated that it was day 773 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 80 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 14 missile strikes,107 air strikes, and 137 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.
Ukrainian missile forces struck 2 air defense systems, 5 artillery systems, 1 command post, 1 UAVs control station, 3 concentrations of weapons and military equipment, and 1 other important target
Ukrainian Armed Forces have tactical success in Kupiansk and Lyman directions
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated on Apr. 6 that Ukrainian forces have achieved some tactical success in the Kupiansk and Lyman directions. The situation remains tense with heavy fighting on other fronts. RBC-Ukraine reports.
The enemy is attempting to advance towards the Donetsk region border, leveraging air superiority, missiles, and artillery ammunition. Both day and night, occupiers are conducting offensive operations with armored support. In certain directions, invaders are attempting infantry assaults in waves, from platoon to battalion level.
"The situation is particularly challenging in the Bakhmut sector east of Chasiv Yar and Klishchiivka; in Avdiivka sector - in the areas of Berdychi, Orlivka, Vodiane, and Pervomaiske; and in Novopavlivka sector - around Novomykhailivka," Syrskyi reported.
He emphasized that Chasiv Yar remains under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Enemy attempts to breach the city defenses have been unsuccessful.
The situation also remains tense on the Lyman, Orikhiv, and Kherson fronts. In the Krynky area on the left bank of the Dnipro, occupiers are attempting to displace our troops from the bridgehead.
Air Force Daily Report
The Ukrainian Air Force in its situation update at 06:00 stated that during the previous day it launched air strikes on 11 concentrations of troops and 1 anti-aircraft missile system
On the night of Apr. 6, Russia attacked with 32 Shahed-131/136 type UAVs from the Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk - Russian Federation areas, as well as six missiles of different types: three S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles from Belgorod region, two Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from strategic aviation aircraft from the Saratov region and one Kalibr cruise missile from the Black Sea area.
As a result of an anti-aircraft battle, the Defense Forces of Ukraine shot down two Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles, a Kalibr cruise missile and 28 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs.
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 did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations in this area. Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold their positions.
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 3 attacks near Terny (Donetsk oblast) where the occupiers attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive lines.
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian Defence Forces repelled 16 enemy attacks in the vicinities of Spirne, Novyi, Ivanivske,, Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Zelenopillya (Donetsk oblast).
Russia claimed to have entered Chasiv Yar several days ago which was promptly denied by the AFU. In today’s Morning Report the GSAFU states that the AFU repelled a Russian assault near Novyi several villages to the east of Chasiv Yar. After reviewing all available data and maps, the positions located in the below map appear to be the actual furthest advance of Russian troops in the direction of Chasiv Yar.
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 Defence Forces repelled 15 enemy attacks,supported by aviation in the vicinity of the settlements of Berdychi, Semenivka, Umans’ke, Yasnobrodivka, Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast).
Novopavlivka axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces continued to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Kostyantynivka, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The enemy made 20 attempts, with air support, to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area.
It appears Russia suffered several defeats over the past few days attempting to assault Krasnohorivka for extremely disadvantageous positions. As reported by Euromaidan Press in their Frontline Report. AFU quick reaction forces were apparently able to break up Russia’s attacking forces with serious losses.
Orikhiv axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1 attack in the vicinity of Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast).
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Ukrainian defenders continue to maintain their positions. Over the past day, the enemy carried out 16 unsuccessful assaults on the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces on the left bank of the Dnipro River.
Russia air defence operators under intense pressure
The UK Ministry of Defence in its Apr. 6 Intelligence Update stated that on Mar. 28 A Crimean Telegram channel reported that an SU-27 aircraft operating over Crimea had been shot down by Russian air defence in an incident of friendly fire. The Russian-installed Governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razozhaev, stated that there was a technical failure and that the pilot survived.
The report went on to say: Ukraine had conducted strikes against targets in Sevastopol and the Black Sea Fleet on 24 March 2024. This almost certainly led to local Russian air defence being at a heightened readiness. There have been previous unconfirmed reports of similar instances of friendly fire occurring, usually following periods of Ukrainian action against Russian forces in the illegally occupied territory. There is a realistic possibility that rather than a technical issue, the increased pressure and tension amongst Russian air defence operators induced by the fear of further Ukrainian action leads to them inadvertently engaging their own pilots and aircraft.
This event, and others if confirmed, likely highlights the lack of situational awareness and coordination between elements of the Russian armed forces, while further demonstrating the second-order impact of Ukrainian actions. The report concludes
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Intense missile and drone night attack — Fire in Kharkiv, explosions in Zaporizhzhia
The Russians, on the night of Apr. 6 attacked Ukraine with cruise missiles, Kalibrs from the Black Sea, as well as drones. As a result of the enemy's attack, there are casualties, victims, and damages. cRBC-Ukraine reported.
Specifically, the Russians attacked with 32 Shahed-131/136 strike UAVs from the areas of Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Kursk - RF and six missiles of various types: three S-300 surface-to-air guided missiles from the Belgorod region; two Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from strategic aviation aircraft from the Saratov region; one Kalibr cruise missile from the Black Sea.
In Kharkiv, explosions were heard during the night air raid alarm. Russia struck the city with three S-300 surface-to-air missiles. According to the Head of Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Syniehubov, Russian forces hit near residential buildings in the Shevchenkivskyi district.
"As a result of the occupant's strike, one civilian man was killed. Data is being determined. At least seven people were injured," Syniehubov wrote.
Shortly after, drones attacked the regional centre. There were explosions in the city, and air defence systems were active.
Update - Death toll in last nights attacks in Kharkiv rises to 7 killed, 11 injured as reported by the Kyiv Independent.
Seven people were reportedly killed, and 11 others received medical assistance following an attack on the city that began around midnight. Among the injured, the youngest victim was a 23-year-old man. A 25-year-old and 71-year-old also received injuries, along with six men between the ages of 35 and 85.
At least nine high-rise residential buildings, three dormitories, several administrative buildings, a service station, private vehicles as well as the buildings of local businesses were reportedly damaged or destroyed.
In Zaporizhzhia Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, reported that Russians attacked the regional center with missiles.
"For the second day, the enemy has been heavily attacking Zaporizhzhia. In the morning, Russians targeted the city with missiles. Industrial enterprises have been damaged. Preliminarily, there were no casualties," Fedorov said.
Anatolii Kurtyev, Secretary of Zaporizhzhya City Council, reported damage to residential buildings, medical facilities, and educational institutions.
"After the morning enemy attack, damage to educational and medical institutions, as well as residential buildings (mostly broken windows), was recorded in the city. No one was injured this time," the secretary wrote.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Petroleum Pipeline blown up in Rostov region in Russia
In Rostov region of the Russian Federation, a pipeline used to pump petroleum products from a local oil depot to tankers in the area of the Azov Sea Port was blown up, the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported on Telegram.
“On the night of April 6, 2024, in the area of the village of Azov (Rostov region) as a result of the explosion of a pipeline that pumped petroleum products from a local oil depot to tankers in the area of the Azov Sea Port, the loading of tankers with petroleum products was suspended for an indefinite period,” the report says.
“The object was used by the aggressor state for military purposes, to support the waging of a genocidal war against Ukraine,” the department noted.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
US sanctions hamper Russian efforts to repair refineries
When engineers at Russian oil firm Lukoil (LKOH.MM), opens new tab discovered a turbine had broken at their largest refinery on January 4, they quickly realised the problem was far from trivial. Reuters reported on Apr. 4.
There was only one company that knew how to repair the gasoline-producing unit at the NORSI refinery, located on the Volga River, some 430 km (270 miles) east of Moscow. The problem was that the company is American, according to five sources familiar with the incident.
The firm, petroleum engineering multinational UOP, had withdrawn from Russia after the country invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
"They (the engineers) rushed around to find spare parts and they couldn't find anything," said a source close to Lukoil, who asked not to be named because he is not allowed to speak to the media. "Then the whole unit just stopped."
Four other sources said the unit - a catalytic cracker used to convert heavier hydrocarbons into gasoline - has been out of production since January and it was not clear when it could be repaired due to a lack of expertise inside Russia. The KK-1 unit is one of only two catalytic crackers at the plant.
As a result, the NORSI refinery - the fourth-biggest in Russia - has cut gasoline production by 40%, according to two of the sources. Lukoil did not respond to requests for comment for this story.
Republican infighting threatens further delay of stalled Ukraine aid package in US House
Infighting among Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives, and a threat to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership role, have put him under pressure to further delay action on a long-sought aid bill for Ukraine, Israel and other key allies. Reuters reported on Apr. 5.
With Kyiv running short of munitions as it fights off a Russian invasion, its Republican allies in Washington hope to see Johnson unveil an aid package that can move swiftly through the House and the Democratic-led Senate, and onto Democratic President Joe Biden's desk soon after lawmakers reconvene on Tuesday following a two-week break.
But hardline Republicans are demanding border security provisions and spending cuts to offset aid to U.S. allies. And they want Johnson to hold off until he has legislation that can win support from most of his narrow 218-213 majority.
"Mike Johnson is not working for Republicans, he's not helping Republicans, he's not even listening to Republicans. Mike Johnson is doing the Deep State's dirty work," Greene said on X. "We need a new Speaker of the House!"
She told multiple U.S. media outlets that she expected to speak to Johnson privately on Friday.
Almost two months have passed since the Senate approved a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies in a bipartisan 70-29 vote. Johnson has so far refused to bring that bill up for a vote, which some lawmakers have said would likely secure enough votes to pass despite opposition by some hardline Republicans as well as growing Democratic concern about providing more money to Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.
MILITARY & TECH
Ukrainian drones with a flight range of 2,500 or even 3000 kilometres will be in mass production soon
The German publisher BILD reported that Ukrainian drones would soon be able to fly deep into russia's territory. They will be able to hit military targets beyond the Ural and even the Arctic Circle territories.
The range of Ukrainian drones is constantly increasing. This is evidenced by the recent Ukrainian strike on military facilities in Tatarstan, russia. This is 1200 kilometres from the Ukrainian border. But this is not the limit.
According to the German publication, the Defense Forces of Ukraine will be armed with drones that can reach 2000 kilometers. They compensate for the lack of medium- and long-range missiles. But the threats to russia do not end there either.
Drones with a flight range of 2,500 or even 3000 kilometers will soon go into mass production. These drones are developed by Ukrainian leading military enterprises.
Luch Design Bureau presented the Sokil-3000 drone. It will be able to reach even russia`s Murmansk Oblast in the future. russian invaders have more than eight dozen military bases there. Olenya air base is among them. This is the place of permanent deployment of Tu-95 strategic bombers. russian terrorists use these aircraft to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities.
More Lithuanian armaments transferred to Ukraine
The Lithuanian government announced on Apr. 5 on their website the transfer of a number of M577 armoured vehicles - These vehicles are designed so that they can be configured as either mobile command posts, ambulances and mobile medical facilities, or tactical fire control posts.
The M577 is a highly versatile vehicle that serves with many countries worldwide.
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