UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-05-10
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 May 10 stated that it was day 807 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 95 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 6 missile strikes, 80 air strikes, and 127 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 120 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under enemy fire.
Air Force Daily Report
The Ukrainian Air Force in its situation update at 06:00 stated that during the previous day the Ukrainian Air Force and Missile Forces launched strikes on 1 radar station, 2 ammunition depots, 1 air defence system, and 17 concentrations of troops
On the night of May 10, 2024, the enemy attacked 10 Shahed UAVs
As a result of air defence activities all 10 UAVs were destroyed.
Kharkiv Incursion
Russian forces start new offensive in Kharkiv axis – Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a new offensive was launched by the Russian occupation army in the Kharkiv axis and, as of the Friday morning, was stopped by the Ukrainian defence forces' artillery fire.
"Russia started a new wave of offensive operations in this [Kharkiv] direction. Ukrainian troops, brigades and artillery met it there. […] At around 7 a.m. we met them by fire and the main thing is that we have stopped them by artillery so far," he said at a joint press conference with his Slovak counterpart in Kyiv.
According to the head of state, Russia might be still bringing up reinforcements to the Kharkiv axis.
"This is the fact. But our military command was aware of this and distributed its forces so as to welcome the enemy by fire," he said.
As reported, in the early hours of May 10, Russian occupation forces on armoured vehicles made an attempt to break through the defence in Kharkiv region. The defence forces repelled the attack. The president also said that as of 1 p.m., fierce artillery battles were continuing in the border districts of Kharkiv region.
Russian forces attempt Kharkiv breakthrough, Ukrainian forces hold the ground
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reports that throughout the 10 May, in the Vovchansk direction, “Russian forces carried out airstrikes using guided air bombs.”
The Russian military reportedly increased fire pressure on the forward edge of Ukraine’s defence, supported by artillery.
Around 5 am, the Russian army attempted to break through Ukraine’s line of defence, covered by armoured vehicles. “As of now, these attacks have been repelled, and battles of varying intensity are ongoing,” the defence ministry reported.
To bolster the defence on this section of the front, “reserve units have been directed” to the area, according to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. There is fighting in the border area of Kharkiv Oblast, according to the Ukrainska Pravda sources. Russia is trying to enter settlements along the border.
Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov said that Russia struck the city of Vovchansk. The powerful shelling lasted all night. The enemy fired from multiple rocket launchers and artillery and also dropped guided aerial bombs. First of all, the enemy has been striking Vovchansk. He also said there were unsuccessful attempts of the subversive groups to break through the border.
Meanwhile, local authorities have reported evacuations from Vovchansk and nearby settlements over massive shelling. Tamaz Gambarashvili, the head of the Vovchansk CMA, told Hromadske Radio that most people were leaving by their own transport. The humanitarian centre has organised transportation for those who do not have cars.
"Locals say they have never seen such a shelling before. That is why it is dangerous to be in Vovchansk now. Since 3 in the morning, there have been flying GABs, artillery, and MLRS attacks," Gambarashvili said, adding that there is no information about the dead and wounded, but there is information about massive destruction.
Vovchansk had a prewar population of @18,000 people.
Analysts of the Ukrainian OSINT project DeepState showed sections of the front in the Kharkiv Region, which were attacked by russian troops this morning.
The Russians attacked in two areas preceded by mortar and artillery attacks, as well as air strikes. The enemy also actively uses unmanned aerial vehicles. After that, Russian troops tried to enter and gain a foothold in settlements along the Strilecha-Krasne-Pylna-Borysivka line. The first is a group of border villages 25 km north of Kharkiv The ISINT analysts at DeepState wrote.
In addition, the invaders made attempts to enter the settlements of Hatyshche and Pletenivka north of Vovchansk.
The analysts at DeepState argue that the forces involved by the Russians are not enough to advance deep into Ukrainian territory.
The OSINT analysts believe that the actions of the russians are aimed at destabilising the situation in the border areas.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine emphasised that the Ukrainian military repelled the enemy attack, but currently fighting continues in this region.
No territory lost in Kharkiv Oblast, local authorities say
All Russian offensive assaults in the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast had been repulsed, and no territory had been lost. Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, stated during a TV interview on the afternoon of May 10.
"The enemy launched a new wave of offensive operations in the north of Kharkiv Oblast. These are settlements from Kharkiv and Chuhuiv districts. Vovchansk front, in particular. Our combat brigades engaged the enemy with fire. Every offensive attack is repulsed. No territory has been lost so far.
These border settlements [where the Russians attempted to break through - ed.] are actually only one to two kilometres from the Russian Federation border. There are active hostilities there."
— Oleh Syniehubov, Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration Oleh Syniehubov Head
Syniehubov called on the people living in the bordering territories to evacuate.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the Kupyansk, Lyman, and Bakhmut axes, in the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kupyansk axis: Ukrainian troops repelled 13 attacks in the vicinities of Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Berestove, (Kharkiv oblast), and Stelmakhivka (Luhansk oblast). Where the occupiers, with air support, attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive lines.
Lyman axis: The enemy launched 4 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Novosadove, Tors’ke (Donetsk oblast) and Serebryanske forest, (Luhansk oblast). Where, supported by aviation, they attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive lines.
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian troops repelled 21 attacks in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Verkhnokamyanske, Rozdolivka, Novyi, Ivanivske, Stupochky, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Where, with air support, the invaders attempted to improve their tactical position in that area.
—
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 28 attacks in the vicinities of Kalynove, Novooleksandrivka, Sokil, Novoselivka Persha, Umanske, Yasnobrodivka, and Netailove (Donetsk oblast). Where, with the air support, the invaders attempted to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions.
Novopavlivka axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Kostyantynivka, Vodyane and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast).Where,with the air support, the invaders made 7 attempts to breach Ukrainian defences in that area.
Orikhiv axis: The enemy conducted 19 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 2 unsuccessful assaults on the bridgeheads of the Ukrainian Defence Forces on the left bank of the Dnipro River attempting to dislodge them from their positions.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Ukraine is preparing new brigades, part of the forces will be deployed to defend Kyiv
Oleksandr Pavlyuk, Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in an interview with The Economist said that Ukraine is already preparing at least ten new brigades to prepare for the Russian army's offensive.
According to the general, part of the new forces will be deployed to defend the capital, because in two and a half years, the Russians have not given up their ambitions to capture Kyiv.
At the same time, the general himself emphasised that the main problem now is equipment, not people. Ukraine desperately needs artillery and armoured vehicles and hopes for help from the West.
Also in an interview with The Economist, Pavlyuk warned that in the next two months Ukraine will enter one of the most critical phases of the war with Russia.
According to him, Russian generals are "throwing all the combat-ready equipment they have to test the exhausted Ukrainian troops" while Ukraine is waiting for help from the West.
Zelenskyy dismisses head of state guard after two members accused of assassination plot
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the head of the state guards on Thursday, two days after two of its members were accused of plotting to assassinate the president. Reuters reported.
Zelenskyy issued a decree dismissing Serhiy Rud. No successor has as yet been identified.
The state security service (SBU) said this week it had caught two men, colonels in the state guard service, accused of plotting the assassination of Zelenskiy and other top officials. The SBU said the assassinations were to have been a "gift" for Vladimir Putin as he was sworn in for a new term in the Kremlin on Tuesday.
It said the men were recruited by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) who leaked classified information to Moscow. The men, the SBU said, were tasked with finding someone close to the presidential guard who would take Zelenskiy hostage and later kill him. There was no indication at what point the alleged plot had been foiled.
Moscow issued no comment on the SBU's statement.
Russia’s Targeting Strategy Expand to Hospitals, Train Stations
As tensions rise at the front, Russia is intensifying destabilisation efforts aimed at dividing Ukrainian society. They might leverage large gatherings to incite provocations and further destabilise the situation, according to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) Defense Express reports.
The enemy’s military goals extend beyond conventional targets to include civilian infrastructure like hospitals, train stations and places where people congregate.
RUSSIAN WORLD
UK Defence Intelligence reveals how Russian losses in war impacted 9 May parade
The UK Ministry of Defence in its May 10 Intelligence Update analysed the impact that the losses of the Russian army in the war against Ukraine had on the 9 May parade in Moscow.
"Although the fly-past was reinstated, with nine SU-30SM and MiG-29 aircraft, as well as six SU-25 attack aircraft, the Moscow parade was reduced in scale with less modern military equipment on display when compared to pre-war parades," the review states.
Intelligence indicates that out of 30 units in the parade, over two-thirds were represented by military academies, youth and veteran organisations. Additionally, units of internal security and emergency services were present.
The Defence Ministry reports that 9,000 cadets, veterans and servicemen participated in the parade, compared to 8,000 in 2023, but fewer than the 11,000 in the 2021 parade before the large-scale war in Ukraine.
Analysts note that although 61 military vehicles were represented in the parade, there were no heavy armoured vehicles or tracked military vehicles.
At the same time, the only combat tank seen at the event was one ceremonial T-34 tank from the Second World War, which opened the parade as usual. This contrasts with the Moscow parade in 2020, which, according to intelligence, included 20 main battle tanks.
"With the significant losses in Russian personnel and equipment as a result of the Ukraine war there was no opportunity for Russia to use the parades to demonstrate military strength," the review states.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Germany Says Allies Will Deliver 3 HIMARS Systems To Ukraine
Three more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, will be delivered to Ukraine by its Western allies, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced on May 9. RFE reported
"They come from U.S. armed forces' stocks and will be paid by us," he said after meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin, in Washington. HIMARS is a missile launcher mounted on a truck that can fire multiple guided missiles in quick succession. Missiles supplied to Ukraine have a range of up to 80 kilometres.
MILITARY & TECH
USA to announce new $400 million aid package to Ukraine today
Today, on May 10, the United States of America is announcing a new $400 million military aid package for Ukraine, Politico reports
Information about the new military aid package for Ukraine was disclosed by two American officials. According to Politico, the amount of military aid will be $400 million. The package will include weapons that are already in US warehouses, namely:
New Patriot missiles;
Stringer anti-aircraft missiles;
Bradley fighting vehicles;
MRAP armored military vehicles;
Javelin anti-tank complexes and other weapons
The package, which will involve transferring weapons already in U.S. stocks.
The latest tranche comes after months of wrangling over authorizing $60 billion in more military assistance for Ukraine in Congress. Lawmakers sent the national security supplemental, which also included support for the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region, to President Joe Biden’s desk last month.
Ukraine faces yet another brutal test as Russia on Friday launched a ground attack in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
That’s it for today’s Draft folks if you would like to keep up with events in Ukraine daily please consider subscribing, its free!
Feel free to share this update with your friends. Heroyam Slava!