UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-05-09
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 9 stated that it was day 806 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 148 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 60 missile strikes, 90 air strikes, and 107 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.
Russian casualties increase for minimal gain
The UK Ministry of Defence, in its May 9 Intelligence update stated that:
In April 2024, Russian attacks intensified in eastern Ukraine, rising by 17 per cent from March 2024. Of these, more than three-quarters were located in the Avdiivka, Chasiv Yar, and Marinka areas of the front line.
Attacks in the vicinity of Chasiv Yar rose by 200 per cent from March to April. This is almost certainly a reflection of Russia’s renewed attempts to gain control of the town – situated on high ground to the west of Bakhmut.
Despite the substantial increase in attacks on this axis, Russia made only minor tactical gains in the area during April and almost certainly sustained heavy losses.
Grumpy Here - It should be noted that this increase in casualties took place BEFORE the AFU began receiving western ammunition, we can expect that Russian casualties will increase incrementally through the month of May
Air Force Daily Report
The Ukrainian Air Force and missile forces in its situation update at 06:00 stated that during the previous day they and Ukrainian missile forces launched strikes on 3 air defense systems, 2 artillery systems, 10 concentrations of troops, 1 other important target.
On the night of May 9, 2024, the enemy attacked 20 Shahed UAVs from the Cape Chauda (tot Ukrainian Qirim).
As a result of combat operations, 17 UAVs were destroyed in Odesa oblast.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the Kupyansk, Lyman, and Bakhmut axes, in the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kupyansk axis: Ukrainian troops repelled 16 attacks in the vicinities of Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove, (Kharkiv oblast), and Stelmakhivka (Luhansk oblast). Where the occupiers, with air support, attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive lines.
Lyman axis: The enemy launched 11 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Tverdokhlibove, Makiivka, Nevske, Novolyubivka, and Serebryanske forest, (Luhansk oblast), and Terny (Donetsk oblast). Where, supported by aviation, they attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive lines.
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian troops repelled 26 attacks in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Verkhnokamyanske, Vyimka, Novyi (near Chasiv Yar), Ivanivske, 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 45 attacks in the vicinities of Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Sokil, Novopokrovske, Novoselivka Persha, Umans’ke, Netailove, and Nevelske (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 Krasnohorivka, Kostyantynivka, Paraskoviivka, Vodyane and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast).Where,with the air support, the invaders made 11 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)
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 4 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
Russia launches Shaheds against southern Ukraine again
Overnight on 9 May, Russia’s Shahed 136/131 one-way attack drone again attacked southern Ukraine 17 of the 20 UAVs launched were shot down but some reached their targets. Among the targets was a community centre in Pervomaiske village, Mykolaiv district, with no injuries reported; the Russian army also attacked coastal communities in the region during the previous day, according to the Mykolaiv regional military administration’s morning report.
Russia launches Shahed drone attacks against Ukraine nearly every night for several months. Shahed-series drones were developed in Iran. Russia localized their production and is now using both Iranian and domestically produced Shaheds.
“The drone strike partially destroyed a two-story building of a former house of culture in the Pervomaiske community of the Mykolaiv district, causing a fire. The fire was extinguished over an area of 200 km². Preliminary information indicates there were no casualties,” Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported.
Importing electricity from Europe can no longer compensate for damage inflicted from Russia on Ukraine’s energy system.
UkrEnergo CEO Kudrytskyi has warned, during an interview that "Importing electricity from Europe can no longer compensate for the deficit in Ukraine's energy system following massive Russian strikes,"
Kudrytskyi explained that Ukraine's energy system has a finite capacity for processing foreign electricity, making it hard to expand imports further.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Ukraine hits another oil depot in southwestern Russia
The Operational Headquarters of Russia’s Krasnodar Krai on May 9 reported a drone attack on the territory of an oil depot in the village of Yurovka near Anapa last night.
“According to the [Unified Duty Dispatch Service] of Anapa, about 6 UAVs were suppressed [by electronic warfare equipment], but several crashed on the territory of the oil depot. As a result, a fire started, damaging several tanks,” Russia’s Krasnodar HQ wrote, claiming an incident instead of admitting direct hits.
Ukraine's Drones Reach 1,400 km: Strike on Oil Refinery in Bashkiria
The geography of Ukrainian strikes has drastically expanded its horizons today, on May 9th morning. An explosive unmanned aerial vehicle has crossed 1,400 km into the territory of the russian federation to strike one of the biggest oil processing plants in the country, the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat located in the federal subject of Bashkiria. Defense Express reports.
The Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat LLC attacked today is one of russia's biggest oil refining facilities processing 10 mln tons of crude oil yearly.
The success of this strike is evidenced by videos from the site appearing online. Local media report damage inflicted to the catalytic cracking unit at the plant.
Local authorities also confirm the fact of the strike, stating that the facility continues to operate in standard mode. "An unmanned aerial vehicle appeared in the area over the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat in the city of Salavat, our enterprise. After its appearance, a source of smoke appeared on the territory of the enterprise," said Radiy Khabirov, governor of Bashkortostan.
Putin surrounds himself with war criminals at parade.
At Moscow's Victory Day Parade, Putin surrounded himself with officers from units accused of atrocities in Ukraine. Euromaidan reported on Twitter.
Major Boris Dudko, seated directly behind Putin, served in the 76th Guards Air Assault Division, which occupied Bucha near Kyiv, where Russian troops killed over 600 civilians and engaged in mass murder, torture, and looting – actions Ukraine considers genocidal.
To Putin's left was Senior Lieutenant Chalym Chuldum-ool from the 55th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, which held 350 Yahidne village residents in a school basement under concentration camp-like conditions in March 2022. Ten hostages died before the captives were released when the Russians abandoned the village.
The officers were identified by Agentstvo, a Russian media outlet operating in exile.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Slovakian civilians raise 4 million euros for ammunition for Ukraine
Czech media outlet ČTK reports that, despites its government opposition to the war in Ukraine the initial four million euros raised through a Slovak fundraiser will be allocated to purchase 2,692 artillery rounds for Ukraine from the Czech manufacturer STV Group. The funds are part of an ongoing fundraising campaign to support Ukraine in resisting the Russian military invasion. During their press conference on 8 May in Bratislava, the organisers announced that the ammunition is expected to be delivered to Ukraine by the end of summer at the latest.
In February, Czech President Petr Pavel mentioned that Prague could potentially supply Ukraine with 500,000 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm shells from outside Europe, contingent on securing necessary funding, prompting financial pledges from many EU countries. However, under the Russia-friendly leadership of Prime Minister Robert Fico, the Slovak government has ceased military aid to Ukraine and opposed the Czech initiative, pushing instead for peace talks with Russia
In defiance of their Russia-friendly Prime Minister, several Slovak NGOs initiated in April the crowdfunding campaign “Ammunition for Ukraine” under the motto “If not the government, we send.” The campaign aimed to raise 1 million euros ($1.06 million) for purchasing munitions to support Ukraine’s war effort, directly challenging their government’s refusal to provide military aid to Kyiv.
Zelenskyy invites Hungary’s Orban to Global Peace Summit on Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and invited him to the Global Peace Summit on Ukraine, which will take place on 15-16 June in Switzerland. Euromaidan reports.
This is one of the rare contacts between the Ukrainian President and the Hungarian Prime Minister, who has opposed both financial and military aid to Kyiv, as well as Ukraine’s accession to the EU and NATO.
“Hungary’s position is important to us in terms of bringing peace closer and our shared regional security. I underscored Ukraine’s interest in good-neighbourly relations with Hungary, as well as in the development of cooperation in trade, energy, and logistics,” Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter.
Zelenskyy did not specify whether Orban accepted the invitation to the summit. However, he added that they coordinated the next steps to resolve the full range of bilateral issues in a mutually beneficial manner and discussed Ukraine’s EU integration.
Baltics, Poland, Finland sign pact on uniform sanctions implementation
The heads of the customs authorities of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and Finland, at a meeting in Vilnius on May 9 signed an agreement on unifying measures to implement EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus. LRT reports.
“We must acknowledge that peace and unity once taken for granted are no longer present in some parts near Europe. We must work together to preserve the peace that we have in Europe,” Darius Žvironas, director general of the Customs Department, said in a statement.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia agreed in January on the application of the same control measures to implement EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus, endorsing the Baltic prime ministers’ joint declaration, signed on December 20, and agreed to tighten controls on sanctioned goods exported to third countries via Russia and Belarus or in transit, for example, by requiring a declaration from the manufacturer.
Western countries imposed economic, diplomatic and other sanctions against Russia and its supporter Belarus after Moscow launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
Grumpy here - I like how they flat out acknowledge that some European nations are not doing their part, Like Germany hasn't noticed that German exports to Khrgyzstan have gone up 1700% in the last year?
Kremlin announces withdrawal of its troops from number of Armenian oblasts
The Kremlin said that Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan agreed on Wednesday to withdraw Russian military personnel from a number of oblasts of Armenia. Still, some troops will remain on Armenia’s border with Türkiye and Iran Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated as reported by Ukrainska Pravda.
The head of the Armenian government said: "Today, due to the changed conditions, there is no such need anymore. Therefore... Putin agreed, and the withdrawal of our military and border guards was agreed," Peskov said.
At the same time, "at the request of the Armenian side, our border guards will remain on the Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Iranian borders", the Kremlin spokesman noted.
Armenia decided not to participate in financing the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) activities, a military-political bloc that is de facto headed by Russia.
MILITARY & TECH
Analysts reveal differences of Ukrainian Abrams variant
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have unveiled a promotional video showcasing their modified M1A1 SA (Situational Awareness) Abrams tank, shedding light on its distinctive features compared to the standard US Army version.
Released footage reveals notable differences in the Ukrainian configuration, including a unique armor package and reduced weight. Defence Blog reports.
Twitter user Ronkainen’s insightful observations shed light on the nuanced differences between the Ukrainian variant of the M1A1 SA Abrams tank and its U.S. counterpart. By highlighting discrepancies in armor packages and weight specifications, Ronkainen’s analysis provides valuable context for understanding the unique features of the Ukrainian model.
The Ukrainian variant of the M1A1 SA Abrams tank, weighing at 57.2 metric tons, distinguishes itself with its lighter build compared to its U.S. counterpart, which weighs 62.2 metric tons.
Noteworthy design features, such as the large ring mounted on the sprocket wheel, harken back to earlier M1 models and serve practical purposes, such as preventing track issues caused by mud accumulation.
Additionally, the Ukrainian version of the tank is equipped with a 2 kW External Auxiliary Power Unit (EAPU) at the rear of the turret, though an older system compared to the 3 kW EAPU used on the M1A1 FEP.
Despite some differences, the Ukrainian M1A1 SA shares key technological advancements with its U.S. counterpart, including the Stabilized Commander’s Weapon Station and advanced sighting systems.
Ronkainen wrote that like the later variant of the U.S. Army M1A1 SA, the Ukrainian M1A1 SA is also equipped with a Stabilized Commander’s Weapon Station (SCWS), and the 50 Cal Thermal Sight Module (TSM) is installed externally.
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