UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT

For: 2024-04-11

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.

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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. 11 stated that it was day 778 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

During the past day, 55 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 8 missile strikes, 93 air strikes, and 78 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 9 concentrations of troops, 1 anti-aircraft missile system

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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 1 concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 1 anti-aircraft missile system, 1 artillery system, 1 electronic warfare station 

On the night of April 11, 2024, Russian occupiers made a combined attack by missiles of different types and Shaheds. The main direction of the attack was Lviv region.

In total, the enemy used 82 air strike measures:

• - 20 X-101 / x-555  from Tu-95ms strategic bombers ( Saratov region. (RF);

• - 6 X-47M2 Kinžhal “Hypersonic” missiles launched from Míg-31K fighters(from Tambov region (Russia);

• - 12 S-300 SAMs (launched from Belgorod region (RF)

• - 40 Shahed-131/136" UAVs (from the areas of primors -ko-Akhtars -k (Russia), Cape Chauda - (tot Ukrainian Qirim).

• - 4 X-59 cruise missiles (from the airspace of the temporarily occupied territories of the zaporizhia region) 

Fighter aviation and anti-aircraft missile troops of the Air Forces, mobile fire groups and radio-electronic combat units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine are involved in repelling the enemy's air strike.

57 air targets were destroyed as a result of anti-air combat:

• - 16 winged rockets X-101/H-555;

• - 39 "Shahed-131/136" UAVs

• - 2 X-59 cruise missiles

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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.

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Lyman axis:  Ukrainian defenders repelled 3 attacks near Terny (Donetsk oblast) where the occupiers attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive lines.

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Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian troops repelled 2 attacks in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Vyimka, Rozdolivka, Chasiv Yar, and Klishchiivka, (Donetsk oblast).

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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 6 attacks in the vicinities of Keramik, Berdychi, Umans’ke, Netailove and Pervomais’ke (Donetsk oblast), where the invaders attempted to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions.

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Novopavlivka axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka The invaders made 16 attempts, assisted by air support to breach Ukrainian defense in that area.

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Orikhiv axis: The enemy conducted  attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinity of Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast).

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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 6 unsuccessful assaults on the positions of the Ukrainian Defence Forces on the left bank of the Dnipro River.

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TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

Nothing to report.

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THE HOME FRONT

Trypillia Thermal Power Plant completely destroyed due to Russian attack

During a Russian massive night attack on Apr. 11, the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant in Kyiv region (the largest in the region) was completely destroyed, according to Andrii Hota, chairman of the supervisory board of PJSC Centrenergo. Thankfully there were no fatalities in the attack. RBC Ukraine reports.

According to him, massive fires broke out in the turbine hall as a result of the strikes.

Furthermore, Hota revealed that PJSC Centrenergo has lost 100% of its generation capacity. Earlier in March, the Zmiivka Thermal Power Plant in the Kharkiv region was completely destroyed by shelling, and on July 25, 2022, the Vuhlehirsk Thermal Power Plant in the Donetsk region was destroyed.

Currently, efforts to contain the fire at the plant are underway. It is worth noting that recently the mayor of Ukrayinka, where the station is located, urged residents to close windows in their homes to avoid inhaling harmful smoke.

The Trypillia Thermal Power Plant is the most powerful power plant in the Kyiv region. This region needs are energy-intensive, where energy-generating enterprises with a total capacity of 3200 MW are located, with the installed capacity of the Trypillia TPP accounting for approximately 57% of that total.

Thus, the energy-generating enterprise is the largest supplier of electricity to the Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Zhytomyr regions. The enterprise covers an area of ​​281.3 hectares and is located 45 km from Kyiv near the historic Ukrainian settlement of Trypillia, from which the station takes its name. Initially, the Trypillia TPP had 4 power units with a capacity of 300 MW each. Later, it was decided to build two additional units of the same type.

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Massive Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine

On the night Apr. 11 Russia conducted a massive coordinated strike by missile and drone across Ukraine targeting mainly Ukrainian power generating infrastructure. Defense Express reports. 

According to the Air Force Command, the Defenders of Ukraine managed to shoot down 89% of threats, such as cruise missiles and drones. But in addition, russians used ballistic missiles against targets that are not covered by appropriate air defense systems due shortages in supply from their allies. 

The report also states that the main target of russian attack was Lviv Oblast. In particular, beginning from midnight, up to six groups of Shahed-136 UAVs were in the sky of the central and southern Oblasts of Ukraine, launched from Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai, and Cape Chauda in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

At one a.m., it was reported that Tu-95MS strategic bombers had taken off from the Olenya airfield in Murmansk Oblast. At about 4 a.m., they launched missiles in Saratov Oblast. By this time, Shahed-136 UAVs were already being shot down in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and western Oblasts, including Lviv.

The Kh-101/555 cruise missiles entered Ukrainian airspace about 5 a.m. across Chernihiv and Sumy Oblasts, and reached Khmelnytsky, Ivano-Frankivsk, Volyn, and Lviv Oblasts in 40-60 minutes. At approximately six a.m. Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles were launched in direction of Kyiv and Stryi.

The Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Galushchenko said that russians attacked generation facilities and transmission systems in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhya, Lviv, and Kyiv Oblasts. And DTEK informed that two thermal power plants were seriously damaged.

The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine also added that russians attacked gas infrastructure facility in Lviv Oblast. According to the head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, it was gas distribution infrastructure in Stryi district. The fire was promptly extinguished.

All photos courtesy of Ukrainian State Emergency Services.

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Legislation on mobilization in Ukraine has been adopted

On Apr. 11 a major bill on mobilization in Ukraine passed second reading and was approved by the Verkhovna Rada in the second reading. People's deputies swiftly processed amendments and approved them in the committee version. RBC-Ukraine reported. 

Yesterday was devoted to considering over 4,000 amendments rejected by the profile committee on national security, defense, and intelligence. The session lasted into the late night, with only a few dozen MPs present. Therefore, no changes were made.

Today, about 30 committee amendments were put to confirmation. All of them received a majority of votes. An amendment regarding demobilization was on the verge of removal from the project, but it was supported by 227 votes in favor.

According to the procedure, the law must first be signed by the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, before it is passed to the President for signature. It could be delayed if there is a resolution to cancel the voting results.

The main points of the bill include:

The proposal for demobilizing soldiers after 36 months of service and rotation was in the government version. But it was removed at the request of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Ministry of Defense representative Dmytro Lazutkin explained that there were "requests from the General Staff given the operational situation on the front." Russia is advancing on multiple fronts, so the defense forces must be strong. Within 8 months, a separate law regulating rotation and mobilization issues should be developed.

However, former prisoners of war (involuntary surrender), disabled veterans, generals (by decision of military leadership), contractors whose contracts have expired, and military personnel appointed as judges or elected as deputies will be able to be released from military service.

Military personnel with disabilities of all groups also have the right to be discharged. But by the end of 2024, all men aged 25-55 classified as disabled II and III groups after February 24, 2022, must undergo a re-evaluation for fitness for service. This does not apply to those who became disabled II and III groups due to illness or injury during the defense of Ukraine.

Women can be released due to pregnancy or childcare leave, large families, single parents, and other categories.

Within 60 days of the law taking effect, all conscripted individuals must visit their Territorial Recruitment Centers (TRCs) to clarify their registration data. This can also be done remotely through the electronic cabinet.

All conscripted Ukrainians must carry their military ID card or temporary certificate and present it upon request by a military representative. Currently, police officers can check documents.

The law abolishes mandatory military service and introduces basic military training for Ukrainians aged 18-25. They can choose the year and period of service until they reach the age of 24.

The term is up to five months in peacetime and three months in wartime. Specifically, in peacetime, up to three months of basic military training and up to two months of professional training. In wartime, at least one month of basic training and up to two months of professional training.

At the request of the TRC head, the police will conduct administrative detention of conscripts who do not appear at the military enlistment office upon draft notices. Previously, the police could detain those who had already been protocolled at the TRC for up to three hours.

If the police cannot locate the conscript, the TRC head will demand an appearance by registered mail. If this is ignored, procedures will be initiated against the evader.

Furthermore, the law removed the provision for arresting accounts and imposing travel bans abroad. However, temporary restrictions on driving remain in place.

The law includes a so-called motivational package. Specifically, mobilized individuals will be compensated 50% of the initial mortgage contribution. Additionally, they will receive payments of 100,000 hryvnias after the first and second years of service. The Cabinet of Ministers will determine the procedure and conditions.

As before, deferment is granted to government ministry officials, members of parliament, judges, diplomats, and other civil servants.

Students in full-time or dual forms of education are exempt from mobilization. The primary condition is a higher level of education than previously obtained. This category also includes doctoral students and individuals enrolled in internships. The Cabinet of Ministers proposed denying deferment to contract postgraduate students, but this provision was removed from the law.

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RUSSIAN WORLD

Nothing to report.

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NEWS WORLDWIDE

European Parliament blocks decision on EU Council budget due to Patriot for Ukraine

The European Parliament has refused to pass funding for the European Council. The reason was the demand to provide Ukraine with additional Patriot air defense systems, according to MEP, former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. RBC-Ukraine reports. 

During his address at the European Parliament, the Renew faction deputy proposed removing from the agenda the decision to adopt the EU Council's budget until European countries provide Ukraine with additional Patriot missile defense systems.

Verhofstadt added that EU countries have around a hundred Patriot systems, while Ukraine needs seven such installations. The call by the European parliamentarian was supported by 515 lawmakers, with 62 voting "against."

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Kuleba: Ukraine needs at least 7 Patriot air defense systems immediately

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba voiced Ukraine’s frustrations with its neighbours in an interview with the Washington Post on Apr. 10. Kuleba said that Kyiv has identified over 100 available Patriot air defense systems held by allies, urging the transfer of at least 7 systems to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against Russian aerial bombardment. “I feel like hitting the wall. I just don’t understand why it’s not happening”

Kuleba reported that Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry identified over 100 available Patriots that its allies have. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine needs 26 to create a total air shield over Ukraine, but “Kuleba is initially focused on obtaining seven as quickly as possible.”

“Kyiv had identified four other countries in Europe and Asia that have Patriots that could be transferred immediately to Ukraine,” Kuleba said.

However, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister said he “struggles to understand” the resistance from some countries to transferring at least one of their systems to Ukraine.

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"We are in the middle of World War III, but European leaders are denying reality, as in the time of Hitler"

Philosopher and filmmaker Bernard-Henri Lévy is one of the committed friends of Ukraine in the French intellectual and political elite. As an intellectual and writer, Lévy has influenced several recent French presidents, including the current head of state, Emmanuel Macron.

Lévy is a profound, sincere and long-time supporter of Ukraine. He has spent a lot of time here since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, admitting that he has lost count of the number of trips he’s made and the amount of time he’s spent in Ukraine. Several months of filming the Ukrainian Armed Forces in action on the front lines have resulted in three documentaries being released in France.

Video link to the full interview can be found here

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MILITARY & TECH

Nothing to report.

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