UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-04-13
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
GSAFU Morning Report
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its situation update at 06:00 on Apr. 13 stated that it was day 780 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 97 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 2 missile strikes, 91 air strikes, and 160 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 1 concentration of troops, 2 air defense systems, and 1 electronic warfare station
The situation on the Eastern Front has escalated significantly
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, says that the situation on the eastern front has escalated significantly in the past few days. Ukrinform reports.
"The situation on the eastern front has escalated significantly in recent days. This is primarily due to the significant intensification of the enemy's offensive actions after presidential elections in the Russian Federation," Syrskyi said.
According to him, the Russians are actively attacking Ukrainian positions in the Lyman and Bakhmut sectors with assault groups supported by armoured vehicles. In the Pokrovsk sector, the enemy is trying to break through Ukrainian defences, using dozens of tanks and IFVs.
"This is facilitated by the warm dry weather, which has made most of the open areas accessible to tanks. Despite significant losses, the enemy is increasing his efforts by using new units on armoured vehicles, thanks to which he periodically achieves tactical gains," Syrskyi said.
"After listening to the conclusions regarding the nature of the enemy's actions, decisions have been made to strengthen the most problematic areas of the defense with electronic warfare and air defenses. The stocks of drones of all types and anti-tank missiles have also been replenished, and additional reserves of forces and means have been moved," the commander-in-chief said.
Syrskyi said a second serious problem was improving the quality of training of military personnel, mainly infantry units, so that they could use all the possibilities of military equipment and Western weapons as much as possible.
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 12 concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 4 anti-aircraft missile systems. Also, they destroyed 1 Kh-59 air-launched cruise missile.
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 1 attack near Tors’ke (Donetsk oblast) where the occupiers attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive lines.
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian troops repelled 33 Russian attacks, supported by aviation, in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) Verkhnyokamianske, Spirne, Vyimka, Rozdolivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivskie, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).
Map of the Northern Bakhmut sector below
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 18 attacks in the vicinities of Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Pervomais’ke, and Netailove (Donetsk oblast) where the invaders, with air support, attempted to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions.
Novopavlivka axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane, and Urozhanie (Donetsk oblast). The enemy made 29 attempts, assisted by air support, to breach Ukrainian defense in that area.
Orikhiv axis: The enemy conducted 7 attacks 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 6 unsuccessful assaults on the positions of the Ukrainian Defence Forces on the left bank of the Dnipro River.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Zelenskyy praises Ukraine's homegrown defence industry
President Zelenskyy congratulated the more than 300,000 Ukrainians working in the more than 500 companies now part of Ukraine's Defense Industrial Complex in an address on the day designated to celebrate their contribution to the war effort.
"Today is one of those days when gratitude should prevail. Today is your professional day. It is a day to honor all those who organize, develop, and build Ukrainian strength. Everyone in the world can see this strength — the strength of our country," the Head of State said.
They produce domestic shells, weapons, mortars, armored vehicles, anti-tank weaponry, electronic warfare systems and much more. And that, according to the President, helps our soldiers and our country.
"Other countries are already interested in our weapons and in cooperating with us. After all, without our strength there would be no full-fledged force of the EU and NATO. Ukraine will ensure security for itself and help others to maintain and preserve their security," the president said.
Ukraine’s Defence Industrial Base - over time can allow Ukraine to sustain its defence against Russia
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in their Apr. 12 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment stated that they continues to assess that the development of Ukraine’s defence industrial base (DIB) over time can allow Ukraine to sustain its defence against Russia and longer-term national security needs with significantly reduced foreign military assistance.
Ukrainian officials have expressed their intention to expand Ukraine’s DIB domestically and abroad since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov previously identified increased Ukrainian domestic production of weapons and military equipment as a priority for 2024.
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller has stated that the short- and medium-term provision of Western air defences to Ukraine will be a critical element of Ukraine’s ability to stand up its defence industry, which will, in turn, decrease Ukrainian dependence on Western aid and especially US aid to Ukraine in the long term.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently emphasised that Ukraine cannot mitigate the lack of sufficient air defence systems and that only Western-provided air defence systems, namely Patriot systems, allow Ukraine to defend Ukraine against the intensified Russia strike campaign.
ISW continues to assess that the US will not need to send large security assistance packages to Ukraine indefinitely if Ukraine can sufficiently expand its defensive industrial capacity, but the West’s provision of air defence systems and missiles to Ukraine is crucial for Ukraine’s ability to defend its energy infrastructure and its developing defence industry against Russian strikes.
SSU exposes 11 agent networks since beginning of 2024
The Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) Vasyl Maliuk during a speech at the Congress of Local and Regional Councils under the President of Ukraine stated that the SSU had disrupted a number of Russian intelligence operations in Ukraine.
"Today, the SSU manages to work proactively. First of all, it is due to systematic and new counterintelligence approaches. Because we do not detain a single traitor, but, as a rule, we unwind the entire chain. In total, in 2023, the SSU exposed 47 agent networks, all the villains were detained, and since the beginning of this year, 11 more have been exposed,"
For example, the SSU recently detained an FSB agent in Dnipro who was taking photos and videos of a local thermal power plant and preparing enemy missile strikes, a former police officer in Zaporizhzhia who was monitoring defence industry facilities, and several Ukrzaliznytsia employees who were providing information to the enemy on the logistics of weapons and munitions movement.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Russia Actively Recruiting Women from Penal Colonies for War Against Ukraine
Ukraine’s National Resistance Center reported that the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is actively recruiting female prisoners in Russia’s many penal colonies.
Primarily looking for medics, snipers, and, if desired, for assault squads. Women prisoners are promised money and the opportunity to return home," the NRC reported.
The NRC added that the convicted women actively agree to the terms, because due to Russian propaganda they believe that they will return home alive.
Russian’s again attempts assault with a “tactical golf cart”
Soldiers of the Strike Drones Company of the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade released video of another attempted assault by Russia using a golf cart from the Avdiivka sector. Censor.net reports.
Last year Russian Defence Minister Shoigu proudly announced that Russia had developed a new light all-terrain assault vehicle that turned out to literally be golf carts purchased from China. Russia has made several disastrous attempts to employ them since.
This attempt ended with similar results, want to bet Shoigu has one he uses on the golf course to carry his vodka?
NEWS WORLDWIDE
President's Office criticizes West after Russia's attack on Trypillia power plant
Advisor to the head of the Presidential Office Mykhailo Podolyak criticized Western countries for failing to respond to the destruction of the Tripoli thermal power plant after the Russian attack on Apr. 11. RBC-Ukraine reported.
According to him, the West needs to understand that Russia is waging a war against civilians, and he complained about the lack of condemnation from the international community.
"The Russians have completely destroyed one of the largest thermal power plants in Europe. But we don’t see any resolutions from the security council in the UN or any other proclamations like that," he said.
Japanese PM to US Congress – Ukraine Situation pivotal to US reputation worldwide
The fact that the United States is losing its status as the global security guardian and leader is not just becoming more and more evident, the issue is being raised publicly by the top government officials.
The first warning signal came from Josep Borrell, head of EU diplomacy, who said:
“Europe after 75 years of fruitful partnership can no longer rely on the US”
Now the second comes just two days afterward from the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, during his address to the US Congress.
"The leadership of the United States is indispensable. Without the US support, how long before hopes of Ukraine would collapse under the onslaught of Moscow? Without the presence of the United States, how long before the Indo-Pacific would face even harsher realities?"
— Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan addressing Congress
For Tokyo, this question is no less pressing than for Europe or South Korea, or especially Taiwan. If the United States is faltering to provide even a stable supply of military equipment, there's no guarantee that Washington will hesitate when it comes to more decisive actions in the future, in case China or North Korea begins open aggression.
Unlike the European diplomat Josep Borrell in his speech, Kishida did not mention any alternatives to the partnership with the USA, for one because the only way to engage in dialogue with dictatorships like the russian federation is through obtaining nuclear weapons which is not realistic for Japan.
Such language, uttered to their faces (albeit couched in carefully diplomatic language) in Congress should be a wake up call for an America that is floundering, but are they even listening.
MILITARY & TECH
The Desperation of Russian troops on display
On Apr. 8, during one of the assaults near Krasnohorivka, the russian invasion forces used a T-72 tank, which was tuned with, at first glance, a grotesque form of protection against Ukrainian drones that looks like a shed or barn. What stood out was that this vehicle was heading the column, while the other tanks for some reason did not receive the same protection. Defense Express reported.
This episode was met with mixed opinions. On the one hand, it looks like a fair reason for mocking the russians, and on the other, there were currently unverified reports that this covered T-72 was able to avoid being hit and managed to unload the landing squad at one of the positions.
This vehicle is also equipped with a KMT-7 anti-mine roller, from which we can conclude that the reason for this vehicle to be at the head of the column was specifically to break through mine barriers created by the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
In the final analysis anything that allows Russian aggressors to get closer to the lines is a bad thing, but this sort of development clearly denotes the desperation of Russian troops who know they are purposely being sent to their deaths in what Ukrainians refer to as “meat assaults” to gain any advantage to try and survive in this environment.
Germany will send an additional Patriot air defence system to Ukraine immediately
The German Federal Ministry of Defense announced on Apr. 13 that "Germany will immediately hand over another Patriot system to Ukraine to repel Russian airstrikes. This is in addition to the air defense systems that have already been delivered and are planned to be delivered," Barrons reports.
It will be the third Patriot system that Berlin has supplied to Kyiv, with the defence ministry saying the decision was taken at the request of the Ukrainian government and in coordination with allies.
Due to the increase in Russian airstrikes against Ukraine, the German government decided to further strengthen Ukrainian air defenses, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said. He noted that Russian terror from the air continues and poses a threat to human life and the existence of infrastructure, as well as the combat capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz also spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Saturday, reaffirming his "unwavering solidarity with Ukraine in the face of massive and ongoing Russian airstrikes, particularly on civilian energy infrastructure," a German government spokesman said.
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