UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-05-16
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 Operational Information update at 23:00 on May 15 stated that day 813 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was about to begin.
During the past day,140 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 2 missile strikes, 48 air strikes, 255 drone strikes and 2,400 shellings across the positions of our troops.
There have been no significant changes in the environment, changes in the status and position of our troops. 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.
Settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under enemy fire.
Due to the fact that the GSAFU has called for Operational Security this publication will only be releasing information regarding the front from the GSAFU itself or official military spokespersons. Please bear with us. I trust you understand the need for Opsec at this time
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv axis: Ukrainian forces successfully repelled 4 attacks of the enemy in particular, in the directions of Lyptsi, and Vovčhansk, combat engagements are still ongoing.
Ukrainian troops continue to carry out defense and stabilization measures in Vovchansk and keep the situation there under control.
Kupyansk axis: Ukrainian Forces repelled 20 attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivka, Stelmakhivka and Andriivka
Lyman axis: The enemy twice tried to break the defense of Ukrainian defenders
Siversk axis: The enemy carried out five assaults on Ukrainian positions.
Kramatorsk axis: Ukrainian troops repelled five attacks of Russian occupiers near the villages of Novyi and Andriyivka (Donetsk oblast)
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 18 attacks near the settlements of Kalynove, Novooleksandrivka, and Sokil (Donetsk oblast)
Kurakhove axis: Ukrainian forces repelled five attacks of the enemy. Fighting continues in the areas of the settlements of Vodyane and Pobeda. The defense forces have improved the tactical position in the area of the settlement Pobeda.
Vremika axis: The enemy made 22 unsuccessful attempts to break through the defense of our troops. Fighting is ongoing, the situation is under control.
Orikhiv axis: The enemy launched 3 assaults on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast) without success.
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Prydniprovsk axis: Ukrainian forces defend positions on the left bank of the dnieper. Five attempts of the enemy to push out Ukrainian troops have been repelled in the current day.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report, for now…
THE HOME FRONT
Zelenskyy holds HQ meeting in Kharkiv, announces generally controlled situation in region
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday held a visiting meeting of the Headquarters in Kharkiv, where, based on the results of the reports of the military leadership, he announced a generally controlled situation in the region. The President’s office reports.
"Headquarters. Today - in Kharkiv. Heard a detailed report from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, commanders of the Khortytsia Task Force Yuriy Sodol and the Kharkiv Task Force Mykhailo Drapaty. Operational situation, tasks and needs of each brigade involved, each unit, in particular in Kharkiv region, in the areas of Vovchansk and Lyptsi," the president said on Telegram.
Also, according to Zelenskyy, during the meeting the prospects for the combat situation, threats in the coming days and weeks and the ability of the Defense Forces involved in the region to counter Russian offensive plans were analyzed in detail.
As the head of state noted, "today the situation in Kharkiv region is generally under control, our soldiers are inflicting significant losses on the occupier. But the direction remains extremely difficult - we are strengthening our units."
Current electricity restrictions may last until August - Prime Minister's advisor
Electricity restrictions in Ukraine, which began a day ago, may last until August due to various factors, with improvement in August-September, according to an adviser to the Prime Minister of Ukraine and a member of the supervisory board of Ukrenergo.
Restrictions on electricity consumption, which began in Ukraine a day ago, may be in effect throughout the summer, said Yuriy Boyko, an adviser to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, a member of the supervisory board of Ukrenergo, during a discussion on energy on Thursday, UNN reports.
If we're talking about the restrictions that began a day ago, I won't reveal a big secret if I say that, according to my estimates, we will have to live in these conditions until August ," Boyko said.
At the same time, he noted that a slight improvement is expected in August-September.
"In August-September, I expect a slight improvement due to a different set of factors - starting from the exit from the active phase of nuclear generation repairs, the sun will still be active, and accordingly, there will be a large amount of solar generation in the system. It will still be warm, but not hot, so the additional load in the system, which traditionally occurs in the hottest summer months, will decrease," he explained.
Russian airstrike on Kherson injures 21, damages residential buildings and cars
On 15 May, Russian forces launched an attack on the central district of Kherson, southern Ukraine, injuring at least 21 people. Euromaidan reported.
Since the liberation from Russian occupation in the fall of 2022, Kherson residents have suffered from regular Russian attacks that take lives and damage infrastructure.
Fifteen victims are hospitalized, three of whom are in serious condition, according to Roman Mrochko, the Head of the Kherson City Military Administration. The Russian strike damaged residential buildings, educational institutions, and cars, as reported by Mrochko.
The youngest victim is a 15-year-old boy who suffered injuries to his nose and shoulder. His father was also hospitalized with a shrapnel wound to his arm. The oldest victim is a 98-year-old lady.
RUSSIAN WORLD
China’s nitrocellulose exports to Russia soar since the invasion of Ukraine.
China's exports to Russia of nitrocellulose, a dual-use component that can be used in munitions production, have skyrocketed since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
NHK reports, based on an analysis of Chinese customs data since 2015, Ukrinform saw. Nitrocellulose is a highly flammable compound used in the production of lacquers, coatings, as well as explosives.
It is noted that in the period from 2015 to 2021, China practically did not export any nitrocellulose to Russia. However, such exports have increased dramatically since May 2022, three months after Russia invaded Ukraine.
In 2022, China sold Russia slightly over 700 tons of nitrocellulose while in 2023, that volume almost doubled, exceeding 1,300 tons. From January to March 2024, about 110 tons worth of the compound was exported.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Yermak-McFaul Group presents new action plan for economic pressure on Russia
The International Working Group on Russian Sanctions, headed by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), Ambassador Michael McFaul, presented a new action plan on further strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia – Action Plan 3.0. The office of the President of Ukraine reported.
The document contains specific steps that can significantly undermine Russia's economic and military potential to stop its aggression in Ukraine sooner.
“The proposed sanctions measures should become a powerful response of the international community to Russian aggression. The success of the sanctions depends on their collective enforcement and constant strengthening. The measures, stipulated in Action Plan 3.0, are ambitious but achievable, they are designed to drastically limit Russia's ability to finance its military actions in Ukraine,” Andriy Yermak emphasized.
The experts expect that the package of bans will reduce the aggressor country's export revenues by $70-80 billion per year, cause a significant deficit in Russia's external trade and in its budget, and weaken its currency and overall economic stability.
The proposed measures include the confiscation of the frozen assets of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, which should be used for military and economic support for Ukraine and its reconstruction. They also include the enforcement of the current oil price cap and the suppression of the shadow fleet of tankers.
The experts propose to introduce a full embargo on uranium, aluminum, and steel and to resume the work of the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls to enforce the ban on exports of critical technologies, equipment, and components, used in the defense and oil and gas sectors, to Russia.
According to the members of the working group, the sanctions list should include more individuals and organizations that support or finance Russian aggression. In addition, it is proposed to impose sanctions on Western companies involved in Russian logistics operations and those that facilitate its circumvention of restrictions.
Tens of thousands of people protest again in Georgia against the law on "foreign agents"
Tens of thousands of people protested in Tbilisi and other Georgian cities against the controversial law on "foreign About 30,000 people took part in a large-scale rally in front of Georgia's parliament building on Wednesday, UNN reports. Demonstrations were also held in Kutaisi and Tsalendzhikha in the west of the country.
The protest in Tbilisi was attended by the foreign ministers of Estonia, Iceland and Lithuania, who are on a visit to Georgia. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that he and his colleagues were at the protest to "support the desire of the Georgian people to be part of the EU and NATO agents," and the foreign ministers of Estonia, Iceland, and Lithuania joined the rally.
German law enforcement searches far-right politician suspected of receiving Russian funding
German law enforcement officers are conducting searches at the home of Petr Bystron, a politician from the right-wing populist party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD or Alternative for Germany), on Thursday, 16 May. Bystron is the party's number two in the European elections.
German media outlet Spiegel, citing sources reported that the Munich prosecutor's office initiated an investigation into Bystron. In this regard, searches were carried out on property linked to Bystron in Berlin and Bavaria, as well as in Mallorca and his Bundestag office on the morning of 16 May. A total of about 70 law enforcement officers were involved. The politician is suspected of corruption and money laundering.
The Bundestag had previously agreed to the investigation and lifted Bystron's immunity, with only the AfD abstaining from voting. The suspicions against the lawmaker relate to the case of the Voice of Europe (VoE) media agency, which acted as a tool of Russian influence and propaganda in Europe.
Czech intelligence services said in March that the website was used to disseminate anti-Ukrainian propaganda and disinformation on the instructions of Viktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian businessman and pro-Russian politician to whose daughter Putin is a godfather. Czechia has imposed sanctions on Medvedchuk.
MILITARY & TECH
NATO Military Chief: Ukraine demonstrates capability to achieve unprecedented success on battlefield, but needs help
Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer said during opening remarks at a meeting of the Military Chiefs of Defense Committee on Thursday, that Ukraine needs the help of allies in the fight against Russian aggression and assured of continued support. Interfax Ukraine reports.
“Ukraine has demonstrated to the world that it has the ability to achieve unprecedented success on the battlefield. There is nothing they cannot do. All they need… is our help. Luckily, more help is on the way. Time in Ukraine is not measured in days, weeks or months. It is measured in human lives... Ukraine will have our support for every day that is to come.
And just as you, Mr Secretary General, have rightly stated: it is not too late for Ukraine to prevail. Ukraine's freedom cannot, must not, and will not die. And Allies, if faced with a choice between meeting the NATO capability targets or supporting Ukraine… should support Ukraine. Stocks can and will be replenished. Lives lost, are lost forever,"
— Admiral Rob Bauer
He also informed that a meeting with the Ukrainian military leadership is planned later in the format of the NATO-Ukraine Council, within the framework of which the Ukrainians will inform about the current situation in Ukraine.
"Together, we will discuss our continued support to Ukraine in this monumental fight," Bauer said.
Citing the larger geostrategic impact of the war against Ukraine, Admiral Bauer added: "The world is on a historical crossroads, not only between democracy and autocracy. This is very much also about impunity versus accountability."
Several countries are interested in Israel's Arrow missile defense system, which has successfully repelled massive Iranian attacks
Following the successful interception of a massive Iranian missile attack, several countries expressed interest in Israel's Hetz (Arrow) missile defense system due to its demonstrated effectiveness.
After Israel successfully repelled Iran's massive missile attacks, a number of countries became interested in Israel's Arrow air defense system . This was stated by Boaz Levy, Director General of the Israeli aerospace industry, Reuters reports, UNN reported.
According to the publication , Iran's nighttime attack on April 13-14, repelled by Israel's multi-level defense shield with the help of its allies, included more than 100 ballistic missiles.
At the time, the Israeli Air Force claimed that the Arrow system "played a major role" in the interception. Israel Aerospace said that this success immediately sparked interest in the technology around the world.
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!