UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-04-10
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.
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.10 stated that it was day 777 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 83 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 11 missile strikes, 108 air strikes, and 149 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 enemy troops, and 3 air defense systems
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 15 concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 2 anti-aircraft missile systems.
On the night of April 10, 2024, the enemy attacked 17 Shahed UAVs from Cape Chaud, two Iskander-K cruise missiles and one Iskander-M ballistic missile from temporarily occupied Crimea.
Anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. A total of 14 Shaheds in the Mikolaiv and Odessa regions were shot.
In addition, around 20.00 April 9, Ukrainian defence forces destroyed two X-59, with which the enemy attacked Odessa.
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 carried out 3 assaults in the vicinity of the settlements of Kyslivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast) plus Andriivka (Luhansk oblast) [near the border with Kharkiv oblast] unsuccessfully trying to improve its tactical position.
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 3 attacks near Terny (Donetsk oblast) where the occupiers attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive lines.
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian troops repelled 29 attacks in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Verkhn’okam’yans’ke, Vyimka, Rozdolivka, Chasiv Yar, Novyi, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).
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 14 attacks in the vicinities of Novokalynove, Berdychi and Umans’ke (Donetsk oblast), where 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, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane, and Urozhaine. The invaders made 28 attempts to breach Ukrainian defense in that area.
Orikhiv axis: The enemy conducted 5 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 Defense Forces on the left bank of the Dnipro River.
Russian military helicopter crashes in Black Sea after explosion
A Russian Ka-27 helicopter crashed near Russian-occupied Crimea, likely due to an incident on board, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said on Apr. 10
"Minus Russian Ka-27 in Crimea. Was looking for something. Found it," Pletenchuk posted on social media.
The spokesperson clarified later during a press briefing at Ukrinform Media Center that the helicopter apparently crashed due to an explosion on board.
"We can say that the helicopter fell. We have information that this disaster was preceded by an explosion. This means that the crash did not happen simply due to technical reasons, but something happened on board," Pletenchuk said.
According to the spokesperson, there is currently no confirmed information regarding whether the crew survived.
Earlier on April 10, Ukraine's General Staff reported that Russia had lost 325 helicopters since the start of the full-scale invasion. Ka-27 helicopters were designed for the Soviet Navy to carry out attacks on submarines.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Russia simulated attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) has reported that Russian occupying forces once again simulated an attack on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) using FPV drones on April 9.
Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) stated during a national telethon that Russia, as the aggressor state, has illegally seized the nuclear facility and continues to hold it unlawfully. Russian forces have deployed military personnel and equipment, mined the station’s territory, and regularly launched UAVs, including strike drones and kamikaze drones, as well as carried out mortar and MLRS shelling.
“Today, [Russia] decided to use FPV drones to simulate shelling supposedly from the Ukrainian side. Ukraine’s position is clear, concise, and unambiguous – we do not carry out any military actions or provocations against nuclear facilities. The aggressor must leave the nuclear power plant,” Yusov said.
Earlier on the same day, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported a drone attack on a training center located on the premises of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. According to IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, “The report of an explosion is consistent with the observations of the IAEA team. While there is no direct threat to nuclear safety this time, the latest incident once again highlights the extremely serious situation.”
THE HOME FRONT
Ukraine to implement technology that increases efficiency of drones
Ukraine's Defense Ministry has signed a memorandum on the development of innovative UA DroneID technology in the DELTA system, which will help identify drones on the "friend or foe" principle, reports the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.
"This solution is unique in terms of both development and civil-military cooperation for innovation. We are working to ensure that the DELTA product ecosystem fully meets the needs of the military. The integrated technology will help minimize friendly fire, preserve more of our drones and analyze the use of drones," commented Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Defense Minister for Digital Transformation, Digital Development and Digitalization.
The technology has already been tested in combat with attack drones. The Ministry of Defence noted that the use of UA DroneID enables the safety and effectiveness of missions, provides situational awareness on the battlefield during missions. In the future, the technology in the DELTA system will also offer many opportunities for analyzing the use of drones, for example, planning which ones are best used to hit certain targets.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Russia is reportedly considering creating a new ministry for youth policy and patriotic education
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its Apr. 9 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment reported that Russia is reportedly considering creating a new ministry for youth policy and patriotic education, likely as part of an ongoing attempt to instill pro-Kremlin and Kremlin-approved ideology in Russia’s next generation. Russian outlet Vedemosti reported on April 9 that four unnamed sources close to the Russian presidential administration stated that Russian authorities are considering creating a new ministry for youth policy and patriotic education that would be formed on the basis of the Russian Federal Agency of Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), which would then take over some patriotic education functions from the Ministry of Education.
The sources also claimed that the Russian government is considering merging the Ministry of Science and Higher Education with the Ministry of Education (also known as the ”Ministry of Enlightenment” in its literal Russian translation), which the Russian government divided in 2018. Russian opposition outlet Verstka reported in October 2023 that the Russian federal budget significantly increased its allocations for funds promoting patriotic education. Verstka reported that Russia allocated 43.8 billion rubles for patriotic education in 2023, almost four times the number of funds that Russia allocated to patriotic education in 2022.
Verstka also noted that Russia increased funding in 2023 to patriotic youth projects including the World Youth Festival and Yunarmia, a military-patriotic movement that instills pro-Russian and militarized ideals in youth in Russia and occupied Ukraine. Russia is likely trying to expand efforts to disseminate pro-Kremlin and Kremlin-approved ideology to create a generation of Russians pliant to the Kremlin’s goals, especially as Russia sets domestic information conditions for a long war effort in Ukraine and increasingly postures against the West.
Former FSB officer Strelkov asks to be released from Russian prison to fight against Ukraine
Igor Girkin (aka Strelkov), a former FSB officer and leader of militants of the DPR (the Donetsk People’s Republic, a self-proclaimed and non-recognised state formation in Donetsk Oblast), convicted in Russia for calling for extremism, is asking to be sent to fight in Ukraine. Radio Liberty reports.
Girkin is trying to appeal his sentence. His lawyer, Igor Molokhov, said that the appeal was accompanied by the consent of one of the Russian army's military units in temporarily occupied Ukrainian Donbas to accept Strelkov as a platoon commander.
The authenticity of the document was confirmed by Girkin's wife, Miroslava Reginskaya. She said that it was received in January.
The law prohibits those convicted under articles for extremism from signing contracts for military service. However, Girkin's lawyers see such a legal possibility for him if the court of appeal overturns the verdict, which is what the defence is seeking.
Radio Liberty noted that Girkin could also return to "service" if the Russian leader signs a decree pardoning him and lifting his conviction.
A court hearing on Girkin's appeal is scheduled for 15 May.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
More than 300 Canadian instructors to train servicemen of Armed Forces of Ukraine
Canadian instructors will train Ukrainian recruits as part of the international UNIFIER mission. This was announced on 10 April by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Censor.NET reports.
In this operation, after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 300 Canadian troops are participating in the multinational Operation INTERFLEX.
They perform various functions, from providing training, supporting national command, and transporting military aid to Ukraine in coordination with other allies and partners, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.
Canada was also one of the first countries to allocate funds to arm the Ukrainian army, as well as to provide humanitarian aid to civilians affected by the war.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Canada has provided assistance that includes AIM-7 missiles, 155-mm and 105-mm artillery ammunition, Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and an armoured evacuation vehicle, and the National Advanced Surface-to-air Missile System (NASAMS) with appropriate ammunition, 39 armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and related ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, winter clothing, etc.
Swiss Parliament approves country's accession to European Sky Shield Initiative
Switzerland joins the project to create a unified European air defence system, according to NZZ.
On Wednesday, April 10, the Swiss Federal Council decided to participate in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) a project to create a unified European air defence system, and approved the statement of accession to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the ESSI Cooperative Procurement Framework. RBC-Ukraine reports.
The cooperation aims to improve coordination of procurement projects, training, and logistical aspects in the field of ground-based air defence.
This is a German initiative for ground-based air defence in Europe. Launched in August 2022, the initiative is based on the need to strengthen air defence in Europe and enhance the effectiveness of collective efforts.
Currently, eleven countries have signed the declaration of accession to the Memorandum of Understanding.
The Republicans have disgraced themselves, but Biden and the Democrats also share responsibility for Ukraine’s predicament.
The Republicans have disgraced themselves, by doing the bidding of the Kremlin, but Biden and the Democrats also share responsibility for the acute shortage of weapons the Armed Forces of Ukraine has faced over these last few months.
This was the conclusion Eliot Cohen, an analyst for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (USA) wrote in an article in today’s edition of The Atlantic.
The article notes that Russia has cobbled together a coalition of like minded dictatorships, in the person of Russia, Iran, the DPRK and China that continue to outpace the west in supplying arms for the war in Ukraine. Russia feels the course of the war is turning in its favour as the west led by the US fumbles.
The analyst writes that the fate of the US military aid program, which is stuck in Congress, is crucial for Ukraine. At the same time, even the Republicans themselves acknowledge that some of their colleagues have been influenced by Russian propaganda.
But the Biden administration has its own responsibility for this situation, a responsibility that is nearly as heavy. It, too, has no theory of victory and has not attempted to work with Ukraine to devise one. The administration’s promises to be with Ukraine as long as it takes are vapid. It repeatedly hesitated to supply Ukraine with advanced weapons in the numbers and with the speed needed, thereby frittering away the great opportunity of Ukraine’s first counteroffensive in the summer and fall of 2022. It has not sent a military mission to Kyiv to work closely with Ukrainian planners and trainers. Its representatives have, in ways that are at best strategically illiterate, declared their tepid opposition to Ukrainian deep attacks inside Russia. At the top, the president has not, after two years, summoned the rhetorical force to explain to the American people, in a way that Franklin Roosevelt did, and that John F. Kennedy or Ronald Reagan would have, why this faraway war means so much for the American future.
— Excerpt from the article
All of this is true. In addition British Foreign Secretary David Cameron was unable to convince Donald Trump to drop his effective veto of the $60 billion US military aid to Ukraine. During his recent visit to the United States, he was not even allowed to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who could theoretically put the package to a vote.
Joe Biden — The buck stops here
MILITARY & TECH
Ukrainian Intelligence Is Seeking Crucial Details about the Bastion System in Qirim
In recent times, the focus of military attention in Crimea has turned towards russian missile system known as “Bastion”. This system serves as the launchpad for experimental hypersonic missiles, specifically the Zircon missiles, which have demonstrated a terrifying capability to strike Ukrainian cities within minutes of launch. Reports indicate that Kyiv region has already faced two such attacks. Defense Express writes.
Ukrainian intelligence agencies are diligently tracking the movements and activities surrounding the Bastion system, as it represents a pivotal element in russia’s strategic arsenal. The Zircon missiles, known for their unprecedented speed and manoeuvrability, pose a significant challenge to existing air defense systems. This has led to a heightened sense of urgency in gathering comprehensive information about the Bastion and its operations.
Vital intelligence regarding the Bastion system includes the following key details:
Missile launch sites;
System storage location;
Missile storage facilities;
Refuelling stations.
Additionally, intelligence on russian military personnel involved in operating the Bastion system is of immense value. Details such as their names, positions, places of service and residential areas can contribute significantly to mapping out the human component of the Bastion system's functionality.
German sends new military aid package to Ukraine
Germany has sent a new batch of military aid to Ukraine, which includes shells, military equipment, drones, and more.
That's according to the updated list of arms and military equipment provided by the German government to Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.
In particular, Ukraine received 6,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition, 1 million rounds of ammunition for fire arms, 16 Vector reconnaissance drones with spare parts, 30 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones, 30 frequency range extensions for anti-drone devices, a Warthog all-terrain tracked carrier (command vehicle), and two Wisent 1 mine clearing tanks with spare parts.
Germany also supplied Ukraine with 11 mobile, remote controlled and protected mine clearing systems, three mine ploughs, 70 infrared cameras, 680 MK 556 assault rifles, 24 outboard motors, 680 MK 556 assault rifles, 120 CR 308 rifles, 50 HLR 338 precision rifles with 60,000 rounds of ammunition, and 5,000 detonators.
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