UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-05-12
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
Note - Today the GSAFU reorganized and renamed almost all of the various fronts
GSAFU Morning Report
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its situation update at 06:00 on May 12 stated that it was day 809 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 155 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 13 missile strikes, 118 air strikes, and 120 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 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under enemy fire.
Ukrainian missile forces struck
A Statement from Colonel General Alexander Sirsky Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The situation on the front remains acute.
The enemy is actively attacking our units in several directions in order to advance deep into the territory of our state.
Units of the Defense Forces engage in tough defensive battles, attempts by Russian occupiers to break through our defenses have been stopped. Our intelligence, artillery, units of unmanned systems are working.
We know the plans of the enemy and are flexible to all his actions. To strengthen the defense, all the necessary measures are taken and decisions are made promptly, including personnel.
This week, the situation in Kharkiv region has significantly increased. Currently, there are fighting in border areas along the state border with Russia.
The situation is difficult, but the Defense Forces of Ukraine are doing everything to maintain the defensive borders and positions, impressing the enemy.
In the Kupyansk, Avdiika, and Lyman directions, hot fights are ongoing, the situation is very dynamically changing. In some areas, the enemy has partial success, in others - the Defense Forces push the enemy out and improve their tactical position.
In the Bakhmut direction, the enemy does not abandon attempts to seize the city of Chasiv Yar, continues offensive actions east of the city.
Unsuccessfully attempts to recover the lost position in the area of Klishchievka.
Despite the difficult situation on the front, the rotation of units is carried out for the rest of soldiers and the recovery of the brigades' compatibility.
— Alexander Sirsky, CIC, Armed Forces of Ukraine
Air Force Daily Report
The Ukrainian Air Force in its situation update at 06:00 stated that during the previous day the Ukrainian Air Force and Missile Forces launched strikes 3 anti-aircraft missile systems, 2 artillery systems, 2 radar stations, and 9 concentrations of troops of the russian invaders.
Over the past day, air defense units of southern Ukraine destroyed 5 Russian reconnaissance UAVs - 4 "ZALA" in the Kherson region and 1 "Orlan-10" in the Mykolaiv region.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Enemy intensifies offensive actions near Avdiivka, Kupiansk, Bakhmut, no large-scale offensive in north of Kharkiv region task force
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group released a statement that the enemy has currently intensified offensive actions in the Avdiivka, Kupiansk, and Bakhmut directions, while the attempt by occupiers to advance in the border areas of the Kharkiv region is aimed at drawing Ukrainian forces to a new direction of the front line, said Colonel Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Khortytsia task force, told Interfax-Ukraine.
"The enemy has currently intensified offensive actions in the Avdiivka, Kupiansk, and Bakhmut directions. The occupiers see that they cannot achieve significant success in the south as well. The attempt by Russian occupiers to advance in the border areas of Kharkiv region is aimed at drawing Ukrainian forces and reserves to a new direction of the front line, so that we cannot reinforce our resources," Voloshyn said.
According to him, there are all grounds to believe that they are dealing with enemy psychological operations aimed at sowing panic and hindering Ukrainian command from reallocating reserves to other, more flash points on the eastern front of Ukraine.
"There is no large-scale offensive in the north of Kharkiv region. The defense forces, together with the Armed Forces and various military units, control the situation," said Khortytsia task force.
The spokesperson also reported that on Friday, May 10, units of the National Guard of Ukraine, operating as part of the Defense Forces, destroyed a group of Russian occupiers, four armored infantry fighting vehicles along with personnel, and an Ural truck in an attempt by the enemy to break through in Kharkiv region.
Kharkiv axis: The enemy, with the air support, launched 12 attacks in the vicinities of Strilecha, Krasne, Morokhovets’, Oliinykove, Luk’yantsi, Pyl’na, Ohirtseve, Hatyshche, Pletenivka, Vovchans’k, and Buhruvatka (Kharkiv oblast).
Russian Federation uses the African Corps in the offensive on Kharkiv region
Russia is using the African mercenary corps, which is suffering huge losses, in its offensive against the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. This was reported by ATESH, UNN reports.
Agents of the ATESH movement from the 44th AK headquarters report that Russia is using the African corps in an offensive against the Kharkiv region. They are already suffering huge losses. The report stated
It is emphasized that the mercenaries were not ready for such a war. The Russians sent them to the front lines, knowing that most of them would not return from the assaults.
“We could see all the training of this corps at the parade, where 20 people performed their traditional military dance. There is evidence that mercenaries who have already fought in Mali and Libya are also present in the Kharkiv region. russia recruits and engages mercenaries from poor countries in an attempt to compensate for its losses.” Atesh reported
Kupyansk axis: Ukrainian forces repelled 19 attacks in the vicinities of Synkivka, Ivanivka, Novojehorivka, (Kharkiv oblast), and Stelmakhivka (Luhansk oblast). Where the occupiers, with air support, attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive
Lyman axis: The enemy launched 11 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Makiivka, Nevske, Serebryanske forest (Luhansk oblast) Novosadove, and Terny (Donetsk oblast). Where, supported by aviation, they attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive lines.
Huge fire breaks out in Serebryanske forest in frontline Luhansk Oblast
A video shows efforts to control a massive fire in the frontline Serebryanskyi forest in Luhansk Oblast, with smoke engulfing long-damaged trees. NV reports.
"It's the third hour of extinguishing the forest fire," a voiceover states. In an effort to halt the spread of the fire, some trees are being cut down.
Siversk axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 16 attacks in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Verkhn’okam’yans’ke, Spirne, Vyimka, and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Kramatorsk axis: Ukrainian forces repelled 27 attacks in the vicinities of Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Ivanivske,Chasiv Yar, Hryhorivka, and Novyi (Donetsk oblast). With the air support, the invaders attempted to improve their tactical position in that area.
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 32 attacks in the vicinities of Kalynove, Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Sokil, Novopokrovs’ke, Novoselivka Persha, Semenivka, Umans’ke, and Netailove (Donetsk oblast). With the air support, the invaders attempted to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions.
Kurakhove axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Kostyantynivka, Solodke, Krasnohorivka, and Vodyane. With the air support, the invaders made 10 attempts to breach Ukrainian defense in that area.
Vremika axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 16x attacks in the vicinities of Urozhaine and Staromaiorske (Donetsk oblast). With air support, the invaders attempted to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions.
Orikhiv axis: The enemy, with the air support, launched 2 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Prydniproske axis: The enemy continues to attempt to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Over the past day, they launched 5 unsuccessful assaults on the positions of the Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Krynky (Kherson oblast).
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Over 2,500 people evacuated from constantly shelled areas in northern Kharkiv region
As of 12:00 on Saturday, more than 2,500 people have been evacuated from communities in northern Kharkiv region that are under constant enemy shelling. Interfax-Ukraine reports.
"From these areas, 2,526 people have already been evacuated. The majority [of evacuated] are from the Vovchansk direction, slightly fewer from the north, the Zolochiv direction of the Bohodukhiv district, even fewer from the Kharkiv district, and the Lyptsi direction," said Head of Regional Military Administration Oleh Synehubov.
According to him, 70% of the evacuees already know where they will be living, while the remaining 30% need temporary accommodation. Synehubov assured that the administration will provide temporary housing for those in need, and if necessary to evacuate beyond the region, Ukrzaliznytsia will assist with rail transport.
"We have set up an additional 830 places to accommodate evacuees. If necessary, we can increase this figure. We have reached agreements with Ukrzaliznytsia – if there is a mass evacuation beyond the territory of Kharkiv region, we can provide separate trains on separate routes. Suburban trains are also running," said Synehubov
RUSSIAN WORLD
Ukrainian Military Intelligence attacks three Military targets in Russia overnight
Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (HUR), said that the recent attacks on three military facilities in Russia will continue, as they are used by the Russian Federation to supply and finance the occupation group. Since the beginning of this year, attacks have already taken place at more than 40 military facilities in Russia. UNN reports.
Intelligence sources told journalists that military facilities in Volgograd, Kaluga and Lipetsk regions of the Russian Federation were attacked by HUR drones last night.
When asked what he could say about the attack, which was allegedly organized by Ukrainian intelligence, Yusov replied:
We cannot confirm or deny it. But the incidents at these facilities are a natural consequence of the Russian invasion and genocidal war against Ukraine. These facilities are military and are used by the enemy for military purposes to supply and finance the occupation group that is waging an aggressive genocidal war against Ukraine.
"This year alone, more than 40 such facilities have been successfully rumbling and popping, which is good news for Ukraine and the world because the aggressor is becoming weaker economically and in the defense sense as well. These processes will continue," Yusov said.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
EU Said To Agree On Security Assurances For Ukraine
Germany's Welt am Sonntag reports that the European Union is currently discussing with Kyiv possible security assurances with the aim of providing what the outlet says are "extensive security commitments" by the beginning of July.
In a May 11 report, the news outlet cites a draft document it has seen in which Brussels also grapples with the question of whether soldiers from EU countries may be deployed to Ukraine.
It says envoys from the EU's 27 member states "recently agreed" on the 11-page "confidential" text. The outlet quotes the text as, in Welt's words, "exclud[ing] the direct participation of EU soldiers alongside Ukrainian soldiers in combat operations against Russia."
But the draft reportedly pledges weapons and nonlethal supplies and training and other assistance. While an overwhelming majority of the bloc agrees with providing military supplies to Ukraine, questions of degree have persisted between even staunch hawks to help that country beat back the full-scale Russian invasion that began in February 2022.
MILITARY & TECH
UK Ministry of Defence announces 500 million pound military aid package for Ukraine
The UK will provide Ukraine with assistance amounting to GBP 500 million in financing and 4 million round of ammunition, over 1,600 missiles, as well as 400 vehicles, the UK Ministry of Defence announced. Interfax Ukraine reported.
"The UK is delivering its largest ever military aid package to Ukraine. Alongside GBP 500 million in military funding, the UK is providing vital equipment: 4 million rounds of ammunition, more than 1,600 missiles and 400 vehicles – including 160 Husky vehicles," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Saturday.
Earlier, it was reported with reference to Prime Minister of the UK Rishi Sunak that Ukraine would receive an additional GBP 500 million in military financing from the UK. The additional funding will be used for the rapid delivery of urgently needed ammunition, air defense assets, drones, and engineering support. Drones will be purchased from the UK.
The UK Ministry of Defense will send Ukraine a package of equipment designed to counter Russian invasion on land, sea, and air. The aid package includes 60 boats, including raiding and diving boats, as well as naval guns, over 1,600 strike and air defense missiles, and additional long-range Storm Shadow missiles, over 400 units of military equipment, including 160 armored Husky vehicles, 162 armored vehicles, and 78 all-terrain vehicles, almost 4 million rounds of small arms ammunition.
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