Sunday, April 7

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Ukrainian civilian, 67-year-old Luba, whose apartment was bombed during the clashes, stands near her destroyed house while daily life continues in the shadow of the Russia-Ukraine war in Lyman, Donetsk Oblast, on April 6, 2024. (Wojciech Grzedzinski/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Syrskyi: Chasiv Yar remains under Ukraine’s control, heavy battles east of city. Fierce battles are taking place east of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast as Russian forces are attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said on April 6.

Zelensky says Kharkiv is prepared for a potential Russian offensive. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview on April 6 that “Kharkiv is protected” in case Russia attempts to launch an offensive. A number of media outlets have reported that Russia may launch a ground offensive against Ukraine’s second-largest city this year.

Zelensky: Ukraine needs 25 Patriot air defense systems to cover the country. President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an interview for national television on April 6, called on international partners to provide Ukraine with modern air defense systems to defend against Russian attacks.

Minister: Over 36 million tons of goods exported via Black Sea corridor since August 2023. According to Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine’s corridor has already facilitated shipments of more goods than the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by Turkey and the U.N. in July 2022.

Russia might conduct regular mobilization campaigns in the near future. In an April 6 interview with national broadcasters, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the 300,000 troops that Russia plans to mobilize by June wouldn’t be the “final” draft.

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Zelensky meets bipartisan US Congress delegation, calls to pass Ukraine aid bill. President Volodymyr Zelensky met with a bipartisan delegation of U.S. Congress members in Chernihiv Oblast and called to pass Ukraine aid bill as soon as possible, the Presidential Office reported on April 6.

UK Military Intelligence: Ukrainian strikes overload Russian air defense, causing ‘friendly fire.’ Ukrainian recent attacks increased pressure on Russian air defense systems, leading to Russia likely shooting down its own planes, the U.K. Military Intelligence’s report said on April 6.

Military intelligence: Oil pipeline blown up in Russia’s Rostov Oblast. An oil pipeline near the Russian city of Azov, Rostov Oblast, that was funneling oil products to tankers in the Azov Sea Port was blown up overnight on April 6, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) said.

Bloomberg: US top general says North Korea’s missiles getting valuable battlefield testing in Ukraine. Russia’s use of North Korean missiles during its offensive in Ukraine presents a unique opportunity for Pyongyang to assess its weaponry in actual combat scenarios, potentially gaining insights to enhance their effectiveness, according to a senior U.S. military official.

Human cost of war

Russia’s attack on Kharkiv injures 3. Russian forces struck Kharkiv with drones overnight on April 7, damaging a private residence in the city, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Suniehubov reported. A 62-year-old man sustained shrapnel wounds.

Governor: Russian attack on Odesa district kills man. Russian forces struck a utility facility in the Odesa district, killing a civilian employee, Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper reported on April 6.

4 killed, 23 injured in Russian April 5 attacks on Zaporizhzhia. The victims who were killed included two men and two women. Two of them died in the hospital, Governor Ivan Fedorov said.

Governor: Russia strikes Kharkiv, at least 1 killed, 1 injured. Russian forces struck Kharkiv on the afternoon of April 6, killing at least one person and wounding another one, as well as damaging civilian infrastructure, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

Russian attacks kill 5, injure 2 in Donetsk Oblast. Russian troops shelled the Kurakhove and Marinka communities in Donetsk Oblast, killing three and injuring two people, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported on April 6.

Do Russian crimes in Ukraine amount to genocide?

International response

Bloomberg: US warns allies about China’s provision of geospatial intelligence to Russia. The U.S. is cautioning its allies about China’s increased backing of Russia, which includes supplying geospatial intelligence to aid Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

US Treasury Secretary warns China of ‘significant consequences’ if its companies support Russia’s war. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Beijing of “significant consequences” if Chinese companies provide support for Russia’s war against Ukraine during her meetings with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.

Lithuania delivers additional armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. Lithuania has delivered a new batch of M577 tracked armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry reported on April 6.

In other news

Ally of Russia-friendly leader wins Slovakian presidential election. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, known for his friendly stance towards Russia and firm opposition to providing military aid to Ukraine, is set to consolidate his hold on power following the victory of his ally in the country’s presidential election.

Ukrainian journalist allegedly targeted by enlistment officers as ‘revenge’ for investigation into SBU official. A Ukrainian investigative journalism outlet Slidstvo.Info said on April 6 that their journalist, Yevhenii Shulhat, appeared to be targeted for military draft as retaliation for his work investigating authorities.

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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Martin Fornusek, Dinara Khalilova, Oleksiy Sorokin, Kateryna Hodunova, and Olena Goncharova.

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