Exclusives
| Ukraine leaves NATO birthday party with promises of air defense, but not membership. Germany will initiate the search for Patriot air defense systems, but the promise of NATO membership this summer is still vague |
| Ukraine solidarity narrative cynical without weapons & guarantees. Gabrielius Landsbergis warns western nations there will be no happy ending unless they choose to rewrite the script to help Ukraine achieve a full victory |
Military
Frontline report: Ukraine repels Russian assault waves in strategic city of Krasnohorivka, Donetsk Oblast. In the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces have increased the intensity of their attacks toward the Ukrainian town of Kurakhove and have started a large-scale battle in an attempt to reach it. Ukrainian defenders have successfully repelled three Russian assault waves there.
No Russian troops in Chasiv Yar – Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Ukrainian command advises not to trust Russian reports.
Ukraine’s drone strike destroys 6 aircraft, damages 8 at Russia’s Morozovsk airbase – media. MT Anderson, an OSINT analyst, estimates that the Morozovsk airbase might have had up to 30 Russian aircraft on-site at the moment of the drone assault.
Ukraine downs 13/13 Russian drones in overnight attack. The Russian military deployed the drones from its bases in occupied Crimea.
Russians poised for street battles in Chasiv Yar; Robotyne at risk – Deep State analysts. Russia’s manpower, artillery advantage, and surplus equipment enable multi-front pressure on Ukraine.
Drone attacks hit Russian air bases in Morozovsk, Yeisk, and Engels. Local residents reported dozens of explosions on social media, but there is no confirmation of any damage so far.
Intelligence and technology
Russia recruits Ukrainians in occupied territories to fight in Africa, Ukraine says. Russia’s Wagner private military company has started a large-scale recruitment of Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories. The goal is to provide recruits for Russian influence operations in Africa.
CNN: Munition shortages pose dire threat to Ukraine, say Western officials. CNN cites Western officials warning of dire consequences for Ukraine due to munition shortages and delayed US aid, putting air defenses at risk amid intensifying Russian attacks.
Czechia aims to deliver at least 800,000 ammunition rounds to Ukraine by June. As Ukraine grapples with a severe artillery ammunition shortage, Czechia pledges to contribute tens of millions of euros to the ammunition initiative.
UK Intel: Russia seized 180 Ukrainian companies worth $ 11.5B since invasion. The report also highlights Russia’s redistribution of assets to Kremlin-aligned businesspeople who support the war in Ukraine.
ISW: Kremlin claims NATO and Russia in “direct confrontation” to deter Western support for Ukraine. The Kremlin has escalated its rhetoric, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claiming that NATO is “already involved in the conflict surrounding Ukraine.”
International
Reuters: GOP infighting threatens further delay of stalled Ukraine aid package in US House. Divisions within the Republican party in the US House of Representatives, including a threat to remove Speaker Mike Johnson, have led to a threat to further delay the approval of a vital aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other key US allies.
Stoltenberg: Russian personnel expelled from NATO HQ. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg mentions the expulsion of Russian personnel from NATO headquarters for engaging in espionage rather than diplomatic activities, not specifying when it occurred.
Transnistria claims drone hit military unit, Ukraine dismisses it as Russian ploy. Moldova’s Russian-controlled Transnistria claims a drone attacked a military unit, but Ukraine’s military intelligence dismisses this as a Russian provocation aimed at creating panic and instability in the region by falsely portraying Transnistria as preparing to attack Ukraine’s Odesa.
Ukraine receives $32.4 million grant from Russia-leaning Serbia. Serbia granted Ukraine financial aid worth $32.4 million in March 2024, demonstrating support despite its traditionally close ties with Russia and refusal to join sanctions against Moscow.
Moldova strongly condemns second Russian drone wreckage discovery near Ukraine. Moldova’s Foreign Ministry condemns the discovery of the wreckage ot a Russian Shahed explosive drone near the Ukraine border, the second incident in two months.
Lithuania to support Ukraine’s defense with 3,000 drones & rehabilitation program for injured soldiers. The Baltic country will support three veteran rehab centers and calls upon other countries to join.
Biden and Sullivan “bought into” Russia nuclear scare on Ukraine, top GOP lawmaker says. In contrast, Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds a firmer stance.
Speak with Ukraine about their attacks on Russia, says Pentagon. Ukrainian drone strikes take heavy toll on Russian oil facilities.
Humanitarian and social impact
Child and journalist among 19 injured in Russia’s attack on Zaporizhzhia, which killed three civilians (updated). Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia City kills three, injures 19, including a child and an Ukrinform correspondent; damages buildings and a trade facility.
Austria allocates $2.2 mn for humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Austria pledges $ 2.2 mn from its Foreign Disaster Relief Fund for humanitarian aid in Ukraine as part of a $23.3 million for crisis regions. “Our security depends on stability of neighbors,” says Chancellor Nehammer.
Political and legal developments
Norway FM: Nobody does enough for Ukraine. According to the Norwegian Foreign Minister, the West is in agreement on helping Ukraine towards victory. Nevertheless, ”there’s a lot of good words, but not sufficient actual support.”
New developments
Lithuanian PM: Proper air defense could enable Western instructors in Ukraine. Lithuanian PM Šimonytė indicates that with proper air defense measures, Western military instructors could potentially be deployed to Ukraine to provide training to Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine further integrates into European transport network. Ukraine is increasing its integration into the European Union through the expansion of Ukrainian routes in the overall European transport network.
Ukraine partially localizes production of Croatian MV-4 demining vehicle. Ukraine has localized the production of the MV-4 mine clearance vehicle at 15% and plans to increase this to 25-30% by year-end, enhancing demining efforts during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.
Musk likens Ukraine’s NATO accession to “nuclear apocalypse” movie. Elon Musk reacted to Sec. Blinken’s remarks about Ukraine joining NATO, calling it the “start of a movie about nuclear apocalypse.”
Russian losses
As of 05 Apr 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:
- Personnel: 445900 (+860)
- Tanks: 7033 (+15)
- APV: 13459 (+73)
- Artillery systems: 11221 (+50)
- MLRS: 1029 (+3)
- Anti-aircraft systems: 747 (+1)
- Aircraft: 347
- Helicopters: 325
- UAV: 8847 (+30)
- Cruise missiles : 2059
- Warships/boats: 26
- Submarines: 1
- Vehicles and fuel tanks: 14922 (+61)
Read the daily review for 5 April 2024 here
