Timeline: day 38 of Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression
Today, April 2, Russia's military attack on Ukraine has been going on for thirty-eight days. We're reporting on all the current news. The article will be constantly updated.
What about today?
Key points
The armed forces of the Russian Federation continue their armed aggression against Ukraine.
They are withdrawing troops in certain areas, probably in order to strengthen the grouping of the occupying forces for further offensive operations in the Sloboda, Donetsk, and Luhansk areas.
However, these areas have been hotspots every day. A group of troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine repulsed 9 enemy attacks in the Donetsk and Luhansk directions in the past 24 hours. Our soldiers destroyed 8 tanks, 44 armored fighting vehicles, 16 units of vehicles, and 10 artillery systems.
Over the past week, the irreparable loss of personnel in the units of the so-called 2nd Army Corps amounted to about 800 people.
Our soldiers are fighting heroically for every meter of our land, the enemy's strength and motivation are exhausted, but Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksii Danilov urged Ukrainians not to fall into euphoria from the fact that Russian troops are retreating in certain directions ("our fighters' lives and Ukrainian Armed Forces' work is behind every withdrawal"). He says that the Russian army is being reformatted to launch new strikes. Danilov believes that Putin will try to win anywhere by May 9 to "hold a victory parade." The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council warned that there are still many fights ahead and that "I don't advise anyone to relax."
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, who arrived in Kyiv. "I came to Ukraine not only to confirm our solidarity. I would also like to make sure that you have everything you need to win this war. Because if you win, the whole world will win," said Roberta Metsola.
Russia is a country without shame, morality, and humanity. Since the beginning of the war, the occupiers have fired on 274 hospitals and shut down 70 ambulances. 154 residential buildings, 20 private estates, 27 kindergartens, and 44 schools were damaged.
Zelenskyy completely excludes renouncing the territory for the sake of a peace agreement, he said in an interview with Fox News.
Ukraine's talks with Russia
Davyd Arakhamia, the head of the Ukrainian delegation to the talks, announced some important news from the talks on the telethon:
- Russia has verbally accepted a project proposed by Ukraine in Istanbul, with the exception of Crimea (Kyiv is proposing to open 15-year talks on it, and Moscow is demanding recognition of its Russian status).
- Kyiv is waiting for Russia to confirm its statements at the talks in writing.
- Negotiations are underway with China through diplomatic channels to make it a guarantor of Ukraine. But, according to Arakhamia, the issue with China has been worked out less than with other countries.
We will not sign any document where Russia will have the right to veto the decision with its vote, added Arakhamia.
He also said that "we want to make our own NATO."
Trophies of the Armed Forces
Resistance forces in Shestovytsia, Chernihiv region, replenished armored personnel carriers for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine has successfully used Starstreak, a missile that strikes targets with three kinetic darts. Thus, a Russian helicopter was shot down in the Luhansk region.
During the fighting in the Kyiv direction, one of the units of the National Guard of Ukraine acquired trophy Russian equipment SAU 2C -3 and MT-LB. Ukrainian defenders have already towed them to the rear. After minor repairs, the equipment will strengthen the unit fighting in this direction.
And in this photo, soldiers of the Special Operations Forces Resistance Movement are inspecting a Russian helicopter shot down by soldiers of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Humanitarian corridors
Today, Saturday, April 2, 2022, 7 evacuation routes have been agreed upon:
- Donetsk region: Private transport: Mariupol – Manhush – Berdiansk – Tokmak – Vasylivka – Kamianske – Zaporizhzhia
- Zaporizhzhia region: Berdiansk – Tokmak – Vasylivka – Kamianske – Zaporizhzhia
Evacuation buses and humanitarian aid are at the entrance to Berdiansk. In the morning, 10 additional evacuation buses left Zaporizhzhia for Berdiansk.
Luhansk region:
– Rubizhne – Severodonetsk – Lysychansk – Bakhmut
– Nyzhne – Hirske – Lysychansk – Bakhmut
– Popasna – Bakhmut
– Lysychansk – Bakhmut
– Severodonetsk – Lysychansk – Bakhmut
Humanitarian cargo and evacuation buses will be sent from Bakhmut.
22:00 – Today, 4,217 people were evacuated from Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions on April 2, said the head of the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk.
Atomic and chemical threats
Russia will not attack nuclear facilities in Ukraine. The head of the IAEA Rafael Grossi is sure of it. The International Atomic Energy Agency will start assisting Ukraine in maintaining the safety of nuclear facilities. Regarding reports of exposure of the Russian military to the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, Grossi said the agency had contacted its Russian counterparts for more information.
Most likely, in the near future, Russia may decide to conduct a chemical attack on Ukraine. Therefore, Ukraine should be prepared for such a scenario. This is the opinion of Oleksii Danilov, Head of the Council of Experts on Energy Security. "You know that, despite the ban on all international institutions on the use of chemical weapons, they used it in Syria at one time. We have a clear awareness that they can do it in our country. We must be ready for that," he said.
Who's coming to Ukraine?
About financial aid, weapons, and volunteer fighters
The United States will provide Ukraine with equipment to protect against possible chemical attacks, the White House said. "In an effort to help our Ukrainian partners, the US government is providing the Ukrainian government with rescue tools and materials that could be deployed in the event of Russia's use of chemical or biological weapons," said White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
News from partners
American actor Sean Penn appealed to billionaires around the world to help Ukraine. Penn is asking billionaires to spend $300 million and buy two squadrons of F-15 or F-16 fighters for Ukraine, which would have a qualitative advantage over Russian Su and MiG fighters. He also called for $200 million worth of missile defense systems for Ukraine, for a total of half a billion dollars.
US President Biden said more than 30 countries had decided to release oil from their reserves to lower prices. He added that various states have united to prevent Russia from "turning energy resources into weapons" against the United States, Europe, and other countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria has declared the first secretary of the Russian embassy in Sofia persona non grata. He is suspected of espionage. A Russian diplomat has 72 hours to leave Bulgaria.
Following Bulgaria, the German government is considering expelling "a significant number" of Russian diplomats suspected of espionage.
The Pope has already abandoned Moscow's terminology, calling a "special military operation" a war. Today, he condemned "unjustified aggression" by Russia and "atrocities" in the war. "Again, a dictator, unfortunately, entangled in anachronistic statements about nationalist interests, provokes and inflames conflicts, while ordinary people feel the need to build a future that will either be common or non-existent," Francis told Maltese officials.
What's in Russia?
In Ukraine, the Russian military will be paid for voluntarily transferring usable military equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Verkhovna Rada voted in favor of the document. The Russian military is guaranteed the right to keep secret the fact of transferring equipment, obtaining new documents with new installation data and security of their stay in Ukraine, as well as creating conditions for travel to a safe third country. Very good offer!
On April 1 this year, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation decided to hold a military meeting with reservists from April 4 to May 23, 2022. The redeployment of Russian troops and units of the so-called Transnistrian-Moldavian Republic in order to prepare for a demonstration of readiness for the offensive and, possibly, hostilities against Ukraine was also noted.
There are many forbidden words and expressions in Putin's Russia. They even arrest people for the inscription on the sausage package:
"In unrecognized Transnistria, rumors are spreading about the coercion of army personnel to take part in the war against Ukraine," the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said.
Panic is also spreading among Russian servicemen because of radiation exposure of personnel based in the Chornobyl zone. The population of Bragin, Belarus, is advised to avoid contact with the Russian occupiers who have left the contaminated area.
What about Belarus?
About 25 missiles were launched from Belarus to Ukraine last night alone. This was reported by the media and Belarusian telegram channels.
Russian lies
On March 15, Solovyov stated in his telegram channel to all of Russia that the legendary Canadian sniper Vali, who was fighting on the side of Ukraine, had allegedly been killed by Russian special forces. As a real sniper, Vali showed endurance, and two weeks later showed a photo greeting to Solovyov and all those who rejoiced at his "death." He posted a photo with a Russian C-ration of racists.
In Russia, a video is being distributed where an Azovstal employee allegedly wants to join the occupiers' armed forces. This was reported in the Mariupol City Council: "They took an actor, invented his name and position and called him an Azov resident. It is said that an employee of the plant allegedly wants to join the ranks of murderers." Azovstal HR has raised the base of all employees of all Metinvest Group companies over the years. As it turned out, a person with this name and surname had never worked at the company.
Sanctions on the aggressor!
Ritter Sport has started to have problems selling products in Europe. Earlier, the company refused to leave Russia and even stated that it would develop its business there. Buyers did not like it very much, but the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany Andrii Melnyk added a special reputation, inventing a new slogan for Ritter Sport: "Quadratisch, praktisch, Blut" (Square, practical, bloody). The slogan has literally spread on the Internet and is already threatening to collapse sales across Europe. Now it's not about sanctions, it's about principles.
Oil giant Shell will not be able to pay for gas delivery under the new Kremlin scheme, as the UK has put Gazprombank under sanctions.
But Moldova has decided to "maintain neutrality" and will not join the sanctions imposed on Russia, President Maia Sandu told Radio Europa Liberă. This is a decision of a small country, which allegedly does not affect anything and does not want to irritate a large country. Unfortunately, this does not work with Russia. It always wants blood.
Russian gas is no longer supplied to the Baltic States, said Uldis Bariss, chairman of the board of the natural gas system operator Conexus Baltic Grid.
The supply of champagne from France to Russia was stopped after the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine. The prospects are unknown, said the director-general of the Union of French Champagne Houses (UMC) David Chatillon. But we believe there are no secrets here. Hawthorn tincture instead of champagne is the prospect in Russia.
The largest scientific publishers have decided to close access to their database of articles in Russia. At the same time, publishing houses will continue to publish articles by Russian and Belarusian scientists. The relevant statement was published on March 31.
Life considering hostilities
Ukraine has created a service for sending e-mails after the war. Messages are stored in a secure database, and after the war, the developers will automatically send them to recipients. "Write something important today to those you think about, and after the war, they will receive your letter. You can even write to yourself as a memory of those times," the authors of the idea comment.
260,000 temporarily displaced people have registered with the social security authorities, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a Cabinet meeting today. If we take into account that, according to the UN, at least 10.5 million people in Ukraine have currently moved out of their homes, only 2.5% have registered.
Kyiv and region
Monument to Princess Olga, St. Andrew the Apostle, and the educators Cyril and Methodius, Kyiv
Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klychko has said that the bombing of the Ukrainian capital's satellite cities continues, despite Russia's promises to withdraw troops from the region. On Sky News, Klychko said that the fighting continues in Brovary, east of Kyiv. "Those who want to return to Kyiv, it is better to wait a few weeks to see how the situation will develop," summed up the mayor.
In Irpin, liberated from the occupiers, authorities managed to restore communication thanks to Starlink. According to Vodafone spokeswoman Viktoria Ruban, this is the first case in Ukraine and the second in the world when the work of a part of the mobile operator's network is organized with the help of Starlink satellite technologies.
About 300 civilians are buried in a "mass grave" in Bucha, AFP reported, citing the mayor.
20:30 – Kyiv region was liberated from the occupiers. This was stated by Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar. "Irpin, Bucha, Hostomel, and the entire Kyiv region have been liberated from the invaders," she wrote.
Donetsk and Luhansk regions
The enemy continues to suffer significant losses in the Luhansk region. Thus, in the city of Alchevsk, the local hospital in the area of hostilities near the village of Popasna received about 30 wounded occupiers-Kadyrovites. According to available information, the dead occupiers are left on the battlefield.
During the night in Lysychansk, the Russians damaged five houses, two more, in Toshkivka
During the days of shelling, the cities of Severodonetsk, Rubizhne, Lysychansk, Kreminna, Hirske, and the settlements of Berezovo and Toshkivka were shelled.
At least $10 billion is needed to rebuild Mariupol. The mayor of the city Vadym Boichenko reported about it. This figure is a preliminary minimum estimate, which will be clarified. "Currently, we are working closely with the Government and the Donetsk Civil-Military Administration to obtain from Russia not only reparations for the complete reconstruction of our beloved Mariupol, but also large payments to all Mariupol residents for suffering and damage," Boichenko said.
21:30 – In the area of responsibility of the Eastoperational and tactical group, Russian fascist troops carried out 2 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders. Enemy losses amounted to:
- personnel – up to 80
- tanks – 3
- IFV – 2
- artillery systems, mortars – 1
- AT – 3
Victory will be ours! Glory to Ukraine!
Odesa region
The target of the missile attack on the Odesa region last night was critical infrastructure, according to the South operational command. Thanks to air defense, the missiles did not reach their targets.
Kherson region
20:30 – On the territory of the Kakhovka city territorial community, the military of the Russian Federation kidnapped the local Serhii Drozdyk, reported on the page of the Kakhovka city community.
And today patriotic billboards appeared on the streets of Kherson:
In the Kherson region, the Crimean scenario has collapsed, says First Deputy Head of the Regional Council Yurii Sobolevskyi. However, the city and the region are still under occupation, residents are under constant psychological pressure, activists are being detained, and the region is approaching a humanitarian catastrophe due to the blockade.
22:00 – Humanitarian cargo with medicines and 14 tons of yeast for Kherson bakery is going to the Kherson region. Currently, the cargo in Mykolaiv is waiting for departure to the Kherson region, the mayor Kolykhaiev reported.
Kharkiv region
Izium remains the hottest spot in the Kharkiv region: fierce battles are taking place.
The intelligence of the British Department of Defense believes that yesterday's fire at the oil depot in Belgorod, Russia, will affect the supply of Russian troops who surrounded Kharkiv.
17:00 – In the Kharkiv region, Russian troops struck 39 times in the districts of Saltivka, Piatihatky, and Oleksiivka, said the head of the regional military administration, Oleh Sinehubov. It is also not the first time that Gorky Park was shelled by Grad missile systems. This is one of the favorite recreation spots of Kharkiv residents. There is one victim, the man was hospitalized.
18:30 – Russian troops fired on the Balaklia district hospital in the Kharkiv region. The city is temporarily under occupation, and this shelling may be another attempt by the Russians to accuse the Ukrainian Armed Forces of attacking civilians.
Ukrainians are resisting the occupiers by all available means. Thus, residents of the Izium district "treated" Russians from the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division of the Russian Federation with poisoned cakes. As a result, two occupiers died at once, another 28 were taken to the intensive care unit. Another 500 servicemen of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division of the Russian Federation are in hospitals due to severe alcohol poisoning of unknown origin.
Chernihiv region
In the Chernihiv region, in recent days, the enemy has suffered significant losses; more than 50 units of armored vehicles. A number of settlements were liberated, in particular, the village of Shestovytsia near Chernihiv.
In the Chernihiv region, the Ukrainian military liberated the village of Mykhailo-Kotsiubynske, the North operational command reports. Many broken Russian military equipment and shells remained on the outskirts of the village.
Today, the criminal investigation officers of the Chernihiv region police, together with the fighters of the KORD special unit, detained a Russian citizen suspected of adjusting the enemy shelling of Chernihiv. A native of Sverdlovsk, who settled in the Chernihiv region in 2014, cooperated with the occupiers: he adjusted enemy fire and "surrendered" local residents to the Russian military. During the search of the suspect's residence, an explosive trap (tripwire) and zinc with ammunition were found near his house.
Sumy region
The occupiers are expanding their presence in the Sumy region, digging in on the territory of many communities, said the Head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyi.
About the situation in the Sumy region as of April 2 at 12:00:
- In Buryn, Russian troops fired on the homes of civilians yesterday. One man had a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital and treated.
- Also in Buryn, orcs fired on a civilian car with people. Two locals with gunshot wounds were handed over to medics yesterday morning.
- The day before yesterday, a local resident who was under enemy fire in the village of Duboviazivka was taken to the district hospital. Yesterday, April 1, the man died.
- Shostka district: in the evening of March 31, between Bilopillia and Putyvl, the Russian military detained a civilian car with residents of Shostka district. It is known that people's phones were taken away, and they were promised a place to spend the night. After that, the connection with the detainees disappeared. As of yesterday, their whereabouts are unknown, the phones are turned off.
Mykolaiv region
18:00 – Vitalii Kim, the head of the Mykolaiv regional military administration, reported that the 36th victim in the Mykolaiv regional state administration shelling is his secretary who was searched for a long time.
Poltava region
At night, at least 4 missiles hit two infrastructure facilities in Poltava. In the morning, according to preliminary information, three enemy planes attacked Kremenchuk's industrial facilities. Rescuers are working and urge not to post any videos or photos.
The occupiers fired on Myrhorod. According to preliminary information, no one was injured. "Three hits on infrastructure in Myrhorod. The consequences of enemy strikes are being clarified. No casualties have been reported so far. We will not post any photos! Keep calm! And do not ignore the air raid alarm!" wrote Dmytro Lunin, head of Poltava Regional State Administration.
22:00 – As a result of a missile strike by the Russian military on Myrhorod, the airfield was damaged, and a fire broke out in a fuel and lube warehouse, said Lunin, head of the Poltava Regional State Administration. The number of injured is being clarified.
The State Buro of Investigations has initiated the nationalization of almost 1,400 railway cars from Russia and Belarus, the agency's press service reports. Currently, these cars are located in Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
The governor of the Poltava region stated that the Kremenchuk refinery was destroyed as a result of a missile strike last night. "Unfortunately, the company's infrastructure has been destroyed. The plant is not working. Our rescuers continue to heroically put out the fire," said Dmytro Lunin. It was the only working Ukrainian refinery (except for the Shebelynka refinery, which was shut down immediately after the war).
Zhytomyr region
An enemy fire adjuster was detained in Zhytomyr. A local resident who was rummaging through checkpoints and taking photos on his phone was detained. Defenders of Ukraine found an artillery device for orienteering, surveillance, and reconnaissance near this man, which belonged to the detainee.
Dnipropetrovsk region
In Dnipro, the missiles hit an infrastructure facility. Serious destruction. Two people were injured.
In Kryvyi Rih, the gas station was targeted. Rescuers extinguished the fire. No one was injured.
Not all Russian missiles managed to reach their targets. At night, our air defenses shot down 4 enemy missiles and 1 drone over the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Khmelnytskyi region
17:30 – According to local Telegram channels, explosions were heard in the Shepetivka district (Khmelnytskyi region). The head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional State Administration Serhii Hamalii commented on the situation: "Dear residents of Shepetivka region! Please, keep calm, stay at home! Please refrain from photos and videos on social media and Telegram channels!"
20:00 – information about the explosion in Shepetivka, Khmelnytskyi region: "There was a missile strike on an industrial facility. The fire was extinguished by SES officers. According to preliminary information, no one was injured," said the head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional State Administration.
Western Ukraine
Ukraine will have a new gas field. It was opened in the Lviv region.
"Do you remember yesterday's sounds, similar to explosions, due to which many people in the Lviv region did not sleep at midnight? Today I can say: these are the sounds that Russian gas will follow their warship," summed up the Head of Lviv Regional Military Administration Maksym Kozytskyi.
In Mukachevo, all streets named after Russians will be renamed. The City Council proposes to name these streets in honor of the fallen heroes of the Russian-Ukrainian war, prominent figures of the city, region, and country. Also in Mukachevo, school №1 will refuse to be named after Aleksandr Pushkin. Two weeks ago in Mukachevo, Lva Tolstoho Street was renamed in honor of the Hero of Ukraine Andrii Litun. Andrii Litun died at the beginning of the war with Russia, on March 6, he was the commander of the 128th separate Transcarpathian mountain assault brigade.
A chatbot "Something is flying" has been created in the Lviv region. With it, vigilant people can report a suspicious drone, missile, or plane and help the air defense.
