Timeline: day 44 of Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression
Today is April 8. Russia's military attack on Ukraine has been going on for forty-four days. We're reporting on all the current news. The article will be constantly updated.
What about today?
Key points
For the past 24hrs, 7 enemy attacks have been repulsed in Donetsk and Luhansk regions; 4 tanks, 2 artillery systems, 10 armored units, and 11 enemy vehicles have been destroyed. Air Force aircraft continued to strike at places where enemy troops congregated.
"This war shows how many things they didn't want to notice in our country. In our people. How much the world believed in foreign propaganda and russian myths about Ukraine, not because it really is. We have always been so brave. The bravest in the world. Because who else would do what Ukrainians do?" Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address at the end of the 43rd day of the war.
The staff of the National Security and Defense Council maintains a register of collaborationists on behalf of the President. In the near future, it will be made public so that everyone can see their last names, first names, said the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksii Danilov. "There will be a lot of amazing people who appeared on all TV channels until February 24. They were regulars and even hosts of some programs and shouted on our channels about our state, freedom of speech," Danilov promised.
The third wave of general mobilization has begun in Ukraine, during which citizens belonging to the mobilization reserve are called up, i.e. military departments of universities that graduated as reserve officers, as well as those who were not called up during the previous mobilization waves.
The UN will resume its presence in Kyiv, said a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric.
Humanitarian corridors
4,676 people were evacuated through humanitarian corridors yesterday. In particular, 3,256 people were able to move to Zaporizhzhia from Mariupol and Berdiansk by personal transport and buses.
Three evacuation trains, which were blocked due to an airstrike by Russian aircraft on an overpass near the Barvinkove station, continued to run. Trains are already at a safe distance from the epicenter of the airstrike and follow a certain route. There are no injured or wounded passengers.
As of April 8, 2022, 10 humanitarian corridors have been agreed upon:
Donetsk region:
- Mariupol – Zaporizhzhia (by personal transport).
Zaporizhzhia region:
- Berdiansk – Zaporizhzhia (by personal transport and buses).
- Tokmak – Zaporizhzhia (by personal transport and buses).
- Melitopol – Zaporizhzhia (by personal transport).
- Enerhodar – Zaporizhzhia (by personal transport).
Luhansk region:
- Severodonetsk – Bakhmut.
- Lysychansk – Bakhmut.
- Popasna – Bakhmut.
- Hirske – Bakhmut.
- Rubizhne – Bakhmut.
9:40 – Almost the entire convoy of buses traveling to Melitopol with humanitarian aid for further evacuation of people was taken away by the russian military. This was announced by the head of the Zaporizhia Regional Council Oleksandr Starukh. The drivers were ordered to go to one bus and return. Other buses were confiscated by the russian occupiers.
Trophies of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Another Orlan-10 of the russian federation was shot down by specialists in electronic warfare in the Luhansk region. The occupiers constantly use such unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct reconnaissance and adjust artillery fire on the positions of Ukrainian defenders.
Ukraine's talks with Russia
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in online format are ongoing, but the emotional background of the talks has changed since the events in Bucha. This was stated by the representative of the Ukrainian delegation Mykhailo Podoliak in an interview with RBC-Ukraine. "This is not a question of proper negotiations, but the emotional background on which these negotiations are conducted. Ukrainian society is now much more negative about any negotiating concept concerning russia," Podoliak explained.
Also, according to Podoliak, it is still difficult to name the date of the next face-to-face meeting of delegations. This is due to many factors, including the state of affairs at the front.
France is ready to be one of the guarantors of security for Ukraine after the war, Macron said.
At the same time, Macron himself believes that the war in Ukraine will not end in the near future. "Unfortunately, this conflict will not end any time soon. I think we will see a very difficult situation in Donbas in the coming days and weeks. Therefore, we are doing everything together with Turkey and Greece and the UN to organize humanitarian operations in Mariupol," Macron said on the broadcast on RTL radio.
Italy also expressed readiness to guarantee Ukraine's security. They also consider it necessary to involve international mediators in negotiations on a peace settlement. This was stated by Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Mayo.
Who's coming to Ukraine?
About financial aid, weapons, and volunteer fighters
Australia, as promised, handed over 20 Bushmaster armored personnel carriers to Ukraine for $38 million. The photo of the sent equipment was published by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia Vasyl Miroshnychenko.
European Council President Charles Michel announced an initiative by EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell to increase military aid to Ukraine by another 500 million euros. "After a quick approval, it will increase Ukraine's support for military equipment from the EU to 1.5 billion euros," Michelle wrote on Twitter.
Canada will allocate $1.5 billion for weapons and financial assistance to Ukraine, Canadian MP Ivan Baker said. The Government of Canada has introduced a new budget for 2022-23 in the parliament, which provides funding for the purchase of weapons and new loans for Ukraine.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has publicly confirmed that the United States provides intelligence to Ukrainian forces for combat operations, particularly in eastern Ukraine. The head of the Pentagon said this during a hearing in the US Senate Armed Services Committee, CNN reports.
NATO will provide Ukraine with equipment for chemical and biological protection, Secretary-General of the Alliance Jens Stoltenberg states. NATO will also support cybersecurity.
But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, despite pressure from several other high-ranking officials, is delaying the final decision on whether to provide Ukraine with high-quality tanks for the war against russia. This was reported by Politico, citing four people familiar with the discussions. His government coalition partners are disappointed with the chancellor's position.
Assistance to refugees and those who receive them
Germany has agreed on financial support for Ukrainian refugees in the amount of €2 billion.
News from partners
The whole world is now with Ukrainians! Legendary rock band Pink Floyd has released a new song for the first time in almost 30 years, Hey Hey Rise Up, in collaboration with Ukrainian musician Andrii Khlyvniuk and his Red Viburnum rendition. All proceeds will go to humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Listen and watch here:
In Estonia, citizens of russia and belarus will no longer be able to obtain a new residence, work, and business permits. However, the country does not revoke existing residence, residence, and work permits.
The Latvian Seimas has approved a bill according to which May 9 this year will be the Day of Remembrance of Victims in Ukraine. On this day of mourning, it will be forbidden to hold mass entertainment and festive events.
Londoners have brought to the Russian embassy things that they can "take away as trophies." Among them: washing machine, toaster, rags, linen, toys, and jewelry. All that the russians looted on Ukrainian soil.
What's in russia?
A spokesman for the russian president peskov said that russia has suffered significant losses in the war with Ukraine, but did not name the exact figure. For the first time, russia has declared significant losses since the beginning of a full-scale invasion at the official level. putin's spokesman also named a new reason for russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is the prevention of the Third World War. And peskov stressed that Mariupol (Donetsk region) is part of the LPR. Not even DPR, but LPR. At least look at the map.
The ruble's exchange rate no longer reflects reality, but artificially maintaining it is detrimental to the economy, say Western bankers, analysts, and the press. Russia now has two exchange rates: black and stock. Due to restrictions, the exchange rate rises on the stock exchange, where demand is artificially low and supply is artificially high. "You can break the windows, turn off the heating, and pretend that summer has come," said the chairman of the Central Bank of Latvia Mārtiņš Kazāks. His Finnish counterpart Likka Korhonen agrees: "The ruble is no longer a freely convertible currency. So its official exchange rate is almost irrelevant," Korhonen said.
Russia is preparing to initiate a number of bills that will allow the adoption of children deported from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to russia, under a simplified procedure. This directly violates the rights of minors in our country, as well as the norms of the UN Convention on the Protection of the Child, said Daria Herasymchuk, Adviser to the President on Children's Rights and Children's Rehabilitation.
What about belarusians?
A criminal case has been opened in belarus for a letter against the war sent to the Lukashenko administration. In her letter, Lyudmila Romanovich, an activist for the Freedom Movement, demanded that the russian army be removed from the country and recalled lukashenko's promise that no one would ever attack Ukraine from belarus. Now Romanovich is charged because of insulting lukashenko.
Meanwhile, belarus is preparing for direct participation in hostilities. The Armed Forces of the Republic of belarus carry out operational and combat training activities at training grounds throughout the country. Protection of the Ukrainian-belarusian border has been strengthened. Also on the territory of the Republic of belarus, so-called "volunteers" are being selected from among belarusians to recruit new units for a private military company.
belarus has introduced state regulation of prices for socks, soap, and toilet paper. Belarusian officials will also monitor the prices of napkins, diapers, detergents, toothpaste, and children's shoes.
Russian lies
Recently, Russia-24 decided to "expose" Ukrainian fakes and showed how "two Ukrainians in military uniform wrap a mannequin with scotch tape to later misrepresent it to be a corpse." In response, a girl woman in St. Petersburg said that the video was shot on March 20 in Vsevolozhsk, when the producers of stunts and an assistant were preparing a mannequin for filming so that it could simulate falling out of a window for a russian TV series.
In russia, a wave of resignation of top workers from propaganda channels and publications has begun. Agnes Nemirovskaya, Deputy Chief Producer of Russia-1, resigned and left Russia today. Yesterday, the editor of Pervyi Kanal Natalia Peshkova resigned. Dmitry Likin, the main artist of the First Channel, has resigned (he served there for 24 years). Vesti employees massively resign. One of the oldest producers of "News of the Week" quit his job, and the director of the daily broadcast made a statement right during the broadcast. The head (about 15 years in office) of the "putin department" also resigned.
Sanctions on the aggressor!
Poland calls on the EU to replace the freeze on the property of russia and russian oligarchs with confiscation. "russia's policy of appeasing was a policy of cowardice. We must move away from this policy," said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
Payments for russian gas in rubles will be considered a circumvention of sanctions, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. "We believe that the proposal to exchange (ruble currency) will not only pose a risk to companies but will also bypass the existing sanctions," said Ursula von der Leyen. We wonder what Orban will say to this?
Life considering hostilities
A useful Telegram bot of psychological help has been created in Ukraine. If you find it difficult to cope with the situation, consult a psychologist. However, if a stressful situation has occurred recently and you are not able to communicate with a specialist, use the Telegram first aid kit. This bot was created based on modern research, so it can really help you in the first hours after a traumatic event.
All men who left Ukraine during the war without proper permission will be caught on the way back. This was stated by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Danilov during the telethon.
Nova Poshta will close its branch in the Donetsk region on April 9. The last day of their work is today. Parcels that have already arrived will be given to clients. They will not accept shipments.
Kyiv and region
Arestovych said that the attempt to "take to Kyiv" for the second time was insane, and if the occupiers tried to do it again, it would end in their failure much sooner than the first. The adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine also said that the missiles fired at us by the russians were handed over to them by Ukraine after the signing of the Budapest Memorandum.
In Bucha, 163 residents killed by russians have already been identified. A total of 320 bodies of Bucha residents killed by the russian occupiers were found.
Donetsk and Luhansk regions
The russians continues to launch airstrikes and shell civilian infrastructure, including the use of multiple rocket launchers. Such activities were recorded in the areas of Kreminna, Severodonetsk, Novotoshkivske, Popasna, Novozvanivka, Sukha Balka, Novoselivka Druha, Stepne, Troitske, Novobahmutivka, Mariinka and Solodke.
In the Luhansk region, constant mortar shelling and positional fighting continue in Kreminna, Popasna, and Rubizhne. In the evening the enemy concentrated on Lysychansk.
There were 24 fires in the housing stock as a result of shelling in the region. One person died.
In Popasna, the occupiers again used weapons prohibited by the Geneva Convention. Orcs fired phosphorous shells at the settlement.
10:50 – 2 missiles arrived at Kramatorsk railway station. There are victims. We are clarifying the details, Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) reported.
Kharkiv region
Kharkiv and the region: at night the enemy again fired artillery at residential areas of the city: Saltivka, HTZ, Oleksiivka. 14 victims and 1 woman died. In the region, the russians struck at Derhachi and Balaklia.
The Kharkiv prosecutor's office is investigating torture and murder in another liberated settlement. On April 7, the Ukrainian army took control of the village of Husarivka in the Izium district. Burnt body parts of three people were found in the basement of one of the houses. According to investigators, the russian military tortured and then set fire to three locals to cover their tracks.
Dnipropetrovsk region
Fragments of an enemy missile fell near Kryvyi Rih. There was no explosion, one person was not seriously injured in the leg, the head of the Military Administration of Kryvyi Rih Vilkul said at a briefing.
Sumy region
Sumy region has been liberated from russian troops, said the head of the Regional State Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyi. However, it is still dangerous to return there. Ahead is the demining of ammunition left by russian "liberators."
And this is Okhtyrka. Here people continue to clean the streets bombed by the enemy.
Odesa region
At night, as a result of a missile strike from the sea, infrastructure facilities were hit in the Odesa region. Details are being clarified.
Kherson region
Explosions were heard in the region at night. There is currently no information on the consequences.
In general, the situation in the Kherson region is becoming more critical: a humanitarian catastrophe in many villages, a lack of water and light, and most importantly, medicine, the authorities say.
The russians continue to loot.
Mykolaiv region
The night was relatively calm throughout the territory, except for the Bashtanka district, where there was shelling. Details are being clarified.
The russian occupiers, who are taken prisoner by our defenders, are very surprised by the standard of living of the citizens of Ukraine. Over the years, they have been brainwashed by propaganda. They have no logical thinking, no analytics, they do not know what a comparison of facts is. They do not know how to think or argue, they can only express their views and seek confirmation. They have already convinced themselves in everything," Vitalii Kim explained the reasons for the Russians' hatred of all things Ukrainian.
Zaporizhzhia region
In Melitopol, the occupiers have already abducted more than 100 people, said Mayor Ivan Fedorov. "Today the situation with the abduction of the city's residents is difficult. Teachers of our pedagogical university are already being abducted. In total, more than 100 people have already been abducted," he said.
Besides, Fedorov added that one of the local collaborationists, the deputy of the City Council Oleksandr Falk is detained in the city.
Chernihiv region
"Planes are flying over the region, missiles are flying," said Viacheslav Chaus, head of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, and called on residents of the region to adhere to light masking measures. "Let's not forget that there is a war in the country; let's not forget that there is an enemy in our country. This applies to everything: movement in settlements and movement between settlements. Everything is mined. You know that there are many places where we can't even pass. Deminers are working," Chaus stressed.
Today the largest humanitarian aid column of all wartime arrived in Chernihiv.
