Timeline: day 47 of Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression

Photo by Reuters

Alice Smahina

Today is April 11. russia's military attack on Ukraine has been going on for forty-seven days. We're reporting on all the current news. The article will be constantly updated.

What about today?

Key points

"When people lack the courage to admit their mistakes, apologize, adapt to reality, learn, they turn into monsters. And when the world ignores it, the monsters decide that the world must adapt to them. Ukraine will stop it. Nothing will help russian cowardice. The day will come when they will have to admit everything, admit the truth," said President Zelenskyy in a night address at the end of the 46th day of the war with russia.

Over the past day, Ukrainian defenders destroyed:

• 5 tanks,
• 8 units of armored vehicles, 6 military vehicles,
• 8 enemy artillery systems.

On April 10, 11 air targets of the russian occupiers were destroyed by the air defense of the Air Force and the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

• 1 aircraft (Su-34);
• 4 helicopters (Mi-24, Ka-52);
• 3 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs);
• 3 cruise missiles (X-59).

As a result of the war in Ukraine, 42 countries turned to The Hague: an international investigation has begun. Experts from all over Ukraine are working to gather evidence of war crimes in Bucha, but the number of such crimes is so large that there are not enough resources. The most difficult thing is to prove the guilt of those who gave criminal orders.

We should not expect a quick result of the investigation, as russia will not extradite its troops. But the perpetrators will definitely be brought to justice because there is no statute of limitations for such crimes.

A record number of Ukrainians returned home from Poland on Saturday, April 9. About 23,000 people crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border. This was reported by the Polish Border Guard Service. This is the largest number of trips to Ukraine since the beginning of the war on February 24, and the figure continues to grow.

We will definitely survive, there's no place like home!

During the entire war in Ukraine, 183 children died. 342 were injured, the Office of the Prosecutor General reports.

Updated data on enemy losses as of April 11:

In 45 days in Ukraine, the russians lost more helicopters than in the four wars before. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. For comparison: during the 45 days of the war in Ukraine, russia lost 137 helicopters, and in the four previous wars (Afghanistan, Syria, Georgia, and Chechnya) combined, the number is 83. Our Armed Forces are the coolest!

Today, the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine resumed its work in Kyiv. The flag of the European Union was hoisted in front of the representative office in Kyiv. In the photo: the head of the EU Delegation Matti Maasikas:

17:30 – Attempts by the russian army to attack Kyiv will depend on the course of hostilities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. This was stated during a briefing on April 11 by Defense Ministry spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzianyk. "We predict that active hostilities in Donetsk and Luhansk regions will begin in the near future. Our army is ready. The enemy has almost completed preparations for the offensive operation," Motuzianyk said.

The SBU's counterintelligence detained a russian intelligence agent who worked in the former president's administration and other government agencies, so he was able to pass important information to the enemy. He admits that since 2014 he has worked for the General Staff of the russian federation. He was recruited by enemy special services after fleeing from Donetsk to Belgorod. With the beginning of a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, russian intelligence set the agent new tasks: to collect information about law enforcement agencies, information about the latest models of weapons and military equipment, and so on.

Humanitarian corridors 

To date, 9 humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of people from hostilities have been coordinated in Ukraine:

Donetsk region:

• Mariupol – Zaporizhzhia (by personal transport).

Zaporizhzhia region:

• Berdiansk – Zaporizhzhia.
• Tokmak – Zaporizhzhia.
• Meeting place: Shevchenka Street, 5.
• Enerhodar – Zaporizhzhia.

The place of gathering of cars will be announced by the local authorities.

Luhansk region:

• Severodonetsk – Bakhmut.
• Meeting place: 28 Khimikiv Avenue.
• Lysychansk – Bakhmut. Meeting place: RTI, 40 Rokiv Peremohy, Sosiury Street, 324.
• Popasna – Bakhmut. Meeting place: Pervomaiska Street, 42.
• Hirske – Bakhmut. Meeting place: Haharina Street, 13.
• Rubizhne – Bakhmut

According to Oleksandr Zaika, Head of the Lysychansk Civil-Military Administration, the evacuation from the city continues every day, but according to preliminary estimates, about 20,000 people remain in Lysychansk.

22:00 – For today humanitarian corridors managed to evacuate 4 354 people, the head of the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, Iryna Vereshchuk, reported. During the evacuation, the occupying forces constantly violated the ceasefire.

Ukraine's talks with russia

In negotiations with the russian federation, Ukraine will do its utmost to end the war in the interests of its national interests and to obtain reliable international guarantees to prevent similar wars in the future. This was stated by the adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podoliak in an interview with the Ukraine 24 TV channel.

russia doesn't plan to suspend hostilities on the territory of Ukraine for the sake of peace talks, said russian Foreign Minister lavrov. According to him, putin ordered the suspension of hostilities during the first round of talks between russia and Ukraine in late February, but now moscow's position has changed.

Who's coming to Ukraine? 

About financial aid, weapons, and volunteer fighters

As part of the joint initiatives of the Joint Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the servicemen defending the Ukrainian land in the eastern direction of our state received another humanitarian aid. According to the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant-General Serhii Naiev, the aid consists of cars, military ammunition, medicines, medical kits, dressings, thermal underwear, and long-term food. Humanitarian aid was provided by the Association of International Road Carriers in Poland and the Association of International Road Carriers of Ukraine.

The German Ministry of Defense handed over 350,000 army rations to the Ukrainian army.

The Biden administration is ready to provide weapons that will allow Ukraine to strike at russian military airfields, which will increase the chances of the Armed Forces to withstand a new offensive. "They will have the ability to hit deeper targets," a Pentagon source told CNBS.

Estonia will send computers and equipment to the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and IT institutions to support the "continuity of digital services." The total cost of the aid is 80,000 euros.

And Lithuania will train the Ukrainian military to use Western technology.

French gendarmes investigating war crimes are already in Ukraine:

New Zealand authorities will send a C-130H Hercules transport plane and 50 people to Europe for two months on Wednesday to help Ukraine. A statement from the New Zealand government said the team would travel to Europe to deliver equipment and supplies to Ukraine's distribution centers, but would not enter the country.

Addressing the South Korean parliament, Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked for air defense systems, aircraft, tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery. He also called on South Korean businesses to leave Russia.

Bloomberg reports that the head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell calls on EU member states to urgently provide Ukraine with the weapons it requests.

Ukraine may become a testing ground for the kamikaze drone Switchblade, CNBC reports. Such drones are designed to hunt for both air and ground purposes. According to CNBC, a group of Ukrainian servicemen in the United States, who arrived in the United States before the war, studied drone handling for many weeks. They were trained at the Special Forces Training Center in Biloxi, Mississippi.

In total, weapons are delivered to Ukraine by 8-10 flights a day and by an "almost constant" flow of ground columns, the Pentagon reports.

Ukraine received €44.5 million from Sweden through the World Bank under a loan agreement. The money will go to priority social spending, as well as health care.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said he is ready to travel to Ukraine if it helps resolve the Ukrainian-russian conflict.

News from partners

Tram in Helsinki

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer went to moscow after his visit to Kyiv. He intends to hold talks with putin today, April 11. And, among other things, to tell about the atrocities of russian soldiers. It seems that Macron didn't do it very convincingly on the phone.

18:00 – Nehammer commented on the meeting with putin; it was a "very harsh and open" conversation. According to him, it was not a friendly visit. The main message that the Austrian chancellor tried to convey was that "the war must end because there are only those who lose on both sides in the war." The war crimes of the Russian military were also discussed at the meeting.

"No positive impressions" and, in fact, no specifics, the Chancellor of Austria summed up his impressions of the meeting with the russian dictator.

Meanwhile, street protests in the French capital. About 600 demonstrators gathered in the center of the historic quarter of Paris Rennes. Protesters have already begun building barricades. According to French media, protesters are outraged by the refusal to block the candidacy of Marine Le Pen to run in the election. putin's favorite and Macron are entering the second round of the presidential election.

China has secretly delivered modern air defense systems to Serbia, an ally of Russia, the Associated Press reports.

Finland and Sweden are considering joining NATO this summer. Thus, the number of member countries will increase from 30 to 32, The Times report, citing US officials. NATO will expand regardless of russia's wishes.

Croatia is expelling 24 russian embassy staff in response to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The French Foreign Ministry has declared six more russian diplomats persona non grata. In early April, France had already expelled about 30 diplomats from russia.

russia is involved in the plane crash of former President Lech Kaczynski on April 10, 2010. The main cause of the tragedy was an explosion in the left wing of the aircraft caused by external intervention. This was stated at a press conference on Monday by the head of the subcommittee to investigate the Smolensk disaster, former Minister of National Defense of Poland Antoni Macierewicz.

Sanctions on the aggressor!

No contact with the aggressor! On April 11, Finland suspended postal services with russia and belarus until further notice. "The suspension applies to the transportation of letters and parcels from Finland to Russia and Belarus, as well as from Russia and Belarus to Finland," the company said in a statement.

Also, the Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin said that the country is ready to quickly give up russian natural gas and oil. "We are talking about weeks or months, not years (for the refusal of russian energy) for Finland," said Marin. According to her, the situation is more complicated for other EU countries.

The European Union has blacklisted 21 russian airlines. Among them are Aeroflot, Pobeda, Rossiya, Utair, Nordwind, S7, and others. These airlines are banned from flying over Europe.

Canada is imposing sanctions on 33 russian defense companies, the Canadian Foreign Ministry said.

Israel will not circumvent Western sanctions against russia. Israeli law does not provide for sanctions against other countries, but Israeli business will not circumvent the West's restrictive measures against russia. This was stated by the Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Mykhailo Brodskyi. Well, at least…

Swedish telecommunications Ericsson will suspend operations in russia indefinitely, the company said.

Bloomberg has suspended the publication of news in russian, the newspaper said.

What's in russia?

russia has assembled fighter jets at a military airfield in Voronezh. They will probably be used to attack Ukraine. So far, the planes are neatly lined up at the airport. The famous meme "bomb Voronezh" risks becoming a reality.

By the end of the day, all regions bordering Ukraine (Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, and Voronezh), as well as the northern regions of Crimea and the Azov regions of the Krasnodar Territory have already introduced a yellow (increased) level of the terrorist threat. The exception is the Rostov Oblasts. It refused to introduce the yellow level. Intelligence says provocations by the FSB are possible in order to anger the population against Ukraine.

The russians are preparing for guerrilla war on their territory, the Defense Intelligence says. The Ministry of Transport of the russian federation is obliged to ensure the interaction of the russian railway with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the FSB. Increased security measures are associated with "the threat of interference in the operation of transport infrastructure facilities located on the borders of the Rostov region and the Krasnodar Territory." This increase in readiness is due in particular to the actions of the Belarusian "rail guerrillas," who are purposefully disabling the railway connection with Ukraine to make it more difficult to deliver reinforcements from the combat zone. And recent explosions near Belgorod at a local oil depot and ammunition depot have caused panic in russia's neighboring regions. This marked the beginning of guerrilla warfare and the transfer of hostilities to russia.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Security Service's intercepted conversation shows that russian units are on the verge of riot. They refuse to go on the offensive and do not want to be "minced meat." The russians understand that Ukraine means death to them.

A special camp will be set up in Ukraine for those "lucky ones" who did not become meat but were taken prisoner in Ukraine, as there were so many prisoners of war. The ombudsman Liudmyla Denisova told about it. "We have a number of abandoned colonies. We are currently working to dismantle one of them and hand it over to the Ministry of Defense." Denisova did not name the exact number of prisoners, saying it would be better for russia's exchange talks.

Do you remember the Yakut sculptor who delighted his compatriots with epic sculptures made of shit (literally "shit")? It would seem that such an "artist" in Russia lives and prospers. There's as much shit as you want. But he also stops his creative activity due to sanctions. It turns out that his sculptures, in addition to shit, still need a German plasticizer, which the "artist" can no longer buy.

Bloomberg reports the first default among russian companies. Russian Railways (RZD) has been unable to make payments on Eurobonds in Swiss francs due to sanctions.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the russian federation proposes products of brands that have stopped or stopped working in russia to import into the country without the permission of rights holders. The list of such goods is already being formed.

Vladislav Surkov was arrested in russia. He was placed under house arrest, said the former deputy of the State Duma Ponomarev. Surkov was the man who informed the Kremlin about Ukraine. He was the curator of snipers on the Maidan and terrorists of the so-called "DPR" and "LPR" in 2014. Surkov was also the first to say that the only way for Ukraine and russia to interact is to "force brotherhood." It seems that Surkov will now be made a scapegoat for the failure of the Kremlin in Ukraine.

What about Belarusians?

The Kremlin has said that putin and Lukashenko will hold talks on April 12 to discuss further integration between Minsk and moscow. Also on the agenda is the war with Ukraine.

lavrov, meanwhile, said russia's "special operation" was aimed at ending the US course of world domination. What is unclear here? russia would prefer to dominate the world on its own, but in reality, it only works with Belarus.

The Border Committee of Belarus states that Polish security forces fired on the Belarusian checkpoint Pischatka. The news sounds scary if you don't know that metal bullets were fired from a slingshot. The Polish side did not comment on the incident.

Russian lies 

On Sunday, the russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian S-300 anti-aircraft missile launchers were allegedly destroyed in the settlement of Starobohdanivka in the Mykolaiv region and at the Chuhuiv military airfield in the Kharkiv region. This lie is categorically denied by Slovakia, which provided Ukraine with these missile systems: "This is a hoax. It has been officially confirmed by Ukraine," wrote the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Eduard Heger.

russia knows that Ukraine needs arms supplies, and is mobilizing all forces to undermine them, says Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. "moscow has prepared a large-scale information campaign aimed at foreign media and politicians. Their troll factory can spam emails and flood comments with misinformation about Ukraine. Don't give in to it," he wrote on Twitter.

The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine warns of possible provocations by russia. In order to discredit Ukraine in the international arena, the russian media report on provocations allegedly prepared by the "Ukrainian government with the support of Western countries." The Kremlin media say that Ukraine "will organize an action with the mass extermination of civilians in ORDLO"

Namely:

• "Prepares to film a provocation with the shelling of ambulances in Severodonetsk district"
• "Blow up chlorine tanks in Popasna district"

Russia is again trying to shift responsibility for the crimes already committed and planned by Russia to Ukraine!

Life considering hostilities

As a result of the war, the Ukrainian economy will shrink by 45% by the end of the year, the World Bank predicts. The agency notes that the war with Russia has hampered economic activity in much of Ukraine, as well as disrupted agricultural crops and harvests.

However, despite this, this year Ukraine plans to sow 70% of sown areas. This was stated by the First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotskyi. "According to the pessimistic forecast, it is clear that 70% will be sown. If the Chernihiv and Sumy regions, which have huge agricultural areas, can be de-mined in the coming weeks, the sown area may increase to 80%," he said. Vysotskyi noted that 30-40% of crops will go to domestic consumption, and the rest will go for export. Even with a reduction in crops, Ukraine will be able to provide itself with food.

Kyiv and region

18 modular houses were brought to Borodianka. The houses will be inhabited by people who are dismantling the debris, said the curator of humanitarian aid Oleksii Kuleba.

As of today, a temporary embankment bridge has been opened in Romanivka, which connects the city with Kyiv.

And in Kyiv, the South Bridge was opened for all vehicles to normalize traffic and reduce congestion. Now the connection between the left and right banks of the capital is three bridges: North, Darnytsia, and South.

But it is too early to relax. Vitalii Klychko said that the Russian occupiers could try again to "take Kyiv in two days," so the capital must be ready to defend itself.

In addition, there is a risk of exploding a mine. Over the past week, 11,000 munitions left by the russian occupiers have been neutralized in the Kyiv region. It is still very dangerous for local residents to return to the Kyiv region.

Donetsk and Luhansk regions

In the Donetsk direction, the enemy continues to focus on taking control of the settlements of Popasna, Rubizhne, Nyzhne, and Novobahmutivka, as well as establishing full control over the city of Mariupol. The enemy tried to storm the area of ​​Zolote but was unsuccessful.

With the help of separate units, the enemy carried out artillery shelling of the positions of our troops in the areas of the settlements of Vysokopillia, Trudoliubivka, and Marianske.

In the city of Mariupol, with the support of artillery and aircraft, the occupiers continue to storm the areas of the Azovstal plant and the seaport.

According to British intelligence, the russian occupiers may use banned phosphate munitions in Mariupol as fighting for the city intensifies and becomes increasingly fierce.

Every city in the Luhansk region has already come under fire from the occupiers; there is no surviving infrastructure in the region.

At night, the occupiers fired on another railway station in eastern Ukraine. As a result of the shelling, five locomotives, tracks, and the catenary were damaged. There are no victims among citizens or railway workers, Ukrzaliznytsia reports.

The Ukrainian military destroyed a warehouse with ammunition of the russian occupiers near the settlement of the Luhansk region occupied by them. It burned for 2.5 hours. All these bullets were intended for the destruction of Ukrainian settlements.

"The Luhansk region may face the scenario of Mariupol, and the battle for Donbas will last several days, and in these days our cities may be completely destroyed." This opinion was expressed by the head of the Luhansk Regional Council Serhii Haidai on one of the Ukrainian TV channels. But our Armed Forces will have the final word. Do not panic and believe in our defenders!

Zelenskyy established a city military administration in Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region.

Kharkiv region

It is hot in the Kharkiv region. According to the General Staff, air reconnaissance of the area is underway in the Izium area in order to identify the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. To do this, the enemy uses the UAV Orlan-10.

With the help of two battalion tactical groups, the enemy tried to launch an offensive in the directions of the settlements of Dovhenke and Dmytrivka, was unsuccessful, and retreated to its former positions.

During the day, Russian troops inflicted about 66 blows from artillery, mortars, and MLRS. Saltivka, Piatihatky, Kholodna Hora, Pisochyn, Zolochiv, Balaklia, and Derhachi were affected. Rescuers put out fires in houses, warehouses, and other civilian infrastructure. As a result of the shelling by the russians, 11 civilians were killed, including a 7-year-old child, and 14 are wounded. Physicians of the Kharkiv region provide the necessary medical care and fight for the lives of the wounded.

Yesterday a column of russian military equipment was destroyed near Kharkiv. This was stated by a former adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs M. Apostol, citing his sources. It is probably a column between Derhachi and Kozacha Lopannia.

Photo by Suspilne

At about 9 o'clock in the morning, delayed-action mines were dropped remotely on Oleksandrivskyi Avenue in Kharkiv. Ammunition is on the timer and can explode at any time. Rescuers and police are currently surrounding the neighborhood and are trying to keep people from going outside to secure the area and start demining. The shells explode chaotically, but people are still trying to get outside. Mines are scattered in the yards of two-story residential buildings on Oleksandrivskyi Avenue.

Sumy region

In the Sumy region on April 10, everything was more or less calm. The region is recovering from the consequences of the offensive of the fascist army of the russian federation. UAH 250 million has already been allocated from the reserve fund of the state budget for the restoration of the Sumy region. This money will be used to repair utilities and systems to restore heat, gas, water, electricity, dismantling, repairing roofs, and more.

Dnipropetrovsk region

"There are currently 10,000 migrants in the Pavlohrad district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, and 6,000 in Pavlohrad City. The district is focused on two main issues: defense and assistance to people fleeing russian aggression," said Pavlohrad District Military Administration chairman Serhii Rublevskyi.

Mykolaiv region

At night in Mykolaiv, there was a powerful explosion. According to the latest data, it happened because the enemy missile was shot down by air defense. The wreckage of the missile hit the forest. In a short time, the fire in the forest was localized. The Head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration Vitalii Kim told that the enemy struck in facilities of the company from Qatar. The warehouses were empty, and a security guard was injured by broken glass.

In general, at night russians struck three missile attacks on Mykolaiv and the region. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Kherson region

In the Mykolaiv and Kherson directions, the enemy continues to defend itself and tries to restore forces and resources to advance.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine provide the enemy with a worthy rebuff; among the trophies of the defenders of Ukraine are a multi-purpose transporter, as well as a well-destroyed tank T-72, and 3 unmanned aerial vehicles of Orlan-10 type. In total, in the last 24 hours, on the southern border of our defense, enemy losses amounted to 84 units of former manpower and 13 units of equipment, the South Operational Command reports.

Western Ukraine

About 50 more people with mine injuries, shrapnel wounds, and amputated limbs were evacuated from Lysychansk, Bakhmut, Popasna, Sloviansk, and other cities to the Lviv region. All evacuees are provided with the necessary treatment by the region's medical staff. The oldest patient is 92 years old. "Quick recovery to our compatriots. Quick retribution for crimes to putin's accomplices and perpetrators," wished Maksym Kozytskyi, head of the Lviv Regional State Administration.