Timeline: day 59 of Ukraine's defense against russia's aggression
Photo by Reuters
Today is April 23. russia's military attack on Ukraine has been going on for fifty-nine days. We're reporting on all the current news. The article will be constantly updated.
What about today?
Key points
Yesterday, the Ukrainian military in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions:
- repulsed 8 enemy attacks
- destroyed 9 tanks
- destroyed 18 units of armored vehicles
- destroyed 13 units of motor vehicles
- destroyed the tanker
- destroyed 3 artillery systems.
Total combat losses are from February 24 to April 23:
According to British intelligence, despite the increased activity, russian troops have not made significant progress in the last 24 hours, as they are hindered by Ukrainian counterattacks. russia has also not established dominance in the air and at sea due to the effective work of Ukrainian air defense.
"The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to restrain the attacks of invaders in the east and in the south of our state: Izium direction, Donbas, Azov coast, Mariupol, Kherson region. These are those places where the fate of this war and the future of our state are now solved. In Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, in the Donetsk region in general, Popasna and in the Luhansk region in general, Kharkiv, in the surrounding areas, the occupiers are trying to organize a primitive goal to kill as many as possible and destroy everything they see," said the President of Ukraine Zelenskyy in his daily video address.
The Azov Regiment showed a video with children hiding from the "russian world" in the basement of "Azovstal" in Mariupol. "We want to return home alive. We want to see our parents. See the sun," the children told the soldiers. We will remind you, that the lying russia denies that civilians hide on "Azovstal" and despite putin's "television order" continue to bomb plant.
"Ukraine is on the path to EU membership. I believe that this path will be faster if the EU countries are united by such a big project. Each of these countries will be able to rebuild a region and will feel that they have made a great contribution to the restoration of the state. This means a great contribution to Ukraine's victory.
Each region will present recovery plans, city recovery plans, and region recovery plans. This project has a great future," Zelenskyy shared at today's press conference in the metro.
He also marked the "red lines" in the war with russia: "If our people are destroyed in Mariupol, if pseudo-referendums are held in the occupied territories, Ukraine will withdraw from any negotiations," Zelenskyy said.
Humanitarian corridors
The "green corridor" from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia was agreed upon on April 23. The evacuation of civilians from the blocked city will begin at 12:00.
Mariupol City Council also appealed to Mariupol residents who have already left:
"If you have relatives or acquaintances in Mariupol, try to contact them by all means. Call, write, say that it is possible to go to Zaporizhzhia, where it is safe."
Residents of Sievierodonetsk, Lysychansk, Rubizhne, Hirske, and Popasna will be evacuated in the Luhansk region today. Serhii Haidai, the head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration, said that on April 23 the "ceasefire" was not promised again. However, he urged residents to move to safer areas, as evacuation, food, and water delivery to the region are becoming increasingly difficult.
18:00 – More than 200 Mariupol residents failed to evacuate to Zaporizhzhia. The adviser to the mayor of Mariupol Petro Andriushchenko reported about it. Instead of the buses promised by the russian side, the russian military approached the Mariupol residents and ordered them to disperse because "there will be shelling now." In fact, with the use of coercion, in the gross form, people were dispersed. The buses were never submitted for loading. At the same time, the occupiers announced an evacuation to the occupied territory to Dokuchaevsk. People were not given the right to leave the bus.
Trophies of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Soldiers of the 19th public order enforcement regiment in Mykolaiv rescued the Belgian shepherd Max. The dog was brought to Ukraine by the russian occupiers and was with it in one of the captured Ukrainian villages. After the liberation of the village and the destruction of the Russian national guard unit, the shepherd was sheltered by local residents. Then they gave the dog to the Ukrainian military. Max still understands teams only in the language of the occupier, but our cynologists have already started lessons in Ukrainization. From now on, Max will serve on the right side, defend Ukraine and gnaw russian asses, the military is confident.
And in the Kharkiv region, the Ukrainian military shot down a pair of KAMAZ 6×6 fuel trucks and a 2C3 Akatsia self-propelled howitzer.
Minus one drone of the enemy in the Luhansk region. The National Guard was returning from a mission when they spotted an enemy drone at a low altitude. The guys stopped, got out of the car, and aimed at the enemy Orlan with small arms fire.
Ukraine's negotiations with russia and security guarantees for Ukraine
Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President, Mykhailo Podoliak, stated that negotiations with partner countries on security guarantees for Ukraine would be completed within a week.
The American Institute for War Studies believes that russia and Ukraine are unlikely to resume talks in the coming weeks. Both sides are waiting for the outcome of russia's offensive in eastern Ukraine. According to the organization, Kyiv believes that its armed forces may reject russian troops to positions that existed before February 24, and are unlikely to enter into negotiations until this result becomes or is much less likely.
Ukraine is ready to negotiate with russia to end the war, because the diplomatic path will save the lives of millions of people. This was stated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference for international and Ukrainian media in Kyiv.
Nuclear objects
IAEA experts led by Director General Rafael Grossi will arrive at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant on April 26, the same day 36 years ago the catastrophe occurred at the station.
Who's coming to Ukraine?
About financial aid, weapons, and volunteer fighters
Canadian Press reports that Canada has already delivered 155-mm towed M777 howitzers and ammunition to Ukraine.
Earlier, the United States and France announced the supply of 155-mm howitzers to Ukraine.
And Belgium has stated its readiness to supply Ukraine with 155-mm M109A4BE anti-aircraft guns and ammunition. The country also intends to hand over 5,000 FN Herstal submachine guns, 200 anti-tank weapons, and 3,800 tons of fuel to the Ukrainian army. In addition, the country is ready to supply Ukraine with protection. This was reported by RTBF. The Belgian government estimates that military aid to Ukraine, including all arms supplies, has amounted to 76 million euros since February 24.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Ukraine. The visit is scheduled for April 28, said UN Secretary-General's spokesman Stefan Dujarric. Antonio Guterres will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Poland has donated more than $1.6 billion in weapons to Ukraine. This was announced by the press secretary of the Polish government, Petra Muller, citing a statement by the Prime Minister.
Assistance to refugees and those who receive them
New York supports IDPs from Ukraine and allocates $2 million to immigrants living in the city. In the coming days, the city promises to announce the services that will be provided under this assistance.
News from partners
In Europe, a new definition has spread and become established: razi. Corresponds to the Ukrainian-made word "ruscist."
The Czech Republic is ready to replace russia in the UN Human Rights Council. The Czech government has already submitted its candidacy to the UN to replace savages in the UN Human Rights Council. "Support for human rights is a priority for the Czech government," the Foreign Ministry said.
Turkey has closed the skies to russian planes carrying troops to Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said: "We have closed the airspace to russian military planes, as well as to civilian planes bound for Syria and carrying soldiers. We gave permission for three months. It was valid until April. Our president also informed putin about this. The flights have stopped," Cavusoglu said.
What's in russia?
Rosaviatsia has asked the airlines to prepare for flights without using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GPS). The GPS system is controlled by the US Department of Defense. Rosaviatsia has called on airlines to control flights using "traditional navigation aids." In short, navigating with the beacons. We hope that russia's technological degradation will soon force pilots to switch to paper maps, and the location will be determined by eye. If they will fly at all.
The russian military refuses to go to war in Ukraine. The number of soldiers who refused to go to war is unknown, but there are hundreds or even thousands. At the same time, no case has been initiated under the article "non-execution of the order" since February 24. Criminal proceedings against them cannot be instituted due to the lack of martial law. Due to the fact that the russian military does not want to fertilize Ukrainian land, commanders have to influence their subordinates differently: by persuasion, threats, and dismissals. It is not difficult to guess how high the motivation of such soldiers is to fight.
russian lies
The russian Defense Ministry has long struggled and finally reported on the losses due to the destruction of the cruiser Moscow. Only one person was killed and 27 others "disappeared." I wonder what would happen if you told the truth at least once? Would the heavens fall to earth?
By the way, in search of the sunken cruiser Moscow, russia sent a 110-year-old rescue ship called Komuna, which was built during the tsar's reign. It can have a mini-submarine or a submarine robot.
A man who managed to leave the blocked Mariupol told Hromadske journalists how the occupiers hoisted russian flags on Ukrainian evacuation buses, and russian media propagandists filmed a story about "evacuation of the population to russia." "It started with the russians bringing their buses and pretending we were going to russia. We immediately told them, 'We are going to Ukraine.' However, they put up their flags and the journalists started filming it. It's a fake!" the man urged.
The kremlin is increasingly describing the war in Ukraine as a war with NATO for russia's domestic audience to explain its failures and growing losses.
Sanctions on the aggressor!
The European Union has frozen €35 billion in russian assets, Bloomberg reports. Most of the funds were frozen by France – €23.5 billion, including €22.8 billion, the money of the russian Central Bank. €10 billion has been frozen by Belgium, the money of seven russian banks disconnected from SWIFT.
Italy seized Russian yachts and real estate for €1 billion. A significant part of russian assets was also frozen by Ireland (almost €1 billion), the Netherlands (half a billion), and Germany (€300 million).
The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the russian federation has found ways to circumvent the sanctions. They have prepared a list of goods that will be allowed as so-called "parallel imports." That is, it will be allowed to import the products into the country without the permission of the copyright holder of goods, the sale of which began in other countries. The list includes many cars and related products, engines, and spare parts for them. Also, "parallel imports" are provided for household appliances and smartphones. However, it is unknown how fully they will work programmatically in russia, being imported "in the gray." The most interesting thing now is through which countries all this will infiltrate into Moscow. And whether sanctions will be applied to these countries.
During a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal called for the exclusion of absolutely all russian banks from SWIFT, as well as for recognizing russia as a sponsor of terrorism.
Life considering hostilities
Ukrposhta announced the release of a new stamp "russian warship… that's ALL" in the amount of 5 million copies and one million envelopes. So now there should be enough commemorative stamps for everyone.
Ukraine's food stocks have returned to pre-war levels. "Today we have practically reached the levels of basic food stocks that existed before the war. About 90% of the products on store shelves are Ukrainian products," said Rostislav Shurma, Deputy Head of the President's Office, during a press briefing.
So far, more than a million Ukrainians have returned to Ukraine. This is a third of those who left. This was announced by Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi.
Kyiv and the region
Yesterday, Okean Elzy played a concert at the Zoloti Vorota metro station in Kyiv. In this way, the musicians raised money for children affected by the war. The band invited volunteers, medics, and the military to perform. The TV version of the band's concert will be broadcast on Sunday on the national marathon. The start is at 21:00.
The bodies of 412 people killed by russians have already been found in Bucha, Kyiv Region. 117 people, including 30 women and two children, were taken out from the mass grave near the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called. Volunteers provide information on the identification of the dead by phone: +380683282892.
Donetsk and Luhansk regions
During the past 24hrs, russian troops have shelled the Luhansk region 12 times. Popasna suffered the most: there were 5 artillery attacks in the city only yesterday, street fights are going on; two civilians were killed and another person was wounded in the shelling.
According to the General Staff, a unit of the russian private military company Wagner, numbering up to 200 people, was transferred to the Novobakhmutivka area.
In the Mariupol direction, the enemy is blocking our units near the Azovstal plant and launching airstrikes on the city. Specialists for demining port infrastructure arrived in the city.
In Mariupol, the russians used tear gas mixed with various chemicals, said US Permanent Representative to the OSCE Michael Carpenter.
Adviser to the Mayor of Mariupol Andriushchenko reports on the deportation of Mariupol residents to distant abandoned regions of Chuvashia and Primorskyi Krai. On April 21, the russians took 308 deported Mariupol residents to the Far East, the city of Vladivostok. People were placed in schools and dormitories. Then it is planned to place in different settlements of the Primorskyi Krai.
Also, on April 8, 466 Mariupol residents were deported to Cheboksary, Chuvash Republic.
Kharkiv region
Counterintelligence of the special services in the Kharkiv region exposed and detained a citizen of Ukraine who worked for representatives of the special services of the russian federation. According to the curator's task, the woman established the coordinates of the location of the city's military and critical infrastructure, as well as the location of forces and units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the National Guard of Ukraine, according to the Security Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv region. In particular, she provided coordinates and helped the enemy to adjust the fire on educational, medical, commercial facilities, and residential areas in the city center. As a result of the rocket attacks corrected by the informant, there are dead and wounded.
According to the General Staff, units of the 64th Detached Motorized Rifle Brigade, which took an active part in the mass killings, torture, and rape of civilians in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, are now operating in the Izium settlement and are being ruthlessly destroyed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated three more villages in the Kharkiv region! This was announced by the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Sinehubov. "Yesterday morning, offensive operations against the enemy began. During the day, fierce fighting continued. Our units drove russian troops out of the settlements: Bezruky, Slatino, Prudianka, Derhachi district, and secured their positions!"
The General Staff reports: the enemy has problems with the medical support of its units, there are difficulties in evacuating the wounded, and there is a lack of medicine. Due to many wounded in the city of Balaklia, the enemy, along with the deployed military hospital, uses the capabilities of the city clinic.
russian beasts continue shelling residential areas of Kharkiv and the region. In the regional center, Pivnichna Saltivka and Saltivka suffered the most. Streets, houses, and warehouses were shelled. According to preliminary data, 6 people were injured in Kharkiv, another 1 was injured in the Chuhuiv district. Unfortunately, 3 people died in Chuhuiv and Derhachi districts.
Sumy region
The railway connection between Sumy and Kyiv has been restored. So far, with a transfer in Nizhyn. This was announced by the Head of Regional Military Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyi.
On Saturday, April 23, russian troops staged a provocation on the Ukrainian border in the Sumy region. The occupiers opened fire on three border communities. The Head of the Sumy region, Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, reports about it. "Provocative shelling continues on the border with russia in the Bilopillia, Novoslobidka communities, as well as in the Putyvl community," he said. There are also no reports of civilian casualties.
Zaporizhzhia region
The cause of yesterday's crash of the AN-26 aircraft in the Zaporizhzhia region was fog and low altitude, due to which the aircraft affected high-voltage power lines, said in the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration. The plane engineer died and two other crew members were injured in the crash.
In the occupied Melitopol and Berdiansk, local collaborationists held rallies on the occasion of Vladimir Lenin's birthday, said the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration. It is noted that the horde's propagandists are spreading fakes that "residents of the Zaporizhzhia region want to become part of Muscovy."
"But in Melitopol, citizens attach leaflets to the windshield of the occupiers' cars with words: 'russian occupier, know! Melitopol is Ukraine. Every resident is partisan. Wait!'" the administration told.
On April 23, at about 3:30 p.m., the town of Vasylivka was shelled. A Smerch missile hit a residential building in the city center. Fortunately, the rocket did not explode, no one was injured, but the house was destroyed. This shelling was carried out from the town of Burchak, which is temporarily under occupation, and therefore the Ukrainian Armed Forces could not carry out the shelling.
Mykolaiv region
The head of the Mykolaiv regional state administration Vitalii Kim commented on the morning attacks: shells got to the abandoned cafe, and nobody was injured. Kim also noted that the curfew in the area today was set from 19 pm to 5 am, as there is a high probability of shelling at night.
In the Mykolaiv region, occupiers destroyed a historical architectural monument of the 18th century "Turkish well." The Mykoliav regional prosecutor's office reports about it. The monument was damaged by shelling in the village of Huriivka on March 10 and 12. In addition, a school, a kindergarten, 4 farms, and 7 houses were destroyed in the village.
Kherson region
The Ukrainian military destroyed an entire russian command post near Kherson. 40 officers were destroyed. And the capacity of the russian army was reduced to the EW station and 10 units of armored vehicles.
In the temporarily occupied Kherson, school graduates will not be able to take a multi-subject test. A resident of Kherson wrote a letter to the educational ombudsman Serhii Horbachev and received a reply: "While the city of Kherson is temporarily occupied, it is not possible to conduct a multitest there," Suspilne Kherson reports.
But there is also good news about the Kherson region: residents of the de-occupied territories of the Kherson region received pensions and food. The total amount of paid pensions is 530 thousand hryvnias, they were paid in several stages, said the head of the Kherson Regional State Administration Hennadii Lahuta. In addition, the residents of the territories liberated from the occupiers received humanitarian aid: 8,276 food kits with the most necessary products. An ambulance was also handed over to these settlements so that doctors could promptly provide medical care to the residents.
Odesa region
The enemy withdrew four submarines armed with Caliber cruise missiles from the Crimean base into the Black Sea. russian invaders have launched four submarines from the Crimean base into the open sea, capable of launching cruise missiles from a depth of up to 50 meters. Currently, the probability of missile strikes from the sea in Odesa has increased, said a spokesman for the Odesa Regional Military Administration Serhii Bratchuk.
17:20 – The number of victims is being clarified. It is already known that 6 are dead and 18 were wounded. Among those killed was a three-month-old baby. There are people under the rubble. The investigation is underway, said the head of the joint coordination center of the Security and Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine Natalia Humeniuk.
On April 23, from 14:00 to 15:00, russian Tu-95 strategic aircraft from the Caspian Sea launched several cruise missiles across Odesa. Two anti-aircraft missiles destroyed Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile units. Two more cruise missiles hit a military facility and two apartment buildings.
Dnipropetrovsk region
Also, today there was a "hit" in the Dnipro district of the Dnepropetrovsk region. The rocket landed on the outskirts of the village and left a huge funnel more than 4 meters deep in the ground. It touched the low pressure gas pipe. Specialists work on site. There were no people there because no one has lived in that area for a long time.
Chernihiv region
About 50 streets in Nizhyn, which are connected with russian people, will be renamed. A working group has already been set up, which includes scientists, historians, museum staff, educators, and representatives of relevant departments. They also want to remove the Soviet tank.
Poltava region
Poltava region accepts institutions of higher education from frontline regions. Two of them is Luhansk National University named after Shevchenko and Donetsk Regional Specialized Professional College of Sports which are located in Poltava, on the basis of our universities. Part of the scientific and pedagogical staff and students, about 150 people, moved. In addition, representatives of other educational institutions come to the region. For example, currently, teachers and students of Kharkiv National University named after Karazin live in the dormitory of Poltava Polytechnic. And despite the war, teachers organize distance learning for students!
