Timeline: day 69 of Ukraine's defense against russia's aggression
Photo by Reuters
Today is May 3. russia's military attack on Ukraine has been going on for 69 days. We're reporting on all the current news. The article will be constantly updated.
What about today?
Key points
The cat rescued in Borodianka
Yesterday was a fruitful day in the east. Our soldiers destroyed 75 occupiers and an ammunition depot. In addition, as a result of the fruitful work of the Ukrainian military, the invaders lost:
- 6 tanks,
- 5 artillery systems,
- 22 units of combat armored vehicles
- 8 units of enemy vehicles.
During the past 24hrs, 12 enemy attacks have been repulsed in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Thanks to the skillful actions of our soldiers, the following were destroyed in the Zaporizhzhia direction:
- personnel/39 people, 48 wounded;
- Grad MRLS / 1 unit;
- tanks / 4 units;
- armored combat vehicles / 7 units;
- UAV Orlan -10 / 1 unit;
- self-propelled artillery mortars 2S1 / 2 units;
- self-propelled artillery mortars 2S19 / 2 units;
- 100 mm anti-tank guns MT-12 Rapira / 1 unit;
- 120 mm mortars / 4 units;
- automotive equipment / 5 units.
The air defense of the Air Force and Land Forces shot down 8 air targets: one Forpost UAV and seven Orlan-10. It is worth noting that the Forpost, shot down by the South Air Command's air defense unit, is an expensive device valued at $7 million.
The Air Force aircraft continues to beat the occupiers from the air, inflicting powerful blows on the positions, columns, logistics, and manpower of the ruscists with various weapons. But the occupiers' manned aircraft didn't enter the Ukrainian air defense zone on May 2. They're afraid. After all, during the entire war, thanks to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, almost 200 planes and 155 helicopters dropped to the ground.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are fighting bravely for every piece of Ukrainian land. More and more powerful weapons are being given to us by our Western partners. The entire world supports Ukraine! However, it's too early to think that a crazy neighbor is ready to start retreating. CNN, citing US and Western officials, reports that on May 9, the kremlin could declare war on Ukraine instead of a so-called "special military operation."
Using the propaganda value of the day, putin wants to speak on either some military achievement in Ukraine, or about the escalation of hostilities, or both. The declaration of war will also allow putin to fully mobilize the much-needed reserve forces. According to other assumptions, russia may use May 9 to declare annexation of the so-called "DPR" and "LPR," full control over Mariupol, and intensify the offensive on Odesa. Also, it may be a proclamation of the " Kherson People's Republic" in the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region.
There are many scenarios. But we have to do our part. Support the Armed Forces, beat the enemy on all fronts, and be confident in our victory.
By the way, Boris Johnson considers Ukraine's resistance to russia's invasion a "star time" of the country, he plans to talk about this when he addresses the Ukrainian parliament today.
"Ми – ваші друзі, – сказав Джонсон у своєму виступі перед Верховною Радою, – І правда в тому, що ми занадто повільно починали розуміти, що сталося. Ми тоді не збагнули цього одразу та не змогли накласти потрібних санкцій на путіна. Ми більше не маємо права на повторення цієї помилки. Ви – господарі свого майбутнього. Ми у Великій Британії підемо за вами, ви ведете вперед, а ми ваші віддані друзі. Є багато причин, чому Україна викликає такі емоції у британців. Ви постали проти вбивчої агресії путіна, ви бороните своє право на самовизначення. Це – демократія проти тиранії, це – воля проти утисків, це – право проти безправності, це – добро проти зла. І саме тому Україна має перемогти. І переможе!".
Він також запевнив, що Британія має новий пакет підтримки: 300 мільйонів фунтів, радари, щоби визначати, де перебуває артилерія, що націлюється на ваші міста, дрони, щоби підсилити вашу піхоту та наступальні сили. Найближчими тижнями Джонсон обіцяє надіслати Brimstone (протикорабельні ракети, ракетні системи) та панцирні машини, щоб евакуювати людей із захоплених територій.
Володимир Зеленський подякував лідеру Великої Британії Борису Джонсону та всьому народу Сполученого Королівства. "За слова, які ми чуємо. За дії, які ми бачимо. За підтримку, яку ми відчуваємо. За допомогу, яку ми реально отримуємо. За перемогу, яку ми разом точно здобудемо!".
Також Президент звернувся до народних депутатів, які, за його словами, є частиною великого українського війська. "Ваш фронт – це законодавче поле, на якому ви маєте працювати для нашого народу, для кожного з нас, для нашої держави, для нашої перемоги. Як наша армія, як і вся країна. Працювати 24/7. Без вихідних, без зайвих емоцій, гасел тощо. Сьогодні у нас із вами одна партія, і ця партія – Україна. Одна фракція – Україна. У нас одна монобільшість – Україна. Єдина, сильна, незалежна".
"We are your friends," Johnson said in a speech to the Verkhovna Rada. "And the truth is that we were too slow to understand what happened. We didn't realize it then and could not impose the necessary sanctions on putin. We no longer have the right to repeat this mistake. You are the masters of your future. We in the UK will follow you; you lead, and we are your loyal friends. There are many reasons why Ukraine evokes such emotions in the British. You have opposed putin's murderous aggression; you are defending your right to self-identification. It is democracy against tyranny; it is freedom against oppression; it is the law against lawlessness; it is good against evil. And that is why Ukraine must win. And it will win!"
He also assured that Britain had a new support package: 300 million pounds, radars to determine the location of artillery aimed at your cities, drones to strengthen your infantry and offensive forces. In the coming weeks, Johnson promises to send Brimstone (anti-ship missiles, missile systems) and armored vehicles to evacuate people from the occupied territories.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the leader of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson and all the people of the United Kingdom. "For the words we hear. For the actions we see. For the support we feel. For the help we actually receive. For the victory that we will definitely get together!"
The President also addressed the people's deputies, who, according to him, are part of the large Ukrainian army. "Your front is a legislative field in which you must work for our people, for each of us, for our state, for our victory. Like our army, like the entire country. Working 24/7. No days off, no extra emotions, slogans, etc. Today we have one party with you, and this party is Ukraine. One faction is Ukraine. We have one majority, Ukraine. One, strong, independent."
Humanitarian corridors
8:00 – Residents of Tokmak (Nirvana cafe) and Vasylivka, who want to evacuate, can already go out and wait for the convoy in the course of traffic! The information was published by the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, Oleksander Starukh.
The evacuation of Mariupol residents is being disrupted by the occupiers, said Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko. "We expected that an evacuation would take place on the Lunacharske ring near Berdiansk. Today 2,000 Mariupol residents are waiting to leave. They have reached Berdiansk. They have been waiting for an evacuation for 2 weeks, and we have announced its beginning. But the enemy is destroying our plans, and doesn't allow Mariupol residents to reach the territory of Zaporizhzhia controlled by Ukraine," Boichenko said.
13:40 – A convoy of Mariupol residents evacuated by private vehicles arrived in Zaporizhzhia. A convoy of people evacuated from Azovstal is still on the way.
15:00 – The occupiers finished the inspection of the convoy with refugees from Mariupol at the Vasylivka checkpoint. Buses with 131 people entered the territory controlled by Ukraine!
Who's coming to Ukraine?
About financial aid, weapons, and volunteer fightersв
Ukraine will receive another 5,000 Javelins. U.S. Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said it would happen by Friday, May 6.
Britain will provide $375 million in military aid to Ukraine. According to Reuters, the new aid package will include electronic warfare equipment, night vision devices, heavy combat drones, armored vehicles, and an anti-battery radar system.
The German federal government has decided to deliver 7 Panzerhaubitzen 2000 howitzers from the Bundeswehr to Ukraine. It is noted that the political decision of the Chancellery and the Ministry of Defense was taken against the advice of the leading military in the Bundeswehr.
The lease has not been signed yet, and gifts from Biden are already arriving. Last night, 15 US transport planes landed in Rzeszow (Poland), today, another 11 are expected.
News from partners
Sir Paul McCartney, one of the founders of The Beatles, supported Ukraine at the concert and condemned russia's actions.
On Wednesday, May 4, the Swedish Embassy will reopen in Kyiv. Sweden continues to stand with Ukraine and is pleased that the country's diplomatic presence will be restored where it belongs.
The Pope is outraged at russia because it completely ignores him. He said that back in March he sent a proposal to the russian president to meet in Moscow to discuss the war in Ukraine and didn't receive any response from putin. "We haven't received an answer and we still insist, although I'm afraid that putin cannot and does not want to hold this meeting right now," he said in an interview with Corriere della Sera. Even a naive attempt to "make friends" with russia during the Easter procession didn't help. I wonder how soon it will become clear to the Pope that he's not an authority for putin?
Amid the situation in Ukraine, the authorities advise the people of Germany to stock up on food, which would be enough for 10 days. Authorities also advise having a supply of necessary medicines in the house. Earlier, they said they needed to "reactivate" the bomb shelters. The question is, what is Germany preparing for?
And here is the answer: A nuclear strike on Ukraine will be a declaration of war on the world, the former Minister of Defense of Lithuania said. "These threats are not new to us, the russian regime has been working on such intimidations since 2009. Today, in the face of Ukraine's heroic resistance and russian defeats on the battlefield, they look like a rat driven into a corner, hence such statements. The main thing is not to be afraid," Rasa Juknevičienė stressed.
At the same time, NATO became active. "The NATO Response Force has been activated and NATO has set up a new battle group in Romania," the Allied Command said. No details yet.
What's in russia?
650 trees were planted in the shape of Z-swastika in the Moscow region. This was already done in the 1930s in Germany. The ruscists are copying the fascists in everything. But, according to them, we are the Nazis.
VKontakte may stop working because of a lack of network equipment. VK has published a report for the first three months of 2022. There, the company expresses serious concerns about the possibility of continuing to work. In March, VK set record after record. Blocking popular social media Facebook and Instagram has forced russian users to return to VKontakte. The audience of the resource exceeded the mark of 100 million users per month, the VK Video platform recorded more than 2.5 billion views daily. But, as it turned out, such a flow requires a stable infrastructure. And russian companies now have a problem because of sanctions.
russia is on fire: a large fire broke out in the warehouse of the Prosveshcheniye publishing house in the suburbs of Moscow at night. Almost 34,000 square meters were burning. It all happened in the Bogorodsky district. Around midnight, a hangar where printed materials were stored caught fire. The fire was localized.
Also, tonight, the russian city of Belgorod heard loud "claps" again, local mass media report.
Among the military of the occupier's army, there is information that the so-called "special military operation" timeline is set up to September 2022, the Defense Intelligence says.
Meanwhile, russians who don't support the war and the fascist Z swastika are threatened with sterilization on russian TV.
What about russia's minions?
Channels of unrecognized Transnistria report that Ukraine has closed our section of the checkpoint with the "republic" with concrete blocks. Ukrainian border guards are ready for any scenario.
Sanctions on the aggressor!
European Foreign Minister Borrell announced the shutdown of even more russian banks from SWIFT until their names were revealed.
russia is excluded from the current draw of the League of Nations, it occupies the last place and flies to the third division. The russian national team is excluded from the women's EURO 2022, it will be replaced by Portugal. russian clubs have been suspended from the European Cups in the 2022/23 season. russia's bids for EURO 2028 and EURO 2032 are not possible.
Sanctions will not be lifted from russia until the Kremlin signs a peace treaty on Ukrainian terms, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. He stressed that putin miscalculated if he expected to be able to occupy Ukraine, announce a cessation of hostilities and see Western countries lift sanctions.
Life considering hostilities
The government presented a plan to rebuild Ukraine after the war. It is based on nine basic principles, including the transition from raw material exports to processing, increased domestic gas production, and climate modernization.
The National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting calls on the Ukrainian parliament to give it the power to revoke the licenses of companies that cooperate with the russian occupiers at their own will, with a simplified verification procedure. The regulator has already addressed the legislators with this issue and hopes that the Verkhovna Rada will immediately adopt the relevant draft law, which has already been approved by a special working group and submitted for consideration.
The Verkhovna Rada passed a draft law banning the activities of pro-russian parties in Ukraine in the second reading.
The Verkhovna Rada also passed a law that allows the territorial defense to carry out combat missions outside the region of deployment.
And another important decision: the Rada voted to move the celebration of Victory Day to May 8. Now, this day is called the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II.
Kyiv and the region
In the Kyiv region, mines blow up almost every day because people drive on them. This was announced at a briefing by the Deputy Chief of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Kyiv region Maksym Ocheretianyi. This is especially true of the private sector. Almost 3,000 explosive devices have already been neutralized in the Kyiv region. But it is too early to think that return can be safe; mines planted on roads are still recorded almost every day.
Another burial of civilians was found in the Kyiv region: there are traces of torture on the bodies. This was announced by the adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podoliak. "Torn nails. Hands tied. Another burial of two civilians was found in the village of Kalynivka, Kyiv region. How many such crimes are taking place right now in the occupied territories? russia has chosen the path of terror of the civilian population and should be recognized as a state-sponsor of terrorism," Podoliak wrote on Twitter.
The good news: The team of the Dobropark private arboretum, which was almost completely destroyed by the russian occupiers, has begun work on its restoration. Victory for us! Ukraine will flourish!
And the residents of Hostomel drew flowers around the traces of bullets on the fence. Ukrainians are unbreakable!
Donetsk and Luhansk regions
Last night in eastern Ukraine was turbulent due to constant enemy shelling.
In the Luhansk region, the occupiers focused their efforts on establishing control over Rubizhne and Popasna. On Monday evening there was heavy shelling of Rubizhne, on Tuesday morning, Novodruzhesk was shelled. Details about the victims and the consequences of the shelling are being clarified.
In the Donetsk region from five in the morning, Vuhledar has been shelled by artillery. So far, three civilians have been killed. Lyman and Avdiivka are under constant enemy fire. The evacuation of the population from the frontline zone continues.
The photo shows the consequences of the shelling of the Donetsk region. There's information about the nine dead in the last 24 hours. The deaths were recorded in three settlements: Avdiivka, Vuhledar, and Lyman. In addition, it is known that in Avdiivka, two people were injured and eight houses were damaged.
In Mariupol, the ruscists do not stop trying to break into the territory of Azovstal. Before the assault, the plant was bombed by aircraft. Deputy Commander of the Azov Regiment Sviatoslav Palamar stated this. "We were bombed all night, two civilian women died, and now Azovstal is being stormed," Palamar said in a comment to the UP.
14:15 – Right now the enemy began storming the Azovstal plant. This was reported by the deputy commander of the Azov Regiment. "… they are trying to break into the plant."
russia simply destroys the bread that it cannot steal: the russian military bombed a grain elevator in Rubizhne, Luhansk region.
Kharkiv region
Over the past 24 hours, the russian occupation forces fired 2 strikes from multiple-rocket launching systems at Kharkiv and carried out 1 artillery shelling. The fire damaged civilian objects in the Pivnichna Saltivka district, the head of the Kharkiv regional state administration Oleh Synehubov informs.
In the Kharkiv district, a fire broke out at one of the enterprises due to the morning shelling. The factory did not work during martial law, the premises were severely damaged. Unfortunately, a 46-year-old worker who was on the territory at the time of the shelling was killed.
During the day, the occupiers fired on Zolochiv, Barvinkove, Derhachi, and Chuhuiv. In the last 24 hours, in the Kharkiv region, 3 were wounded: Kharkiv – 2 people, Chuhuiv district – 1 person. Doctors also assist residents of settlements liberated from the occupiers.
During today's shelling of Kharkiv by the russian federation, the Gorky Park was once again damaged, the State Emergency Service reports.
Zaporizhzhia region
According to local social media, a mined scooter exploded in Melitopol. The windows of the apartments were blown out, and the facade of the store was damaged. There is no information about the victims.
According to the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, two people died as a result of the enemy shelling of residential buildings in the Zaporizhzhia region. "On May 3, the occupiers shelled the village of Zaliznychne, Huliapole district. The russian invaders destroyed a local school," the statement said. Twelve houses were also damaged.
Kherson region
A mobile service appeared in Kherson. But according to the British IT company NetBlocks, Moscow has redirected the region's Internet traffic through its communications infrastructure. Last Saturday, the Internet in the occupied region was completely disconnected from Ukrainian providers, and when the connection was restored, the metrics showed that traffic was now passing through russia. "The network connection was routed through russian rather than Ukrainian telecommunications infrastructure, so it is likely to be subject to regulation, surveillance, and censorship," NetBlocks said.
In the Kherson region, an attempt by enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group to seize our observation post was suppressed by mortar fire and thwarted. Instead, our missile and artillery units performed more than a hundred fire tasks. As a result, the total losses of the enemy in the southern direction amounted to 122 ruscists.
The russians captured the head of Chornobaivka Ihor Dudar, Deputy PM Iryna Vereshchuk reports.
A resistance #YellowBand movement is operating in Kherson. The occupiers receive greeting cards. They must understand that temporarily seizing territory does not mean breaking the spirit and capturing Ukrainians.
Mykolaiv region
Mykolaiv and the near areas were fired at by multiple-rocket launching systems. Again, the enemy fired on the objects of industry. Fortunately, no casualties.
Under the procedural guidance of the Bashtanka District Prosecutor's Office, criminal proceedings are being investigated for violating the laws and customs of war. According to the investigation, the bodies of two locals with traces of gunshot wounds and torture were found in a mass grave in the village of Novofontanka, Bashtanska district. One of the men had his legs tied. Traces of the russian military were found nearby.
Odesa region
Odesa is recovering from yesterday's missile fire. A 15-year-old resident of Odesa, who died from a missile strike, did not make it to cover because he wanted to help his neighbors, the spokesperson of the Odesa Regional Military Administration Serhii Bratchuk says. "The missiles flew to a dormitory in Odesa. A 15-year-old boy died. It is known that he ran to his elderly neighbors, who didn't have air raid alarm apps on their phones. He warned the neighbors and didn't survive," Bratchuk said.
At the same time, russia cynically writes that it managed to "strike high-precision missiles in the logistics center in the area of Odesa, through which the foreign weapons were delivery."
Chernihiv region
The head of the Chernihiv regional state administration, Viacheslav Chaus, said that the Chernihiv region was once again following the "dry law." "Yesterday we analyzed the dynamics and nature of crimes over the past two weeks and you know, if you put the security of Chernihiv residents on one scale and the excise tax on local budgets on another, I will choose the Chernihiv region. So today I signed an order: we are returning the ban on trade in alcoholic beverages throughout the Chernihiv region," Chaus said.
Two more crossings have been opened in the Chernihiv region, the Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov reports. We are talking about road crossings:
• Chernihiv-Mena (H-27)
• Kyiv-Chernihiv (R-29)
In total, traffic on 8 bridges and overpasses was resumed in the Chernihiv region.
Sumy region
13:00 – The occupiers opened fire on the Sumy region again. The head of the region, Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, reported about it. "At about 12 o'clock, the enemy opened fire with mortars on the territory of the Hlukhiv community. Details later.
Dnipropetrovsk region
The Soviet heritage is being dismantled in Dnipro. In particular, they removed a brick wall with Stalin's order in Globa Park, a stele with the inscription "Zhukov Square" at the intersection of Heroiv Avenue and Slavy Boulevard, as well as stucco on a residential building on Titova Street. In the future, the legacy of the "soviet union" is to be sent to the open-air museum of totalitarianism. Although the best solution would be to simply destroy it all. Lenin, who was recently installed in the Kherson region by the occupiers, was also carefully "preserved" somewhere.
