Summary of the Events of the Day
The offensive in the Donbas has still not occurred. Eight Russian generals have been killed in the last fifty days, and those remaining are afraid they will be next. Everywhere Russian forces attack in the Donbas; Ukrainian forces inflict heavy damage and are not budged. The fear is that if a large offensive were to commence, Russian forces could be crushed. But if they wait much longer, Ukraine will continue to receive more and more weapons and will be able to go on their own offensive and force Russia out of Ukraine, including Crimea. The big question is whether Russia will use its nuclear stockpile against Ukraine igniting a World War III they cannot win.
Battle for the Skies
Friday was a big day for the Ukrainian air defense having shot down one plane, one helicopter, five drones, and six cruise missiles.
Battle for Kyiv
The skies were silent above the capital after two days of missile attacks had resumed. But nearby Brovary was hit with missiles knocking out water and electricity for three hours. There were no casualties.
Battle for the Donbas (Donetsk, Luhansk, Mariupol)
Ten Russian assaults against the Donbas Contact Line were repulsed in the early hours yesterday. Russian forces received heavy casualties in the attacks. Four high rise apartments in Severodonetsk were hit as well as a home in Novodruzhesk. Residential neighborhoods were shelled by Russian artillery in Kreminna. Other cities on the line hit included Popasna, Lysychansk, Avdiivka, Toretsk, Maryinka, Ocheretyne, and Krasnohorivka. Two civilians were killed and four injured. Later in the day Zolote came under attack resulting in two civilians’ deaths. And nothing is sacred to Russia as it fired upon the central cathedral in Severodonetsk as people gathered to celebrate Easter.
Russia began a ceasefire on Ukrainian defenders in Mariupol from 06:00 – 13:00 and called on them to surrender promising that they would not lose their lives. The gathering of ships and troops around Crimea is a signal that Russia is preparing for a major naval landing operation in Mariupol. As 13:00 came and went, it was apparent that the valiant Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol were not going to surrender, and the shelling of the city commenced again.
Battle for Kharkiv
Eleven buildings were on fire after Kharkiv was shelled in the early hours Sunday morning by 20 missile and artillery strikes. Most were residential buildings, but also hit was an office complex and plastics factory. Three people died and 31 were injured. Attacks continued all day resulting in another 5 deaths and 20 injuries.
Ukrainian forces liberated the two communities of Lebiazhe and Bazaliivka pushing Russian troops back 50 miles from Kharkiv in the southeast. They also began pushing back Russian forces to the direct east partly liberating Kutuzivka. With the north and west already cleared, pushing back the Russian forces to the south and east will relieve the city from constant artillery shelling.
Battle for Kherson (Kherson, Mykolaiv)
For unknown reasons, the Russian-led separatist forces from the Donbas began fighting regular Russian army troops in Nova Kakhovka across the river from Kherson.
International Support
The EU has pledged another $48.5 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Other News
The Russian occupiers have stolen $101,000 from the funds sent from Ukraine to the retirees trapped in Melitopol for their monthly pensions. Ukraine is demanding that the payments be given to the elderly of Melitopol.