Summary of the Events of the Day
The first civilians who were trapped in Mariupol have safely arrived in Zaporizhia. Russian forces continue to inch forward, but at heavy losses. Ukraine had a victory sinking two Russian speedboats transporting forty personnel to Zmiinyi (Snake) Island.
Battle for the Donbas (Donetsk, Luhansk, Mariupol)
Russian forces continue inching closer to Slovyansk and Severodonetsk, cities important to them as it will cut off five Ukrainian combat brigades from being resupplied. But apart from some unmeaningful gains, Ukraine continues to hold their positions on the 300-mile-long Donbas Contact Line. From the north, Russian forces are attempting to reach Lyman from their only hole in the Ukraine defense line at Izyum. Some limited gains were made and several homes in Lyman were on fire after heavy shelling. Russia was finally able to build a pontoon bridge over the Siversky Donetsk River. From the south the two towns of Popasna and Rubizhne are the focus of Russian forces making some limited advances but at heavy loss. Overall, twelve concerted attacks were made against the Donbas Contact Line, all of which were repulsed with heavy damage inflicted on Russian forces.
The Lysychansk Gymnasium, one of the top schools in Ukraine built in the late 19th century, burned down after being shelled by Russian forces. The school had survived both World Wars.
The nearly one hundred civilians evacuated from Mariupol arrived safely in Zaporizhia. They were ecstatic to be safe for now. The Azov National Guard continues to defend their last stronghold in Mariupol at the Azovstal steel mill.
Battle for Southern Ukraine (Kherson, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Odesa)
The battle continues to be intense as Ukraine inches closer to retaking Kherson, the only capital city Russia has captured. Russia must control Kherson to maintain a land bridge to Crimea.
Several high-rise apartment buildings were hit in Orikhiv in the Zaporizhia Region. Two civilians were killed and another four injured.
Russia attempted to resupply Zmiinyi (Snake) Island with troops after Ukraine hit it hard on Sunday. But in the process, Ukraine was able to sink two of their patrol boats carrying 20 soldiers each with unmanned attack drones.
A rocket hit a dormitory in Odesa killing one child and injuring five others. It also damaged a church nearby.
It turns out that the bombing of the Odesa airport was more extensive, and it cannot be repaired to be used for military aircraft.
Battle for Kharkiv
The shelling of Kharkiv continues with another three civilians killed and eight wounded.
Other Regions
Missile destroyed several warehouses around Synelnykiv in the Dnepropetrovsk Region.
Ukraine Counterattacks on Russia
The Perm Powder Plant, nearly 1200 miles from the Ukrainian border, blew up. The plant builds the charges for several Russian multiple rocket launchers, air defense systems, and air-to-air missile systems. Russia claims it was the result of an accident and Ukraine remains silent.
Other News
Denmark and Sweden have both summoned their Russian ambassadors after Russian aircraft violated their airspace. Russia is putting pressure on Sweden and Finland who have both stated they plan to join NATO.
5.5 million Ukrainians have now fled the country as refugees. That is over 12% of the population of Ukraine.
Romania has announced their will repair an old rail line to Moldova which can be used to send supplies to support Moldova if they are attacked by Russian forces.
Georgia completed the first questionnaire in their bid to join the European Union.
The Commander of the Russian National Guard Sergei Kolotsei is the first to be identified for committing war crimes having shot four unarmed civilians in Bucha whose hands were tied behind their backs.
International Support
Denmark has reopened their embassy in Kyiv.
New Zealand expanded their sanctions to include 170 members of the Russian Federation Council as well as six companies in the defense sector.