Summary of the Events of the Day
Ukrainian forces pushed Russian forces farther back around Kharkiv and out of artillery fire range. Russia is focusing on taking Kramatorsk as a prize to celebrate on Victory Day May 9 and before those weapons from Ukraine’s allies reach the front. To slow down the advance of those weapons, Russia launched at least 18 missiles destroying six railway stations and power stations around Lviv knocking out electricity to much of Lviv.
Battle for the Donbas (Donetsk, Luhansk, Mariupol)
Russia wants to take Kramatorsk, the most important city in Ukrainian-held northern Donbas, by May 9, or at least Severodonetsk, the easternmost city still under control of Ukraine. Most fighting is centered on those two goals. By taking Kramatorsk, Russia will cut off the five Ukrainian brigades to the east from being resupplied.
In the advance on Severodonetsk, street fighting continues in Rubizhne to the north, and there are now reports that Russian forces have entered Popasna to the south which is also engaged in street fighting. If Popasna falls, then another hole like Izyum will be made in Ukraine’s defense line in the south.
In the advance on Kramatorsk, the first objective is to take Slovyansk. Russian forces have reached Lyman to the east and heavy fighting has commenced there. Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from Yampil to the other side of the Siversky Donetsk River at Ozerne. From Izyum, a major offensive was conducted against Dovhenke, but Ukrainian forces were able to repulse the attack.
Everywhere else along the Donbas Contact Line Ukrainian forces held their positions.
After evacuating a hundred civilians from the Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol, Russia launched another offensive against the 400 Azov National Guardsmen still holed up in the steel mill. Further evacuations have been postponed.
Battle for Southern Ukraine (Kherson, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Odesa)
There was no change on the ground in the Battle for Southern Ukraine.
Battle for Kharkiv
Ukrainian forces captured the village of Molodava on the western bank of the Siversky Donetsk River. The importance of this is not only pushing Russian forces farther away from Chuhuiv but forcing Russia to defend Stary Saltiv by drawing back forces shelling Kharkiv daily. Ukraine also destroyed a Russian supply convoy near the village of Vesele.
Other Regions
Our region of Zakarpattia was hit by a missile for the first time. It was during the attacks which occurred all over Ukraine that destroyed six train stations. All details of the attack on Zakarpattia have been withheld and locals were instructed not to take pictures. Therefore, it is assumed the attack failed and information is being withheld so that Russian forces cannot correct their fire and try again.
Other News
The Bolshoi Theater has cancelled all shows directed by Kirill Serebrennikov and Timofey Kulyabin after they both spoke out against Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
International Support
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson became the first world leader to visit Kyiv since the escalation of the war with Russia began on February 24. Using a phrase from Winston Churchill, Johnson addressed the Ukrainian people saying, “This is Ukraine’s finest hour, that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come.” He also announced that the UK will be giving another $376 million in military aid to Ukraine.
Russian football clubs have been banned from participating in any Champions League games of the UEFA.
Finnish consortium Fennovoima announced it has terminated its partnership with Russian firm Rosatom in the building of Finland’s third nuclear power plant.