Summary of the Events
Russian forces have nearly taken Severodonetsk and will next shell Lysychansk across the river. They will then finally be able to cross the Siversky Donetsk River for an assault on the Donetsk Region, but the unexpected length of defending Severodonetsk has allowed Ukraine to build up strong fortifications.
Ukrainian forces have begun a drive to liberate the Kherson region by punching through the Russian defense line and threatening to cut off supply lines to many Russian troops in the northern region of Kherson. And in Kharkiv, Ukrainian forces continue to push Russian forces back towards the border to the north capturing the important city of Vesele.
Battle for the Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk)
Target Severodonetsk – Russian forces have taken nearly all Severodonetsk after destroying all infrastructure (gas, electricity, water, etc.) and two-thirds of all housing. They are bombing the many chemical factories making the air unbreathable. Reminiscent of the valiant defense of Mariupol from the steelworks, Ukrainian forces are only holding on to the industrial region of Severodonetsk. But this is not as dire as it sounds, as Ukraine was never expected to hold on to the city as long as it has, but this time has allowed Ukraine to build stronger defensive positions in the rear to defend Donetsk Region, the next target of Russia.
Target Kramatorsk – Russian forces who pushed through Ukrainian defense line at Popasna continue to expand taking Lypove and Pylpchatyne.
Battle for Kherson
Just as they had done in the Kharkiv Region, Ukrainian forces are now pushing back Russian forces in the Kherson Region. Ukrainian forces liberated Davydiv Brid allowing them to punch through the Russian defense line. Then Ukrainian forces liberated Snihurivka and were moving towards Nova Kakhovka which has one of the few remaining bridges over the Dnipro River. If Ukraine can capture that city with the bridge intact, then they can cross the Dnipro River and encircle the regional capital city of Kherson. All Russian forces in the northern occupied region of Kherson are being threatened with having their supply lines cut as well.
In the north, Ukrainian forces are beginning to push Russian forces now threatened with being cut off. Mykolaivka has already been liberated.
Battle for Kharkiv
Ukraine continues pushing Russian forces back to their border north of Kharkiv. Ukrainian forces have liberated the city of Vesele and the village of Borschova. Russia is reinforcing their defenses in the southern city of Kupyansk knowing that soon Ukraine will have liberated all regions north of Kharkiv and will begin moving to the south.
President Zelensky visited the bombed-out city of Kharkiv and sacked the Kharkiv security chief for failing to have defended the city in the first days of the invasion.
Other Ukraine Regions
Due to me being on a rest elsewhere in Europe from the war in Ukraine, I am not keeping close tabs on the news to get specific information on other regions of Ukraine.
Other News
International monitors were allowed to visit the Ukrainian POWs who surrendered at Mariupol. Because Russia does not recognize Ukraine as a legitimate country but as a region in rebellion of Russia, the Ukrainian soldiers are not considered prisoners of war, but as criminals. Therefore, Russia does not recognize the rules of the Geneva Convention on the treatment of POWs. Nevertheless, the treatment they have received would internationally be considered a crime even for criminals. They are beaten to their knees, beaten with rifle butts on their toes and open wounds, tortured with pliers and electric shock, tied with rope around their necks and strangled, and kicked mercilessly as they lay on the ground. They are also forced to memorize the poem “forgive us, our dear Russians”, learn the Russian anthem, and the history of Russia. Female soldiers are forced to watch the torture, and then in turn are raped while the Ukrainian male soldiers are forced to watch.
A Russian intelligence source has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is dying of cancer and is not expected to live more than three years. The source said he is also losing his sight due to the cancer. Of course, Russian officials deny that the information is true.
Two more Russians soldiers were convicted of war crimes for the firing artillery at residential neighborhoods of Kharkiv. Alexander Bobykin and Alexander Ivanov both received 11 year prison sentences.
International Support
I wrote in my last report that the U.S. had agreed to provide multiple-launch rockets systems (MLRS) to Ukraine. But after Russia threatened the U.S. with unspecified consequences, US President Joe Biden backed down and reversed the decision. But after a day of pressure, he approved it again.
The EU passed legislation banning the import of Russian oil with the only exception for Hungary who is allowed to continue receiving oil imports only through a pipeline from Russia. This will effectively cut off 90% of the Russian oil exported to Europe.
The EU announced they will give $330 million euros from their emergency assistance program to support the people of Ukraine who are suffering from the recent Russian invasion.