Summary of the Events of the Day
Russia surrendered unconditionally to Ukraine as Ukrainian forces entered Moscow. April Fools!
Russia is not retreating, but regrouping. Russia has withdrawn around 20% of its forces around Kyiv to reposition them in the south and east of Ukraine. The remaining 80% will be placed in a defensive mode to keep Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv busy with defense, while its crack troops reposition for the capture of the Donbas. With Russian defensive forces in place, Ukraine will not be able to resupply their troops in the East. And if the West continues to refuse to provide heavy weapons to Ukraine, Ukraine cannot defeat these defensive forces and bring aid to the East.
Battle for Kyiv (Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv)
Chernihiv is a humanitarian disaster. The city has been without water, electricity, or gas now for two weeks, but its inhabitants continue to bravely hold their positions. Civilian volunteers from Kyiv were transporting humanitarian aid in their cars to the besieged city of Chernihiv in the north. Russian soldiers ambushed the convoy killing at least ten volunteers.
By morning, Ukrainian forces had taken the town of Ivankiv which threatened to encircle Russian forces around Bucha and Vorzel. Russian forces have abandoned Bucha while the roads are still open. Missiles are being fired from Belarus to cover the retreat of Russian forces. By evening Bucha was liberated by Ukrainian forces. Sasha’s dog will soon be safe with us here in Uzhhorod (you will know what I mean if you follow our prayer letter which is public on my Facebook page).
Ukrainian forces were also quick to move east of Kyiv and retake Brovary and Velyky Dymerka.
Missiles rained down upon Kharkiv all day with 170 Grad missile attacks in the last 24 hours alone.
Battle for the Donbas (Donetsk, Luhansk, Mariupol)
The International Red Cross, which is planning on leading a humanitarian convoy to evacuate civilians from Mariupol, has yet received assurances from Russia that the convoy would not be attacked. They postponed the evacuation until tomorrow.
Russian forces continue to shell residential regions in the Donetsk region along the Mar’inka-Vuhledar defense line. Twelve people were killed and 22 wounded during the day of shelling.
Russian forces continue the shelling of front-line city Severodonetsk resulting in another two civilian deaths.
Battle for the Black Sea (Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa)
The number of casualties from the Russian attack on the Mykolaiv Regional Administration building has risen to 28.
Russia launched three missiles on residential communities in Odesa in the late evening. No details yet on the location of attacks or casualties.
Battle for Crimean Water Source (Melitopol, Zaporizhia)
Ukrainian forces have pushed back Russian forces that had headed north from Kherson to threaten the industrial city of Kryvyi Rih and attack Zaporizhia from behind. Ukraine has pushed them back as far as Orlove retaking that city and nearby Kochubeivka. A total of eleven communities were liberated.
Russia has finally allowed for the evacuation of civilians from Melitopol which they had taken in the first days of the invasion. This is the city where Pastor Dmitry was kidnapped and released and where one of our trained youth leaders sent us occasional pictures of the occupation. But the civilians are being evacuated to Russian-controlled Crimea and will not be allowed to return to Ukrainian-held regions.
Other Regions
Russian forces left the Chernobyl Nuclear Exclusion Zone because its troops were experiencing radiation sickness. But they took several Ukrainian hostages back to Belarus with them. They also looted the hotel and cafeteria where the plant workers live and eat. The lead engineer was forced to sign a statement that all damages done to the facility were not the result of Russian forces.
Other News
Russia has expanded its sanctions against countries who have sanctions against Russia. Russia banned EU government officials from visiting Russia. OUCH!!!
A third possible Ukrainian missile strike on Russian territory may have occurred as social media pages released video of a missile flying over Belgorod, Russia and striking an oil depot. Two days ago, an ammunition depot blew up near Belgorod and Ukrainian news sources reported it as a missile strike by Ukraine. But both Ukrainian and Russian government officials denied it was a result of an attack and was the result of carelessness on Russian soldiers guarding the ammunition depot. The only confirmed Ukrainian missile strike on Russia was on February 25 when an airfield in Millerovo was targeted.
Several soldiers from South Ossetia sent to fight Ukraine refused and went home.
Where is Russia getting the money to fund their war against Ukraine? They are getting it from the one Russian bank that for some reason has not been sanctioned – Gazprombank. Why would the U.S. and other European countries allow this one bank to operate normally unless they wanted to give a lifeline to Russia? Are they fooling us in publicly supporting Ukraine while financing Russia in the background? Is that why they will not give Ukraine the heavy weapons it needs to defeat Russia?
International Support
The EU will hold a virtual summit with China against a disturbing backdrop of Chinese support of Russia in this conflict and its reluctance to condemn Russia’s war crimes. The summit will focus on the role the EU would like China to play in this Russian genocide against the Ukrainian people.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced she is on her way to visit Kyiv as the first EU leader to visit the war-torn nation.
The United States expanded their sanctions against Russian tech firms including Russia’s largest chip maker Mikron.
After the separatist region of South Ossetia announced it was seeking to join Russia, the pro-Russian government of Georgia felt betrayed and has joined the international sanctions against Russia.
The pro-Russian government of Armenia announced it will not facilitate its citizens to join Russian forces as mercenaries.
The pro-Russian government of Kazakhstan has publicly supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Germany has approved the delivery of BMP military vehicles to Ukraine. Still considered light vehicles, they do carry a cannon and machine gun mount.