Summary of the Events
The last Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol have surrendered and the port city on the Sea of Azov is now under control of Russia. For the first time since the escalation of war began, Ukrainian forces have pushed back Russian forces along the Donbas Contact Line by taking back a suburb of Severodonetsk. And Ukrainian forces have reached the Russian border north of Kharkiv and attacked Russian soldiers in Russia with artillery. Over the last three days Russian troops suffered heavy casualties.
Battle for the Donbas (Donetsk, Luhansk, Mariupol)
Siversky Donets – As Ukrainian forces begin their counterattack on Izyum, Russian forces are pulling out of Kharkiv and redeploying to Izyum to defend that strategic city on the crossroads. Ukrainian forces repelled enemy attacks on Bohorodychne and Dovhenke south of Izyum. Russian forces had a little more success on their push towards Lyman capturing Novoselivka and Drobysheve. Ukraine successfully blew up a Russian weapons depot near Izyum.
Luhansk – Russia poured everything it had to take Severodonetsk, the last major city in Luhansk still under Ukrainian control. Russian forces attempted to cross the Siversky Donetsk River to the north but suffered a major setback as Ukrainian forces destroyed their bridges and inflicted heavy damage. The city itself fell under constant shelling killing ten people, mostly from the shelling of a hospital. Ukrainian forces scored a major victory by pushing Russian forces out of the southern suburb of Syrotyne.
Russian soldiers were able to penetrate into Toshkivka but were pushed back to their original positions. Russian forces had a little more success near Popasna reaching the outskirts of Pylpchatyne.
Donetsk – Russian forces were repelled again with heavy losses as they attempted to take Avdiivka, Marinka, Pisky, and Novomykhailivka.
Mariupol – Russian forces continued to shell the Azovstal steelworks heavily over the weekend. An agreement was reached between Russia and Ukraine to allow the injured Ukrainian soldiers underground in the steelworks to be evacuated to a Russian-controlled region to receive medical attention. They will then be traded for Russian POWs. The remaining troops of the Azov National Guard then surrendered under an agreement that they would be exchanged for Russian soldiers. But that agreement is already in jeopardy as the Russian Duma voted to declare them terrorists which will prevent them from being part of a prisoner exchange. The Battle for Mariupol is lost for now.
Battle for Kherson
Russian forces continue to shell Oleksandrivka, but Ukrainian troops held their ground. Ukrainian forces destroyed a weapons depot and an anti-aircraft missile system in the Kherson suburb of Chornobaivka preparing the way to liberate the regional center.
Battle for Kharkiv
Russian forces are retreating from the Kharkiv region to reinforce Russian troops in the Donbass. Ukrainian forces liberated Ternova and Zelene on the border with Russia and opened the border checkpoint. They also fired artillery at Russian troops within Russia near Sereda.
Other Regions
Chernihiv – Russia attacked the two border towns of Mykolaivka and Gremyach with mortars on Monday. There were no casualties. On Tuesday morning the border village of Desna was struck by missiles. An apartment complex was hit killing eight civilians and injuring another twelve.
Dnepropetrovsk – A Russian drone was shot down over the Dnepropetrovsk Region.
Kirovohrad – Ukraine shot down a missile targeting a village in the Kirovohrad Region.
Lviv – Lviv has been under major attack these last few days. On Sunday, four cruise missiles slammed into a military facility in Yavoriv wiping it out, but there were no casualties. Two other missiles were shot down before impacting. Then on Monday morning the largest missile attack of this war was made against Lviv. All missiles targeted at the city were intercepted, but a massive amount did some heavy damage at the rail station in Yavoriv blowing out windows of homes nearby. On Tuesday another missile strike hit the military installation again in Yavoriv.
Mykolaiv – More missiles fell on residential areas of Mykolaiv on Monday and Tuesday. A furniture store was destroyed in one of the attacks.
Odesa – After several days of calm, missiles again began to fall on Odesa and Zatoka in the south. A recreational area was hit in Odesa, and the bridge over the Dniester River at Zatoka was hit again.
Sumy – Russian troops attempted to cross the border into the Sumy Region but were successfully repelled. They also shot mortars at the border checkpoint of Bilokopytove. On Tuesday morning five missiles hit homes in Okhtyrka resulting in five injuries.
Zaporizhia – Russia forces continue to shell Ukrainian troops guarding at Hulyaipole, but Ukraine held its ground. Two missiles were fired near the village of Shirokiv just south of Kryvyi Rih but fell on open fields causing no damage.
Other News
Finland announced their intention of joining NATO on Sunday, followed by Sweden on Monday. Russia responded that it would not be considered a threat unless NATO weapons and troops were deployed to either country. Turkey needs to sign off yet, and said they are hesitant as both countries have given sanctuary to their enemies the Kurds.
Belarus continues to deploy special operation forces along the border with Ukraine. It seems that Belarus has no intention of declaring war on Ukraine, but by placing their troops along the border, Ukraine is forced to keep troops stationed there relieving pressure on Russian forces in the east.
Another mass grave with three civilians was found in Makariv. One of the victims was a citizen of the Czech Republic. Two were shot in the head and the other in the stomach.
International Support
NATO pledged open-ended military support for Ukraine for as long as Ukraine needs it to defend against Russia.
The EU pledged another €500 million of military aid to Ukraine.
Japan signed a $100 million loan to Ukraine for rebuilding the country. The funds may not be used for military purposes though.
Israel reopened their embassy in Kyiv.