(Image by NEIVANMADE)
It’s been a long day, part of a long week, that has been part of a long and exhausting month. So just a brief update tonight.
Before we get to President Zelenskyy’s daily address, I want to highlight this NY Times‘ video reporting. Their reporters – Masha Froliak and Yousur Al-Hlou – embedded with this Ukrainian Soldier in Dontesk. I WILL WARN YOU, WHILE NOT OVERLY GRAPHIC, THIS IS NOT THE MOST EMOTIONALLY PLEASANT SUBJECT!!!!
Here is their – the reporters – description of the video reporting from the summary description that would be below the video on YouTube’s own site:
I Cry Quietly’: A Soldier Describes the Toll of Russia’s War
For Valentyn, a Ukrainian soldier in the Donetsk region, the war’s death toll is more than a statistic. He is tasked with moving wounded troops — and dead bodies — away from the front lines, often under Russian fire.
And here’s the video:
And an excerpt from their reporting:
NEAR KREMINNA, Ukraine — The sound of artillery launching and landing along the front line punctures the stillness of the forest just a few miles away, where combat medics are waiting to receive the wounded.
On the horizon, a military vehicle moves along a dusty road and screeches to a halt when it reaches the trees. A soldier named Valentyn parks it there for natural camouflage from Russian drones scouting for Ukrainian military positions.
A group of soldiers, visibly shaken, quickly unloads three bodies that have just been recovered from the front line, placing each one into a plastic body bag and zipping it closed. Their position was shelled and then attacked by a drone, they say.
“They’re shooting at you from all sides. You turn, you run, they hit you, and it’s impossible to get away,” said Maksym, who survived the attack. “This is a big tragedy for us.”
“One more body is left behind with the Russian soldiers,” he added.
While much of the world’s attention has fixated on the bloody urban battle taking place in Bakhmut, Russia’s campaign in eastern Ukraine is also raging in forests and fields about 50 miles north of the city, near Kreminna. Here, soldiers take positions in trenches surrounded by tall, slim trees, crouching to avoid the direct line of sight of their Russian enemies.
“People say it’s harsh in Bakhmut,” said Valentyn, who joined the army seven months ago. “But it’s harsh here, too.”
For the past month, Valentyn has been stationed at this evacuation point, traveling back and forth to the front line almost daily to rescue wounded soldiers and recover the dead. His job requires him to drive directly toward Russian forces, and he has come under fire at times.
“There is nothing good about it,” Valentyn said. “What is this war for?”
Ukrainian and Russian military officials have been reluctant to release data on casualties within their ranks, though the U.S. government and military experts estimate that both sides have suffered significant losses in the tens or hundreds of thousands.
For Valentyn, the work of responding to the casualties has been both grim and relentless.
“There is blood everywhere,” he said, while cleaning it from his vehicle. “It has a smell. Especially fresh blood.”
Bright red liquid trickled through his fingers as he rinsed out a bloodied cloth. He drained the cloth and used it again to wipe off the back seat.
“It’s difficult to see young boys die,” Valentyn said. “Sometimes I cry quietly.”
There is, sadly, more at the link.
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump:
We will keep working for the return of all deported Ukrainian children and for the punishment of Russia – address by the President of Ukraine
27 April 2023 – 21:51
Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!
Today, there was an important political result in Strasbourg at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. A resolution was adopted recognizing that Russia’s deportation of Ukrainian children has evidence of genocide. This is the first recognition of this fact at the level of such a high international organization uniting the states of our continent.
Practically speaking, this decision will significantly help our global efforts to bring Russia and its officials, including the head of the terrorist state, to justice for genocide and genocidal policies against Ukraine.
The deportation of Ukrainian children is one of the fully premeditated elements of Russia’s attempt to erase the identity of our people, to destroy the very essence of Ukrainians. This is a deliberate crime of genocide committed by Russian officials. This is how it should be qualified both politically and legally.
Today, the First Lady of Ukraine addressed PACE – specifically on the issue of children and families… Our parliamentarians and our diplomats have done a good job. And at all levels – formal and informal, with leaders of states, at the parliamentary, governmental, law enforcement levels, in the legal community and in international and inter-parliamentary organizations – we will keep working for the return of all deported Ukrainian children and for the punishment of Russia. We know for sure the data of almost 20 thousand children who were taken away and dispersed to different regions of the evil state. But it is obvious that this is only a part of much larger criminal actions. There may be many more such children.
Europe and the world have already seen various deportations and attempts to exterminate peoples. It is through the Russian example – the accountability of this state and its officials guilty of genocide – that we must show all other potential sources of the same evil that there will never be impunity. There will be sentences for genocide. Just as for all other crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine and our people.
In Mykolaiv, the debris has been cleared from the site of a rocket attack that took place last night. More than 20 people were wounded, one person was killed… My condolences to the families and friends.
The rockets damaged dozens of ordinary houses and two educational institutions. “Kalibrs” against a school and a college, against residential buildings.
In the evening, another rocket attack was launched at Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region. A school, hospital and residential buildings were damaged. Unfortunately, there are people injured.
Unfortunately, the world’s legal machine is taking a long time to gain momentum. But it is gaining momentum. Unfortunately, the world’s political pressure on the terrorist state, the sanctions pressure, has not yet reached its full force. But it is reaching…
But our warriors have been doing absolutely everything possible to protect people and humanity since the first day of this battle! And even more than possible.
Avdiivka – the 35th separate marine brigade. Maryinka – our famous “Seventy-ninth”… The entire Donetsk sector – the 55th separate artillery brigade… Thank you, warriors, for your consistent efficiency!
Zaporizhzhia direction – today, as always, we have a lot to thank the warriors of our 44th separate artillery brigade for. Well done!
Today, I conveyed written gratitude to the warriors and the commander of the 95th separate airborne assault brigade who are fighting vigorously near Kreminna, Luhansk region.
I would also like to thank absolutely everyone who is defending Bakhmut and destroying the enemy there on a scale that the occupier deserves.
Glory to all our warriors who are now in combat, at combat posts, on combat missions!
Thank you to everyone in the world who helps us!
Eternal memory to all those whose lives were taken by Russian terror!
Glory to Ukraine!
There is still no operational update from the Ukrainian MOD.
Bakhmut:
Bakhmut today.
This city was peaceful and vibrant until recently.
The “russian world” is equivalent to death. The “russian world” turns everything into a wasteland.🎥 @Liberov pic.twitter.com/zclYl1J5z8
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 27, 2023
(What’s left of) Bakhmut now pic.twitter.com/jG98rdETIg
— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) April 27, 2023
The first letter is due this Friday… it's going to be one about the epic Battle of Bakhmut.
— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) April 27, 2023
Commander of the Special Operations Forces (SOF), Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Viktor Khorenko during a recent visit to Bakhmut. pic.twitter.com/9y9gnu4zya
— NOËL 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) April 27, 2023
Russian forces have pulverized Bakhmut. Ukrainian forces have fought hard & bravely for the "fortress city" in a battle that's lasted almost a year. Video of mother & daughter building being blown up below. Unclear who did it. Ukraine's blown some buildings for tactical reasons. pic.twitter.com/Dp3bCJw8IK
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 27, 2023
Photos from Bakhmut show it as a brutal battleground, thanks to Russia's invasion. But it was once a charming place with 70,000 residents, families. I celebrated birthdays of friends in the demolished building below. The one with fire in the window, home of my friend's parents. https://t.co/j0LQcaAFN2
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 27, 2023
Mykolaiv:
Another war crime of the invaders: russian cruise missiles "Kalibr" hit residential areas in #Mykolaiv.
A civilian was killed, and 23 others were injured.#russiaisaterroriststate pic.twitter.com/VX0GciE332— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 27, 2023
After relative calm in Mykolaiv Russia attacked the city with four Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea killing at least one, injuring 23, including 1 child.
One of the missiles hit the historic building of the Admiralty. pic.twitter.com/LZ3UzBG5GJ
— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) April 27, 2023
Kharkiv:
Russian S-300 reaches Kharkiv in 40 seconds. Until this threat persists, all public events are allowed only underground – head of the regional administration.
📷 missile launches from Belgorod pic.twitter.com/Sknx9pfTPY
— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) April 27, 2023
The left bank of the Dnipro:
Destruction of Russian 2S1 Gvozdika 122mm self-propelled howitzer on the left bank of the Kherson region.
(By the way, this is the work of the unit that was provided with a NAFO pickup truck for which a fundraising campaign was conducted on this channel) https://t.co/8uLbADnXNb pic.twitter.com/dtMnmvNXpS— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) April 27, 2023
Zaporizhzhia:
Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant: Russian defensive positions constructed from sandbags on reactor buildings pic.twitter.com/bBdjzdKq2s
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) April 27, 2023
At approximately 5:15 a.m. in Melitopol, 42-year-old Aleksandr Myshchenko, appointed by Russians as deputy head of the Department of Internal Affairs in the Zaporizhia region for personnel issues, was blown up near the entrance of his house. https://t.co/zJTStWO7Ea pic.twitter.com/zBB5hZxdtU
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) April 27, 2023
That’s enough for tonight.
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Open thread!
Ksmiami
Why tf can’t we just give them planes? I want Russian invaders ground into soil in Ukraine.
currawong
I just want to say a big thank you from Australia, Adam, for these daily updates. I’ve read them all. All 428.
If I see people comment that they don’t know who to listen to or are confused about what is happening, I link them to your posts.
Thank you.
Adam L Silverman
@currawong: Thank you for the kind words.
You are most welcome.
Adam L Silverman
I’m going to go do a quick lift, then try to get the dogs walked before the storm hits. You all have a good night. I’ll catch everyone on the flip.
Omnes Omnibus
@Ksmiami:
It’s being done just to annoy you.
Jay
Jay
Anoniminous
NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg reports:
– 230 Main Battle Tanks
– More than 1550 armored vehicles
or enough for 9 mechanized brigades or – roughly – 3 divisions. As these are new units it means the Ukrainian Army has a substantial increase in offensive power versus last fall. Which they are going to need if they are planning on punching through the Perekop Isthmus into Crimea this campaign season.
Jay
Gin & Tonic
More on the guy Mishchenko/Myshchenko in Melitopol who had car trouble this morning:
Alison Rose
I’d like to get all GOP members of Congress in a room, strap them to their seats and Clockwork Orange their eyes and make them watch that NYT video on repeat. Maybe we can also ship them to the Donbas and have them help move bodies for a day.
Not that it would do any good for some of them. Can’t do any soul-searching if you never had a soul to begin with.
Ukraine’s prime minister Denys Shmyhal had a private meeting with the Pope at the Vatican. Apparently, his Popeness is still saying he can’t visit Ukraine unless he can also visit russia, which is annoying. I know he’s been a bit more critical of russia in recent months, but like, my dude, neutrality here is not neutrality at all.
Thank you as always, Adam.
Jay
@Anoniminous:
The Rule about Fight Club, is we don’t talk about Fight Club,……
Jay
thread,……..
Jay
Mallard Filmore
@Anoniminous:
As a nobody on the internet, I do not see the military need to invade Crimea. Take out the Kerch Bridge and blockade the ground link, and the Russian army will starve.
As a political situation, there will be a lot of hungry civilian hostages to consider.
Grumpy Old Railroader
@Adam L Silverman:
Adam. Just a few words about your “brief reports.” You have been slogging through these reports for over a year and you have earned the right to not have to explain when your report is brief. We all know (or should know) that you have a real day job and this is just extracurricular work.
Whereas you have earned the privilege of not explaining why a report is brief, I make a motion that when an abbreviated report is submitted, your intro may read simply as:
Brief Report tonight cuz reasons
All those in favor say Aye.
YY_Sima Qian
@Anoniminous: 1,550 armored vehicles should be good for 9 brigades, but 230 MBTs seems pretty thin for that many units. Perhaps the Ukrainian Army will supplement them w/ their own or captured tanks.
Grumpy Old Railroader
It all makes me wonder about the ignorance that permeates our country. That video would resonate with any veteran who experienced combat up close and personal
Jay
@YY_Sima Qian:
Ukraine is estimated to have 400 remaining tanks from their original stock, mothballed tanks brought back into service and captured Ruzzian tanks.
More transferred tanks (and AFV’s) will be arriving in mid and late May.
Redshift
@Grumpy Old Railroader:
Hear, hear!
Lyrebird
@Grumpy Old Railroader: Aye! to your motion.
And hear, hear. The ignorance and the callousness in some quarters, I don’t understand. It’s no surprise that War Criminal Girkin is unlikely to change his mind, he’s over there, he’s fully bought in, but this Donbass Dave-ushka, how much could they be paying her to treat the death and maiming of thousands upon thousands as some kind of funny thing?
Then again I still can’t fathom people who would side with Trump and pals over people like the Vindman brothers.
Prescott Cactus
Adam,
Beside life, liberty and the pursuit of a decent nights sleep, you have the doggo’s, lifting, plus the abnormal things life throws at all of us (A/C units, garage doors, etc).
Is there any way a trusted reader here could do set up work for you ? Provide links that you could “plug & play” ? Logic tells me you need to review everything and add commentary as needed… But ?
Your dedication to sharing the horrors that the Ukrainian people are going thru helps people all over the world understand share their plight.
Thank you
Bill Arnold
@Lyrebird:
Aspects of the Donbass Devushka story keep getting dumber.
Full thread for those who don’t do twitter, threadreaderapp
Traveller
I Cry Quietly’: A Soldier Describes the Toll of Russia’s War is very good journalism, except to the degree that it does not acknowledge that there are no obvious or even hidden alternatives.
My heart goes out to the interviewed soldier…who was and is suffering from a severe case of PTSD….and yet, even under fire, he has to probably make another run with the dead and wounded that day and then the day after that and he would have to wake up more future mornings and pick more bodies that day also and clean out more of that stink of smelling more human blood and yet do it again.
As terrible as this reality is, there are worse things than war…a continuation of slavery in the United States after 1860 would be worse than that terrible war, allowing Hitler to dominate and cleanse however he might wish the continent of Europe from the Atlantic to the Urals or allowing the Japanese to conduct the massacres of Nanjing by a factor of X-twenty….allowing ISIS to control the peoples of the Middle East are all worse outcomes than the terribleness of war.
As fraught with suffering as War is…there are far worse possibilities….this is not nice to say, but it is, in my opinion, undoubtedly true. War may be literal hell, but naked barbarism also needs to be defeated. Best Wishes, Traveller
Carlo Graziani
@Jay:
The Kupyansk weather forecast shows intermittent rain, some sunshine, temperatures averaging in the low- to mid-60s until the middle of May. I don’t know of a good mud-drying model, but intuitively I would guess that fields will not be tank- or APC-treadable before the last 10 days of May. And waiting for more offensive weaponry to arrive seems like a good call to me anyway.
Another Scott
@YY_Sima Qian: @Jay:
Something, something quantity has its own quality. Up to a point. But especially when sensible people are using them to defend their homeland.
Slava Ukraini!!
Cheers,
Scott.
Carlo Graziani
@Traveller: Yeah, that is the paradox. War is terrifying and revolting and morally obnoxious, and almost always the worst of all policy alternatives. But not always.
Lyrebird
@Bill Arnold: Thank you. Dumber, stranger, something.
Thanks for the ThreadReader version as well as the lead tweet. The replies on the bird app include a great response to Toler’s remarks about NAFO fellas here:
“We are incredibly cringe.
You’re welcome” with retro lousy graphics of a shiba inu in a very special leisure suit. It is a thing of beauty.
Jay
YY_Sima Qian
@Another Scott: That’s pretty amazing! Most of the equipment appears to be Cold War era British Army gear, probably mothballed & returned to service, but no worse than the Soviet era gear that the Ukrainian Army largely makes do w/.
Who is providing the training on operation & maintenance of these equipment?
Anoniminous
@YY_Sima Qian: Followed what Stoltenberg said. You are right that is off. A US Armor brigade combat team has 87 Abrams. The PLA has 132 main battle tanks in their armor brigades.
Hangö Kex
@Grumpy Old Railroader:
Aye.
Hangö Kex
YLE: Russian court demands Finland reopen Allegro train line
Jay
Anoniminous
Interesting article on the new Russian Assault Groups.
Since:
I figure Russians still haven’t grasped the central fact of Strosstruppen tactics, i.e., telling squad and platoon leaders the Mission Objective and then letting them figure out how to do it, and are still using their antiquated Top/Down command system.
And I don’t know how thermobaric rocket launchers transmogrified into “flame throwers” – as such – so don’t ask. :-)
OB-118
@Grumpy Old Railroader: Aye.
YY_Sima Qian
@Anoniminous: I think Ukrainian & Russian brigades are smaller than US Army or PLAGF ones, & right now probably rarely at full complement. However, I would have expected 1:3 or at most 1:4 ratio of MBT to APC/IFVs.
While tanks may be at their most vulnerable on the modern battlefield since their inception in WW I, they are still much better protected than other tracked or wheeled vehicles.
BTW, the PLAGF no longer has armored brigades. It now has heavy combined brigades that are analogous to the US Army’s Heavy BCTs, each having 4 heavy combined battalions, each battalion having 2 tank companies & 2 mech. infantry companies, & each tank company having 14 tanks, for 112 MBTs total. Based on the experience in Ukraine, I think the PLAGF heavy combine brigades are probably too tank heavy, especially in a Taiwan invasion scenario, assuming the ROCA could fight asymmetrically in an effective manner. At least the PLAGF mech. inf. units are fully manned, as opposed to the Russian practice at the beginning of the invasion — putting a couple of riflemen into a BMP & calling it a squad.
In any case, the PLAGF heavy combined brigades are unsuited to the terrain in Taiwan: a narrow coastal plain comprised of a mixture of rice paddies, fish ponds & urban developments, interspersed by rivers & streams, w/ bridges & overpasses not designed to handle the weight of the latest MBTs (& designed to be easily rigged to blow). By the same token, the M1A2s that Taiwan has purchased (to yet delivered) are probably not a wise investment, either.
YY_Sima Qian
@Anoniminous: It’s telling that the Russian military never developed its own proprietary battlefield management system, & is instead using an off the shelf commercial APP, which may be more vulnerable to hacking.
Jay
@YY_Sima Qian:
The Ruzzians have two, Andromeda and another one, but it’s limited to “elite” units, and for some reason, was not/is not deployed in Ukraine.
trollhattan
I’ve come across a macro-scale map of the forthcoming spring counteroffensive and let me just say, it’s a doozy.
YY_Sima Qian
@Jay: Perhaps not secure enough in a contested cyber environment, or general lack of funding.
Geminid
There reports from @Tendar of a 20+ Russian missile assault this morning, on civilian targets in Ukraine. People were killed in Uman and Dnipro, maybe more places.
Gin & Tonic