Date—April 18, 2022

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War

1. Gaidai: The battle was tough at night. The Russians controlled Kreminna. “The situation is taut. We appealed to people, asking them to evacuate because there would be trouble. It was a tough battle. The orcs have advanced and are already controlling Kreminna, “said Serhiy Haidai, the head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration. (Source: Telegram).

2. General Staff AFU: In the Kharkiv region, the enemy conducted reconnaissance by fighting in Dmytrivka, Dibrovny, and Zavodiv. Without success, he was left with losses. Also, in the Russian Federation, it was not possible to gain a foothold in the area of Rubizhne (Donetsk region). Assaults on Novotoshkivsky, Popasny, Avdiivka, and Marinka were also unsuccessful. In total, there are 87 enemy battalion tactical groups in Ukraine. (Source: Telegram).

3. The General Staff of Ukraine said that Russia had begun forced mobilization in the city of Izyum in the Kharkiv region, which is under the control of the Russian military. “For lack of human resources, the invaders are trying to involve the residents of the temporarily occupied territories in the war. So, in the city of Izyum, forced mobilization of men has begun,” the summary of the General Staff, published on the evening of April 17, says. (Source: Facebook).

4. MoD UK: Russian commanders should consider how long it takes to conquer Mariupol. Ukraine’s concerted resistance had been a significant test for Russian forces and is diverting men and materiel, slowing Russia’s advance elsewhere. The attempt to capture Mariupol cost its inhabitants dearly. Russians destroyed extensive infrastructure facilities. The population suffered significant losses. The strikes against areas of Mariupol are in line with Russia’s approach to Chechnya in 1999 and Syria in 2016. And this is despite the statements of the Russian Ministry of Defense on February 24, 2022, that Russia will not strike at cities and threaten the population of Ukraine. (Source: Twitter).

Opinions

1. Budanov: “The Russians are in a hurry. They are limited in time. They want to get at least some tactical achievements. They are in a hurry for Easter, but they will not have time to get anywhere. Some settlements pass from hand to hand two or three times a day. “According to GUR Chairman Kirill Budanov, the Russian military is currently concentrating its efforts on certain areas of the “breakthrough.” (Source: Telegram). 

Economy, Social life, and Culture

1. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded Rear Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, Commander of the Naval Forces of Ukraine, vice-Admiral. Officially, Zelensky has not yet commented on the promotion of the commander of the Navy in rank. Victoria Strakhova, an adviser to the presidential office, commented on the appointment, “And everyone knows what a brilliant operation!” (Source: Meduza).

2. Vereschuk: Humanitarian corridors will not be opened in Ukraine for the second day in a row. The Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine accused the Russian troops of “not stopping the blocking and shelling of humanitarian routes, in violation of international humanitarian law.” (Source: Telegram).

Invasion Damage

1. Gaidai: Russians shot people trying to leave Kreminna, and four people were killed. “The Russians opened fire on a car with civilians. Four people died. One seriously injured person is still at the scene. Doctors can’t get to it due to endless shelling, “said Serhiy Haidai, head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration. (Source: Telegram).

2. Sadoviy: We already know about 11 Russians injured in the missile strike. “About 40 cars were damaged or destroyed. The shock wave shattered the windows of a nearby hotel. Evacuated Ukrainians live in it, “Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy wrote. (Source: SPRAVDI).

Foreign news

1. Since February 24, the German authorities have opened more than 140 cases due to the approval of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Many cases began to be investigated due to the public use of the letter Z, which has become one of the symbols of the Russian invasion. In several federal states, including Lower Saxony, Bavaria, and Berlin, public use of the symbol is punishable. In the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Ministry of the Interior is investigating 37 cases, of which 22 are related to the Z symbol. At least 17 cases have been initiated in Hamburg and at least 19 in Saxony-Anhalt. (Source: Die Zeit).