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Day 59th of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)

Defense Express collects operative information on Russia's invasion of Ukraine – official sources and senior Ukrainian authorities' announcements
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Russian IFV, that was destroyed by Ukrainian troops
Russian IFV, that was destroyed by Ukrainian troops

Russia continue the second stage of warfare with an offensive in Donbas. Yet, there are no major advances so far. As Ukraine and Russia exchange control over minor settlements, the world's countries step up in slowly but surely increasing military aid supplies to Ukraine. Mariupol remains in a dire situation where thousands of civilians and servicemen are locked in the siege of the Azovstal steel plant

Brief facts:

  • Ukraine’s troops have repulsed 12 attacks and destroyed 4 tanks, 5 artillery systems, 15 armored personnel vehicles, 1 armored combat vehicle, and 4 tracks in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area on Saturday, April 23.
  • A number of special monitoring mission staff members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have been detained in eastern Ukraine.
  • President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky states that Ukraine will start to retake occupied territories as soon as receive enough weapons.
  • Odesa got shelled, two residential buildings damaged, at least 5 people killed
  • The United States will provide Ukraine with additional direct financial aid in the amount of $500 million
  • Shmyhal invites International Finance Corporation to help rebuild Ukrainian cities
  • Army kills up to 130 Russian invaders in eastern Ukraine in past day
  • The Kremlin's 'second phase' goal is to take over southern Ukraine and Donbas
  • Bombing, execution and torture: UN says evidence of Russian war crimes growing

Side note: news are marked in accordance with the Kyiv time zone: Eastern European Time (EET), GMT/UTC+2

Read more: The 58th Day of the War: Russian Casualties in Ukraine

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Thank you for your attention! This feed is closed. But Defense Express has already started a new one. Day 60th of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)

01:55 Ukraine’s air defense units shot down 17 Russian aerial targets on Saturday, April 23.

The anti-aircraft missile units of the Ukrainian Air Force and the Ukrainian Ground Forces destroyed 17 air targets in the past day, including three aircraft and five cruise missiles.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported this on Facebook.

"The 59th day of the liberation war against the Russian occupiers is coming to an end. Like all other days, it was difficult for Ukrainian defenders. Military transport, fighter, bomber, assault aircraft of the Air Force continue to perform their tasks in Ukraine's airspace, providing support and cover for ground troops and firing on the positions of the Russian occupation forces. And the state's air defense continues to destroy the enemy in the air," the statement read.

Ukraine’s air defense units shot down 17 Russian aerial targets on Saturday, April 23, Defense Express
Ukraine’s air defense units shot down 17 Russian aerial targets on Saturday, April 23

On April 23, the anti-aircraft missile units of the Ukrainian Air Force and the Ukrainian Ground Forces struck 17 air targets, including three aircraft (preliminarily Su-34, Su-35 and Su-25), five cruise missiles and nine UAVs (presumably Orlan-10 drones).

00:55 Ukrainian military destroyed dozens of enemy’s military vehicles including four tanks, aircraft in JFO area.

Ukraine’s troops have repulsed 12 attacks and destroyed dozens of units of enemy equipment in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area on Saturday, April 23. Four tanks, five artillery systems, 15 armored personnel vehicles, one armored combat vehicle, and four tracks are among destroyed enemy’s equipment.

It is according press service of the Joint Forces Operation.

Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express.

Defenders of Ukraine Repulsed 12 Enemy’s Attacks, Destroyed Dozens of Military Vehicles in JFO Area

A Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carrier was destroyed in JFO area by Ukraine's military, Defense Express
A Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carrier was destroyed in JFO area by Ukraine's military / Photo credit: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

00:40 The United Kingdom’s ministry of defense has released an intelligence update detailing accusations that Russia is planning to conscript Ukrainian civilians in the partly occupied southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, The Guardian reports.

This would follow similar practices in the Russian-occupied Crimea and Donbas regions.

“Any enlistment of Ukrainian civilians into the Russian armed forces, even if presented by Russia as being voluntary or military service in accordance with Russian law, would constitute a violation of article 51 of the fourth Geneva Convention,” the ministry of defense tweeted.

00:20 A number of special monitoring mission staff members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have been detained in eastern Ukraine, the organization said Saturday, April 23.

The world’s largest regional security organization said that “a number” of special monitoring mission staff members “have been deprived of their liberty in Donetsk and Luhansk,” The Guardian reports citing Reuters.

“The OSCE is using all available channels to facilitate the release of its staff,” its media office said in response to a query, giving no more details.

In addition to the detained staff members, Deirdre Brown, Britain’s deputy ambassador to the OSCE, said she has received “alarming reports that Russia’s proxies in Donbas are threatening mission staff, equipment and premises.”

A number of special monitoring mission staff members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have been detained in eastern Ukraine, Defense Express
U.S. staff of OSCE began pullout from the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine befor russia started fill scale war against Ukraine. Cars of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) drive along a road after leaving the territory of the Park Inn hotel housing the monitoring mission in the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine February 13, 2022 / Photo credit: REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenk

The organization said in March that it had evacuated nearly 500 international mission members from Ukraine. The special monitoring mission moved to an administrative role as of 1 April, the organization said, to ensure the safety of its members and assets throughout Ukraine, including in areas not under government control. The special monitoring mission continues to assist national staff in Ukraine to relocate to safer areas.

“Contacts with national mission members continue on a daily basis, including in order to ascertain their whereabouts and assist them, to the extent possible, should they decide to re-locate,” the organization said.

00:05 Russian “Rasul Gamzatov” Rubin-class patrol ship of project 22460 was damaged during towing.

The ship belongs to the russia's Coast Guard of the Border Service of the FSB, Defense Express reports citing Glavcom.

Russian relocated the patrol boat to strengthen the naval group of occupiers in the Sea of Azov.

The patrol ship is anchored in the port of Azov, the Rostov region and is awaiting repairs. The repair works should involve docking to replace the damaged shaft line and propeller.

Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express.

Russia Lost Another Ship - “Rasul Gamzatov” Patrol Ship Damaged While Towing

Russian Rasul Gamzatov Rubin-class patrol ship of project 22460 was damaged during towing, Defense Express
Russian “Rasul Gamzatov” Rubin-class patrol ship of project 22460 anchored in the port of Azov

23:00 The Head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyy: Russia fires on two villages in Sumy region.

Russian troops fired artillery on the territory of Sumy region, damaging the building of a psychoneurological institution in the village of Atynske and the yards of private houses in the village of Boyaro-Lezhachi.

"Today, as a result of Russia’s artillery attack on the village of Atynske, all windows and doors in a psychoneurological institution were broken... In the village of Boyaro-Lezhachi, the territories of private houses were damaged," Head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyy posted on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

No casualties have been reported.

Zhyvytskyy reminds the residents of the region that a possibility of enemy provocations remains in place.

The Head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyy, Russia fires on two villages in Sumy region, Defense Express
The Head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyy: Russia fires on two villages in Sumy region

22:40 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky: Ukraine will start to retake occupied territories as soon as we receive enough weapons.

President Volodymyr Zelensky notes that the liberation of Ukrainian territories captured by Russian troops will depend on the pace of necessary arms supplies to Ukraine from its Western partners.

"The enemy almost reached Kyiv and fierce battles took place there. But nevertheless, we de-occupied this territory. My personal position is simple: we will retake everything they break through and everything they occupy. And it will be a matter not of 10-20 years, not of the 8-year war that has been going on since 2014. This issue will be resolved very quickly, but only if we have enough weapons. As soon as we have enough weapons, we will immediately retake this or that temporarily occupied territory," President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference on April 23, Ukrinform reports.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine will start to retake occupied territories as soon as we receive enough weapons, Defense Express
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky: Ukraine will start to retake occupied territories as soon as we receive enough weapons

According to him, such a war is currently going on in Ukraine, and this is exactly the situation in the east. "Perhaps, every day we may, unfortunately, give up some territories to Russia due to the power of certain units, but we regain these cities at night or the next day and move forward. We do not move forward in the areas we cannot do that, where there is no support which we have been talking about in public with our partners for a long time," Zelensky said.

At the same time, he noted that the pace of arms supplies needed by Ukraine had accelerated significantly recently. Therefore, there is every chance to de-occupy the territories faster.

"Now we see changes in the attitude of our partners, especially I see changes in the speed of arms supply, especially from the United States. And if this speed will increase as promised, if the steps coincide with the words, I'm sure we will retake our territories faster," the President emphasized.

22:15 Shelling of Mykolayiv: Enemy fired anti-ship missile from territory of Crimea.

Russian troops launched a strike on Mykolayiv city at 05:00 on April 23, firing a Kh-35 anti-ship missile from the territory of temporarily occupied Crimea.

"The missile attack was launched from the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula with a Kh-35 anti-ship missile from the Bal coastal mobile missile system," the press service of the Mykolayiv Regional Military Administration posted on Facebook with reference to the commandant's office of the Mykolayiv defense forces.

Shelling of Mykolayiv, Enemy fired anti-ship missile from territory of Crimea, Defense Express
Shelling of Mykolayiv: Enemy fired anti-ship missile from territory of Crimea

According to the commandant's office, this type of missile is obsolete but its technical characteristics allow it to be an inconspicuous target for air defense because of its small size and low altitude. Improper use of such missiles may indicate the depletion of enemy stocks of more modern weapons.

On the morning of April 23, the Russian invaders struck a residential building in Mykolayiv city. As a result of the explosion, a trolleybus power line was damaged, a cafe was destroyed, a grocery store and the office of a private entrepreneur were damaged. Windows in several nearby houses were broken. No people were injured.

21:30 Invaders launch artillery strikes on Kharkiv, casualties reported.

One female civilian and three police officers have been injured in Russia’s artillery strikes on the city of Kharkiv.

The relevant statement was made by Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

According to the data from law enforcement officers, on April 23, 2022, the Russian military launched artillery strikes on Kharkiv’s Kyivskyi District. A 62-year-old woman was injured. A shopping mall and residential houses located nearby were damaged.

Invaders launch artillery strikes on Kharkiv, casualties reported, Defense Express

Having arrived at the scene, the police were helping with the transportation of the injured. At that moment, Russian invaders launched a repeated artillery strike, leaving three police officers injured.

The pre-trial investigation was launched into the violation of the laws and customs of war (Part 1, Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Invaders launch artillery strikes on Kharkiv, casualties reported, Defense Express

20 40 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that should Russia kill any Mariupol defenders or go forward with the independence referendum in the partly occupied southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine will suspend peace negotiations with Moscow, The Guardian reports.

“If our people are killed in Mariupol, if they announce a pseudo-referendum in the new pseudo-republics, Ukraine will not take part in any negotiation processes,” Zelenskiy said.

He continued by saying that going forward with a referendum “will not be useful for the diplomatic settlement of this situation.”

“It will interfere the end of war in the diplomatic way,” he said. “This is definitely the wrong step from Russia. It bears witness that everything before that, all of the meetings of the diplomatic groups, all of that was just fiction and political theater, by the way, with very bad actors.”

Today the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy has hold his press conference in one of Kyiv’s underground subway station.

20:15 Russian airstrike kills 6 people in Odesa, including 3-month-old.

Two Russian missiles hit a military facility and a residential building in the southern city of Odesa on April 23, killing at least six people, including a three-month-old, and injuring at least 18 people. One of the victims burned in his car parked near the building that was hit.

Two more missiles were shot down by air defense forces. The debris from one of them hit another residential building, The Kyiv Independent reports.

The number of casualties is likely to increase, according to Andriy Yermak, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

The main attack destroyed at least four stories in a 16-story residential building in Arkadia, a popular residential area of Odesa. An unknown number of victims may remain under the rubble, and rescuers from the State Emergency Service are working on the site.

The missiles were launched by a Russian bomber Tu-95 coming from the Caspian Sea, according to Ukraine’s military.

Russian airstrike kills 6 people in Odesa, including 3-month-old, Defense Express
A residential building in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa, seen after it was hit by a Russian missile on April 23 / Photo credit: Odesa City Council

19:45 The White House has appointed a retired three-star general Terry Wolf to manage the steadily increasing influx of military assistance for Ukraine.

The general previously helped coordinate the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition, Defense Express reports citing Defense News.

Aspokesman of the US National Security Council confirmed to the American edition of Defense News that the White House has appointed three-star retired general Terry Wolf to manage the process of providing military assistance to Ukraine, which is constantly growing.

It was stated that he should “help coordinate the security assistance the U.S. and our partners are providing to Ukraine, which they are using every day to defend their country.”

Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express.

Responsible for Weaponry: The White House Appointed a Ukraine Security Aid Coordinator

The US military leadership seeks to optimize the process of providing security aid to Ukraine, Defense Express
The US military leadership seeks to optimize the process of providing security aid to Ukraine

18:55 The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine: Ukraine Army destroys enemy command operations center, eliminates two russian generals.

The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine: Ukraine Army destroys enemy command operations center, eliminates two russian generals, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Ilustrative photo from open sources

The relevant statement was made by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

“On April 22, 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine landed a devastating blow on the forward command operations center of the 49th Combined Arms Army of the Russian occupation forces, which, in defiance of combat instructions and common sense, was located a short distance from the combat line in Kherson Region,” the report states.

18:45 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted the operational update regarding the russian invasion on 18.00 on April 23, 2022. Key points:

  • The enemy is trying to increase the pace of the operation in east of Ukraine in order to encircle the Joint Forces, as well as to establish full control over Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
  • According to available information, russian occupiers have significant problems with the medical support of its units, there are difficulties with the evacuation of the wounded, there is a lack of medicine. Due to the growing number of wounded, in the city of Balakliya, the enemy, along with the deployed military hospital, uses the capabilities of the city clinic.
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted the operational update regarding the russian invasion on 18.00 on April 23, 2022. Key points, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Abandoned enemy tanks / Open source photo
  • russian occupiers continue to partially blockade the city of Kharkiv, carrying out artillery shelling of the positions of our units and civilian infrastructure in the area of the settlements of Chuhuiv, Korobochkino and Dovgenke.
  • In the Donetsk and Tavriya directions, the main efforts of the enemy were focused on taking control of the settlements of Popasna, Rubizhne and preparing for the attack on the city of Siverodonetsk. In the area of Marinka and in most other areas, russian enemy is unsuccessful in the course of hostilities.

18:10 Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia with National Security Adviser of U.S. President Jake Sullivan.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia with National Security Adviser of U.S. President Jake Sullivan, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Footage from the meeting / Open source photo

During a “fruitful” meeting, the parties "coordinated positions on key issues: strengthening Ukraine, help for Ukrainians, and sanctions."

"These are the areas in which we will work together with our partners to win," said Shmyhal, Ukrinform reports.

17:40 The spokesman for the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Bratchuk: Enemy fires missiles at Odesa, rescue operation underway.

The spokesman for the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Bratchuk: Enemy fires missiles at Odesa, rescue operation underway, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Odesa settlement after shelling / Open source photo

"Trying to report as soon as possible the fallout of missile strikes on cities and various objects across our country, citizens, media and bloggers often rush to post videos on social networks and name the exact locations of enemy strikes. A rescue operation is underway! If someone isn’t saved, this will be your fault!" Bratchuk warned, Ukrinform reports.

Update: 18 people wounded, 5 are killed, including a 3-month-old child.

17:20 The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine: Invaders start forced mobilization of residents in Kherson, Zaporizhia, Kharkiv regions.

"The occupiers are mobilizing Ukrainian doctors who remain in the occupied territories. In particular, in the city of Volchansk (Kharkiv region), in primary health care, junior medical personnel are forcibly sent to the front line to provide first aid to Russian wounded. In case of refusal, doctors are threatened with execution," the report states, according to Interfax.

16:55 Ukraine is asking the world for extra armament to fight against russian occupiers. There is a German military plant Rheinmetall, which shows readiness to supply 100 units of Marder infantry fighting vehicle to Ukraine in a matter of days. However, there is a certain obstacle not to di it immediately.

Read more in the article by Defense Express

Rheinmetall Requests to Send 100 Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine. Official Germany Thinks, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Marder infantry fighting vehicle / Illustrative photo from open sources

16:25 The head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration Sergiy Gaidai: Enemy shells Zolote. Two killed, two injured.

"In the afternoon, the Russians opened fire on the settlements of the Hirsk Community. The shells hit residential areas. Two civilians were killed and two were injured in Zolote,” the official wrote, urging residents to remain in shelters, Ukrinform reports.

16:10 The Mariupol City Council: Invaders deport 308 Mariupol residents to Russia’s Far East.

The Mariupol City Council: Invaders deport 308 Mariupol residents to Russia’s Far East, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Ilustrative photo from open sources

"The new master plan ‘Ost,’ now being performed by russian occupiers. In fact, the territory of Mariupol is being cleared of its people. They need the territory for the corridor to Crimea, but they don’t need people there. At first, the Russians almost wiped out the city and then, due to international pressure, half of the population was released toward Zaporizhia. Everyone else is being deported to the most depressed areas of Russia," the statement said, Ukrinform reports.

15:30 The Security Service of Ukraine intercept: Invaders plotting strikes on Ukraine on Easter, writing "Christ is Risen!" on shells.

The Security Service of Ukraine intercept: Invaders plotting strikes on Ukraine on Easter, writing
Photo credits: Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images

That’s according to an intercepted call of a Russian soldier to his family, Ukrinform reports referring to the Security Service of Ukraine.

“Our guys are preparing some Easter eggs for hohols (a derogatory term for “Ukrainians,” used in Russia – ed.) Our tankers write "Christ is risen!" on the shells. We’re having the time of our lives,” one of the soldiers tells his wife.

15:15 Due to active fighting on the territory on Ukraine there have been a lot of news to share. Especially, in terms of combat operations.

Ukraine’s defenders keep fighting russian occupiers back, leaving no chance to hold new territories, being a nightmare for the enemy.

Read about top highlights of the day, including “Bucha buchers” annihilation and more in the article by Defense Express

Highlights of the Day: Butchers of Bucha Sent to Hell, russia Checks Ukraine’s Defense and More, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Ukrainian MLRS at work / Illustrtive photo from open sources

15:00 The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine publishes list of war criminals who committed murders in Mariupol, Zaporizhia directions.

Day 59th of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates), Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war

The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has obtained a list of war criminals of the 177th Independent Marine Infantry Regiment of the Caspian Flotilla (military unit 87852, the city of Kaspiysk), part of the 58th Combined Arms Army, who murdered and tortured civilian Ukrainians in the Zaporizhia and Mariupol directions.

The list includes 1,963 people, from the regiment commander to an electrician-storekeeper.

The intelligence agency reported this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.

14:30 An adviser to the head of the President's Office Oleksiy Arestovych: russian troops resume air strikes on Azovstal plant.

An adviser to the head of the President's Office Oleksiy Arestovych: russian troops resume air strikes on Azovstal plant, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Azovstal Plant / Illustrative photo from open sources

"The difficult news is that the enemy is trying to finally suppress the resistance of Mariupol's defenders in the Azovstal area. They resumed air strikes on the territory of the plant, on the defense lines of our troops and are attempting to carry out assault operations," he said, Ukrinform reports.

14:00 The advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol Petro Andriushchenko: Russian occupiers dump victims of Mariupol Drama Theater attack in mass grave.

According to Petro Andriushchenko, Russian occupiers are clearing debris at the theater that they bombed on March 16. The official said that Russians take dead bodies to the nearby Manhush village. Local authorities previously reported discovering a mass grave in Manhush where they estimate 3,000-9,000 Mariupol residents could be buried, Kyiv Independent reports.

13:30 The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine: Russia shells Ukrainian border guards in Chernihiv Oblast.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine: Russia shells Ukrainian border guards in Chernihiv Oblast, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Ilustrative photo from open sources

Around 10 grenades fired from the Russian territory exploded not far from the Senkivka village, located several kilometers away from both the Russian and Belarusian borders. This is the fourth attack on border guards in Chernihiv Oblast since Russia withdrew its forces from northern Ukraine, Facebook post says, Kyiv Independent reports.

13:15 US Military aid worth billions of dollars.

In cash equivalent Ukraine receives from the US more arms per month than per year, and nothing can stop this process.

What’s already available and possibly upcoming? Figures and numbers. Read in the article by Defense Express

12:38 Almost all the contingent of the so-called "people's police" at the Russia-backed "Donetsk People's Republic" has been destroyed in Mariupol fightings

Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reports, that all the manpower of the illegal "police" was involved in the blockade of Mariupol city. But the losses were so heavy that the "internal minister" started investigations against his own commanders.

12:08 UK could potentially give its 79 surplus tanks to Ukraine

General Chris Deverell, former commander of the UK’s Joint Forces Command told BBC Radio 4 that the whole scheme with US sending tanks to Poland and then Polish tanks going to Ukraine is "not a bad idea". He said the UK could give up 79 of its Challenger II battle tanks without affecting the operational capability of the British army.

But he warned that Polish servicemen may require some time to get used to the new machinery, and they might be unwilling to give their T-72 tanks before that.

Here is what it is all about:

UK Set to Provide Poland with Challenger II Tanks in Ukraine Arms Drive

11:37 Exhumation of the bodies in Bucha is coming to an end

The city mayor of Bucha city Anatoliy Fedoruk said the works are almost done. As of now, there were bodies of 412 deceased found, but the data is still not comprehensive and is being checked by investigations and experts.

One of the main tasks now is to identify everyone.

11:16 Russians are preparing for a large-scale offensive – Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

The Russian army is finishing the regrouping of its units and searching for loopholes in Ukrainian defense, said the spokesperson of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Vadym Skibitskyon on TV air.

"All the battalion-tactical groups that has been concentrated in Bilorus until now are being redeployed tho the east of Ukraine. This is the first. Secondly, the enemy I trying to determine to most vulnerable spots of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to launch a large-scale offensive and secure the success, particularly in the Donetsk region," the official said.

11:05 British intelligence update on Ukraine: no major gains for Russians in the last 24 hours. Fighting for Mariupol continues, slowing their progress.

Infographics: UK Ministry of Defense

10:43 Daily update on registered investigations on Russian military's war crimes:

Infographics: Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine

10:19 Total Russian combat losses surpass 21,600 people and 3100 armored vehicles. Minus ten UAVs over the past day. Find more info in the publication from Defense Express:

The 59th Day of the War: Russian Casualties in Ukraine

09:55 General Staff: operational information regarding the Russian invasion as of 06:00, 23.04.2022. Key points of the report:

  • The greatest activity of Russians is observed in Slobozhansky and Donetsk directions (Eastern Ukraine). Units of Russian occupiers are regrouping.
  • In the northeast, the occupiers are carrying out reconnaissance using UAVs. There is a threat of "false flag" provocations by Russian forces in Glushkovo, Russia, at the Ukraine-Russia border.
  • The occupiers have deployed an S-300VM battery to bolster their air defense near the city of Skadovsk, Southern Ukraine. They try to create favorable conditions for advance
  • There are indications that units of the 64th Independent Motorized Rifle Brigade, which took an active part in the mass killings, torture and rape of civilians in Bucha city, are now operating in the area of Izyum and have already suffered casualties.
  • Russian private military company "Wagner" has trained up to 200 people to replenish the reserves. The advanced group of the mercenaries was transferred to the Novobakhmutivka district to reconnoiter the area and clarify the order of actions. The information is being clarified.

09:12 Canada Delivered M777 Howitzers and Carl Gustaf missiles in military aid to Ukraine

"The M777 lightweight 155-mm towed howitzer is lighter and smaller, yet more powerful than any gun of its kind," the National Defence department wrote in a statement. "The M777 provides indirect firepower capable of accurately hitting targets at a range of distances up to 30km."

In addition to the howitzers, Canada provided more ammunition for Carl Gustaf ATGMs.

More details in the story from Defense Express:

Canada Delivered M777 Howitzers to aid Ukraine

Defense Express / U.S. Marine Corps attach a M777 howitzer to a helicopter during a training in April 2017 / Day 59th of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)
Illustraticve photo: U.S. Marine Corps attach a M777 howitzer to a helicopter during a training in April 2017 / Photo credit: Vertical Flight Society

07:14 SSSCIP of Ukraine has revealed the list of five hackers groups that attack Ukraine on cyberfront

State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine reports 802 cyberattacks on critical infrastructure in the first quarter of the year 2022. For comparison, last year, during the same period 362 attacks were detected.

Together with the state cybersecurity company CERT-UA, SSSCIP outlined five key hacking groups connected mostly with Russia or Belarus:

  1. UAC-0010 aka Armageddon (GammaLoad, GammaDrop, HarvesterX): the so-called advanced persistent threat (APT) group of the FSB of the Russian Federation
  2. UAC-0041 (AgentTesla, XLoader): hacktivists from Russia
  3. UAC-0056 (Pandora hVNC, RemoteUtilities, GrimPlant, GraphSteel): Russian hacktivists-cyberspies
  4. UAC-0051 a.k,a, UNC1151: another APT-group with links to Belarus
  5. UAC-0028 a.k.a. APT28: APT-угрупування, яке повʼязують із ГРУ рф. APT-group connected with Russian intelligence

SSSCIP believes there is close contact and information sharing between those hackers and Russian intelligence.

05:30 Spain provided 200 tons of ammunition and dozens of vehicles to Ukraine

"I want to announce that a new batch of weapons has been sent to Ukraine. Spanish ship Isabel, which today departed from a Spanish port for Poland, carries 200 tonnes of ammunition and other materials, 30 trucks loaded with military supplies, and 20 armored vehicles," said Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain following the meeting with his Dutch counterpart Mette Frederiksen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports.

More details in Defense Express coverage:

Spain to Send Cargo Ship With Lend-Lease for Ukraine. What’s inside, Defense Express Finds Out

Auxiliary cargo ship of the Spanish Navy, Ysabel / Illustrative photo from open sources

05:19 The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will pay a visit to Ukraine. He will meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on April 28. Guterres will also meet with staff of UN agencies to discuss the humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine, goes the statement from his secretary Stephane Dujarric.

02:16 The UK is considering sending tanks to Poland to further provide Ukraine with Soviet-era tanks

Tanks would be sent to "backfill" in Poland so Warsaw can send to Kyiv the T-72 tanks – which Ukrainian troops are familiar with. Prime Minister of UK Boris Johnson mentioned the potential plan when speaking in the Indian capital, New Delhi.

Challenger II battle tanks could potentially replace the Soviet-era T-72s at Polish current disposal.

He said it is essential to step up immediate military support to Kyiv, warning there is a "realistic possibility" the conflict could drag on for a "long period". More details here:

UK Set to Provide Poland with Challenger II Tanks in Ukraine Arms Drive

Polish T-72 / Open source photo

01:23 Eight attacks of the Russian invaders were repulsed by the Ukrainian military in Donbas on April 22.

9 tanks, 3 artillery systems, 18 units of armored vehicles, 1 armored combat vehicle, 13 units of motor vehicles, and 1 tanker of the Russian forces were eliminated as well as four UAVs.

More details and footage in a publication from Defense Express:

Ukrainian Troops Successfully Repulsed Eight rushists Attacks in Joint Forces Operation Area

01:00 According to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, who delivered a video address to the nation on Friday, April 23, russia’s plans to seize the southern part of Ukraine to gain a corridor to the border with Moldova only confirm the assumption that invading Ukraine was Russia’s first step on the path of capturing other countries.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

“Today, with reference to the Russian military, the news was spread that their task now is allegedly to establish control over the south of Ukraine and reach the Moldovan border. And allegedly there, in Moldova, the rights of Russian-speakers are violated.(…) Well, this only confirms what I have said many times: the Russian invasion of Ukraine was intended only as a beginning, then they want to capture other countries,” said Zelensky.

Read more: ​Day 58th of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)
TAGS War