Day 77th 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
May 11, 2022
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Warriors of the 81st Airmobile Brigade captured russias T-80BV tank after a failed Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia region
Since the russian invasion started russian troops have launched 2,154 missile strikes on Ukraine. 2154 Russian missiles hit Ukrainian cities and communities in a little over two months. 2770 appearances of enemy planes in Ukraine’s sky were recorded. The Russian bombing of Ukraine does not cease any day or night. But seventy six days Ukrainian nation heroically withstand full-scale aggression of the occupiers having strong will to win
Brief facts:
Ukraine offers to exchange Azovstal defenders for russian captives
The Democratic-led House of Representatives voted 368-57 on Tuesday evening to pass a roughly $40 billion bill to deliver aid to Ukraine;
Fighting continues at Zmiinyi (Snake) Island;
russians looting, stealing grain and household appliances in southern Ukraine;
President
of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky states that russian troops have launched 2,154 missile strikes on
Ukraine since the Russian invasion started, including 25 missile strikes on the
city of Odesa on May 8-9, 2022.
Side note: news are marked in accordance with the Kyiv time zone: Eastern European Time (EET), GMT/UTC+2
23:50 "U.S. 155 mm howitzers are already in use on the frontline" – Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar confirmed Wednesday that western weapons have already found their way to the Ukrainian frontlines.
“The U.S. 155 mm howitzers are already in use on the frontline in addition to Javelins and Stingers. We work on speeding up the military aid delivery because the lives of our soldiers depend on it. We have already received a lot of the equipment. Currently, we are in the phase of the regular deliveries of weapons to Ukraine,” the defense official said.
Illustrative photo: US Marines fire an M777 howitzer / Photo credit: U.S. Department of Defense
23:37 788 cruise and ballistic missiles have been launched on Ukraine since February 24
Those came from the territory of russia and belarus, said Brigadier General Oleksiy Hromov, a senior commander at the Ukrainian General Staff.
"As of 6 o'clock today (06:00, May 11, 2022), 487 missile strikes have been carried out by the russian armed forces since the beginning of full-scale combat warfare, during which 788 cruise and ballistic missiles were fired from the territory of russia and the republic of belarus," he said during the briefing at the Ukraine Media Center. In detail, these figures include:
213 missiles of 9K720 Iskander (SS-26 Stone) mobile operational-tactical ballistic missile system;
61 missiles of 9K79OTR Tochka-U (SS-21 Scarab) mobile operational-tactical ballistic missile system;
235 various naval-based and air-based cruise missiles;
4,917 air raids.
According to the official, the main targets of russians were the objects of transport infrastructure of the southern and eastern regions of the state, but they also repeatedly fired on other objects of critical infrastructure of social significance.
The launch of "Iskander" mobile operational-tactical ballistic missile / Open source illustrative photo
22:23 Ukrainian forces repeatedly destroy russians crossing the river
Кussian pontoon crossing over Siverskyi Donets river in Bilohorivka village was once again successfully attacked by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The report comes from Serhii Haidai, Head of the Luhansk region administration. According to him, the village of Bilohorivka is now a "forpost of the Luhansk region". The russian invaders are "trying to cross the river, but end up feeding fish.. with themselves. <...> 7 km of area is densely shelled from afar."
The village has already been called "second Chornobaivka" because of russian repeated attempts to create a river crossing that gets repeatedly destroyed.
Defense Express memo: Chornobaivka is a village near Kherson city, where a major airfield is situated. Previously, the Ukrainian Army has effectively shelled russian equipment and ammo stocks at least 18 times. Ukrainian attacks resulted even in high Russian commanders killed.
Alleged photo of a ruined pontoon crossing / Photo credit: Rob Lee referring to Ukrainian Armed Forces
21:50 Ukraine offers to exchange Azovstal defenders for russian captives
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Ukraine has offered an exchange to the russian side:
"We take our severely injured guys from Azovstal via a humanitarian corridor. Instead, we hand Russian prisoners over in accordance with the standard rules of prisoner exchange," the official reported on her Telegram channel.
Iryna Vereshchuk noted that currently it is impossible to de-occupy Mariupol by military means. At the same time, the defenders of the encircled city don't intend to surrender.
Russian side hasn't agreed to the proposal yet.
Wounded Ukrainian serviceman at the Mariupol hospital / Photo credit: Azov Regiment
21:22 Russian attacks on Odesa have an ideological component
This was stated by the Spokesperson of the Odesa region administration Serhiy Bratchuk. He said the recent intensification of missile attacks on the Odesa region by russia is connected with strong pro-Ukrainian position of local citizens, Ukraine Media Center reports.
"Odesa residents are not behaving as expected. This causes, of course, revenge, anger. Let us also remember the sunken missile cruiser Moskva. Let us remember the fighting and skillful actions of our Armed Forces of Ukraine with respect to Zmiinyi Island, which, I will remind you, is administratively part of the Odesa oblast. Of course, they are trying to put pressure on the residents of Odesa psychologically with these missile attacks. There were really a lot of them on May 7, 8 and 9," said Serhiy Bratchuk.
Aftermath of a russian missile strike on Odesa on May 8 / Photo credit: Ukrinform
20:54 Czech Republic has recognized russian crimes in Ukraine as genocide
"The Czech Senate has just recognized the crimes committed by the Russian army in Ukraine as genocide of the Ukrainian people. The adopted resolution also supports the Czech Republic's continued supply of weapons to Ukraine and Ukraine's candidate status for EU membership," Ambassador of Ukraine to the Czech Republic, Yevhen Perebyinis on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.
In terms of weapons supplies, the resolution calls for the Czech parliament to "continue the accelerated supply of military equipment, including the heavy arms from the 1989's storage of the former Czechoslovak Army", Defense Express noted.
20:37 Ukrainian forces have liberated Pytomnyk village in the Kharkiv direction
"In the course of successful actions of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the settlement of Pytomnyk of the Kharkiv region was liberated," says the latest report from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In the mentioned operational direction russian occupying forces did not carry out offensive operations but moved to the defense in an attempt to slow down the pace of the Ukrainian offensive. Russians deployed additional air defense systems to their borders as well.
Photo credit: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
20:18 National guard of Ukraine voiced out casualties
More than 500 Ukrainian guardsmen died since the start of russian invasion of Ukraine. The data was announced during a briefing by a senior official at the National Guard's General Directorate Oleksii Nadtochyi. Reported by Suspilne TV channel.
"Sadly, during the missions in this period the casualties of the National Guard are 1697 wounded and 501 dead servicemen," Nadtochyi said.
Ukrainian side does not provide data on casualties regularly, Suspilne noted. The figures were disclosed, though, by Ukraine's President Zelensky on March 12 – then it was 1,300 servicemen killed overall, and later on April 16 – 2,500 to 3,000 killed respectively.
Defense Express reminds that as of morning May 11, russian approximate casualties are more than 26,350 dead occupiers. More details on russian personnel and equipment losses:
Two more MT-LBVM/K armoured vehicles of the russian forces were left behind during their retreat from Rus'ka Lozova, Kharkiv region
19:42 Russians shelled Tsyrkuny village with incendiary projectiles
The village of Tsyrkuny in the Kharkiv region was shelled with incendiary weapons, the use of which is restricted by the Geneva Conventions. The incident was reported by the Ukrainian Centre for strategic communications (Stratcom Centre).
According to the report, the village is burning in several places. The shelling was carried out from the nearby village of Lyptsi, about 15 km away.
"The sole purpose of the shelling was to set fire to the village, which now houses 20 people, many children and only a few adults," said the Stratcom Centre.
Geneva Convention on incendiary weapons prohibits the use of incendiary weapons on civilians or on military targets in proximity of concentration of civilians.
19:15 UK Ministry of Defense published a map of warfare in Ukraine based on intelligence
Defense Intelligence of Great Britain made the following map according to the latest intelligence update from Ukraine. It shows major axis of assessed russian offensive and Ukrainian counter-offense.
Reminder on the previous today's update:
Fighting continues at Zmiinyi Island, also known as Snake Island, with Russia repeatedly trying to reinforce its exposed garrison located there.
Ukraine has successfully struck Russian air defences and resupply vessels with Bayraktar drones
Russia’s current efforts to augment its forces on Zmiinyi Island offer Ukraine more opportunities to engage Russian troops and attrit materiel.
For more details see previous update below.
17:55 One the symbols in the russo-Ukraine war is definitely a flying tank turret. We have seen a lot of footage already, trying to define the record-holder. Eventually, we’ve found an absolute winner.
Watch and read more in the article by Defense Express:
17:20 The Air Assault Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Ukrainian paratroopers down one more Russian Ka-52 helicopter.
russia's Ka-52 illustrative photo from open sources
“Today, in Kharkiv Region, the anti-aircraft defense unit of the 95th Air Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has shot down Russia’s Ka-52 scout and attack helicopter with the Piorun man-portable air-defense system,” the message states, Ukrinform reports.
16:28 Operational Command “South”: Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense units destroy enemy cruise missile over Odesa Region.
“Another missile strike was launched on Odesa Region. The enemy aircraft fired a cruise missile, which was accurately shot down by the anti-aircraft defense units over the sea,” the message states, Ukrinform reports.
16:15 CNN: The Democratic-led House of Representatives voted 368-57 on Tuesday evening to pass a roughly $40 billion bill to deliver aid to Ukraine.
The President of the US Joe Biden / Open source photo
Previously, the President of the USA Joe Biden called on Congress to "immediately" pass a nearly $40 billion Ukrainian aid bill, warning for the first time that existing aid will run out in "approximately ten days."
The measure will next need to be passed by the Senate before it can go to US President Joe Biden to be signed into law.
The legislation the House approved provides funding for a long list of priorities, including military and humanitarian assistance, CNN reports.
15:55 Head of Criminal Investigations Division of the Main Department of the National Police of Ukraine in Kharkiv Region Serhii Bolvinov: Russian missile hits tractor working in the field in Kharkiv Region.
Photo credit: Serhii Bolvinov
“In Kharkiv Region, a tractor working in the field was directly hit with a missile strike launched from the Russian aircraft. The 26-year-old tractor driver received numerous burns and leg injuries and was taken to hospital,” Bolvinov wrote, Ukrinform reports.
15:30 Adviser to the Mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko: Azovstal on fire after bombardment. Enemy trying to assault steelworks with tanks.
Mariupol right now / Photo credit: Petro Andriushchenko Telegram
"Mariupol. Azovstal. Right now… Azovstal is being attacked not only from the sky and with artillery, but again with tanks and is tried to be assaulted with manpower. Azovstal is on fire again after bombardment," Petro Andriushchenko, adviser to Mariupol mayor, posted on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.
He noted that leader of the so-called "Donetsk People’s Republic" Denis Pushilin said that he had his hands free as there were no civilians at Azovstal.
15:00 Another russia’s Mi-24 been shot down again by US-manufactured Stinger MANPADS. The number of destroyed russia's helicopters reaches 160 units already, according to the General Staff of Ukraine.
russia's Mi-24 assault helicopter / Illustrative photo from open sources
14:35 Operational Command "South" press service: russians looting, stealing grain and household appliances in southern Ukraine.
ryssia's T-72 / llustrative photo from open sources
"The enemy does not conduct active offensive operations on the line of contact, accumulating forces and trying to restore the damaged equipment. At the same time, in the occupied territories of Kherson and Mykolayiv regions, in parallel with the imposition of the ideology of ‘Russian world’, the total looting of the occupying power continues. The occupiers take away grain, household appliances, property, people to Russia. Identified pro-Ukrainian activists are tortured. If these people refuse to cooperate, they are shot,” the press service of the Operational Command "South" posted on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.
14:00 Operational Command “South” posted successful artillery work conducted by the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
13:50 Head of the Pyrotechnic Works and Humanitarian Demining Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Oleh Bondar: Mine clearance in Ukraine may take 5-10 years.
Oleh Bondar / Photo credit: Ukrinform
"Based on international experience, mine clearance may take from 5 to 10 years," Oleh Bondar, Head of the Pyrotechnic Works and Humanitarian Demining Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, said during a briefing at the Ukraine Media Center–Ukrinform.
According to him, one of the biggest negative consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is the massive contamination of territories and populated localities by explosives, including those prohibited by international conventions.
13:20 It’s become quite difficult to be surprised with cynicism of russia’s servicemen, but there’s definitely something new see. What is common between weather forecast and TOS-1 Flame thrower according to russia’s troops?
russia's TOS-1 Solntsepyok flame thrower / Illustrative photo from open sources
13:00 The Azov Regiment states: Invaders launch 38 airstrikes on Azovstal steelworks in a day.
Azovstal plan these days / Open source photo
“Over the past 24 hours, 38 sorties were made to the territory of the Azovstal steelworks, guarded by Mariupol defenders, including four raids by strategic bombers. Enemy bombardment artillery, tanks and more are also fired continuously. The enemy does not stop trying to capture the Ukrainian fortress and makes daily assaults with the support of infantry," the Azov Regiment posted on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.
11:45 There has been recently published an impressive complete list of the US-provided military aid for Ukraine, which proves over and over again that Ukraine's key ally is going to send as much armament as it's needed to annihilate russian occupiers.
11:10 Latest British Defense Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine as of 11 May 2022:
10:40 Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration: Ukrainian military destroys Russian missile over Zaporizhzhia region.
Illustrative photo from open sources
"This morning the enemy fired a missile at Zaporizhzhia. Our air defense of the Zaporizhzhia regional defense forces successfully worked. The missile exploded over an infrastructure facility in a settlement outside the regional center," the statement goes, Ukrinform reports.
10:30 Sloviansk Mayor Vadym Liakh: Russian missile strike hits Sloviansk.
"The morning of May 11 in Sloviansk turned out to be cold and unkind. The enemy fired missiles at two districts of the city," the mayor said, Ukrinform reports.
According to the report, about 26350 agressor's troops eliminated, 749 air targets (excluding cruise missiles) of invaders were shot down thousands of tanks, armored vehicles and tracks were destroyed by defenders of Ukraine.
Two more MT-LBVM/K armoured vehicles of the russian forces were left behind during their retreat from Rus'ka Lozova, Kharkiv region / Open source photo
09:30 Head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration Viacheslav Chaus: russian troops strike Chernihiv region by mortar fire.
"Just an hour ago, at 06:00, our territory came under another mortar attack from the territory of the Moscow scum. The enemy is constantly doing this. Therefore, I have a big ask, especially for residents of border areas, please be careful," Chaus said, Ukrinform reports.
09:00 According to the post of Andrew de Grandpré, the journalist of Washington Post, the Pentagon distributed information of the U.S. military assistance for Ukraine:
08:45 The Pentagon believes that Russiaʼs war in Ukraine is two weeks behind Putinʼs plans. According to the official at a closed briefing, Putin did not achieve any of his goals.
"We would now estimate that he is two weeks behind what positions he would like to be in Donbas and the South, and it is unclear how the situation will develop. Rest assured that Ukrainians can continue to defend their territory," the US Defense Department official added.
The Pentagon also has no information yet on whether Putin has changed his plans for this war.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
08:00 The Armed Forces of Ukraine has destroyed five enemy air targets for the previous day. The relevant statement was made by the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.
“On May 10, 2022, air defense units of the Army and Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles Orlan-10. Besides this, Air Assault Forces brigade of the Armed Forces shoot down one helicopter Mi-24.” - the report states.
russian UAV Orlan-1007:35
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted
In the Volyn, Polissya and Siversky directions, the situation will remain without significant changes.
In the Slobozhansky direction, russian enemy operates in a group consisting of separate units of the 6th Combined Arms Army of the Western Military District, the 41st Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District, and the coastal troops of the Baltic and Northern Fleets. The occupiers continue to focus their efforts on preventing the further advance of our troops towards the state border of Ukraine.
In the Izyum direction, a group of separate units of the 1st Panzer Army and the 20th All-Military Army of the Western Military District, the 29th, 35th, 36th All-Military Armies and the 68th Army Corps of the Eastern Military District and Airborne Troops focuses its main efforts on inflicting fire damage on our units in a certain area.
In the Donetsk direction, the group of occupying troops is concentrating its main efforts on continuing the offensive in order to take full control of the city of Rubizhne, capture the settlements of Lyman and Severodonetsk.
It does not stop assaults on the Lyman, Severodonetsk, Bakhmut, Avdiyev, and Kurakhiv areas with the support of artillery and jet artillery units.
In the city of Mariupol, russian enemy is blocking our units near the Azovstal plant. With the support of artillery and tank fire conducts assault operations. Inflicts rocket and bomb strikes.
In the South Buh and Tavriya directions, russian enemy units are trying to improve their tactical position.
In the Mykolayiv direction the enemy continues to carry out attacks of a position of defenders of Ukraine.
russian enemy uses electronic warfare systems to suppress radio channels.
In the Kryvyi Rih direction, it fired on artillery units of our troops.
In order to consolidate the occupied territory, it carries out engineering works and creates new positions in the areas of the settlements of Bruskinske and Velyka Oleksandrivka.
In the Tavriya direction, it conducts demonstration actions in order to restrain the actions of units of the Defence Forces, improves the engineering equipment of its positions, and replenishes its reserves.
In the Bessarabian direction, the situation in the transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova remains tense.
Units of the task force of the russian troops continue to be in combat readiness "Full".
russian enemy continues to destroy Ukraine's civilian infrastructure by launching missile and bomb strikes and carrying out artillery shelling of settlements and infrastructure.
The constant shelling by Russian troops does not allow for a full-fledged evacuation of civilians and wounded from the war zone.
russian MRAP KamAZ-63968 Typhoon-K, that was destroyed in Ukraine
07:10 The lower house of U.S. Congress passed Bill H.R. 7691, which provides for an additional allocation of about $40 billion to respond to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
The document saw support of 368 legislators with 57 opposing it. The bill will now be submitted to Senate.
According to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, the author of the bill, Ukraine needs urgent help and the United States is “morally obligated” to provide it, to help end the grievous loss of life, bring Putin and his allies to justice, and defend global democracy.
The bill seeks to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty and democracy, hold the Russian leadership accountable, address food security concerns around the world as a result of the war, and provide important support for refugees.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
05:15 Ukrainian troops acting as a part of Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Group has repulsed 12 enemy attacks in Donetsk Region and Luhansk Region, destroying dozens of Russian military equipment units on Tuesday, May 10.
“On May 10, 2022, the JFO Group successfully repelled 12 enemy attacks. Thanks to the skilful actions and competence of the Ukrainian military, occupiers suffered losses,” the report states.
In particular, defenders of Ukraine destroyed 12 enemy tanks, 4 artillery systems, 19 armored fighting vehicles, two special engineering vehicles and seven trucks.
The Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense units also shot down Russia’s Mi-24 helicopter and three Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over Donetsk and Luhansk Regions.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
Russian helicopter Mi-28N with a serial number RF-13654 (70 red) shot down few days ago near Bobrivka, Kharkiv region
01:30 The russians are still trying to wage a "maneuver war" with towed artillery. This simplifies the problem of their "disposal" by Ukrainian artillerymen
An artillery unit of the 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakov Gandziuk destroyed a russian artillery battery consisting of one 152-mm MC-C 2C19 self-propelled artillery unit and several 122-mm D-30 towed howitzers. Ukrainian artillerymen adjusted their fire with the help of an unmanned aerial vehicle.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
Artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, illustrative photo of pre-war times
00:50 Mariupol official: russian forces continue to storm Azovstal.
A video published by Petro Andriushchenko, an advisor to Mariupol mayor, shows black smoke rising above the Azovstal plant as a result of russian airstrikes on May 10, the Kyiv Independent reports.
The official said that attacks hit the plant every hour. Azovstal is a highly fortified steel plant where the last Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol are based.
00:40 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky: roadmap for energy sanctions for russia was proposed.
In his nightly address, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that on Tuesday, May 10 special group of international experts proposed a roadmap for energy sanctions to make it difficult for Russia to finance war with Ukraine.
“Today a special group of international experts chaired by Michael McFaul and Andriy Yermak proposed a roadmap for energy sanctions. This is a detailed document that describes what needs to be done to make it really difficult for Russia to finance this war, but at the same time - so that the global economy does not suffer losses due to restrictions on Russian energy resources. This is a rationally drafted document, and work has already begun on its implementation,” Volodymyr Zelensky stated.
00:25 Prosecutor General's Office: Russian military stole ancient gold artifacts from occupied Melitopol, proceedings initiated.
Scythian gold dated back to the fourth century B.C. may have been stolen among other exhibits from a local museum in occupied Melitopol in April, according to prosecutors, the Kyiv Independent reports citing Prosecutor General's Office’s official page on Facebook.
Russian military stole ancient gold artifacts from occupied Melitopol
00:10 In his nightly address, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the death of Leonid Kravchuk, the first president of Ukraine, The Guardian reports.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky
He said: “He was not just a politician. And not just a historical figure. He was the man who knew how to find wise words and say them so that all Ukrainians could hear them.
This is especially important in difficult, crisis moments. When the future of an entire country may depend on the wisdom of one person.
Leonid Makarovych showed just such wisdom in the late 1980s, when the Ukrainian movement emerged. He passed 1991 brilliantly, and it is only now that it may seem as if it was easy for him then.
And no matter what happened later, Leonid Kravchuk always stayed with Ukraine.
Perhaps it was because of his wisdom that he was cheerful in a special way. He always valued life, every minute of it. But he always found much more than one minute to help sort things out and give advice. And I am personally grateful to him in particular for that.
As a child he survived World War II, survived the occupation. Leonid Makarovych knew what freedom costs. And with all his heart he wanted peace for Ukraine. I’m sure we will implement it. We will achieve our victory and our peace.”
Leonid Kravchuk, first president of Ukraine, dies aged 88.
