Ukraine Invasion: Part 39

[MagicFox]

38 filled up quick. Welcome all to 39 🇺🇦

@Zuffe I don't want to take any value away from the training that recruits go through together but I do think the situation in Ukraine is very different from joining up from civvy Street elsewhere.

They have been going through shit together for over a year and I suspect they very much have a strong sense of 'we'.

My impression of the early days as a British Army recruit is that they want to build a team, and fast. They don't know where they are going or what they will face so they need to build the camaraderie that will get them through anything.

The Ukrainians already know what they are facing, they have a shared ideal and the bonds are forged already as a result. They don't need those early interventions to create the family feel. It's already there.
Fitness is potentially an issue, but if they have already been fighting or preparing I would imagine they are halfway there, so again time can be shortened.

This would go a long way towards shortening the timescale.

Regarding the training, US Army basic combat training (BCT) for new recruits is ten weeks, followed by advanced individual training (AIT) in an assigned specialty, like infantry or armor school, which is another 14 to 22 weeks. A lot of BCT is done to establish unit cohesion and discipline. Officer training is a separate track.

Given that the Ukrainians are arriving with some training and often combat experience, the training would be adjusted to reflect that circumstance.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-14-2023

Key Takeaways

• The Kremlin is likely attempting to portray Russia as an equal defense partner with China ahead of Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu’s visit to Moscow from April 16 to 18.
• The Kremlin is likely hoping to make itself more attractive to China by launching Russian Pacific Fleet exercises to project Russia’s naval power in the Pacific.
• The Kremlin also likely intends to use the Pacific Fleet’s combat readiness checks to attempt to deter further Japanese support for Ukraine ahead of the G7 meeting from May 19 to 21.
• Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin is setting information conditions to exploit a Russian military failure if the planned Ukrainian counteroffensive is successful.
• Former Russian officer and ardent nationalist Igor Girkin denied speculations that he is facing charges in St. Petersburg for the discreditation of the Russian Armed Forces – a denial that likely further indicates his protection by unknown siloviki patrons.
• Russian elite forces are diluting their combat effectiveness with poorly trained mobilized personnel and volunteers due to high causalities sustained in Ukraine.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin will likely host his annual June press conference in early June 2023.
• The Russian State Duma is intensifying its efforts to censor of Russian cultural figures who fled Russia and criticize the war, likely aimed at encouraging domestic self-censorship.
• Russian forces continued limited offensive operations in the Kreminna area as Ukrainian forces targeted rear areas in Luhansk Oblast.
• Russian forces continued to advance in Bakhmut and conduct ground attacks along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line.
• Russian forces continue to endanger the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) amidst continued Russian efforts to establish control over the ZNPP.
• The Kremlin reportedly continues to use private military companies (PMCs) and nationalist networks to support its force generation campaigns.
• Russian security personnel continue to arrest Ukrainian citizens under allegations that they associate with claimed illegal formations.

Expanded: Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Qin Gang stated on April 14 that China will not sell weapons to Russia and will regulate the export of items to Russia that have dual civilian and military uses. [ there were reports from the leaked docus that China was sending some stuff. I don't suppose we will know the fact until after it's all over, if ever, but it's not in huge quantities]

• ISW previously reported that elements of the 40th and 155th Naval Infantry Brigades of the Pacific Fleet suffered heavy losses near Vuhledar, Donetsk Oblast in early 2023 and in late 2022, with the 155th being reconstituted as many as eight times in the past year.*

The Washington Post reported that leaked classified US intelligence documents revealed that Russia’s 22nd Separate Guards Special Purpose (SPETSNAZ) Brigade (Main Directorate of the Russian General Staff) and two other unspecified SPETSNAZ brigades suffered an estimated 90-95% attrition rate in Ukraine.

Kyiv Independent Telegram

⚡️Melitopol Mayor reports (https://kyivindependent.com/melitopol-mayor-reports-explosion-near-concentration-of-russian-equipment/) explosion near concentration of Russian equipment.
According to Fedorov, the explosion occurred in the area of the railway depot, where Russian troops have stored their equipment and ammunition.

This Week in Ukraine Ep. 3 – What US intelligence leak reveals about war in Ukraine (

⚡️PM Shmyhal: France ready (https://kyivindependent.com/pm-shmyhal-france-ready-to-provide-ukraine-with-2-billion-euros-in-financial-aid/) to provide Ukraine with 2 billion euros in financial aid.
France is ready to supply Ukraine with 2 billion euros (about $2.2 billion) as part of a long-term program, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

⚡️AP: China pledges (https://kyivindependent.com/ap-china-pledges-not-to-sell-arms-to-any-party-of-russias-war-in-ukraine/) not to sell arms to any party of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on April 14 that his country wouldn't sell weaponry to either side of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Associated Press reported

⚡️Reuters: Ukraine allegedly (https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-chinese-components-russian-weapons/) finding more Chinese components in Russian weapons.
Ukraine has allegedly been finding an increasing number of components originating from China in Russian weapons recovered on the battlefield, Reuters reported on April 14.

⚡️Foreign Ministry criticizes (https://kyivindependent.com/foreign-ministry-criticizes-orbans-claim-ukraine-is-financially-non-existent-country/) Orbán's claim Ukraine is ‘financially non-existent' country.

⚡️Anand: All 8 Leopard (https://kyivindependent.com/anand-all-8-leopard-2-tanks-pledged-by-canada-now-in-poland/) 2 tanks pledged by Canada now in Poland

Pentagon leak makes Ukraine change plans, reveals intel community vulnerability (https://kyivindependent.com/suspect-charged-in-pentagon-leak-that-revealed-us-intel-communitys-vulnerability/)

Explainer: What we learned from Pentagon leak and why it matters (https://kyivindependent.com/explainer-what-we-learned-from-pentagon-leak-and-why-it-matters/)

Ukraine war latest: Russia intensifies Bakhmut assault; 2-year-old killed in Russian missile strike (GRAPHIC) (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-russia-intensifies-bakhmut-assault-2-year-old-killed-in-russian-missile-strike/)
Russia has “re-energized” its nine-month-long assault on Bakhmut as the Russian Defense Ministry and the Wagner mercenary group appeared to have improved cooperation, a Western intelligence report said on April 14.

⚡️Media: Putin signs (https://kyivindependent.com/putin-signs-electronic-summonses-bill-into-law-meaning-e/) electronic summonses bill into law.

⚡️Netherlands, Switzerland pledge funds to IFC program for Ukraine’s economy (https://kyivindependent.com/untitled-17/).
The Netherlands and Switzerland committed additional funds to a $2 billion International Finance Corporation's (IFC) program that is aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s economy, the organization said in a press release on April 14.

⚡️Poland to ‘gradually’ supply MiG-29 fighter (https://kyivindependent.com/untitled-18/) jets to Ukraine.

⚡️NYT: Russian ambassador claims US threatened (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-ambassador-claims-us-threatened-russia-over-arrest-of-gershkovich/) Russia over arrest of Gershkovich.

⚡️Der Spiegel: German company producing weapons for Ukraine suffers cyberattack (https://kyivindependent.com/cyberattack-made-on-german-company-producing-weapons-for-ukraine/).
The German arms manufacturing company Rheinmetall was the victim of a cyberattack on April 14, according to Der Spiegel. Rheinmetall said its automotive sector was attacked, but its military division was not affected.

⚡️Japan provides $400 million (https://kyivindependent.com/japan-gives-ukraine-400-million-for-reconstruction-efforts/) for Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.

⚡️General Staff: Ukrainian forces repel (https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-ukrainian-forces-repel-over-50-russian-attacks/) over 50 Russian attacks.

⚡️After visit to China, Lula says US should stop 'encouraging war' (https://kyivindependent.com/lula-says-us-should-stop-encouraging-war-and-start-talking-about-peace-following-china-visit/) and 'start talking about peace.'

Live: Ukraine Telegram

Russian woman suspected of corporate espionage detained at oil refinery in Gothenburg, Sweden - TV4 Nyheterna

Ukraine did not inform the US of offensive plans - AP.
Ukrainian leaders say they did not share their most sensitive information because of doubts about the United States' ability to keep secrets.
For this reason, they also do not consider the intelligence leak to be harmful to future offensives.

Twitter cannot effectively combat propaganda and information operations of Russia, China and Iran due to a lack of specialists, the BBC writes. After the massive layoffs carried out by Elon Musk, the work of the responsible unit is virtually paralyzed. The staff reduction has also made the social network itself vulnerable.
At the time of Musk's purchase of the social network, Twitter employed almost 8,000 people, and now the company has about 1,500 employees.

A rocket with a drawing by 8-year-old Yaryna Zakalyuzhna from Zhytomyr launched a space mission to Jupiter. In 2021, the drawing won an international competition of the European Space Agency.

Ukraine will not be satisfied with any other decision of the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, except for real steps towards its membership in the Alliance, Foreign Minister Kuleba said.

In Sloviansk, the death toll has risen to nine. At night, rescuers pulled a dead woman from the rubble. Another 21 people were injured.

UNITED24 Media Telegram

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shanfu will arrive in Russia on an official visit, he will stay there from April 16 to 19, the official representative of the Ministry of Defense of China, Tang Kefei, said.

Su-35 planes carried out airstrikes on the settlement of Orihiv in Zaporizhzhia, – Andrii Yermak

The occupiers are preparing to block the personnel at the ZNPP, – Energoatom
Given the shortage of nuclear workers and the fear of a counteroffensive by the Armed Forces, the Russians plan to take NPP personnel hostage. According to the department, many provisions, including food and water, have already been brought to the station.

Crimea is Ukraine, we will use any non-prohibited weapon to liberate it, — Danilov.
Yesterday, Danilov did not rule out that the reason for periodic explosions in Crimea could be Ukraine's testing of the latest weapons.

Platoon commander of the International Legion, Polish citizen, died in Bakhmut

The Ukrainian military has completed training on howitzers "Caesar" in Denmark, soon this equipment will be in Ukraine, – Ministry of Defense.

The leader of PMC "Wagner" Prigozhin suddenly called for an end to the war against Ukraine 😐
"The ideal option is to announce the end of the Special Military Operation, to inform everyone that Russia has achieved the results that it planned, and in a sense, we really achieved them. We have ground a huge number of fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and we can report to ourselves about that the tasks of "SMO" are completed.
Theoretically, Russia has already received this fat point by destroying a large part of the active male population of Ukraine, by intimidating another part of it, which fled to Europe. Russia cut off the Azov and a large piece of the Black Sea, seized a fat piece of Ukrainian territory and created a land corridor to the Crimea. Now there is only one thing left: to firmly gain a foothold, to claw in those territories that already exist," the terrorist suggested."

The Fencing Federation of Norway will not send its athletes to tournaments due to the admission of Russians and Belarusians to them, — an official statement.

It is almost impossible to leave the occupied territories without a passport of the Russian Federation, — National Resistance Center

Ukraine will receive more than $5 billion in additional aid from the G7 countries, — Denys Shmyhal

That quote from Prigozhin is disgusting

Sergei Lavrov and his delegation have been refused visas to enter the US, so they cannot attend a UN Security Council meeting.

Holy Fire is go and in the air to Orthodox capitals. The flying it bit is a modern thing, interrupted by Coronavirus.

We have ground a huge number of fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and we can report to ourselves about that the tasks of "SMO" are completed

‘Ground’? A nice way to describe the murder of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians and destruction to the point of annihilation of many towns and cities.

But strategically clever perhaps? Wagner must at least be recruiting much more slowly now. If it keeps fighting with fewer men it won’t be as successful and Prigozhin loses political capital. If Russia ’stops’ as in no more missiles or drone strikes etc outside of the occupied areas and they move to a purely defensive position, then will the conflict lose global attention and support?

I recently started listening to the BBC podcast Ukrainecast (I don't know what took me so long). The last episode, which I just got to this morning, had an interview with Shirley Dooley about her coverage of the training Ukrainian troops are getting in the UK.

I was incorrect when I assumed up thread that the troops involved would have already had some training and combat experience in Ukraine. They were fresh off-the-bus civilians, and the course was done in five weeks.

Here's a look at what gets covered in the US Army's ten week basic training course.

https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/army-boot-camp-schedule.html

By the end, you have basic rifle skills and some idea of how to operate in small units, then most soldiers go on to an additional 14 weeks of infantry training. I'd love to know how they cut it to five weeks.

I know the US has been doing armor training for the Ukrainians in Germany, primarily for the Brads and Strykers. I wish we provided more BCT resources as well, even if we had to bring the soldiers back to the US for it.

@MissConductUS
You have corroborated my post above. I know other posters have a view that the ties that are necessary have already been forged to some extent, but I didn’t want to disagree. It is one thing to be bonded by fear, anger and resolve. It is quite another to know what to do about it and have the confidence to execute it. That part will take longer than five weeks. Longer than 24 even (which incidentally was about the same infantry training pattern in the U.K.).

Just so, @Zuffe. Soldiers will struggle to maintain discipline under fire if they are not confident that the rest of their unit knows their job and that they can count on everyone from logistics to artillery to support them.

In the US Army, the troops rotate out for additional training after they are assigned to a unit and often have more than one specialty. Here's a sample of what's on offer at Fort Benning:

U.S. Army Infantry School

One post Vietnam reform that I think has been really effective was combining doctrine and training in one command for the whole force. As doctrine evolves, so does training and innovation from new technology and combat experience.

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-15-2023

Key Takeaways

• Reporting from some Western sources that Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin called for Russia to end its war against Ukraine is inaccurate. Prigozhin actually called on Russia to commit to a decisive fight that will either defeat Ukraine or result in a temporary Russian defeat that will catalyze Russia’s nationalist rebirth and set conditions for future victory
• Certain Russian players in the information space have also misinterpreted Prigozhin’s essay, further exposing fissures between some Russian milbloggers.
• The Russian information space is reckoning with demographic transitions within Russia in a way that indicates that the nationalist ideologies underpinning the war in Ukraine will continue to have reverberating domestic impacts.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party announced its intention to recruit Russian military personnel who have served in Ukraine as candidates for elections in 2023 and 2024, likely in an effort to establish itself as the definitive pro-war party in Russia.
• Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks near Kreminna and may be preparing to defend territory in the Kupyansk direction.
• Russian forces continued offensive operations in and around Bakhmut and along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City front.
• Russian forces continued defensive operations in southern Ukraine.
• A Russian opposition news source reported that Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) head Leonid Pasechnik signed a decree on April 14 authorizing spring and fall conscription in occupied Luhansk Oblast.
• The Russian State Security Service (FSB) is likely involved in efforts to target Ukrainian youth in occupied territories for law enforcement and counter-partisan purposes.

Was chatting to one of my mother's cousins (female, 50s) about how things are going for older people in Ukraine. One of her points is that it gets tough because 'no jobs, economy is ruined' means that not only is the state apparatus degraded but the ability of children to support parents and grandparent financially has to a large extent gone. Due to underemployment she has time to help but it is problematic: 'now I have to look after older family members, all with health problems and social services do not work here'.

Kyiv Independent Telegram

⚡️Russian state-affiliated media: 5 Ukrainians from occupied Melitopol (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-state-affiliated-media-sham-trial/) to be tried for 'terrorism' in Russia.

⚡️Collaborator sentenced to 11 years in prison (https://kyivindependent.com/collaborator-sentences-aiding-russian-missile-strikes-mykolaiv/) for aiding Russian military.

⚡️Update: 11 people killed (https://kyivindependent.com/update-11-people-killed-in-russian-missile-strike-on-sloviansk/) in Russian missile strike on Sloviansk.
The bodies of two more people have been found under the rubble of a five-story building in Sloviansk

⚡️Zelensky holds (https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-holds-phone-call-with-macron-discuss-his-recent-visit-to-china/) phone call with Macron, discusses his recent visit to China.

⚡️Poland protects agri sector by restricting (https://kyivindependent.com/poland-protects-agri-sector-by-restricting-ukrainian-grain-milk-poultry/) Ukrainian grain, milk, poultry.
Poland has temporarily banned the import of Ukrainian produce to defend its domestic agricultural sector.
According to Polish Economic Development Minister Waldemar Buda, the ban includes grain, milk, eggs, and poultry.

⚡️ Hungary temporarily bans (https://kyivindependent.com/hungary-temporarily-bans-import-of-ukrainian-agricultural-products/) import of Ukrainian agricultural products.
Following Poland’s decision, Hungary also temporarily blocked imports of Ukrainian grain, oilseeds, and some other agricultural products to protect its domestic market, Hungarian Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy said.

⚡️ Governor: Russia launches (https://kyivindependent.com/governor-russia-launches-massive-attack-on-zaporizhzhia-oblast/) ‘massive attack’ on Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Ukraine celebrates Orthodox Easter (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-celebrates-easter/).
Ukraine's Orthodox Christians, which make up the majority of the country's population, are celebrating Easter on April 16, the second to occur since Russia launched its all-out war on Feb. 24, 2022.

⚡️Zelensky addresses (https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-conveys-easter-greetings-to-ukrainians/)Ukrainians on Orthodox Easter: 'Heaven sees our faith and firmness.’

⚡️ 130 Ukrainian POWs return home (https://kyivindependent.com/130-ukrainian-pows-freed-from-russian-captivity/) from Russian captivity on Orthodox Easter.
The freed prisoners included soldiers, navy personnel, State Transport Special Service employees, border guards, and national guardsmen.

⚡️Italy overcomes (https://kyivindependent.com/minister-italy-overcomes-dependence-on-russian-gas/) dependence on Russian gas.
"Previously, we used to obtain 40% of our gas needs from Russia, but today we only rely on them for a little over 10%"

⚡️Mayor: 2-3 years required for complete reconstruction (https://kyivindependent.com/mayor-rebuilding-kharkiv-oblast/) of Kharkiv.

One Plane down.

UNITED24 Media Telegram

There are already 34 countries in the group regarding the creation of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against the Russian Federation, — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Restrictions against the nuclear sector of the Russian Federation should become a mandatory part of the following package of EU sanctions, German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said in a comment to DPA.

Restrictions against the nuclear sector of the Russian Federation should become a mandatory part of the following package of EU sanctions, German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said in a comment to DPA.

Fighting is ongoing in the capital of Sudan due to an attempted military coup.
As a result of hostilities in the area of the airport, the plane of the Ukrainian company SkyUp caught fire.

Russian spies recruit German politicians and military through Tinder.
They start chatting and date politicians and Bundeswehr employees on Tinder. Girls are especially interested in data about Germany and the war in Ukraine.

NATO trains Ukrainian recruits on Leopard tanks in Poland
Ukrainian tankers completed a shortened 30-day training course on the Leopard tank in Poland.
Canadian, Norwegian, and Polish military instructors train tankers both in virtual simulators and in combat shootings and maneuvers.

Russians take children from Enerhodar to occupied Crimea.
In schools and kindergartens in the city, information is being spread that the forced evacuation of children will continue until April 20. The occupiers use ZNPP transport, which is usually driven by station personnel.

Two teenagers born in 2005 were killed by shelling tonight in the Snihuriv community of the Mykolaiv region.

😡The photo shows a church destroyed by a Russian missile in a settlement on the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia, which was fired upon by the Russian occupiers tonight.

The big Easter exchange of prisoners: 130 of Ukrainian men returned home

Live: Ukraine Telegram

An explosion occurs during a campaign event with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Wakayama, and the prime minister is not injured.

An explosion was heard in the city of Kazan, followed by a fire in the area of a tank training ground

The Brazilian president said that the United States should stop "encouraging war" in Ukraine and "start talking about peace."

Ukraine has handed over a trophy Russian T-90A tank to the United States. The Drive writes that it has already been spotted in Louisiana and is being transported to Aberdeen, Maryland, to the military training grounds of the Experimental Test Center.

In an interview with the Argentine newspaper La Razon, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that Ukraine's losses in the war were much lower than Russia's.
"I can't give you a number, but I can assure you that the total number is less than the number of deaths from the earthquake in Turkey," he said.
According to official figures, just over 50,000 people died in the earthquake in Turkey.

[wont post the pics but desperately distressing shots of the little 2 yo who was killed by the attack on Sloviansk yesterday. Hard not to cry].

Holy Fire made it. The modern tradition is that Presidential jets (and those provided by oligarchs) are lined up in Tel Aviv ready to take the flame from the miracle in Jerusalem to Orthodox capitals and then often on to other cities. Putin is always at the service in Moscow (for midnight into Easter Sunday). First link for Moscow, second for Kyiv.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/putin-attends-orthodox-easter-service-at-moscow-cathedral-1109566716.html

https://hromadske.ua/en/posts/holy-fire-delivered-to-ocu-churches-as-russians-strike-church-in-zaporizhzhya-oblast-last-nights-highlights

That sounds like a difficult situation. Appreciate your sharing insight into how it is day-to-day in Ukraine. May I ask whether your mother's cousin is in Russian occupied territory or not? One question which has troubled me is if there are no jobs, how do people get funds to pay for basic expenses like food and utilities? Do relatives who are outside Ukraine send money back to help those who are?

Ukraine has handed over a trophy Russian T-90A tank to the United States. The Drive writes that it has already been spotted in Louisiana and is being transported to Aberdeen, Maryland, to the military training grounds of the Experimental Test Center.

Will the T-90A be taken apart and reverse engineered? It must be a gift from Ukraine because they could really have used it on the battleground.

Russian spies recruit German politicians and military through Tinder.
They start chatting and date politicians and Bundeswehr employees on Tinder. Girls are especially interested in data about Germany and the war in Ukraine.

Hope those politicians and military personnel are sceptical enough to keep their pants on and mouths shut. Somehow, I don't think so universally, knowing what some men are like, sadly, and what organ they think with.

⚡️ Governor: Russia launches (https://kyivindependent.com/governor-russia-launches-massive-attack-on-zaporizhzhia-oblast/) ‘massive attack’ on Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

😡The photo shows a church destroyed by a Russian missile in a settlement on the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia, which was fired upon by the Russian occupiers tonight.

So Russia launches a massive attack in Zap on Orthodox Easter. Wonder what Patriarch Kirill has to say about that.

The big Easter exchange of prisoners: 130 of Ukrainian men returned home

Wonderful. A good thing to come out of Easter. Hope they get the care and support they need.

Washington Post Telegram

Navalny, jailed Russian opposition figure, is severely ill, aides say
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/14/alexei-navalny-prison-ill-poisoned/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=telegram)RIGA, Latvia — Lawyers and associates of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny fear that Russian authorities may be slowly poisoning him in prison after he suffered acute stomach pains and seizures and lost more than 17 pounds in a recent spell in an isolated “punishment” cell.

Analysis: How Poland became the new ‘center of gravity’ in Europe https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/07/poland-center-gravity-heart-europe-nato-history/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=telegram

Here is the latest on Ukraine:
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/15/russia-ukraine-war-news/?utm_source=telegram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=wp_main)

• Russian forces launched at least eight S-300 rockets at Sloviansk, according to the Ukrainian city’s mayor, Vadym Liakh. The State Emergency Service said in a statement that “75 tons of rubble have been dismantled at the site” of the strikes.

- Russia has still not granted U.S. consular officials access to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich since he was detained last month, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said — a situation that Blinken emphasized needed to be rectified immediately.

- Jack Teixeira, the suspect in the leaks, faces up to 15 years in prison after the federal government charged him with retention and transmission of national defense information and willful retention of classified documents.

• The “fiercest battles” were taking place around Bakhmut, Ukraine’s armed forces said. The military update said Russian forces were focusing their offensive operations on the city in the eastern Donetsk region.

- Li will hold talks with his Kremlin counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The ministry did not directly mention the invasion of Ukraine in a Telegram statement but said the two officials would discuss global and regional security.

• Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is detained by Russia on unproven claims of espionage, has written to his family.

- The Russian military has lost more than 10,000 vehicles, including some 1,900 tanks, and is close to emptying out its arsenal of sophisticated cruise missiles, the British Defense Ministry said Saturday.

@MissConductUS I can honestly say that if I had my time again, I would have emigrated to the USA and served in the US army. However hard it may have been then I would have found a way. I would probably have made a life career of it. If only I knew then what I know now....kind of thing...

So Russia launches a massive attack in Zap on Orthodox Easter. Wonder what Patriarch Kirill has to say about that.

it was probably done with his “blessing”! Absolute savages the lot of them