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UKRAINE WAR BULLETIN - May 3, 2022 - 6 p.m. EDT
Embassy of Ukraine in the USA
Wash, D.C., Tue, May 3, 2022, 6 pm EDT
Distributed by U.S.-Ukraine Business Council www.USUBC.org
WAR ROOM
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 03.05 were approximately:
personnel - about 24200 (+400),
tanks ‒ 1062 (+14) од,
APV ‒ 2567 (+48) од,
artillery systems – 475 (+16) од,
MLRS - 162 (+10) од,
Anti-aircraft warfare systems - 80 (+0) од,
aircraft – 194 (+0) од,
helicopters – 155 (+0) од,
vehicles and fuel tanks - 1843 (+19) од,
boats / cutters - 10 (+2) од,
UAV operational-tactical level - 291 (+20).
special equipment - 38 (+0).
cruise missiles - 84 (+0).
Russian enemy suffered the greatest losses (of the past day) in the Izyum direction.
The sixty-ninth day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to a russian military invasion continues.
The enemy is taking measures to replenish significant losses of equipment in units of the armed forces conducting hostilities on the territory of Ukraine. According to available information, in the city of Boguchar, Voronezh region, between April 27 and May 2, 2022, seventeen tanks and sixty BMP-1 were taken out of storage. They were sent to the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied.
In the Izyum direction, the enemy exerted active fire on units of Ukrainian troops.
In the Donetsk direction, the main efforts of the enemy continue to focus on establishing full control over the settlements of Rubizhne and Popasna and advancing in the direction of the settlements of Lyman and Slovyansk.
The enemy did not conduct active hostilities in the South Buh area. It continued to fire on units of our troops along the line of contact.
During the previous day, the Air Defence and Land Forces air defense units hit seven Orlan-10 UAVs and one Forpost UAV.
Twelve enemy attacks have been repulsed in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in the past 24 hours, six tanks, five artillery systems, twenty-two units of armoured combat vehicles and eight units of enemy vehicles have been destroyed.
Russians also suffered losses in other areas.
The enemy does not stop conducting offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone in order to establish full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and maintain the land corridor between these territories and the temporarily occupied Crimea.
In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy operates as a group 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 city of Kharkiv continues to launch airstrikes and shell artillery.
In the Izyum direction, the enemy, by forces of separate units of the 1st Tank Army, the 20th Combined Arms Army of the Western Military District; The 29th, 35th, and 36th Combined Arms Armies, and the 68th Army Corps of the Eastern Military District and Airborne Troops are conducting offensive operations in the direction of Izyum-Barvinkove and they suffer losses.
To support their actions, the occupiers moved a battery of 240-mm Tulip heavy self-propelled mortars and a unit armed with Tornado multiple rocket launchers from the Belgorod region to the Izyum area.
In the temporarily occupied territories of Kharkiv oblast, the enemy continues to carry out filtration measures. To do this, it additionally involves units of the Rosguard.
In the Donetsk and Tavriya directions, groups of Russian troops, forces of separate units of the 1st and 2nd Army Corps, the 8th and 58th Combined Arms Armies of the Southern Military District; 5th Combined Arms Army, and Pacific Fleet of the Eastern Military District; the 2nd and 41st Combined Arms Armies and the 90th Tank Division of the Central Military District and Airborne Forces are conducting offensive operations on a certain section of the line of contact. The occupiers are carrying out airstrikes and artillery shelling of our troops' positions.
The enemy continues to focus on the offensive in the Lyman, Severodonetsk, Popasnyansk, Avdiivka, and Kurakhiv areas in order to take full control of the settlements of Rubizhne, Popasna and develop the offensive in the directions of the Lyman, Siversk, and Slovyansk.
In order to improve the system of logistics, the enemy continues to deploy in certain areas warehouses with ammunition, fuel, and oil, as well as organized a point for repair and restoration of damaged equipment.
At the same time, on some borders, the enemy carries out the equipment of the second line of defense.
In the city of Mariupol, the enemy continues to block units of Ukrainian troops in the area of the Azovstal plant. Carries out fire damage by artillery and tanks on the territory of the metallurgical plant.
In the Tavriya direction, the enemy continues to conduct demonstrations and manoeuvrers in order to restrain the actions of units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine and prevent their transfer to other directions.
In the South Bug area, the enemy is fighting with the 8th and 49th Combined Arms Armies, the 22nd Army Corps, the Black Sea Fleet Coast Guard, and the Airborne Forces to improve the tactical situation, and continues to fire on units of our troops. the enemy is regrouping troops, increasing the system of fire destruction, air defense, and logistics.
The situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova remains difficult. Units of the operational group of the troops continue to be in full combat readiness. Armed formations of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova are serving in an enhanced mode. Preparations are underway for the evacuation of the families of officers of the task force of the Russian troops.
In the Volyn, Polissya, and Siversky directions, certain units of the Armed Forces of the republic of belarus continue to carry out tasks to strengthen the Ukrainian-Belarusian border in the Brest and Gomel regions. In the area of the settlement of Khmelivka, Sumy region, the activities of enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group were exposed.
Ships of the Black Sea Fleet in the Black and Azov Seas continue to launch missile strikes on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, to isolate the area of hostilities, reconnaissance, and fire support in the coastal direction.
Units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine continue to inflict losses on russian enemy. Thus, according to available information, as a result of effective and coordinated actions of defenders of Ukraine, units of the 38th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation lost about 60 percent of the dead and wounded.
Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine
In the Mykolaiv region territory, the bodies of local residents with traces of gunshot wounds and torture were found in a mass grave. One men's legs were tied. Nearby, traces of Russian military personnel stay were found.
https://www.facebook.com/pgo.gov.ua/posts/362233715939468
Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights
The active mobilization of men in the temporarily occupied territories continues. The occupants have resorted to the forced conscription of men who are unfit for military service in accordance with medical conclusions. It is possible to avoid mobilization only with a bribe, which is why corruption is flourishing in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
https://www.facebook.com/denisovaombudsman/posts/533144408166836
Russians attract Ukrainian children to support the war against Ukraine. In occupied Sevastopol, a musical marathon "For a World without Nazism" was held. Occupants dedicated it in the memory of citizens who were "tortured by fascists - Ukrainian nationalists". Children dressed in military uniforms and carrying Russian flags were also involved in this "event," as a vivid example of hate propaganda against everything Ukrainian.
https://www.facebook.com/denisovaombudsman/posts/533163931498217
POLICY
President of Ukraine
Speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Verkhovna Rada
First of all, I would like to thank the leader of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, and all the people of the United Kingdom. For the words we hear. For the actions we see. For the support we feel. For the help we actually receive. For the victory that we will definitely gain together!
On October 8, 2020, our countries became strategic partners. And on February 24, 2022, we proved that our partnership is not on paper. Our partnership is on the battlefield. In the battles for common ideals, battles for a common future.
It has been almost ten weeks since the Russian Federation declared full-scale war against them and invaded our beautiful Ukrainian land. During this time, Ukraine and Britain have gone a path from partners to friends and brothers. And the one who lied that he is a friend and a brother has gone a path from a neighbor to an occupier and a terrorist. Is it sad? Yes. Is it scary? No. Because these almost ten weeks have proved: it is not scary when such an evil enemy is against you if such a good friend is next to you. Such as Great Britain. And leader Boris Johnson.
I would like to thank the United Kingdom, which is bringing this moment closer with us and which is ready to guarantee our security. And this gratitude of mine is not a formality. Because I know that the guarantees of Great Britain will never be a formality for Ukraine. Because these almost ten weeks have proved that your word is solid and your actions are decisive. Without any "almost". I hate that word - "almost".
As well as our interaction and support of British allies. First of all, it is a weapon and equipment for our military, which protects both Ukraine, Europe and the whole world from the Russian occupiers. I will not voice all the details to the public - let it be an unpleasant surprise for the aggressor every day.
Instead, I can speak openly about all other forms of support. This is humanity. And help for our refugees and internally displaced persons. Medicines, food, ambulances and fire engines and other large humanitarian aid. This is justice. And assistance in the investigation of war crimes of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. This is resilience. Macro-financial assistance for our economy. This is the abolition of customs duties, the abolition of quotas for our bilateral trade. This is the reconstruction of our land, this is the reconstruction of Kyiv and the Kyiv region, which will be joined by Great Britain.
These are important global things. Sanctions against the Russian Federation, energy embargo, asset blocking. These are ordinary, very simple human, but no less important, symbolic things. Blue and yellow flags on Trafalgar Square and Downing Street. When we are supported by London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, supported by Liverpool, Manchester and hundreds of other cities in this great state.
When Ukraine is supported by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Sir Paul McCartney, Elton John and Sting. Richard Branson, Joanne Rowling, the Beckhams, Benedict Cumberbatch, Queen, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple. Ed Sheeran, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, Daniel Radcliffe and, of course, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
It is also very important - the return of Melinda Simmons, and the recent visit of Prime Minister Johnson. At a very difficult time and at a very necessary moment. Our walk in the streets of Kyiv showed the world that the heart of Ukraine feels. Pain. But the people we met there, their words, their eyes, smiles and gifts - already famous roosters, the same as in Borodyanka - all this showed the world what our Ukrainian soul feels. Indomitability. Unbreakability. Therefore, hope for victory. Today, I, our parliament and the entire Ukrainian people can say one thing: thank you, Britain! Thank you, friends!
You are the people's deputies of the greatest state in the modern world! I'm sure of it! You are the people's deputies of Ukraine. Keywords are "people" and "Ukraine". I think we will abandon trifles, political speculation until peacetime, although it is better to abandon them forever. The agenda of the Verkhovna Rada is obvious. The keyword is "order". Because there is no time for spam, quarrels and PR - everyone already knows you. I think wise rationalism and sound nationalism are important. All this is very important for us today.
You are part of a large Ukrainian army. Your frontline is a legislative field in which you must work for our people, for each of us, for our state, for our victory. Like our army, like the whole country. Work 24/7. No days off, no unnecessary emotions, slogans, etc. Today we all have one party, and this party is Ukraine. One faction - Ukraine. One majority - Ukraine. One, strong, independent. And everything that does not help it or, God forbid, harms, weakens or splits, must be not in the minority, no. This must be a thing of the past.
Just like someone's hopes of sitting out somewhere. Currently, the absence of a deputy is justified by only two things: his work abroad or in the regions for the interests of our state or his death for the interests of the state. The rest is of no interest to Ukraine today. It doesn't need anything else, it won't have anything else! Anything else follows the Russian warship!
Please do not waste time on unnecessary laws. There are important priorities for the state. I know that you are professionals, you will do it. The state is waiting. Please do not waste your time, my time, the time of the people of Ukraine on minor initiatives and unimportant things. It seems to me that laws should be as timely as Lend-Lease. Accurate as our "Stugna" and "Bayraktar". And bring benefits like "Neptune". And glory like our army. And to be such that will go down in history like the people of Ukraine!
Speech by President Zelenskyy in the Parliament of Albania
Yesterday, Muslims around the world celebrated Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Islam. During this month, the Muslims of Ukraine and our entire society have not seen a single calm or peaceful day. That's how we live after February 24. Russia has turned all our days into a mortal danger.
More than 600 children have fallen victim to this Russian invasion - 220 killed and 406 injured.
Today is a farewell ceremony for journalist Vira Gyrych who was killed by a Russian missile at her home in the capital of our state, Kyiv. An ordinary multi-storey building near the downtown of the capital.
In Ukraine’s largest city in the east, in Kharkiv, a fifth of all houses was destroyed or damaged by Russian shelling. This is more than 2.500 houses.
Mariupol, once one of the most developed cities on the Sea of Azov shore, is completely destroyed by Russian army. They didn’t allow water, food, medicine - nothing and no one. They didn’t stop bombing it. This is a scorched city. But you can take any Ukrainian city or village where they came and there will be very similar messages.
Older people who survived two occupations - the Nazi occupation during World War II and now the Russian army occupation - say they did not see such atrocities 80 years ago.
Now they saw the Russian military shooting children in the face and ordinary people who had been taken prisoner being forced to lie on the ground day and night in sub-zero temperatures. It turns out that the Russian troops have a special method of "fighting" the escape of prisoners in the cold season: they are forced to pour water into their shoes, put the shoes on and lie on the ground in the cold. People stopped feeling their feet, their toes froze. But the occupiers did not even allow them to stand up, let alone to warm up.
In the areas liberated from the Russian army, we constantly find graves of tortured people. They have their hands tied, traces of shots on their arms and legs, and broken ribs. Many were shot in the back of the head.
Retreating from our land, the Russian army left the dead just on the streets as well.
Russia was offered to cease fire at least on Orthodox Easter. There was no answer. As like on Pesach. Russia has also ignored the sanctity of the Ramadan month.
86 religious sites were destroyed or damaged by shelling. These are churches, mosques, houses of worship. The Russian army is not trying to protect even the facilities of the Russian church from its shelling! This is a complete abandonment of morality, rejection of universal values, non-recognition of life as an unconditional value.
They do not want to stop in Ukraine. They want to go further.
In an attempt to revive the worst-level tyranny seen in XX century, Russia has become the greatest threat to the entire free world. I am grateful to every nation that is fighting this tyranny with us.
I am grateful to Albania for not hesitating who to support in this struggle. You are definitely on the side of freedom and truth. Thank you for concrete steps for Ukraine. For defense assistance. For supporting sanctions on Russia. For taking care of our people and hosting our children, especially in Durrës.
This attitude of yours towards Ukrainian men and women in difficult times reminds me of St. Mother Teresa, who taught people that good daily efforts can defeat evil and bring them closer to the holiness that people will remember from generation to generation.
I believe that by working together with all Europeans this way - by our daily good efforts, we will be able to stop this war waged by Russia and to protect Europe in the future from recurrence of such a threat.
As 6th package of sanctions against Russia's aggression is being discussed in the EU, we must all insist that it includes an oil embargo and a real blockade of any schemes that Russia uses to deceive the free world and ignore sanctions. Russian banks must be completely disconnected from the global financial system.
However difficult it may be, it is necessary to deliberately restrict trade with Russia, as if not today, then tomorrow it will consciously use trade ties to hit your market when it wants some political concessions from you. You need to deprive it of this tool in time.
I ask you to close the ports for Russian ships and limit the arrival of Russian tourists. Because you can never know who came to you... Maybe the killers who were in Bucha? Or the tormentors of Mariupol? Or someone who is already working to undermine your country?
I am grateful to Albania for its cooperation within the United Nations platform. Especially now when your country is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
We need to do a principled thing and stop using UN funds to sponsor Russia. If it violates the UN Charter, threatens the world's food security and destroys peace in Europe, it has no right to receive a single cent from the UN.
Since 2014, when Russia seized our Crimean peninsula and started the war in Donbas, the UN has purchased goods and services from it for at least two and a half billion dollars. This is simply unfair. Wrong.
Decades ago, Ukraine and Albania chose the path of democracy and European integration. We did not deviate from this path. Together we are committed to the freedom development and a united Europe. I believe that when the time comes to decide on Ukraine's accession to the EU, your vote will be able to sound in our support.
Full speech: https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/promova-prezidenta-ukrayini-v-narodnih-zborah-albaniyi-74745
Andriy Yermak discussed with American businessman Kimbal Musk support for Ukraine during the war
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a video conference with American businessman, member of the Board of Directors of Tesla and SpaceX Kimbal Musk. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.
On behalf of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and all Ukrainians, Andriy Yermak thanked Kimbal Musk and his brother, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, for supporting our country during the difficult times of the war.
"We highly appreciate this real support for Ukraine during this terrible war with Russia. We are grateful for the high-speed Internet thanks to Starlink (terminals - ed.), which we received from you. Very grateful! Everyone knows what a great role you have played in this assistance," said the Head of the President's Office.
Kimbal Musk stressed that it is a great honor for him to help our country, because today Ukraine is fighting for democracy against tyranny. "We are with you. Thank you for fighting so bravely," he said.
Andriy Yermak informed the American businessman about the situation in Ukraine. He said that currently the largest number of troops is concentrated in the southern and eastern regions of our country.
The Head of the President's Office also reminded of the catastrophic situation in Mariupol, which is blocked by the Russian military, and told about the process of evacuation of the city's residents.
He also noted the importance of assistance provided to Ukraine by partner countries during the war. Andriy Yermak invited Kimbal Musk to visit Ukraine at a time convenient for him. The Head of the President's Office noted that the American businessman may be interested in projects developed by talented Ukrainian IT specialists. "I'm sure you will really like the capital of Ukraine, and we will be able to talk in detail about possible joint projects," said Andriy Yermak.
During the meeting, projects and areas of cooperation that could involve Kimbal Musk’s company and American business in general were discussed.
The Head of the Office of the President informed the interlocutor about the project of post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, in particular about the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to involve partner countries in the reconstruction of settlements affected by the war.
Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov thanked Kimbal Musk and SpaceX for providing Ukraine with Starlink terminals.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
"The Government has developed a set of actions in many areas. The first is to monitor the state of food security and agricultural infrastructure in general. Second, national food producers will receive state support. Third, the most socially vulnerable population will receive targeted food aid. In addition, the state will exercise special control of monitoring and appropriate regulation of food prices," said Mykola Solskyy, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.
Thus, ministries, the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, and regional military administrations will regularly monitor, in particular, statistics on the balance of basic foodstuffs. They will control the level of trade margins. Volumes of domestic agricultural products for export will continue to be regulated by the state for the period of martial law.
The need and number of enterprises that need financing for the expansion, rehabilitation and construction of production facilities will be studied.
In addition, the needs of domestic enterprises of the agro-industrial complex in critical imports will be constantly met.
Among other things, the state will also regularly purchase food packages for socially vulnerable groups. Local programs to ensure self-sufficiency of territorial communities with food products will be implemented.
"With all these measures, we are trying to achieve the key goal - to meet needs of Ukrainians through provision of the required amount of products. And also to fully provide enterprises working in the field of agricultural production with opportunities for further work. As well as to guarantee our state and its citizens sustainable food security in this dangerous time of war," Mykola Solskyy summed up.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day.
Freedom of speech and free expression of views have always been an integral part of Ukrainian society. In 2014, Russia launched a war against our state and destroyed freedom of speech in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Persecution of journalists, unjustified searches of newsrooms and private homes, abductions and torture have turned these areas into so-called "information ghettos".
The invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops on February 24 marked a new phase of brutal repression against independent journalism in Ukraine. In more than two months, Russian invaders have killed more than 20 Ukrainian and foreign journalists. More than a hundred regional media outlets in the temporarily occupied territories were forced to shut down due to threats, the destruction of newsrooms, and the inability to work under temporary occupation.
Radio Liberty journalist Vira Hyrych became a recent victim of Russian armed aggression. Vira was killed in a house in central Kyiv, when a Russian missile hit it. Russia committed this crime during the visit of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to Ukraine, which showed Russia’s true attitude to international institutions and the basic principles of international law.
Along with military aggression, Russia is waging an information war. The list of crimes committed by the Russian Federation against the media in Ukraine includes the murder and abduction of journalists, the shelling and seizure of TV towers, and hacking attacks on the websites.
Ukrainian cities occupied or surrounded by Russia are isolated from the Ukrainian information space, Ukrainian broadcasting, and the work of national Internet operators there are blocked.
In the occupied territories, Russia is launching its propaganda channels which are used for even greater information expansion, justifying the Russian invasion of Ukraine and inciting ethnic hatred.
Ukraine, together with international partners, is coordinating efforts to combat Russian propaganda and disinformation. We are grateful to those countries that have stopped broadcasting Russian propaganda outlets on their territories.
We call on the international community to expand sanctions against the Russian media, which spread propaganda and misinformation. The media of the aggressor state must be cut off from the possibility of distorting the facts of Russia's war against Ukraine.
We are grateful to Ukrainian and international journalists who, under difficult conditions, often risking their lives, work in combat zones to convey the truth about Russia's war crimes in Ukraine.
State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection
All democratic governments - the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, most EU countries and others - offer their assistance to Ukraine in cyber defense.
“Each country offers the best technology at its disposal. These are very diverse proposals. All of them are very useful and interesting. We are grateful to everyone who helps us,” said Viktor Zhora, Deputy Head of the State Special Service.
Ukraine is also supported by a number of leading companies in the world.
