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Russo-Ukraine War - 03 April 2023 - Day 404

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A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

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The UK Ministry of Defence reported that the Russian MOD is likely running a deliberate information operation to revive the reputation of a brigade which has become synonymous with recent Russian failures in Ukraine.

Throughout March 2023, the activities of 155th Naval Infantry Brigade were highlighted via some of the most extensive Russian helmet-cam combat footage yet released, as well as a televised visit by a prominent Russian TV host, Vladimir Solovyov. There were also public announcements that the formation is in 'high spirits [with] a strong determination to achieve the set goals', as well as images showing the 155th being re-equipped with modified tanks.

In reality, the 155th has likely been reduced to combat ineffective status at least twice in the last six months, due to being committed to tactically flawed frontal assaults near Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast. The MOD's effort to revive the brigade's image likely reflects concern about the way in which its failures were being increasingly associated with Russian senior military leaders.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of April 3, Russian forces launched 3x missile, 17x air strikes, more than 20x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian infrastructure in various settlements. The likelihood of missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains high.

Russia continues to focus its main efforts on the offensive operations on Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Mar'inka axes. Owing to coordinated actions of the units of Ukrainian Defense Forces and the heroism of every Ukrainian soldier, more than 45x Russian attacks were repelled during the day of April 3. Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Mar'inka remain at the epicenter of the fighting.

Volyn, Polissya, Sivershchyna, and Slobozhanshchyna axes: no significant changes in the operational situation, no signs of the formation of Russian offensive groups were found. Certain units of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine. The Russian Federation continues to use the airspace and territory of the Republic of Belarus and its military infrastructure. The units of the Russian Federation's armed forces continue training at Belarusian training grounds.

Russia continues to maintain military presence in the border areas of Kursk and Belgorod oblasts (Russia).

During the day of April 3, Russian forces shelled the settlements of Zapsillya, Myropillya (Sumy oblast), Vovchans'k, Vovchans'ki Khutory, Zybyne, Volokhivka, Rublene, and Vil'khuvatka (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Kam'yanka, Petro-Ivanivka, Dvorichna, Kut'kivka, Zapadne, Masyutivka (Kharkiv oblast), Krokhmal'ne (Luhansk oblast), Terny, and Serebryanka (Donetsk oblast) came under Russian fire.
Lyman axis: during the day of April 2, Russian forces attempted to advance in the vicinities of Nevs'ke and Serebryans'ke forestry, to no success. Makiivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Vesele, Spirne, and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast) were shelled with artillery.
Bakhmut axis: Russia attempts to take full control of the city of Bakhmut, continuing the assault. The Russian invaders conducted unsuccessful offensive operations near the settlements of Orikhovo-Vasylivka and Ivanivske. During the day of April 3, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled about 20x Russian attacks in this area of the line of contact. Vasyukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Novomarkove,, Bohdanivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar, Ozarianivka, Dachne, Oleksandro-Shul'tyne, Zalizne, and New York (Donetsk oblast), among other settlements, suffered from Russian shelling.
Avdiivka and Mar'inka axes: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive operations in the vicinities of Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke, and Mar'inka. At the same time, Russian forces shelled Avdiivka, Vodyane, Sjeverne, Netaylove, Pervomais'ke, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, and Pobjeda (Donetsk oblast).
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensive operations during the day of April 3. The Russian invaders were actively using UAVs to spot for artillery fire. Russian forces shelled the settlements of Novomykhailivka, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Velyka Novosilka, and Vremivka (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: with no active operations, Russia was building up its defensive capabilities. The Russian invaders shelled settlements near the line of active combat. Among them are Ol'hivs'ke, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Bilohir'ya, Mala Tokmachka, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), and the city of Kherson.

The Russian so-called "authorities" put in office by the occupation forces in Skadovs'kyi district (Kherson oblast) have begun compiling lists of local residents who agree to be "evacuated" to the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea or the territory of Russia. So far, the "evacuation" is reported to voluntary, with women and children to be taken out first.

During the day of April 3, Ukrainian Air Force launched 5x air strikes on the concentrations of Russian personnel and military equipment. The Ukrainian defenders also shot down 1x Russian reconnaissance UAV.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that units of PMC "Wagner" continue fighting in Bakhmut. Clashes are taking place at the Northern Headquarters, and the "musicians" are also breaking into a powerful fortified area of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Airplane area. In parallel, they are expanding the occupied bridgehead in the Vodokanal area, moving northward. In addition, the "Wagnerites" control most of the AZOM industrial zone, and detachments of attack aircraft approached the Bakhmut-1 railway station.

There are no signs of withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Bakhmut. On the contrary, it is reported about the arrival of additional forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine both in the city itself and in its environs.

The situation in other directions

DPR

During the day, Ukrainian troops opened fire on Donetsk, as well as the settlements of Gorlovka and Yasinovataya. In Gorlovka, a civilian was killed, another one was wounded. One woman was injured in Donetsk, blown up by a mine "Petal".

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation during a briefing said that as a result of attacks on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donetsk, South-Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, Ukrainian troops lost about 325 servicemen, as well as a large number of military equipment. 2 enemy ammunition depots destroyed.

The allied troops continue their advance on Avdiivka, successfully blocking the roads to the city. As the acting head of the DPR, Denis Pushilin, said, it is too early to talk about the operational encirclement, but the situation for the enemy in this direction has become more complicated.

LC

The Ukrainian army lost up to 50 military personnel, 2 armored vehicles, a pickup truck and a D-30 howitzer in the Kupyansk direction during the day as a result of attacks by Russian units, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

Lisichansk came under fire from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During the attack, Ukrainian troops fired 2 shells at the city from a 155 mm artillery gun. Residential buildings were damaged.

Zaporozhye region

The Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Zaporozhye region opened a criminal case on the fact of an attempt on the life of the former head of the village of Akimovka Maxim Zubarev, whose car exploded in the morning in Melitopol. As a result of the incident, he was injured and was hospitalized in serious condition.

Vladimir Rogov, a member of the main council of the regional administration, connected the assassination attempt on Zubarev with the prospects for the official's work at the international level. According to Rogov, in a few days, Zubarev was scheduled to attend a meeting "on a high platform" provided by the Russian Foreign Ministry, where representatives of the new regions were to speak. The main goal of the event is to attract representatives of civil society to work on international platforms.

Kherson region

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kherson direction during the day amounted to 10 servicemen. Also, 2 cars and a self-propelled howitzer "Acacia" were destroyed.