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Russo-Ukraine War - 06 April 2024 - Day 773

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]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 28 March 2024, a Crimean Telegram channel reported that an SU-27 aircraft operating over Crimea had been shot down by Russian air defence in an incident of friendly fire. The Russian-installed Governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, stated that there was a technical failure and that the pilot survived.

Ukraine had conducted strikes against targets in Sevastopol and the Black Sea Fleet on 24 March 2024. This almost certainly led to local Russian air defence being at a heightened readiness. There have been previous unconfirmed reports of similar instances of friendly fire occurring, usually following periods of Ukrainian action against Russian forces in the illegally occupied territory. There is a realistic possibility that rather than a technical issue, the increased pressure and tension amongst Russian air defence operators induced by the fear of further Ukrainian action leads to them inadvertently engaging their own pilots and aircraft.

This event, and others if confirmed, likely highlights the lack of situational awareness and coordination between elements of the Russian armed forces, while further demonstrating the second-order impact of Ukrainian actions.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that on April 6, 50x tactical engagements were reported.

Russian forces launched a total of 8x missile and 83x air strikes, 37x MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Residential apartment blocks and private houses, educational institution, as well as other infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of the formation of Russian offensive groups were found.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Rodionivka (Sumy oblast), Ohirtseve, Kozacha Lopan', Lyptsi, and Kutuzivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Liskivshchyna, Mykhal'chyna Sloboda (Chernihiv oblast), Mohrytsya, Nova Huta, Bilovody (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan', Veterynarne, Strilecha, and Krasne (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. Although, Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kup'yans'k, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, and Borova (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Stepova Novoselivka, and Kotlyarivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 7x attacks of the adversary in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers attempted to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, and Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 10x attacks in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Vyimka, Spirne, Bohdanivka, and Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). With the air support, Russian forces attempted to improve their tactical position in that area. Also, the Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Slovyansk, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, and Hryhorivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Kalynivka, and Chasiv Yar (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x attacks in the vicinities of Novokalynove, Berdychi, and Netailove (Donetsk oblast). With the air support, Russian forces attempted to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Also, Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kalynove, Novoselivka Persha, Selydove, Arkhanhel's'ke, Berdychi, Semenivka, Ocheretyne, and Skuchne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Nnovokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Semenivka, and Nevel'se 'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka. Russian forces made 16x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense in that area. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, and Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Orikhiv axis: with the air support, the occupiers launched 2x attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast) and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Also, the adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Mala Tokmachka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Malynivka, Chervone, Bilohir'ya, Novodanylivka, and Shcherbaky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: Russia does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River. For instance, on April 6, Russian forces launched 2x unsuccessful attacks on the positions of the Ukrainian troops. The enemy shelled more than 10x settlements, including Nikopol' (Dnipropetrovsk oblast), Kherson, Zmiivka, Krynky, and Tyahynka (Kherson oblast).

On April 6, Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 14x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons, and military equipment, and 1x anti-aircraft missile system.

The Ukrainian Missile Forces hit 2x concentrations of weapons and military equipment, 1x UAV ground control station, and 1x electronic warfare station of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the previous night, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a group strike with long-range maritime and airborne precision weapons and strike drones against military industrial facilities engaged in the production and repair of armoured and motor vehicles, UAVs, military airfields, and temporary deployment areas for foreign mercenaries of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The goal of the strike has been achieved. All the assigned targets have been engaged.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces, aviation, and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 57th mechanised infantry, 103rd territorial defence brigades near Sinkovka and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were up to 35 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two motor vehicles, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forcs captured more favourable lines, and hit units of AFU 5rh assault, 79th air assault, 81st airmobile, 24th, 28th, and 53rd mechanised brigades near Antonovka, Krasnogorovka, Krasnoye, Novoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

In addition, two attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 10th Mountain Assault Brigade were repelled near Razdolovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 470 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, eight motor vehicles, one 155-mm M109 Palladin self-propelled artillery gun, one U.S-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, four 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, one 100-mm Rapira anti tank gun, and one field ammunition depot were neutralised.

In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units improved tactical situation on the front line, and repelled 12 attacks launched by units of AFU 25th airborne, 68th, 71st infantry, 24th, 47th, 115th mechanised brigades close to Novgorodskoye, Novokalinovo, Pervomayskoye, and Berdichi (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 280 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, and six motor vehicles.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one U.S.-made M109 Paladin gun, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer were neutralised.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved situation on the front line, and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 72nd mechanised infantry, 58th mechanised, and 128th territorial defence brigades close to Urozhaynoye, Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 90 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces hit manpower of AFU 65th mechanised, 35th marines brigades near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region) and Ivanovka (Kherson region).

The enemy losses were up to 35 troops, seven motor vehicles, one French-made 155-mm Caesar self-propelled artillery system, and one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged two launchers of French-Italian-made SAMP-T air defence system, as well as AFU manpower and hardware in 133 areas during the day.

Air defence systems shot down 205 AFU unmanned aerial vehicles, one French-made Hammer guided aerial bomb, as well as six HIMARS and Uragan MLRS projectiles.

In total, 583 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 19,097 unmanned aerial vehicles, 497 air defence missile systems, 15,699 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,264 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 8,692 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 20,676 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.