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Russo-Ukraine War - 09 April 2024 - Day 776

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 open source photographs from 31 March 2024 showed missile debris that had impacted in a field in Saratov Oblast, southern Russia. Initially thought to be pieces of a possible Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicle, closer inspection revealed the debris to highly likely be fragments of a Russian AS-23a KODIAK air-launched cruise missile.

It is highly likely the debris was the result of a malfunction of a KODIAK missile that was launched towards Ukraine earlier that morning. Saratov Oblast is a known launch box for Russian Long-Range Aviation bomber strikes and is the home of Engels Airfield, where several of the bombers are based.

The AS-23a KODIAK is Russia's premier precision guided munition, with a range of approximately 4,000km. It has been used extensively against Ukraine, most recently targeting energy infrastructure across the country. The highly likely malfunction of such a prestigious missile indicates issues in its production, likely impacted by sanctions and being rushed to meet the demands of the conflict.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of April 9, there were 66x tactical engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 7x missile and 73x air strikes, 81x 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, as well as other infrastructure, got destroyed and damaged.
Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the Russian adversary maintains its military presence in the Russian areas bordering Ukraine. Russia conducts subversion, continues shelling of Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the concentration of mining operations along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinity of Potykhonove (Kharkiv oblast) and the city of Kharkiv. Around 20x settlements, including Karpovychi, Semenivka, Yanzhulivka (Chernihiv oblast), Iskryskivshchyna, Fotovyzh, Bachivs'k (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan', Strilecha, Luk'yantsi (Kharkiv oblast) came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 2x attacks in the vicinities of Kyslivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Andriivka (Luhansk oblast). However, Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Novoselivs'ke (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Stepova Novoselivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x assault in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, using air attacks, attempted to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strike in the vicinities of Tverdokhlibove (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Tors'ke, Zarichne (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 25 attacks in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Rozdolivka, Chasiv Yar, Novyi, Andriivka, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, using air strikes, attempted to improve its tactical position. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Spirne, Kostyantynivka, Bila Hora, Druzhba (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, Kalynivka, Chasiv Yar (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x attacks in the vicinity of Umans'ke (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kalynove, Semenivka, Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Netailove (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Semenivka (Donetsk oblast).
Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to block Russian forces near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, east of Vodyane, Urozhaine, where Russian forces, with air support, made 20x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast).
Orikhiv axis: Russian forces, with air support, launched 3x attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast) and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast. Around 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Malynivka, Bilohir'ya, Novodanylivka, Shcherbaky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were 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. In particular during the day of April 9, Russian forces launched 1x attack on positions of the Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Krynky (Kherson oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at more than 15 settlements, including Beryslav, Ivanivka, Krynky, Novotyahynka (Kherson oblast).

During the day of April 9, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 2x anti-aircraft missile systems, 15x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment.

The Ukrainian Missile Forces hit 3x air defense system, 1x concentration of troops of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower of the AFU 57th motorised infantry, 14th and 21st mechanised brigades close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses amounted to up to 25 Ukrainian troops, two vehicles, one U.S-made 155-mm M777 howitzer and one 105-mm M119 gun, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 79th air assault, 46th, 53rd, and 54th mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Konstantinovka, Selidovo, and Chasov Yar (Donetsk People's Republic).

Moreover, four counter-attacks launched by the 5th and 92nd assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Krasnoye (Donetsk People's Republic) were repelled by the Russian troops.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine's losses included over 480 troops, seven motor vehicles, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, one UK-made 105-mm L119 gun, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one 100-mm Rapira anti-tank gun.

In Avdeyevka direction, the units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line. They repelled 11 counter-attack attacks launched by the assault groups of the 25th Airborne, 68th and 71st infantry, 59th motorised infantry, 24th, 47th, and 115th mechanised brigades of the AFU near Pervomayskoye, Novobakhmutovka, Umanskoye, and Berdychi (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses over the past day amounted to up to 240 troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, 11 motor vehicles, two 155-mm M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system and one 155-mm M777 howitzer (U.S.-made), as well as one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and inflicted fire damage on units of the AFU 58th Motorised Infantry, 72nd Mechanised brigades and 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Urozhaynoye and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

More than 110 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, one Nota electronic warfare station, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station have been neutralised during the day.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces hit manpower and hardware clusters of the AFU 65th Mechanised Brigade and 35th Marines Brigade near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region) and Ivanovka (Kherson region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 75 Ukrainian troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, five pickup trucks, and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems. Moreover, one UAV storage site was obliterated.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have neutralised one radar and engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 131 areas during the day.

Air defence systems shot down 236 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, one Neptune anti-ship missile, and 5 HIMARS MLRS projectiles during the day.

In total, 583 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 19917 unmanned aerial vehicles, 499 air defence missile systems, 15732 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1266 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8753 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 20791 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.