Information Defence: Military-Political Situation in Ukraine as of April 16th - Ihor Zhdanov

Ihor Zhdanov, Information Defence Project, Open Policy Foundation

Informational Defence of Ukraine provides a daily review of the military-political situation in Ukraine as of April 16th, based on an analysis of open sources.

1. The Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy regions and continue counterattacks.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the russians concentrated up to 22 battalion tactical groups in the Izium area. It is possible that the enemy will intensify in the direction of Izium and Barvinkove to retreat to the rear of the Joint Forces in the area of Sloviansk.

In the Slobozhanskyi direction, theoccupiers continue fighting, e.g. their separate units of the 6th and 20th  Military Armies, the 1st Panzer Army of the Western Military District, the 35th and 36th Military Armies and the 68th Army Corps of the Eastern Military District, landing troops, coastal troops of the Baltic and Northern Fleets. The invaders continue to encircle the parts of Kharkiv and its artillery shelling.

In the Donetsk and Tavriia directions, theenemy is trying to hold the occupied territories. The main effort is to take control of Popasna and Rubizhne, establishing full control over Mariupol.

In the Pivdennyi Buh direction, theenemy is strengthening its forward positions, presumably by units of the mobilization reserve of the first and second Army Corps. It is expected that the enemy will continue to fight to reach the administrative borders of the Kherson region and resume the attacks.

Total combat losses of the enemy from February 24 to April 16 are approximately: combatants - about 20,100 people, tanks - 762 units, armored combat vehicles - 1982 units, artillery systems - 371 units,