Information Defence: Military-Political Situation in Ukraine as of April 19th - 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 19th, based on an analysis of open sources.

1. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing for the decisive battle for the Donbas area.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the Donetsk direction, near Mar’inka, because of counterattacks by Ukrainian troops, the enemy have sustained losses and retreated. Units of the Defence Forces regained control of the settlement.

In the Slobozhanskyi direction, the enemy partially blocked Kharkiv. Enemy units attempted an attack and stormed south of the city of Izium. They were unsuccessful, sustained losses and were forced to retreat to their former positions.

Fighting continues on the outskirts of Oleksandrivka on the administrative border of the Mykolaiiv and Kherson regions. The occupiers are trying to oust Ukrainian defenders from the administrative borders of the Kherson region, but have been unsuccessful.

russian enemy ships in the Black Sea operational zone have moved almost 200 km off the Ukrainian coast.

russian invaders are transferring additional anti-aircraft missile divisions of the Tor type systems, and are also deploying S-400 and S-300 anti-aircraft missile divisions in the Belgorod region.

The total combat losses of the enemy from February 24th to April 19th were approximately: combatants – approximately 20,800 people were killed, tanks - 802 units, armoured combat vehicles - 2,063 units, artillery systems - 386 units, MLRS - 132 units, air defence - 67 units, aircraft - 169 units, helicopters - 150 units, motor vehicles - 1495 units, ships / boats - 8 units,