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UKRAINE WAR BULLETIN - April 4, 2022 - 6 p.m. EDT
Embassy of Ukraine in the USA
Wash, D.C., Mon, April 4, 2022, 6 EDT
Distributed by U.S.-Ukraine Business Council www.USUBC.org
President V.Zelenskyy: The fate of Europe as well as of the Black Sea region is being decided on the territory of Ukraine. Therefore, to protect the freedom of Ukraine and of Ukrainians is to guarantee the security in Europe.
After 2014 about 16,000 square kilometers of Luhansk and Donetsk Regions were contaminated with mines and explosive remnants of war. Today, according to preliminary estimates, contamination reaches 80,000 square kilometers of the territory of Ukraine.
We call on the world to impose sanctions on more people involved in Russia's aggression against Ukraine on the portal "War and Sanctions": https://sanctions.nazk.gov.ua/ The portal allows you to urge the world to impose sanctions on a specific person in a few clicks.
The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy opposes any cultural dialogue with the aggressor and emphasizes the importance of ending any cooperation with all Russian state institutions in the field of culture and media.
WAR ROOM
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Russian enemy continues to suffer losses in the course of full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine. During the whole Russian-Ukrainian war, from February 24, 2022 year, representatives of the military command of the armed forces of the Russian federation only twice announced the loss of personnel of Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.
Despite the so-called "official" Russian number of casualties, the losses of individual units and subdivisions of the Russian occupiers are periodically known. According to available information, the losses of the 20th Motorized Rifle Division (Kamyshin, Volgograd Region) of the 8th All-Military Army of the Southern Military District, in particular: the 33rd, 255th, 294th Motorized Rifle Regiments, which returned to their permanent locations, amounted to 40% of personnel, weapons and military equipment. As a result, a significant number of servicemen who were lucky enough to return are trying to retire.
The existing military medical facilities in Russia and Belarus do not allow for the treatment of such a significant number of wounded servicemen of the Russian occupying forces on the territory of Ukraine. Thus, the medical staff of the central district hospital in Glushkovo, Kursk region, has been transferred to an intensified duty regime. This is due to the fact that in the period from March 29 to April 2, from the territory of the Sumy region to the medical institution came about 100 wounded Russian occupiers.
In the city of Izium, due to significant losses of personnel of the 237th Tank Regiment and the 752nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division, the invaders were forced to equip a field hospital in the local school.
In the temporarily occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia region, in the town of Polohy, servicemen of the armed forces of the Russian federation seized and mined the inner territory of the central district hospital. Staff and patients were warned not to return to the hospital. The wounded Russian occupiers remained in the hospital.
A Russian military leadership is trying to make up for the existing losses of officers using the officers of higher military educational institutions. According to the available information, the Military Academy of the Signal Corps in saint Petersburg (Russia) is urgently training officers to replace positions in military units.
The situation in the Siversky direction has not changed. Elimination of the consequences of the activities of the Russian occupation forces continues.
In Slobozhanshchina, in the city of Izyum, the enemy is carrying out filtration measures and forcible removal of local residents to the territory of a Russian federation.
Fighting continues in the territories of the Kherson oblast temporarily occupied by Russian occupiers. Around Nova Kakhovka, Russian enemy increased the passing procedures at the checkpoints.
The Russian invaders resort to detaining civilians and forcing them into engineering equipment positions. Cases of illegal seizure of vehicles from the population have become more frequent.
Address by Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov
The Kyiv region was liberated from the enemy. The enemy is also retreating in Chernihiv and Sumy regions to regroup forces and change the direction of the strikes.
This indisputably evidences that the Kremlin`s plans were thwarted.
At the same time, our hearts are filled with pain for hundreds of civilians who were brutally executed by Russian soldiers.
Shots in the back of the heads of men and women with their hands tied are utterly inhuman. These killings are not perceived as part of the war. It is even hard to qualify them as terrorism or crime.
They are the essence, the nature of these mad butchers that invaded our land. This is what the SS troops used to do in the past.
This evil simply cannot go unpunished.
Our intelligence is consistently identifying all invaders and killers. All of them! And each killer will at his own time get what he “deserves”.
We bow our heads to our soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the capital from this scourge.
Heavy fighting now continues in Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Our troops are pressing on the occupiers in Kherson region. Chernihiv remains in a difficult situation. The defenders of Mariupol, who have already become the legends of today, are fighting heroically.
Full text: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/287665420213210
Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine
Russian occupants shelled residential buildings in Kharkiv. As a result, about ten houses and a trolleybus depot were damaged. According to preliminary information, seven people were killed and 34 injured, including three children.
https://www.facebook.com/pgo.gov.ua/posts/343538574475649
Russian forces, in disregard of international humanitarian law, launched a rocket attack on a critical infrastructure facility in Ternopil. There are no military facilities in the area.
https://www.facebook.com/pgo.gov.ua/posts/343680574461449
Russian armed forces soldiers, during the occupation of the Konotop region, detained a local resident, tied him up and then tortured, after which they shot him in the chest. His body was left on the outskirts of the village with his Ukrainian passport next to it.
https://www.facebook.com/pgo.gov.ua/posts/343719954457511
Shelling and mining of cities in Luhansk region - pre-trial investigations launched
Prosecutors of the Luhansk Regional Prosecutor's Office provide procedural guidance in ten criminal proceedings on violations of the laws and customs of war (Part 1, Part 2, Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
According to the investigation, from March 28 to April 2, 2022, servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and members of Russian-controlled illegal armed groups fired on Girske, Severodonetsk, Popasna, Kreminna and Lysychansk. According to preliminary information, three civilians were killed and two others were injured. Apartment and private houses, garages and cars were damaged.
Pre-trial investigations into criminal proceedings have been entrusted to investigators from the Severodonetsk District Police Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Luhansk Oblast.
Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine
Marina Lazebna, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, said that groups of 413 children from vulnerable categories with accompanying persons have been evacuated to Switzerland, Germany, Poland and Turkey in recent days.
These are children from orphanages of Boyarka and Kamyanka, children from Dnipropetrovsk region, children from the Kryvyi Rih orphanage. More than a third of the evacuees are groups of children and accompanying persons from foster families, family-type orphanages, and foster families.
"We are constantly working and expanding cooperation with partner countries to evacuate children of vulnerable categories. We work with those countries whose governments create the necessary conditions and control the satisfaction of all the needs of Ukrainian children. In the first days, we evacuated most of the children to Poland. Now the geography has expanded significantly.
Accompanying persons are obliged to register children within one working day at the consular office of Ukraine in the host country.
The consular office is obliged to inform the National Social Service about the registration of children within one working day through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The National Social Service monitors their stay abroad and their return to Ukraine after the situation stabilizes.
POLICY
President of Ukraine
Speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Romanian Parliament
A few hours ago I returned from the liberated cities of the Kyiv region - near our capital. It is these territories from which we expelled the Russian occupiers and saw what they had been doing to the Ukrainian people on our land. And I want you to see it now. What the occupiers left behind. I apologize - the video is brutal, but it's a reality...
The name of our city of Bucha is now forever in world history. In the history of war crimes. In the history of the extermination of people. As of now, we know about more than 300 civilians tortured, executed or otherwise killed in Bucha. Ordinary residents of an ordinary city near Kyiv. Their hands were tied behind their backs, they were shot in the back of the head or in the eye, killed just in the streets. Civilian vehicles were crushed by military equipment. Vehicles with people! They raped women and girls...
And this is just the beginning of the investigation. Not all evidence has been collected yet. Not all burials have been discovered yet. Not all basements where the Russian military tortured people have been inspected yet. There is every reason to believe that the number of killed residents of Bucha and other Ukrainian cities nearby will be much higher than what we know today.
Why did the Russian military do that?
On the same day, April 3, when the world was horrified to see the bodies of those killed in Bucha, an article justifying the genocide of Ukrainians was published on the website of the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. Its name is quite eloquent; I quote: "What should Russia do with Ukraine". And it's not just text. This is one of the proofs for the future tribunal against Russian war criminals.
The article describes a clear and calculated procedure for the destruction of everything that makes Ukrainians Ukrainians and our people themselves. Those whom they will not be able to break and conquer. It is said that "de-Ukrainization" and "de-Europeanization" of Ukraine should be carried out. It is said that even the name of our state should be erased. Virtually, it is said that the deaths of as many of our people in the war are only welcomed.
Together we must stop these inadequate people who are accustomed to impunity and therefore decided that they are allowed absolutely everything. Together we must stop those who want genocide in Europe.
Why must we do this together?
Each of you understands that Ukraine is not the last target of Russian aggression. Troops of occupiers are stubbornly trying to bypass our city of Mykolaiv to try to seize Odesa. And from Odesa there is one step to Moldova.
Russian state propagandists have long said that Moldova is also a target for Russian expansion. Therefore, the defense of Ukrainians of their own state is a fundamental prerequisite for security and independence of Moldova. And therefore a prerequisite for peace in the whole large region of the Danube.
Now the fate of the whole of Eastern and Central Europe and the Black Sea region is being decided on the territory of Ukraine. Therefore, to protect the freedom of Ukraine, to protect the freedom of Ukrainians is to guarantee the security of Europe.
The European Union must finally adopt a principled decision and close ports to Russian ships.
Stop the transit of goods and any economic activity with Russia. Restricting the flow of money for Russian energy has no alternative.
Today, I reached an agreement with the European Union on the provision of financial and technical support to the Eurojust Joint Investigation Team, EU member states and the International Criminal Court.
I believe that Romania's leadership will be one of the decisive factors in restoring justice and protecting normal life both in our region and in Europe as a whole.
I am confident that Romania and Romanian companies will also take part in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction program. We invite our partners in Europe to take patronage over a city, region or industry that has suffered from Russia's aggression. Your potential, your inner strength can create a new example of leadership in building a civilized and peaceful life.
I am sincerely grateful to all the Romanian people for their kind treatment of Ukrainian immigrants who have found safety on your land. I hope that together we will be able to create such conditions as soon as possible, when Russia will give up the war, and so our people will be able to return home to Ukraine. And this experience of assistance in emergency situations, mutual respect, kindness between our people has already become the basis for even greater rapprochement of our states, our nations.
As soon as the situation allows, I want to start a dialogue with you on a new comprehensive agreement that guarantees the absolute protection and development of our national minorities - the Ukrainian community in Romania and the Romanian community in Ukraine.
Because our destiny is to be as close as we can. Our destiny is to be defenders of freedom in our region. Our destiny is to be together in the European family.
And I believe that very soon I will be able to address you with words of gratitude for Romania's support for Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
Delaying the negotiation process by Russia will have negative consequences - President of Ukraine
Peace in Ukraine is impossible without victory, and victory can be achieved through diplomacy simultaneously with the fighting of the Ukrainian army. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with international and Ukrainian journalists in Bucha, Kyiv region.
The Head of State noted that the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Russia met in Turkey, but the meeting ended in vain. He stressed that the delay in the negotiation process by Russia will have negative consequences for this country.
"Every day, when our troops come in and de-occupy certain territories, you see what is happening. It's very difficult to talk when you see what they've done here. Every day people are found there in barrels, in cellars, strangled, tortured. Therefore, we believe that if they have something to think of, they need to think faster," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
The President expressed conviction that peace would be established in Ukraine in any case, because our modern European country cannot live in war.
"We strive for peace, we deserve it. And these people showed it, and the Armed Forces showed it. Peace is impossible without victory. Victory can be achieved in a diplomatic format simultaneously with the fighting steps of our army. Our army demonstrates its decisive steps on a daily basis, but it is not easy. We do not want to lose millions of people. That is why there should be dialogue," the Head of State underline.
Prime Minister of Ukraine
More than 350 enterprises are already being transferred to safe places and 90 companies have started working. Ukrainian industry survived its first shock and production is being restored where possible. Almost all enterprises located in Right-bank Ukraine today work, pay taxes and save jobs.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
Today, April 4, is commemorated as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
In 2022, this day for Ukraine we hold under relentless bomb attacks, artillery shelling against the background of other horrific crimes of the Russian federation with the use of prohibited and weapons which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects, which increases the danger of mines in dozens of times.
After the full-scale Russian invasion to Ukraine on 24th February, 2022, the problem of mines and explosive remnants of the war became particularly acute, although Russia has been continuously spreading them over Ukrainian land for the last 8 years.
After the first wave of Russian armed aggression against Ukraine in 2014, about 16,000 square kilometers of Luhansk and Donetsk Regions were contaminated with mines and ERW. Today, according to preliminary estimates, contamination reaches 80,000 square kilometers of the territory of Ukraine.
The Russian occupants relentlessly continue to bring death and maims to the Ukrainian soil. While the entire civilized world is abandoning and banning anti-personnel landmines, Russia is increasing their use in Ukraine and even testing new types of anti-personnel mines such as POM-3 (Medallion) and others.
The Russian federation is in war not only with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but also fights against the civilian population of Ukraine, grossly violating the Law of war. While retreat Russia's military personnel is massively setting up booby-traps, banned by the international law, even on food facilities, private housing and human corpses.
The war crimes of the Russian occupants are committed even against Ukrainian children. Invaders deliberately mine toys and shiny objects that kids can turn on their attention. That is how they want to kill our future.
Unfortunately, due to Russia's full-scale war, much of the work already accomplished on the demining of the territories together with the international partners has been nullified. At the same time, the urgency of educational activities is growing. Mine risk education that ordinary Ukrainians, primarily children, have managed to receive since 2014 would save many more lives. We extend our gratitude to our partners from HALO Trust, DDG, FSD and other international organizations and look forward for their further assistance.
Right away, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service and other structures, risking their lives on a daily basis, carry out demining operations in the liberated territories. However, the main work will begin after the complete withdrawal of the Russian troops from Ukraine.
Meanwhile, we urge Ukrainians to be as vigilant as possible, remembering the danger of mines in order to save their own lives - the highest value for our state.
We also call upon the world community to strengthen its support for Ukraine and to take all measures to bring Ukraine closer to victory over the Russian invaders, which will stop the catastrophic increase in the number of victims of mines and explosive remnants of war in the heart of Europe.
We call on the world to impose sanctions on more people involved in Russia's aggression against Ukraine on the portal "War and Sanctions": https://sanctions.nazk.gov.ua/ The portal allows you to urge the world to impose sanctions on a specific person in a few clicks.
For this:
- find the right person on the list (https://sanctions.nazk.gov.ua/sanction-person-warning/)
- click on your favorite social network icon
There is available on the portal information about:
● those sanctioned after February 22th, 2022, in connection with the beginning of full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation
● those on whom sanctions have been proposed
It will soon be possible to review the list of sanctioned legal entities, information on sanctions imposed due to the war in Ukraine since 2014, and data on the assets of persons involved in the military aggression of the Russian Federation.
More about the portal: https://cutt.ly/JD4JTdS
Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine
Position of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine on the termination of cultural dialogue with the aggressor.
The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy opposes any cultural dialogue with the aggressor. During the war, until the full withdrawal of troops, we emphasize the importance of cancellation of any cooperation with all Russian state institutions in the field of culture and media, as well as with those representatives of the Russian federation abroad who openly support the Putin regime's war and who do not consider it necessary to express a clear position by silencing the war in Ukraine.
In addition, we urge to refrain from cooperating in any projects with those cultural figures who, in violation of Ukrainian law, crossed the borders of the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories - Luhansk or Donetsk regions and Crimea.
During the war, no Russian-Ukrainian reconciliation through culture is possible. Under no circumstances. Any statements about "fraternal peoples" and common culture are only manipulative, which we at the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy strongly urge to perceive as degrading the subjectivity of the Ukrainian people and its own cultural heritage.
The Kremlin uses culture as a propaganda tool, following the example of the Nazis. Attempts now, during the active hostilities on our land, to give the floor to the representatives of the aggressor and Ukraine on the same platforms – is an attempt to level the horrors of war, legitimizing Russian propaganda narratives about Ukraine. The participation of Ukrainian artists in joint projects with Russians under the slogan "we are for peace" is an attempt to manipulate the real causes of the war in Ukraine unleashed by the Putin regime.
We emphasize that the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine does not support such formats of events. At the same time, we appeal to Ukrainian artists abroad to be the voice of their own Ukrainian culture on world stages and discussion platforms.
At the same time, we note that we do not call for the isolation of those members of the Russian cultural community who share democratic values, publicly condemn the war in Ukraine, call things by their names and say that political responsibility for aggression in Ukraine lies with the Russian federation. Ukraine is the European state based on democratic values. However, the focus must not be shifted from reality: the hard struggle that the Ukrainian people have been waging for many years for their independence and identity, and the crimes that Russia is currently committing against Ukrainians.
