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UKRAINE WAR BULLETIN - May 11, 2022 - 6 p.m. EDT
Embassy of Ukraine in the USA
Wash, D.C., Tue, May 11, 2022, 6 pm EDT
Distributed by U.S.-Ukraine Business Council www.USUBC.org
WAR ROOM
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 11.05
personnel - about 26350 (+350),
tanks ‒ 1187 (+17),
APV ‒ 2856 (+48),
artillery systems – 528 (+9),
MLRS - 185 (+0),
Anti-aircraft warfare systems - 87 (+0),
aircraft – 199 (+0),
helicopters – 160 (+2),
UAV operational-tactical level - 390 (+10),
cruise missiles - 94 (+0),
warships / boats - 12 (+0),
vehicles and fuel tanks - 1997 (+17),
special equipment - 41 (+0).
Russian enemy suffered the greatest losses (of the past day) at the Novopavlivsk, Kurakhiv and Severodonetsk directions.
The seventy-seventh day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to a Russian military invasion continues.
Russian enemy does not cease offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone in order to establish full control over the territory of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson oblasts and maintain the land corridor between these territories and the occupied Crimea.
The greatest activity of the occupiers is observed in Slobozhansky and Donetsk directions.
In the Volyn, Polissya and Siversky directions, the situation will remain without significant changes.
In the Slobozhansky direction, Russian enemy operates in a group consisting of separate units of the 6th Combined Arms Army of the Western Military District, the 41st Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District, and the coastal troops of the Baltic and Northern Fleets. The occupiers continue to focus their efforts on preventing the further advance of our troops towards the state border of Ukraine, conducting reconnaissance units of the Defence Forces north and north-east of the city of Kharkiv.
In the Izyum direction, a group of separate units of the 1st Panzer Army and the 20th All-Military Army of the Western Military District, the 29th, 35th, 36th All-Military Armies and the 68th Army Corps of the Eastern Military District and Airborne Troops focuses its main efforts on inflicting fire damage on our units in a certain area.
In the Donetsk direction, the group of occupying troops is concentrating its main efforts on continuing the offensive in order to take full control of the city of Rubizhne, capture the settlements of Lyman and Severodonetsk.
It does not stop assaults on the Lyman, Severodonetsk, Bakhmut, Avdiyev, and Kurakhiv areas with the support of artillery and jet artillery units.
In the city of Mariupol, the enemy is blocking our units near the Azovstal plant. With the support of artillery and tank fire conducts assault operations. Inflicts rocket and bomb strikes.
In the South Buh and Tavriya directions, Russian enemy units are trying to improve their tactical position.
In the Mykolayiv direction the enemy continues to carry out attacks of a position of defenders of Ukraine.
The enemy uses electronic warfare systems to suppress radio channels.
In the Kryvyi Rih direction, it fired on artillery units of our troops.
In order to consolidate the occupied territory, it carries out engineering works and creates new positions in the areas of the settlements of Bruskinske and Velyka Oleksandrivka.
In the Tavriya direction, it conducts demonstration actions in order to restrain the actions of units of the Defence Forces, improves the engineering equipment of its positions, and replenishes its reserves.
In the Bessarabian direction, the situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova remains tense.
Units of the task force of the Russian troops continue to be in combat readiness "Full".
Russian enemy continues to destroy Ukraine's civilian infrastructure by launching missile and bomb strikes and carrying out artillery shelling of settlements and infrastructure.
The constant shelling by Russian troops does not allow for a full-fledged evacuation of civilians and wounded from the war zone.
During the previous day, the air defence units of the Air Force and the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit four UAVs of the Orlan-10 type. In addition, one of the brigades of the assault troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed one Russian Mi-24 helicopter.
The air force in certain directions continued to fire at the enemy from the air and to support the fighting of our troops.
In the Donetsk and Luhansk oblast, defenders of Ukraine repulsed twelve enemy attacks, destroyed twelve tanks, four artillery systems, nineteen units of armoured combat vehicles, seven cars and two units of special engineering equipment of the enemy.
788 cruise and ballistic missiles from the territory of the Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus have been launched on Ukraine since February 24, informed Brigadier General Oleksiy Hromov, Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at a press conference in Media Center Ukraine.
As of 6 o'clock today (06:00, May 11, 2022), 487 missile strikes have been carried out by the Russian armed forces since the beginning of full-scale combat warfare.
Iskander (9K720 (SS-26 Stone) mobile operational-tactical ballistic missile system - 213 missiles, Tochka - U (9K79OTR (SS-21 Scarab)) mobile operational-tactical ballistic missile system - 61 missiles, naval-based and air-based cruise missiles - 235 missiles, 4,917 air sorties were made.
The main targets of Russians were the objects of transport infrastructure of the southern and eastern regions of the state, but they also repeatedly fired on other objects of critical infrastructure of social significance.
Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights
Russian military torture Ukrainian civilians taken hostage. The occupiers posted a video of the interrogation of Serhiy Moroz, a resident of Oleshky in Kherson Region, who was abducted by them. The video shows beatings and torture with the use of electric current. The video is another proof of war crimes committed by the Russian Federation.
The aggressor does not give wounded servicemen a chance to survive. Russian invaders have already destroyed the second military underground hospital at Azovstal. According to the commander of the Azov Kyiv regiment, Maksym Zhoryn, this happened 2 days ago after a massive enemy strike, which resulted in the death of 10 people, military and civilians being wounded.
Due to the threat of infection caused by a lack of antibiotics, medical instruments and sterile dressings, even with minor wounds, medics have been forced to amputate limbs. The wounded are slowly dying due to lack of medicine.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk confirmed that there are more than a thousand defenders of Ukraine in Mariupol at the Azovstal plant surrounded by Russian occupiers. Among them are hundreds of wounded in need of medical assistance.
As of 11 May 2022, the Russian army continues to blockade Ukrainian units near the Azovstal plant - supported by artillery and tank fire and missile and bomb attacks. The wounded need urgent evacuation!
https://www.facebook.com/denisovaombudsman/posts/538624244285519
Deputy Prime Minister
Iryna Vereshchuk stated that as of now, it is impossible to unblock Azovstal by military means.
Defenders of Azovstal do not want to surrender. It is worthy of respect. The Russians do not agree to the "extraction".
The government is working on different options. As a first step, we offered to Russians the exchange of our seriously injured guys from Azovstal along the humanitarian corridor. Instead, we hand over Russian prisoners according to the standard rules of prisoner exchange.
There is no agreement yet. Negotiations are ongoing.
POLICY
President of Ukraine
Address by President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy to Ukrainians
First. The House of Representatives of the United States Congress voted for a new and significant package of support for our state and global democracy. Almost $ 40 billion. A second vote will be held soon in the U.S. Senate. This decision will then be signed by President Biden and will take effect.
I am grateful to the people of America and to all our friends in Congress and Administration for their support.
What exactly is positive? These funds will be used as quickly as possible and without bureaucracy to strengthen Ukraine's defense. First of all, it is weapons and ammunition for us, equipment. But not only that. It is also a support for the investigation of war crimes of the Russian Federation, the occupiers, support for diplomatic work and more.
The second decision is important and even historic. This is an update of America's famous Lend-Lease program. People who remember history well know that Lend-Lease was one of the key preconditions for the Allied victory in World War II. Lend-Lease assistance from the United States to the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union has dramatically changed the balance of power in Europe. Europeans then received a wide range of products under Lend-Lease - from aircraft to trucks, from aviation fuel to communication means. By the way, American radio stations and other things provided under Lend-Lease worked for the Soviet people long after the war. For decades. Hitler's Germany, even with all the resources in the occupied territories, could do nothing to counter this potential of the Allies on the basis of American productive capacities.
And it is no coincidence that the new Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act was signed on May 9. I am personally grateful to President Biden for this support, for this decision and for such symbolism.
Because we are now defending freedom and the right to life for all free nations in the war against tyranny, which poses no less of a threat to Europe than it did 80 years ago.
Simply put, Lend-Lease is a scheme to give us everything we need for defense. Although formally it is like a loan, in fact it is so profitable that it is incorrect to call it a loan.
Firstly, we will have access to modern weapons, ammunition, equipment, and we do not need to look for options to pay for it all.
Secondly, now the President of the United States will not have to agree with Congress on the assistance he provides. This will speed up the delivery.
And there is one more thing that should be said separately. Ukraine is constantly discussing security guarantees for itself with our friends in a very substantive way. The G7 meeting on May 8, in which our state took part for the first time at the level of leaders, was first and foremost about that. We are negotiating with the world's leading nations to give Ukraine confidence in security for decades to come.
This is the first time in the history of our state when it is possible to fix such guarantees. Not something in the memorandum, not some declarative desire for some kind of course, but specific guarantees. Not only legally significant, but also spelled out so that it is clear: what exactly, who exactly and how exactly guarantees us. God willing.
Of course, all these things will not work in one or several days. But I am sure that this May will be of special significance in Ukrainian history.
Yes, Russian troops are stillon our land. Those outcasts whom the Russian state has found for itself as collaborators make statements of cosmic scale and cosmic stupidity, as their level was characterized in "Heart of a Dog". But no matter what the occupiers do, it doesn't mean anything. They stand no chance. I am confident that we will liberate our land and people. By the way, today in communication with students of French universities I felt such confidence in their questions. And with new support from the United States, with Lend-Lease, with all the help we get from the UK and the European Union, from Canada, Japan, Australia – without exaggeration, from the whole free world – it will be easier for us.
I also spoke today with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. On defense assistance to Ukraine, energy cooperation and new sanctions. New – against Russia. Step by step, we are doing everything to make the aggressor most hurt by aggression.
However, speaking about the help of partners, we must not forget that victory is gained directly by Ukrainians who are fighting. By all who beat the enemy and strengthen the defense.
Just yesterday, 404 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were awarded state awards.
The title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously) was awarded to Colonel Ihor Bedzay, Chief of the Aviation Security Service - Senior Inspector-Pilot of the Naval Command. In total, more than 13,000 of our servicemen received state awards during the full-scale war.
Speech by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to students of leading French universities
Today is the 77th day of Russia's full-scale war against our state. It happens 77 years after the end of the largest war in Europe - World War II.
When that war ended, political leaders and nations sought to create a security architecture that would make it impossible to repeat the war in Europe. Europeans have done a lot to ensure that the continent always has the opportunity to resolve any issues through dialogue.
By the way, the contribution of students, including French students, to such changes in Europe is extremely significant. Since May 1968, there has been no politician who would not fear that people would come to him and say: it is forbidden to forbid. But why, despite all this, do we in Europe now have no tool to stop Russian aggression, except the courage and wisdom of Ukrainians who defend our state?
How did it happen that the whole security architecture that was created in Europe after World War II did not work and to a large extent did not even try?
77 days of brutal Russian war, which can truly be called a total war to destroy the Ukrainian people. Cities and villages in Ukraine were destroyed. There is nothing left of the city of Volnovakha in Donbas. Before this war about 20 thousand people lived there. At least 20,000 Mariupol residents were killed by Russian strikes at the city. Unfortunately, there are many such examples in Ukraine.
Today, 12 million people have been forced to flee the war and become IDPs. More than 10,000 Russian military crimes have been recorded. This is just what is legally recorded as of this day.
Why there are no global or European institutions enough now to stop this war?
You know, I don't want these questions to remain rhetorical. These questions really need to be answered, because these questions are actually about you and me, about Europe. About how we all live.
I was told that the rules of our meeting today provide the opportunity to 5 students to ask certain questions. I think this is an unfair regulation. Five questions are not enough to understand a person and the situation. It will look like a privilege for a few when thousands listen to us. I understand that you and I have limited time.
I'm also interested in asking you questions to hear what you think. So that it is really communication.
For example, about NATO and the architecture of world security. About the 5th article of the Treaty. For years, Europe has feared Ukraine's accession to NATO, because if a war broke out with Russia - they said so - everyone would have to fight against it. I would rather say - for Ukraine.
But isn't that the point of NATO? Isn't that all for one? If Russia goes further, will NATO fight against Russia, for example, for Latvia? Will Article 5 work then, given that most of you have never been to Latvia and may not even have ties to that country?
Another aspect to this is Russia has already started a war against Ukraine, but we are not in NATO. And then why are we not in the EU? Russia has already started a war. And you see how it fights.
Why does our common European home still have an internal division between those who were admitted and Ukraine? Which is behind the door, but at the same time fighting, defending European, the EU values.
My second question to you: why did one person, Vladimir Putin, decide to start a war? It was a wrong and catastrophic decision. But why did he still approve it?
Is there now in Europe a man or woman who can also start such a war against neighbors? Of course, I don't want that for anyone. But are you protected from this?
One more question - why did the Russian military, when occupying the territory of Ukraine, torment people with such pleasure and so massively? Why didn't they just shoot or capture or kill people like in war. Why did they rape and torture people? Why did Russian soldiers rape children in front of their parents? How can you - already adults - explain this? In your opinion, did they have just such an order or are they just like that?
During World War II, the Nazis committed horrific crimes against all the nations of Europe. In particular, against Ukrainians and Russians. Why did the Russian military, when they came to Ukraine, start doing what the Nazis did? How did this become possible?
My next question to you is: when will justice be restored? Why is there still no tool in the world that can bring all war criminals to justice quickly?
Of course, our state will do everything to bring to justice every war criminal. I am grateful to everyone who helps us. In particular, France. But there is an aspect of time. When will murderers and torturers receive sentences? How to get them for trial, if they hide in Russia and if nothing changes there?
There are many people of the future and different professions among you, and there are lawyers among you. Let them find the answer.
So what can we do to speed up international justice? What punishment do these criminals deserve? Specifically which one? What could be enough punishment for raping a child or shooting cars with refugees right on the roads just for fun? There were hundreds and thousands of such cases.
My fifth question to you is not difficult but personal. What influences politics and what influences the decision whether to engage in politics? Are you ready to get involved in politics? Would you like your father to be President? President of a state that defends itself in war and fights not just for independence, but literally for the right to life for its people? Or President of France - a state in peace?
I want to explain my feelings to you. The feelings when you have a double responsibility - both for the state, because you are the President, and for your family, which found itself in a very special situation.
When I decided to run for president, my daughter (she’s now 18) was against it - totally. She was aware of how much life would change. It is a question of publicity, security, certain responsibility - of the children of the President already. How would you feel now if you were the son or daughter of the President?
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on Russia's attempts to sell stolen Ukrainian grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine on the international market
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns the Russian Federation's actions in disposing of grain that was illegally seized from Ukrainian farmers. Russian occupants are stealing Ukrainian grain and either consuming it themselves or attempting to sell it on international markets.
The plunder of food supplies from the territory of an independent sovereign state is one of the aspects of looting.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine warned consumer countries that grain consignments exported by Russia could contain stolen grain obtained as a result of Russian occupation authorities' plundering. Any country that knowingly purchases stolen grain is considered to be complicit in the crime.
The occupants have already seized at least 400-500 thousand tons of grain worth more than 100 million dollars, according to the Ukrainian government. Almost all grain-laden ships departing from Sevastopol transport stolen Ukrainian commodities.
Numerous testimonies from the Ukrainian farmers and documentary evidence show Russia's theft of Ukrainian grain:
· Order of the so-called "Berdyansk City Hall" No 10-n dated 07.05.2022 on the seizure of private-owned wheat and barley.
· Press release dated 27.04.2022 from the Legislative Assembly of the Russian Federation's Krasnoyarsk Territory No 379 (13593) on the decision of the Committee on Rural Affairs and Agricultural Policy to expropriate crops from farmers in the temporarily occupied Kherson region. In the document, the committee's chairman, Vladislav Zyryanov, also stated that the Russian authorities intend to extend this approach to other parts of Ukraine.
· Proposals of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia to postpone for a year the implementation of the federal state information system for tracing the provenance of grain and grain products. The introduction of FDIS "Grain," developed by the Russian "Center for Agroanalytics," was intended to establish control over the use of food resources in Russia, but due to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, the system became unsuitable for Russia due to the need to account for illegally exported grain from the Ukraine's territory.
The criminal seizure, export and consumption of Ukrainian is another example of Russia's destructive acts, which, in particular, contravene the fundamental principles of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – achieving food security for all and overcoming hunger. The aggressor state's policy puts into doubt the relevance of its participation in FAO and other international organizations.
We demand that Russia stop illicit grain stealing, unblock Ukrainian ports, restore freedom of navigation, and allow trade ships to pass. We urge the international community to strengthen economic sanctions against Russia in order to stop its military aggression against Ukraine, to avert a humanitarian disaster and the world's food security crisis.
