Ukraine: WAR BULLETIN May 5, 6.00 pm EST The seventy-first day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to a Russian military invasion continues.
Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations
WAR BULLETIN
May 5, 6.00 pm EST
WAR ROOM
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 05.05 were approximate:
personnel – about 24700 (+200),
tanks ‒ 1092 (+15),
APV ‒ 2651 (+41),
artillery systems – 499 (+8),
MLRS – 169 (+6),
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 83 (+2),
aircraft – 196 (+2),
helicopters – 155 (+0),
vehicles and fuel tanks – 1907 (+40),
boats / cutters – 10 (+0),
UAV operational-tactical level – 312 (+9).
special equipment – 38 (+0).
cruise missiles – 89 (+2).
Russian enemy suffered the greatest losses (of the past day) in the Popasna direction.
Data are being updated.
The seventy-first day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to a Russian military invasion continues.
The enemy does not stop conducting offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone in order to establish full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and maintain the land corridor with the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea.
At the same time, the enemy is provoking tensions in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. Carries out a regrouping of troops in certain areas, and takes measures to replenish reserves. the enemy is trying to improve the tactical position of his units.
In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy continues to shell the city of Kharkiv and reconnoitre the positions of units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine. In the area north of the city of Izyum continues artillery and mortar shelling.
Russian artillery shelling along the line of contact continues in the Donetsk and Tavriya directions. The enemy uses operational-tactical and army aircraft to launch missile and bomb strikes in order to restrain the actions of Ukrainian troops.
The enemy units are trying to conduct offensive operations in the Lyman, Severodonetsk and Popasnyansk areas, but have been unsuccessful.
In the Avdiiv and Kurakhiv directions, the enemy continues to shell the positions of the defenders of Ukraine.
In the Mariupol area, the occupiers are focusing their efforts on blocking and trying to destroy Ukrainian units in the Azovstal area. With the support of aircraft, the enemy resumed the offensive in order to take control of the plant.
According to available information, some servicemen of the 38th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 35th Combined Arms Army of the Eastern Military District, after being taken to the recovery area, due to significant personnel losses, refused to continue participating in hostilities in Ukraine. The mentioned servicemen are in the area near the Ukrainian-Russian border and are waiting to be transferred to the Russian Federation.
Units of the 2nd Army Corps of the 8th Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District, located in the village of Svativskyi district of Luhansk oblast, staffed by locals from nearby settlements have low morale and psychological condition, significant problems with weapons and equipment and not ready to perform tasks.
The enemy did not conduct active hostilities in the South Buh area. It fired missiles and bombs at the positions of Ukrainian troops and the infrastructure of the region.
Due to the successful actions of Ukrainian defenders, the enemy lost control over several settlements on the border of the Mykolayiv and Kherson regions.
On the previous day, the air defence units of the Air Force and the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine had hit nine air targets: four UAVs (two of them anti-aircraft missile units of the Land Forces) and three enemy cruise missiles. Two planes were also hit. Previously – Su-30 fighters. The information is being clarified.
Eleven enemy attacks were repulsed in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts over the past 24 hours, five tanks, seven units of armoured combat vehicles and five units of enemy vehicles were destroyed.
In the temporarily occupied territories, occupiers continue to steal the products of agricultural enterprises and accuse the Government of Ukraine of creating a humanitarian catastrophe in the territory controlled by the occupiers. The invaders imitate humanitarian activities with the demonstrative distribution of food kits and medicines to local residents.
The enemy continues to launch missile strikes on transport infrastructure to prevent the movement of humanitarian aid and military-technical assistance.
The use of mortars and artillery along almost the entire line of contact continues.
Engineering equipment for positions in the border areas of the Kursk region continues in the Seversky direction.
In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy tried to restore the lost positions near the city of Kharkiv, and made an unsuccessful attempt to attack near the settlement of Stary Saltiv.
Due to the constant sanitary losses of personnel, the enemy is increasing the system of medical support of troops, using a network of civilian medical institutions in the temporarily occupied territories of Kharkiv region. The occupiers built a hospital on the basis of Kupyansk City Hospital.
The enemy does not stop trying to improve the tactical position of its units in the area of the city of Izyum, carries out artillery shelling of nearby settlements, and it has no success.
Due to heavy losses, Russians withdrew units from the 4th Tank Division of the 1st Tank Army and the 106th Airborne Division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to rebuild.
In the Donetsk direction, the enemy tried to capture Popasna, take full control of the city of Rubizhne and provide favorable conditions for the continuation of the offensive in the direction of the cities of Lyman and Severodonetsk, but was unsuccessful.
In the South Bug area, Russian enemy focused on fortifying positions and replenishing ammunition, fuel, and logistics.
Administrative and policy measures are underway in the temporarily occupied territories. Russian occupiers continue to carry out filtering measures against local residents, preventing evacuations to the territory controlled by the UkraiFnian authorities. At the same time, Russian occupiers are taking measures to replenish persFonnel losses through accelerated training of military servicemen under contract.
State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection
Russian invaders are trying to leave Ukrainians in occupied areas with no access to true information. Residents of Kherson region and a part of Zaporizhzhia region were left without communication last week. Due to enemy shelling, the fiber optic network was damaged and a number of exchange points de-energized in Kherson.
“As of the morning May 4, mobile service operators have restored communication in Kherson city and region by using backup power lines. Terrestrial communication service has also been restored,” the State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection (SSSCIP) Head Yurii Shchyhol reports.
He has also informed about the cases of re-routing fiber-optic lines and comm stations by the occupants to connect Ukrainian internet users to the Russian network.
“This is a gross violation of international law. We have already requested the International Telecommunication Union to impose appropriate sanctions on the Russian Federation and cancel the aggressor country’s membership in the Union,” Yuii Shchyhol points out.
The SSSCIP Head is convinced that communications will be restored in all the territories, currently controlled by Russians. It will happen right after these territories are either liberated or the network operators can access the infrastructure. Ukraine will never abandon its people.
Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights
The occupiers plan to block access to Instagram and Facebook in the Kherson region.
The media reported that in the territory of the Kherson region temporarily occupied by Russian troops, the occupiers plan to block local residents from accessing social networks, including Instagram and Facebook.
Such actions will significantly complicate the communication of citizens with their relatives and friends.
It will also significantly limit the ability of citizens to access socially important information from government agencies, especially about the danger to life and health.
Such actions violate Articles 8 and 10 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
The largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine and Europe Zaporizhzhya NPP (ZNPP) has been under the control of the Russian military for over 2 months.
Russia is under constant pressure and harassment of ZNPP personnel, in particular, the station’s management is prohibited from leaving the city of Energodar.
As a result of such actions by the Russian Federation, a meeting of the Council of Chief Engineers of NNEGC Energoatom, which addressed urgent issues of physical safety of nuclear facilities, nuclear and radiation safety and repairs of nuclear facilities, was held without the participation of a representative of ZNPP.
In order to comply with the norms of nuclear, radiation and environmental safety, it is extremely important for ZNPP specialists to be present at such meetings, because, despite the Russian occupation, ZNPP continues to operate in Ukraine’s energy system.
Currently, the ecological, fire and radiation conditions on the territory of the industrial site and the sanitary protection zone of ZNPP are within the norm.
I emphasize that the capture of ZNPP and the regular flights of cruise missiles over Ukrainian nuclear facilities pose an environmental threat to the world.
Russia’s actions at the Zaporizhzhya NPP are a crime against humanity and a war crime as defined in Articles 7 and 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and an act of nuclear terrorism.
Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine
During recent days, the Russian military is more often stealing hundreds of thousands of tons of grain in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Today in Ukraine there are in total of about 25 million tons of grain and oilseeds. If we talk about the temporarily occupied territories, there at the time of the occupation remained about 1 million 300 thousand tons of grain. In terms of providing food for all 40 million Ukrainians, Ukraine has sufficient reserves in the controlled area. If compare the areas that are currently temporarily unavailable in these areas, it turns out about minus 30%. And to provide food for all 40 million Ukrainians, the required sown area is about 35%.
https://www.facebook.com/mapfu2021
POLICY
President of Ukraine
Speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the High-Level International Donors’ Conference in Support of Ukraine in Warsaw
After ten weeks of the full-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, our meeting in this format and for this purpose proves that Ukraine, Europe and the whole free world are on the way to a common victory.
Our state retains full functionality. Our continent is united. Millions and millions of people around the world support us to make tyranny lose.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine and all our heroic defenders bravely and firmly defend freedom on the battlefield. But how this brutal war will end is decided not only on the battlefield. But also in the aspects of economy, finance, humanitarian support, the ability to ensure a normal life in the territory free from the enemy, in rebuilding what was destroyed by the Russian army.
Freedom must demonstrate that it protects and provides for people better than tyranny, which has enjoyed a massive flow of money for oil, gas and other raw materials for decades.
That’s how freedom will win. That is why this conference is important for everyone in Europe. Both strategically and tactically important.
First. Sufficient financial resources are needed so that Ukrainian men and women are provided with everything they need while the war continues. The Ukrainian state, as the administrator of these funds, will ensure all urgent needs – both defensive and social and humanitarian.
Second. We are already preparing a large-scale Recovery Plan for Ukraine after the war and need a strategic international support plan for Ukraine that will be a modern analogue of the historic Marshall Plan. It is money, technology, expertise and growth opportunities that are needed to return to a secure life, to modernization and to social development.
It will be an investment in the stability of the whole of central and eastern Europe. So that the aggressor knows that it will not break the power of Europe and all free nations. And so that everything destroyed by the war is rebuilt at a high level.
The reconstruction of Ukraine must now become the same historical example for our time and for the future as the restoration of European countries after World War II. And such free world’s investments, if they are fast, if they are sufficient, will mean that millions of our people who became IDPs because of this war will be able to return home.
We offer our partners – civilized and responsible states – to take patronage over those regions, over those cities, over those industries of Ukraine that have suffered from the war waged by Russia. Take patronage to work with us to rebuild these regions, our cities, towns and industries.
Such a patronage project can create a new and equally historic example of interaction and partnership between the free world, between the regions, cities and companies of Europe and democratic countries.
Third. Ukraine’s quick movement to the European Union is needed through its candidate status, which must be granted right now – in conditions of war. As part of a special shortened procedure for EU membership. Because this war of Russia against Ukraine was planned as a prelude to a strike at a united Europe. Greater unification is a powerful answer. That is why Ukraine’s membership in the European Union must be an absolute reality. Not just promises, not just prospects, but practical steps.
I know we are ready for these steps. And you know it, too. And I am sure that most of you, European leaders, are also ready for this.
I am very grateful to Poland and Sweden, to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson for organizing this important high-level donor conference.
I am very grateful to President of the European Council Charles Michel and to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen for their leadership, which makes Europe a true defender of the most important thing – freedom.
I am grateful to all the participants of the Conference for being with us in this war for a free and democratic life for millions of people. Not only for Ukraine. But for all of us who may be threatened by tyranny.
I believe that Europe will show its strength today. You will show your strength. In particular, international institutions – UN institutions, whose representatives are here with us now and can be even more effective. Because this is for our common freedom.
President of Ukraine held an online meeting with the 43rd President of the United States George W. Bush
“It is a great honor to meet you. I would like to thank the United States of America, the American people. I saw how people in the United States treat us on social networks, they take to the streets, support Ukraine with flags,” the President said.
The 43rd President of the United States expressed his support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy and all the Ukrainian people in the fight against the aggressor.
“Your courage is very important for further success. If you continue to do what you do, you will always have our support if you continue to fight as you do now,” said George W. Bush.
The President of Ukraine stressed that our state feels real help and sincere support from the United States.
“Americans are sincere, open-minded people, and I feel it. We have common values. I feel that it is from the heart,” the President said.
The 43rd President of the United States noted the resilience of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine in resisting the invaders.
“Your country has been invaded by forces that want to kill innocent people. And the fact that you stand firm inspires Americans,” said George W. Bush.
For his part, the President of Ukraine recalled the tragic events that took place in the United States on September 11, 2001. He noted that at that time many Ukrainians sympathized with the American people and shared the pain of relatives and friends of the victims of the terrorist act.
“Our conversation is important to me because you are an example of a strong leader,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President invited the 43rd President of the United States to visit Ukraine at his convenience.
Andriy Smyrnov discussed with Amnesty International delegation the establishment of special international tribunal on Russian crimes
Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Smyrnov met with a delegation of the international non-governmental human rights organization Amnesty International led by Secretary General Agnès Callamard.
Agnès Callamard stressed that Amnesty International seeks to focus the attention of as many countries as possible on the problem of the war in Ukraine. In particular, the organization plans to interact with representatives of the media and civil society.
The Deputy Head of the Office of the President noted that Ukraine needs strong support from the international community in documenting war crimes committed by Russia in our country. According to him, the International Criminal Court is already working on the cases in which evidence of Russian crimes during the war in Ukraine is being investigated, but the inevitability of punishment for top officials of the aggressor country must be inevitable.
Andriy Smyrnov stressed the importance of establishing a special international criminal tribunal, which will be able to quickly assess the evidence of crimes of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“Active multi-level consultations are underway at various international platforms on the need to establish and launch a mechanism for such a tribunal,” said the Deputy Head of the Office of the President.
He noted that last week the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted two resolutions calling for the establishment of an international tribunal.
“Ukraine’s representation at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and the President’s Office is involved in the negotiation process with allied countries, with which the model and forms of operation of such a tribunal are being discussed,” Andriy Smyrnov said.
“Given the obvious signs of aggression, all the evidence that the civilized world has seen, the horrible crimes committed by the aggressor country – Russia, in my opinion, the assessment of this fact should be given as soon as possible. And the entire military-political leadership of the aggressor country must bear severe and unavoidable responsibility for this,” he stressed.
The Deputy Head of the Office of the President noted that among the issues being discussed is also the location of such a tribunal.
“We are in favor of it being located in Ukraine. In Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka or in Kyiv. Ukraine is ready to provide full technical and organizational support for the work of such a tribunal,” Andriy Smyrnov said.
He stressed that the new tribunal should not be overburdened with a large number of powers in order to avoid conflicts of jurisdiction with other international judicial institutions. However, time must show how quickly the existing international institutions will be able to assess the convincing evidence of Russia’s war crimes against Ukraine and its citizens.
“Ukrainian society, its citizens tortured by Russian war criminals, all those who have endured any form of suffering as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine, destroyed Ukrainian business – all are waiting for answers to these questions. And this legal assessment must be given within a reasonable time. Both politically, in a global context, and legally – in the judiciary,” said the Deputy Head of the Office of the President.
Andriy Smyrnov also informed the Amnesty International delegation about the work of Ukraine’s judicial system in wartime.
During the meeting, Amnesty International representatives presented the President’s Office with a vine sapling. Human rights activists said the plant was brought from the Syrian region, which was completely destroyed by the Russian army. This is a gift from the Syrian people, which supports the democratic aspirations of Ukrainians.
Andriy Smyrnov noted that he would personally hand over the vine sapling to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Prime Minister of Ukraine
Ukraine is developing a Recovery Plan and a Recovery Fund – United24 Recovery, announced Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in his speech at the High-Level International Donors’ Conference in support of Ukraine, held on May 5 in Warsaw, Poland.
The Head of Government noted a month ago the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and him personally called on European cities to take under the patronage their mutilated Ukrainian sister cities.
“The outcome has exceeded my expectations. The United Kingdom has agreed to take care of the restoration of the Kyiv region. Denmark took under the patronage Mykolayiv. Greece is ready to help Odesa. This is a good start. But Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv are waiting for your help. Hundreds of towns and villages across our country are waiting. And I know definitely, they will get this help,” said Denys Shmyhal.
Denys Shmyhal accentuated every state, every region, every city can participate in the Recovery Plan for Ukraine. For its part, Ukraine is developing recovery parameters for each sector.
“In synergy we will determine what Ukrainian cities should be like and what the Ukrainian economy should be like. Which technologies and areas are preferred, which rules business should abide by, what future Ukraine we should build. Modern, European, environment-friendly and developed. And aftermath we invite every country, every region, every city in the world to directly take part in the reconstruction,” noted the Prime Minister.
The Head of Government highlighted that Ukraine was planning not just to rebuild what had been destroyed or ruined by the oppresso but was striving to build a new European country. From green technologies to European construction standards. From agricultural processing to self-sufficiency in the energy domain. From the development of the military-industrial complex to climate modernization. From the free European market to the urban spaces of the modern age.
“Each of you can help build your part of the country of dreams – the future Ukraine. This is not an allegory. We have created the United24 platform. And each of you can join in helping Ukraine. People, corporations, countries, organizations. Everything will be transparent. Delloite’s audit. Reports on the website. Everything will be available. U24.gov.ua. Please, join,” the Head of Government summed up.
During a working visit to Warsaw on May 5, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with the Prime Minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir. The parties discussed the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the need to prolong sanctions pressure against the terrorist country.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine told that Russia continued to block Ukrainian seaports, which poses a food crisis threat to the world. This is another crisis that Russia is trying to generate after the energy and migration crisis.
“We cannot smothly deliver 90 million tons of agricultural products to Europe, Asia and Africa. We are discussing with our partners the need to create green transport corridors to safely deliver goods by sea. Otherwise, the world is threatened by a global food crisis that could last several years. This is a global challenge for the whole world,” said the Head of the Ukrainian Government.
Denys Shmyhal stressed the importance of consolidating the efforts of the international community to stop Russia and its attempts to undermine stability around the world. According to him, the world community must be united as never before to put pressure on Russia and force them to stop the blockade of Ukrainian ports. It is crucial to secure the delivery of Ukrainian agricultural products and other goods to the EU.
“They are waging war not only against Ukraine, they are fighting against the whole democratic world. In order to be able to confront effectively and in a consolidated way, we need four things that I constantly emphasize on. Weapons, sanctions, financing of our country to maintain macrofinancial stability. The need to give Ukraine a European perspective also remains crucial,” Denys Shmyhal stressed.
The Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, expressed her strong support for Ukraine and stressed the importance of continuing to provide humanitarian and financial assistance to our country and intensifying sanctions pressure on Russia.
