(Image by NEIVANMADE) I chose not to do an update on Israel and Iran because there’s not much to say. The US assembled a coalition with the British, French, Jordanians, and Saudis to either take down Iranian drones and missiles that were overflying their airspaces (the Jordanians and Saudis) or to just shoot them down …
War for Ukraine Day 781: A Brief(ish) Sunday Night UpdatePost + Comments (63)
Assistance to Ukraine is Still Limited, and Russia Still Has Access to Missile Components – Address by the President
14 April 2024 – 20:39
I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
This day, just as every day of this war, began with the results of our defenders of the sky. Last night, they managed to shoot down 10 “Shahed” drones out of 10 used by the Russians. I am grateful to all our warriors of the mobile firing groups and all other defenders of the sky. In total, Russian terrorists have already used almost 130 “Shahed” drones against Ukraine this week. Fortunately, we managed to shoot down most of them. They also used more than 80 Russian missiles and almost 700 guided aerial bombs. Unfortunately, it is much more difficult to destroy them. And these are the numbers for this one week only.
Today missiles and drones were used again. Dnipro and Nikopol, Pokrovsk and other cities in the Donetsk region, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Sumy regions. There are casualties and, unfortunately, fatalities. My condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones.
Russia uses every day, week and month to inflict significant damage. Unfortunately, assistance to Ukraine is still limited, and the Russian state still has access to critical components needed to produce missiles and drones. Each missile targeting Ukraine contains at least dozens of components – electronics, chips – supplied by companies from other countries and imported through the territory of Russia’s neighbors. The “Shahed” drones also contain components produced in the free world. All of this must and can be stopped: the connivance at terror, the ability of terrorists to seek accomplices around the world, and all forms of Russian terror itself.
Modern aviation proves its effectiveness, modern air defense systems are capable of protecting lives – this was demonstrated in the Middle East when aviation and air defense shot down Iranian missiles and “Shahed” drones aimed at Israel. The whole world sees what real defense is. It sees that it is feasible. And the whole world saw that Israel was not alone in this defense – the threat in the sky was also being eliminated by its allies. And when Ukraine tells its allies that unity provides the best defense, they are already well aware of its effectiveness. They are aware of it and ensure it. And when Ukraine says that its allies should not turn a blind eye to Russian missiles and drones, it means action is needed – a bold one.
It is not rhetoric that protects the sky, it is not opinions that curb the production of missiles and drones for terror. And the fact that sanctions against Russia are still being circumvented, and that we in Ukraine have been waiting for months for a vital support package – that we are still waiting for a vote in Congress – shows that the terrorists’ confidence has been on the rise for months as well. We cannot waste any more time.
Real protection of life must be ensured wherever there is a terrorist threat to it. Everything must be done to prevent evil and wars from spreading across the world – in Europe, the Middle East, or anywhere else. I thank everyone who understands this. Everyone who can protect life must do so. Everyone who can restrict the potential of terror must do so. Ukraine, the Middle East, and all other parts of the world equally deserve a just and lasting peace.
And one more thing. The frontline. The situation at the front in such a fierce war is always tough. But these days – especially in the Donetsk sector – it is aggravating. I am grateful to every brigade, every soldier and commander who are doing everything to defend our positions and who are destroying the occupier. This week, I am especially grateful to the 58th separate motorized infantry brigade, the 68th separate jaeger brigade, and the 148th separate artillery brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces – its warriors are unfailingly effective. And this week was the 148th brigade’s day. My congratulations to you guys, thank you! I am also thankful to the 55th Zaporizhzhia Sich separate artillery brigade. Well done! It is also worth mentioning the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine – the Kraken and Artan units and the 9th Department of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. I am proud of you!
Glory to all who contribute to Ukraine’s defense against Russian terror! Glory to everyone who makes our country stronger. I thank everyone in the world who helps!
Glory to Ukraine!
Here is an interview with Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry Dmytro Kuleba. I have the closed captioning on and set to English:
The price:
Yana Stepanenko running the Boston marathon!
Unbreakable spirit! Glory to Yana! https://t.co/iGEToFtHdu pic.twitter.com/rSyS7dlG0I
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) April 14, 2024
Here’s more on how the US is being perceived in Ukraine:
To the hundreds of bots or trolls saying Ukraine is a pawn in US game:
Whatever the level of disappointment and abandonment we may feel about our partners, this will never distort the sole party to blame for the war and Ukraine’s suffering: Russia and its people.
So fuck off.
— Stas Olenchenko 🇺🇦 (@StasOlenchenko) April 14, 2024
3. Nobody pushed Ukrainians to resist. It was Ukraine’s resistance that pushed the West to review their Russia policies and support us.
4. The only way forward is to keep supporting Ukraine’s Armed Forces, build stronger bonds and keep working to victory.
5. Russia will fall.— Stas Olenchenko 🇺🇦 (@StasOlenchenko) April 14, 2024
To wit👇.
The reality is that while Ukraine is less of an ally than Israel, it is Israel that causes greater inconvenience.
The strategic stakes are great in Israel/Palestine, but they’re greater in Ukraine. Failing to contain Russia will make Iran seem like child’s play. https://t.co/Ig0wz7khhp
— Sam Greene (@samagreene) April 14, 2024
Expect Russia to ramp up attacks in Ukraine in order to drive home the point.
The question is whether Washington will persist in compartmentalizing these conflicts, or whether it will recognize its strategic priorities, rein in Bibi, and redouble its resolve in Ukraine.
— Sam Greene (@samagreene) April 14, 2024
Dipshit, ineffective, self promoting Democratic campaign operatives need to shut the fuck up.
We see the blockade by Johnson/MAGA.
However, please understand that America’s partisanship issues won’t matter much if Ukraine gets abandoned & exterminated by Russia.
If the US is a functional democracy and a leader of the free world, it has to find workarounds & solutions.
— Stas Olenchenko 🇺🇦 (@StasOlenchenko) April 14, 2024
The interception of Iranian missiles and drones by American and British air defense systems over Israel is very showing.
On one side, Russia has been attacking Ukraine for two years using various means, ranging from cruise missiles to gliding bombs and drones, including those…
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) April 14, 2024
The interception of Iranian missiles and drones by American and British air defense systems over Israel is very showing.
On one side, Russia has been attacking Ukraine for two years using various means, ranging from cruise missiles to gliding bombs and drones, including those supplied by Iran. Despite this, Ukraine stands alone in defending itself against these deadly assaults, with neighboring NATO countries even tolerating Russian provocations with missiles flying into NATO airspace, and no one takes them out.
Meanwhile, the close alliance between Russia and Iran, the “new Axis,” is evident. Yet, targeted strikes against Iran, including its top military figures, are carried out regularly and effectively.
The disparity between Iran and Russia is not vast, except for one crucial aspect: Russia possesses huge nuclear arsenals and frequently employs them in nuclear blackmail. While the West states how it is hesitant to engage in direct conflict with Russia to avoid direct confrontation, it seems more willing to confront Iran.
Concerningly, the West is trembling before Russian nuclear blackmail and will continue being intimidated. And of course, this does not mean that the Americans and the British should have avoided helping Israel (which is not in NATO, like Ukraine), that’s not the point.
No, the issue is that Ukraine’s so-called allies have to be begged to provide defence to protect the vital energy infrastructure, while to others, the aid is handed out without any hesitation.
Speaking of the Starlink Snowflake, the Russian neo-NAZIs are very fond of him:
I mean, it’s just a violent neo-Nazi group known for committing brutal atrocities against Ukrainians and openly propagating racial hatred and Russian white supremacy – not a big deal.
— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) April 14, 2024
Chasiv Yar:
Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi says Russia set a goal of capturing Chasiv Yar by 9 May ("Victory Day" in Russia), in line with the future targets of reaching Kramatorks agglomeration (where Ukrainian Eastern HQ is located).
Full message:
"I worked in another, very important and… pic.twitter.com/kendjcYQks
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) April 14, 2024
Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi says Russia set a goal of capturing Chasiv Yar by 9 May (“Victory Day” in Russia), in line with the future targets of reaching Kramatorks agglomeration (where Ukrainian Eastern HQ is located).
Full message:
“I worked in another, very important and dangerous direction.
The enemy is also concentrating efforts to break through our defenses west of Bakhmut, to reach the Siverskyi Donets – Donbas canal, capture the settlement of Chasiv Yar, and create conditions for further advance to the Kramatorsk agglomeration.
The implementation of the enemy’s plans is hindered by the heroic defense of our brigades, which literally dug into the ground, holding back the enemy’s daily attacks. Using numerical superiority and various motivational factors, including shootings [of their own], separate groups of enemy infantry reached the “Noviy” district, but were destroyed by FPV-kamikaze strikes and artillery fire.
At the same time, the threat remains relevant, taking into account the fact that the higher Russian military leadership has set the task for its troops to capture Chasiv Yar by May 9.
In order to respond adequately to the actions of the enemy and strengthen the defense of our troops in this direction, measures were taken to significantly strengthen the brigades with ammunition, drones, and EW devices.
The main conclusion from the two-day work at the front is the need to improve the quality of training, including the moral and psychological component, to increase the number of high-tech unmanned systems of various purposes with trained operators, to improve the quality of conducting asymmetric operations in order to reduce the combat potential of the enemy.
We continue to carry out organisational activities with an emphasis on increasing the efficiency of management, eliminating duplication, directing freed resources to support combat units and units.
The main task of these measures is to increase the fighting capacity of our troops, save the lives of our soldiers, disrupt the enemy’s plans, and ensure the preparation of reserves.
The fight continues!
Glory to Ukraine!”
Novomykhailivka:
Two russian BTR-82 APCs tried to attack Ukrainian positions near Novomykhailivka, but something went wrong.
📹: 79th Air Assault Brigade pic.twitter.com/WVuBFDFP7h
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 14, 2024
Antonivka Village:
russian Buk air defense system explode like a firework near the Antonivka village.
📹: Khortytsia operational-strategic group pic.twitter.com/4OzkiiMmRE
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 14, 2024
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
No new Patron tweets tonight and I’m saving the video for tomorrow. So here’s some adjacent material:
Please watch this story of Rex the dog.
His home was ruined by Russian shelling, and Rex was trapped inside by the debris. Rex's owner was injured, his daughter took him to the hospital (the ambulance couldn't get there because the shelling was that intense).
Volunteers rescued… pic.twitter.com/gT0Psage8v
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) April 14, 2024
Please watch this story of Rex the dog.
His home was ruined by Russian shelling, and Rex was trapped inside by the debris. Rex’s owner was injured, his daughter took him to the hospital (the ambulance couldn’t get there because the shelling was that intense).
Volunteers rescued Rex and brought him to Kharkiv.
Rex’s owners kept looking for him, and finally, they were reunited.
This is what we're fighting for. pic.twitter.com/71ZfmYq9BK
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) April 14, 2024