In Ukraine on Tuesday, April 19, Kyiv reported of repelling attacks as Russia has begun its offensive to capture the Donbas region. Japan has announced sending drones and protective masks against possible biological attacks, while Italy plans to send weapons, Ukrainian public broadcaster Ukrinform and British public broadcaster BBC report.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces wrote in its report on the military developments in and around Ukraine over the past 24 hours that as of 6:00 on Tuesday, April 19, the Russian forces were trying to continue offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone in order to establish full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as to maintain a land corridor with the temporarily-occupied Crimea.
Missile and air strikes on civilian targets throughout Ukraine continued, intensifying in the western regions of Ukraine on Monday, April 18. In certain areas of Slobozhansky and Donetsk operational districts, the invaders were running offensive and assault operations. More weapons and military equipment were being sent to Ukraine from the central and eastern regions of Russia. Support units were being deployed along with the combat ones. Logistical centres were being deployed, as well as equipment repair field bases.
The invaders continued to partially block the city of Kharkiv. To strengthen air defences of their offensive group, the invaders were transferring additional anti-aircraft missile divisions of short-range surface-to-air missile system Tor to Kharkiv Region.
On the Russian side of the border, mobile long range surface-to-air missile divisions of S-400s and S-300s were deployed in the areas of Belgorod Region bordering on Ukraine to cover the main command and control points, as well as the rear.
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The Ukrainian Armed Forces added that in the Kharkiv Region’s Izium direction, the invaders were conducting offensive operations on the left bank of the Siversky Donets River. To support the offensive in this direction, the enemy created a system of main and reserve firing positions for rocket and barrel artillery.
In south eastern and southern Donetsk and Tavria directions, Russian troops intensified offensive operations along the entire line of contact. Moscow’s main efforts were focused on breaking Ukraine’s defences in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, as well as establishing full control over the city of Mariupol, a part of which is still controlled by Ukrainian troops. In Zaporozhia Region, the invaders were amassing forces in certain areas.
In the South Buh direction, the Russian military focused on advancing to the administrative border of Kherson region. In order to improve the tactical situation, the invaders were conducting offensive operations in the area of Oleksandrivka and continued shelling of civilian objects in the city of Mykolaiv.
To the north of Ukraine, Belarus continued to provide its territory for air strikes on Ukraine and reconnaissance of targets on the Ukrainian territory.
Japan and Italy to help Ukrainian military
The Japanese Defence Ministry has stated it would send to Ukraine a batch of nuclear, biological and chemical suits and masks, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, to help the country fight off a Russian invasion. The statement on Twitter did not contain information on the size of the batch and when the aid would be deployed.
In Italy, its prime minister Mario Draghi said in an interview with Corriere della Sera that the Italian Parliament had approved arms deliveries to Ukraine. Sanctions against Russia were needed to weaken the aggressor, but could not stop the troops in the short term, Draghi explained, therefore, according to the head of the Italian government, Ukrainians needed to be helped directly with weapons.
Zelenskyy: Russia launched its offensive to seize Donbas
On Monday, April 18, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a large-scale Russian offensive was under way in the eastern Donbas region.
Watch Zelenskyy’s latest address with English subtitles.
Day 55 of war in Ukraine: Russian attacks repelled amid Donbass offensive, Japan to supply drones, Italy – weapons to Ukraine
