Victory Chronicles-DAY 1142

Russia is exploiting Tik Tok — the Chinese-owned social media platform frequently scrutinized for its ties to Beijing and associated national security risks – to disseminate false narratives of anti-war protests within Ukraine, according to what Ukrainian officials said on April 10.

According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, a division of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, reported that Russian propaganda news outlets have circulated doctored videos on the popular social media platform, supposedly to portray Ukrainians publicly staging protests calling for an end to the war “at any cost.” 

Officials say the campaign is part of a broader Russian effort to destabilize Ukraine internally.

The Center said videos of legitimate rallies in Kyiv — organized to support Ukrainian prisoners of war — have been manipulated with false audio overlays using artificial intelligence containing slogans like “no to war.” These edited clips are being spread on social media to falsely portray domestic dissent.

Officials urged the public to remain vigilant, and warned that the disinformation campaign seeks  to foster divisions within Ukrainian society and undermine public morale on the platform’s content.

NATO has labeled it a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war effort and has accused Beijing of supplying dual-use technologies for Moscow to produce an array of various weapons. China has been described by a mix of neutrality, caution, and support for peace efforts, but with some backing of Russia.

EU transfers 1 billion euros loan to Ukraine from  frozen Russian asset profits. The European Union has disbursed 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion dollars) in loan funds to Ukraine as part of its  Emergency Assistance for Ukraine (ERA) initiative.

The funds are sourced from profits generated from frozen Russian sovereign assets. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed the transfer on April 9, stating that the funds — disbursed under the G7 mechanism — will be allocated toward priority state budget expenditures.

The European Union has provided a total of 5 billion euros under the ERA framework to date amid ongoing war and ongoing recovery efforts.

Russian drone attack sparks fire in Kyiv, causing four civilian injuries. Russia launched a drone attack on Kyiv overnight, igniting fires and injuring four people, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA).

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 16 of the 30 drones that Russia had deployed, while other had exited the city’s airspace or were lost from radar. Fragments of falling debris caused multiple fires and structural damage across the capital. 

In the southern Holosiivskyi district, debris from intercepted drones ignited a fire at a warehouse facility, which emergency crews have since extinguished. In the Darnytskyi district on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, a single-family home was destroyed, and nearby buildings and vehicles sustained damage. 

That fire was also contained. Four civilians were injured during the attack. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two victims required hospitalization, while two others were treated at the scene.

Ukrainian troops breach Russian border defenses in Belgorod region. Ukraine’s 225th Assault Regiment  dropped footage on April 2 showing armored vehicles breaking through Russian fortifications in the neighboring region of Belgorod, including minefields and concrete tank traps known as “dragon’s teeth.”

Russia reportedly spent more than 10 billion rubles (approximately $107 million) on these defensive fortifications. The footageshows Ukrainian units maneuvering through several layers of Russian defenses near the border.

According to the regiment, Russian forces reinforced the area following an earlier Ukrainian operation in Russia’s Kursk region. The post mocked Russia’s reported expenditure of more than on what it described as “modern and reliable fortifications.”

The footage appears to document a limited cross-border raid rather than a broader offensive. There has been no comment from Moscow yet.

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces continue to marginally advance in the Sumy-Kursk Oblast border area, but the Russian force grouping in the area will likely be unable to launch a major offensive operation against Sumy City in the near term without receiving significant reinforcements.
• The Russian military command is likely attempting to form a buffer zone along the international border in Sumy Oblast, although Russian commanders may intend to press further into Sumy Oblast and towards Sumy City in the future.
• Russia continues to utilize North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast, but ISW has not yet observed indications that North Korean troops are operating as combat forces in Ukraine.
• Syrskyi stated that there are currently 623,000 Russian military personnel fighting against Ukraine.
• Syrskyi also spoke about Ukraine’s efforts to further develop its tactical and long-range drone capabilities.
• The People’s Republic of China (PRC) denied sending military personnel to fight in Ukraine following Ukrainian reports of Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces.
• Ukrainian forces advanced near Toretsk and Pokrovsk.
• Russian forces advanced near Kupyansk, Lyman, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
• The Russian federal government and Russian federal subjects are increasingly focused on veteran rehabilitation and reintegration.

In Memoriam: Ivan Bakum – a brave defender of Ukraine. Ivan Bakum, 31, a courageous Ukrainian soldier was killed in action Aug. 16, 2023, during a combat mission near the village of Mezhova in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Known his call sign of “Fainyi,” he was killed while serving on the front lines in defense of his homeland.

Born in Zhovkva, Lviv Oblast, Bakum later moved with his family to the scenic town of Yaremche in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, where he was known for his warmth and dedication. He studied food technology at Lviv Economic College and worked as a waiter and bartender at the Carpathian Zori Hotel in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains of Yaremche. A passionate lover of outdoors, he enjoyed hiking, soccer and played for a local team during his leisure time.

He was drafted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine in December 2022 and served as a rifleman, his courage and compassion left a lasting impression. “He had golden hands, could do anything, and built our home with his own hands,” his wife, Natalya, wrote. “He was a devoted husband, father, son and friend.”

Bakum was laid to rest in Yaremche – a popular destination for tourists, who visit Ukraine. . He is survived by his parents, widowed wife and two daughters.

*Ivan’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

• Zelenskyy assures that Ukraine is ready to pay for US aid packages
• EU aims to supply Ukraine with 2 million artillery shells by end of year
• Germany’s new coalition supports Ukraine’s NATO membership prospects
• Zelenskyy lists priorities for Ramstein meeting: “Ukraine needs at least 10 Patriot systems”
• Kallas reaffirms plan to give Ukraine 2 milion artillery rounds before year-end
• PACE: Russia must be held to account for aggression against Ukraine, war crimes