Victory Chronicles-DAY 1153

Up to 20 Russian military personnel that operate drones and target Ukrainian civilian and military sites were eliminated during what the Ukrainian Air Force called a “successful strike” on a Russian drone launch facility on April 19 in the neighboring Russian region of Kursk. 

The aerial bombardment reportedly killed operators who serviced reconnaissance and strike loitering munitions in the region’s Tiotkino village, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. The Ukrainian World Congress couldn’t independently verify the report, yet open-source intelligence sources geolocated the approximate facility’s coordinates with video evidence. 

The operation was described as a direct response to Russia’s ongoing drone attacks against Ukrainian military positions and civilian infrastructure. “The Armed Forces of Ukraine will continue to destroy elements of the occupiers’ military infrastructure. No war crime will go unpunished,” the General Staff stated.

Ukrainian paratroopers capture nine Russian soldiers in Kursk region. Ukrainian paratroopers and other military units  captured nine Russian soldiers during a combat mission in Russia’s Kursk region, according to the Command of Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces.

Officials said the soldiers chose to surrender rather than face death, abandoning what was described as “the illusory ambitions of the Kremlin’s dictatorship.” All captured Russian personnel have received medical and psychological assistance, the command reported. The prisoners will be added to Ukraine’s prisoner exchange pool.

Russia exploits Easter ceasefire to prepare assault near Lyman, Ukraine reports. Russian forces along the Lyman axis in Donetsk Oblast are reportedly using the so-called Easter ceasefire period to prepare for future offensives , according to Ukraine’s 66th Mechanized Brigade.

 The brigade reported that on April 9, Ukrainian forces successfully targeted and destroyed a Russian mobile road deployment system based on a KAMAZ truck. The system had been used to establish a temporary crossing over the Chornyi Zherebets River, a key logistical move intended to facilitate the movement of Russian armored units.

By eliminating the crossing point, Ukrainian troops disrupted Russian plans for the intended assault in the surrounding area. In a follow-up operation on April 20, Russian troops were observed to recover and clear the destroyed equipment from the river. More than 10 personnel with a specialized recovery vehicle were deployed to the site, suggesting ongoing efforts to reestablish mobility accross the aforementioned river.

Ukraine’s military intelligence and Russian Volunteer Corps target Russian forces in southern Ukraine. Ukraine’s military intelligence unit (HUR) and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) continue to conduct precision strikes against Russian positions on the southern front.First person view drone operators from the RVC and HUR’s Timur special unit carried out successful attacks on Russian observation posts and electronic warfare systems, according to a video published on April 19 by HUR.

The footage shows the aftermath of direct drone strikes, underscoring the effectiveness of Ukraine’s drone warfare capabilities. Combat operations remain ongoing, according to HUR.

Key Takeaways:

• The snap Russian-proposed Easter truce underscores the necessity that the text of any ceasefire or peace agreement be publicly available, formally agreed to in advance by all parties, and include robust monitoring mechanisms.
• Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces did not conduct long-range strikes against Ukraine on the night of April 19 to 20 and during the day on April 20 and proposed a temporary moratorium on long-range strikes against civilian infrastructure.
• Ukrainian officials continue to highlight Russia’s systematic persecution of religious communities throughout occupied Ukraine, including against Christians.
• The Kremlin continues to repurpose narratives that Russian officials have repeatedly used to justify Russia’s invasions of Ukraine in an effort to further militarize Russian society in the long term, likely in preparation for a potential future protracted conflict with NATO.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Donetsk regional town of Toretsk before the start of the Easter truce.

In Memoriam: Decorated Ukrainian Jr. Sgt. Stanislav Akhverdiiev. Stanislav Akhverdiiev, 29, a junior sergeant with the 103rd Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was killed in action May 6, 2024, while on a combat mission near the village of Yastrubyne in Sumy Oblast. Known by the call sign “Snizhynka,” (Snowflake) he died defending his country from Russian forces.

Akhverdiiev was born and raised in the city of Zolochiv in Lviv Oblast. He graduated from a local vocational school with qualifications as a high-ranking chef and food server. 

He had previously served during the Anti-Terrorist Operation in eastern Ukraine during Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine that started in 2014. With the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Akhverdiiev again took up arms. He served as a sniper squad commander in the fire support company of the 64th Battalion.

Akhverdiiev was subsequently awarded the medals “For Military Service to Ukraine” and “War Veteran” during his service. He was posthumously honored with the Order “For Courage,” Third Class.

“Brave, courageous, kind. A true patriot of his homeland,” said his mother, Tetiana Vitaliivna. Akhverdiiev was laid to rest in his hometown of Zolochiv. He is survived by his mother.

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

• UK intelligence reports Russia is militarising and brainwashing youth through education system
• Naftogaz lost 50% of gas production due to Russian attacks: restored more than half
• Britain to ramp up explosives production to end reliance on US arms
• Russians to hold Immortal Regiment march with Soviet symbols in Washington
• US says it would welcome extension of ceasefire
• Britain urges Russia to commit to full ceasefire in Ukraine