Victory Chronicles-DAY 789

According to Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Ukraine will face a difficult situation from mid-May to early June.

However, he emphasizes that this situation will not be catastrophic or resemble an “Armageddon” scenario, as some are starting to fear. 

Budanov clarifies that he is not just referring to the frontline or domestic political situation, but to everything in general. He mentions that Russia will adopt a comprehensive approach towards Ukraine, although he does not provide further details. 

Budanov reiterates that while it will be challenging, it is important to understand that it will not be a catastrophic event.

Slovak citizens have raised over 3 million euros in just seven days to buy artillery shells for Ukraine as a response to the dissatisfaction with the government’s policy toward Ukraine. The campaign initially aimed to raise 250,000 euros, but the hope is to reach 1 million euros eventually. The Czech government has also initiated a global effort to purchase ammunition for Ukraine, with more than twenty countries already joining. However, under Prime Minister Fico’s leadership, Slovakia has refused to participate in this initiative. The founders of the Slovak citizen initiative expressed disappointment at the government’s decision and called on the country to show its support for Ukraine despite having a pro-Russian government. The initiative seeks to demonstrate that Slovakia is not a coward and wants to be on the right side of history.

On the night of April 21-22, Russian Shahid drones targeted a farm in the Odesa Oblast of Ukraine, destroying buildings and damaging equipment. The Ukrainian military confirmed that the enemy continues to use drones for systematic terror. The Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs were launched from the temporarily occupied Crimea and flew over the Odesa Oblast. Fortunately, no civilian casualties were reported.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has released a video of an infantryman of the Bureviy Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, showing what Serebryany Forest in Luhansk Oblast looks like.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on April 21 that the swift delivery of US military aid to Ukraine could allow Ukrainian forces to stabilize the frontline and seize the initiative.

Zelensky stated during an interview with NBC News that US military support gives Ukraine a chance at victory but warned that Ukrainian battlefield progress will depend on how fast military aid arrives on the frontlines. Zelensky noted that delays in the delivery of military assistance have already contributed to Ukrainian materiel and personnel losses in “several directions.” 

Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian military is especially anticipating the deliveries of air defense and long-range weapon systems since Ukrainian forces currently lack significant long-range capabilities to prevent Ukrainian casualties on the frontlines. ISW continues to assess that Ukrainian forces may suffer additional setbacks in the coming weeks while waiting for US security assistance that will allow Ukraine to stabilize the front, but they will likely be able to blunt the current Russian offensive assuming the resumed US assistance arrives promptly. 

Russian forces will likely intensify ongoing offensive operations and missile and drone strikes in the coming weeks in order to exploit the closing window of Ukrainian materiel constraints.

Police Lieutenant Bohdan Bondarchuk, with the call sign Bond, died on February 13, 2023, during the defense of the city of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast. While at his position, he came under enemy fire from a Grad multiple rocket launcher and sustained multiple fatal injuries. Exactly one month later, on March 13, the defender would have turned 41.

Bohdan Viktorovych was born in Dobryanka, Amur Oblast, Russia, and raised in Chernihiv Oblast. After graduating from a secondary school in Khmilnytsia in 1999, he served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine from 2000 to 2001. He began his police career in 2002 and joined the special police unit of Chernihiv Oblast in 2015, followed by the National Police of Ukraine’s special unit “KORD” in 2018. Bohdan actively participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation and was keenly interested in weapons and equipment.

With the onset of the full-scale invasion, Bohdan continued his duties in his unit as an inspector of the special operations (assault) department of the KORD in Chernihiv regional police. During the shelling of Chernihiv, he played a crucial role in covering the efforts of rescue services to restore vital infrastructure and assist civilians. Later, he was deployed to defend the city of Bakhmut.

“Bohdan lived by service. All his life he was in the security forces. He loved life and his children, which is why from the first day he went to defend his family, which was under occupation. After the liberation of Chernihiv Oblast, the family reunited again, but not for long, Bohdan was sent to Bakhmut, where he died…” said his sister Olha Hulidova.

“Bohdan spent 20 years serving in the police. He proved to be a selfless, professional, brave, reliable and responsible police officer. His colleagues remember him as a loyal colleague who was always ready to lend a friendly shoulder to help,” the National Police said.

The defender was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage” of the III degree. He was buried in the village of Khmilnytsia in Chernihiv Oblast. Bohdan is survived by his mother, wife, son, two daughters, relatives and friends.

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

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