WAR IN UKRAINE: May 1, 2022
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Day 66
Russia is reportedly ramping up its attacks ahead of a possible renewed offensive in the east of Ukraine. "Russian troops are gradually increasing the intensity of their offensive in eastern Ukraine," Ukrainian defence ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk warned. "There are signs that the aggressor is preparing for an even bigger activation of military actions." The warning comes as Western officials painted a picture of the invading forces facing serious problems - BBC
Explosions in Odesa: Multiple explosions in the southern city of Odesa were reported soon after 6 p.m. local time Saturday by Ukrainian media and witnesses. One witness told CNN she saw at least one combat plane over the city. The runway at Odesa's airport had been damaged, according to the Ukrainian military.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Ukrainian army has already destroyed more than 1,000 Russian tanks, nearly 200 Russian aircraft, and almost 2,500 armored fighting vehicles. He noted in an address that despite Russia’s loses, there is more equipment and more rockets that will be used against Ukraine. “Yes, they still have missiles to strike at our territory… But this war has already weakened Russia so much that they have to plan even fewer military equipment for the (May 9 Victory Day) parade in Moscow,” he said.
Moldova's foreign minister has told Sky News that the future of his country and Europe depends on how the war in Ukraine ends. Nicu Popescu said that recent statements made by Russia are "really worrying" for his country. More here
Diesel is being rationed in many parts of Ukraine, sparking long queues at petrol stations. The authorities are limiting purchases to just 10 liters per customer in order to preserve diesel stocks for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and for agriculture.
About 20 million tonnes of grain is stuck in silos and ports in Ukraine, waiting for export. And in a best case scenario about 400,000 tonnes can be exported per month. An American agriculture expert in Ukraine told me Ukrainian farmers desperately need technology to preserve the grain for spoiling. Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports and videos that Russia is seizing agricultural equipment from occupied areas of Ukraine and trucking it over the border.
Ukraine War Diary: “You can never really get used to the air raid sirens”
“In Syria, Russia fired a total of about 100 missiles over a five-year period. In Ukraine, the Russian military launched more than 1,500 missiles during the first month and half of the war alone. Some were launched from Belarus. Others were shot from bombers over the Black Sea. Their range leaves nobody in Ukraine immune. Nowhere in the country is truly safe.”
Now in its third month, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has stunned the world and sparked the biggest international security crisis of the twenty-first century. Beyond the headlines, the war has plunged an entire nation of more than 40 million Ukrainians into a barely imaginable world of grief, fear and chaos. Leading Ukrainian media personality Vitaly Sych has kept a war diary recounting his experiences and observations during the past two terrifying and heroic months as Ukrainians have adjusted to the new realities of Vladimir Putin’s criminal invasion. Now published in the Atlantic Council’s Ukraine Alert. Read here