Update from Ukraine | Wanger stays in Bakhmut

Invasion Day 438 – Summary May 7 , 2023 Jerome News The summary of the situation of Russian re-invasion to Ukraine covering the last 48 hours, as of 2023 – 22:00 (Kyiv time).

https://militaryland.net/news/invasion-day-438-summary/ *** Greatly appreciate the viewer controlled Map magnification tool to use on each Front map!

VIDEOS

NO RETREAT, REMAINING WAGNER FIGHTERS IN BAKHMUT ARE TRAPPED BY FSB AND CHECHEN FIGHTERS || 2023
Warthog Defense
519K subscribers
May 7, 2023 7:00 p.m. EST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLILyrewJcY

Russian Air Forces Shocked! Rheinmetall Skynex Air Defense Systems Already in Ukraine
US Military News
705K subscribers
May 7, 2023 3:00 p.m. EST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usZy7ArJFMA

The Ukrainian army has received a significant boost in its air defense capabilities with the acquisition of the Rheinmetall Skynex short-range air defense system.

The system’s cutting-edge technology, including its advanced sensors and weapon systems, makes it a formidable weapon against all kinds of aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft. The system’s mobility and ability to operate in complex environments make it an ideal choice for protecting critical assets against sophisticated and unpredictable threats.

With the Skynex system on combat duty in Ukraine, the country is well-prepared to defend its sovereignty and protect the lives and infrastructure of millions of people. The acquisition of this system is a clear indication of Ukraine’s commitment to modernizing its defense capabilities and achieving a final victory over Russia.

ARTICLE

Russia will panic when Ukraine’s counteroffensive begins – Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister
KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO
Sunday, 7 May 2023, 18:21
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/05/7/7401067/

Volodymyr Havrylov, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defence, believes that “Russia will be in panic” when Ukraine launches its counteroffensive.

SOURCE: Volodymyr Havrylov in an interview with The Independent

QUOTE FROM HAVRYLOV: “We will launch our counteroffensive – when and where it doesn’t matter now. [And when that happens] Russia will be in panic; you will see a lot of panic. They still don’t understand that [their] propaganda is demonstrating a false picture of what is actually happening on the ground. This war will be won on the ground, not on the TV screens, not on the internet [...]
I would not be surprised if on some day, maybe this month or next month, we will see something which contributes to the immediate collapse of Russian strategy or its military, [its] economy.”

DETAILS: Havrylov said that holding the eastern city of Bakhmut was a key element of Ukraine’s preparations for the counteroffensive. Maintaining a foothold in the “fortress” of Bakhmut has allowed Ukraine to expose the fact that the Russian war machine is “not [of] the quality we saw a year ago when Russia launched the full-scale invasion in Ukraine and rolled in tanks in the first wave.”
“Bakhmut demonstrated that, not only to us in Ukraine but also to the enemy, that there is no military solution for Russia in this war; even worse, there is a military disaster awaiting Russia at the end of this war, and we will see it soon,” the deputy defence minister said.
He added that after months of attritional conflict, the situation on the ground might see rapid developments.

“I can only say that we are doing everything possible to end the war as quickly as possible…I would really like 2023 to be a year of victory,” Havrylov said.

PREVIOUSLY: In November 2022, Havrylov said that by the end of December 2022 Ukrainian forces might enter Crimea, and predicted that the war with Russia would be over by summer 2023.

VIDEO

Ukrainian War Map Update: Ukrainian Army Has Made History!
The Pioneer
319K subscribers
5-7-2023 4:00 p.m. EST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVA8nU1ckxM

When we talk about the factors that determine the fate of a war, we always talk about soldiers, firepower and diplomacy. However, it can also be stated that there are other factors that shape the course of the war. The conditions of nature can also affect the course of a war in different ways.

We are almost at the 500th day of the biggest war of the 21st century, the war between Russia and Ukraine. The second spring of the war is almost over. And the second spring is going on at a level that could bring the war to an end. The offensive that the Ukrainian army has been preparing for a long time will begin before the end of this spring. According to many sources, the Ukrainian army is just waiting for the seasonal conditions to mature.

Russia, on the other hand, is following the developments regarding Ukraine’s upcoming offensive with concern. This concern grows as the process progresses. Because what is behind this uncertainty is unpredictable. Such situations make authorities even more vulnerable to making mistakes. Russia is making mistake after mistake under these circumstances.

Many events, which we will discuss in our map analysis in a moment, reveal the complex situation Russia is in. The Ukrainian army is making the best use of this situation and its superiority is increasing day by day. Strategic Russian targets are being hit by operations organized by the Ukrainian army. In the days when such events are on the rise, shocking events are also taking place within the borders of Russia. So which regions have the Ukrainian army hit in recent days and achieved great success? What is the latest situation on the front line? Let’s take a look at the latest developments together with maps.

Before we get to our report, we would like to make a small reminder. The Pioneer continues to follow the battlefield. Important developments on the ground, operations, changes on the map and diplomatic maneuvers are reported and presented to your attention. This work requires a lot of effort. The Pioneer team needs your support to continue its work. You can support The Pioneer team by using the “Super Thanks” button to stay informed about the war between Russia and Ukraine.

First, let’s look at the map from a broad perspective. Based on the course of the war and especially the statements of Ukrainian leader Zelenski, we have stated in many of our reports that the Crimean peninsula is Ukraine’s ultimate goal. The Ukrainian leader has stated many times that the Ukrainian army will continue to fight until it liberates Crimea, which was occupied in 2014.

Crimea is very important for both countries. Russia’s largest naval force in the Black Sea, the Black Sea Fleet, is anchored in Crimean ports. The point to be noted here is Sevastopol. As you can see on the map, Sevastopol is located in the southernmost part of the peninsula and has a very important strategic position. Most of the Russian Navy’s units stationed in the Black Sea are in the port of Sevastopol. Therefore, there are many facilities established here to meet the needs of these troops. Or rather there were. Because the Ukrainian army achieved a great success by hitting one of these important facilities.

VIDEO

1. Russia Is Confused! An Emergency Call From Prigozhin!
ANKA Daily News
427K subscribers
May 7, 2023 12:15 p.m. EST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LHy69tG0o8

Every human being has needs. Needs such as nutrition, shelter and security are the most important needs of human beings. Sometimes, in extraordinary situations, the order of importance of needs changes. Especially in times of war, there is nothing more important than the needs of soldiers.

The needs of soldiers in the Russian army have not been met for a long time. Russian soldiers do not have enough weapons. This is causing big problems within the army. Today, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner group, released a very striking video about this problem! Prigozhin almost started a new rebellion against Putin! This video was watched by millions of people in Russia. According to experts, this crisis is causing a huge damage to Putin in Russia!

So what exactly is going on in the Russian army? What did Yevgeny Prigozhin say? Why was Prigozhin’s video so important? As Anka Daily News team, we have reported all the developments in this subject for you. Let’s start if you are ready!

First of all, the ammunition crisis in the Russian army has recently deepened. Ukrainian intelligence managed to destroy most of Russia’s ammunition depots with HIMARS systems. In addition, in many regions, the Russian army lost control of its weapons depots as it retreated. The Ukrainian army managed to confiscate thousands of Russian weapons!

One of the reasons for the ammunition crisis in the Russian army is the transportation problem. The Ukrainian army bombed all the railroad systems that Russia could use to transfer weapons. The Russian army cannot transport weapons using trains. On the other hand, the connecting roads between the war zones are constantly monitored by Ukrainian drones. Military vehicles are prevented from passing through these areas. As a result, not enough ammunition can be delivered to the Russian military!

2. Why Russians are fleeing Crimea across the Kerch Bridge
Times Radio
347K subscribers
May 7, 2023 1:30 p.m. EST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqm4GT264pw

There is evidence of Russians fleeing Crimea in fear of a Ukrainian offensive and Zelensky might have finally secured F-16s, says Evening Standard’s Robert Fox.

Looks like the EU is turning on their Ukrainian “ brothers”. Besides putting an embargo on their grain imports to the EU last week, now this:

“ The IMF demands to increase taxes and reduce subsidies to the population. The period of preferential lending is over, and now Ukraine must build the economy based on reality, and not on hopes for Western assistance or frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank.
Keeping payments to the security forces, even with a freeze on the indexation of salaries for state employees, was an unacceptable format for the IMF, which we found out about before signing the loan. The Office of the President is forced to agree to such unpopular conditions in order to maintain the stability of the Ukrainian economy.

The International Fund gave us an ultimatum, or we agree with all the requirements (increased housing and communal services tariffs / increased taxes / canceled payments to the security forces and reduced social programs) or we should prepare to lift the moratorium on paying interest on debts, which will completely ruin the economy that is already breathing its last.”

https://www.moonofalabama.org/2023/05/ukraine-open-thread-2023-109.html#comments

Everything fine and dandy UNTIL the welfare and charity payments run out, which will be sooner than later. I fully expect the senile Joe war cheerleader to “ Afghanistan “ Ukraine when Ukraine’s gig is up.

Stay tuned for the final chapter.

And of course this, the corruption of Ukraine is legendary, now finally being realized:

“ About the epidemiological situation in Kharkov region and how it is related to corruption

Our sources in the Kharkov region report the threat of an epidemic of various diseases in Ukraine against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities and rampant corruption.

🔻What happened?

▪️According to representatives of government agencies, the government of Ukraine did not purchase vaccines for the population, deciding to save money. At the same time, the proceeds were stolen.

In Kharkov, they are waiting for the start of an epidemic of measles, mumps, whooping cough and diphtheria due to the fact that more than 60% of children are not vaccinated. Yes, there are vaccines donated by the WHO and the UN, but of much lower quality.

Infectiologists urge parents not to use them because of the almost guaranteed health problems, to buy more expensive but effective ones.

▪️The situation with epilepsy medicines is also difficult: they don’t bring imported ones, problems in logistics, and Russian ones have long ended .

The only effective drug that prevents seizures in infants is Russian-made. New ones, obviously, are not purchased, preferring free medicines in humanitarian aid packages, which do not reach consumers.

▪️Children stopped being vaccinated against tuberculosis, the previously used vaccines were also Russian. Turkish analogues are periodically brought to the city, but this rarely happens, and not everyone can afford them. A similar situation with the Mantoux test .

You can provide your children with the necessary vaccinations only for money. To fully vaccinate a child up to a year comes out at $1000
For example, an imported analogue of adsorbed pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus vaccines costs $120 . Only a few can afford to be vaccinated, and they need to be done at least three times before a year.

🔻 What about water supply?

Also in Kharkov, there has been a problem with drinking water for several days. The only water treatment plant can not cope due to wear and tear of equipment. The price of drinking water is high. People use tap water.

🔻 What about the work of morgues and the situation with the dead?

Due to the large number of deaths in morgues and hospitals, there is simply no place for bodies. In institutions, they do not wait for the allotted time, trying to unload the work of crematoria - all unidentified people are simply burned .

At the same time, no one tries to establish the identity of the victim, due to lack of time. And pathologists were forbidden to indicate the real causes of death, so that relatives could not receive compensation.

Most have problems with the heart or circulatory insufficiency - they are not entitled to payments. One of these victims with a bullet wound to the neck was diagnosed with cardiac arrest caused by a ruptured mitral valve.

The large number of dead has also created problems in the funeral sector, as the cemeteries are already overflowing. At one of these sites in Bezlyudovka , the distance from the burial places is no more than ten centimeters .

🔻In this regard, the medical community fears a cholera epidemic, but they cannot do anything. The authorities forbade even mentioning it. The head of the state administration (HCA) , Oleg Sinegubov, personally threatened to be punished under wartime laws “for discrediting and complicity with Russia.”

The HCA prefers to hide the true state of affairs, as this will create problems not only in Ukraine, but also in the West. The administration of Sinegubov is cashing in on foreign humanitarian aid, selling all the most valuable things on the side.

And there are practically no prerequisites for changing the situation. The supplies of humanitarian aid were initially used to launder money and enrich the authorities, and the needs of their own population for them are only accompanying victims.”

Update on the conflict in Ukraine for May 8, 2023

- Russia adds FAB-250 bombs to its arsenal of precision-guided glide bombs. More FAB-250s can be carried per sourtie and can glide up to 80km, twice the distance as the current, larger glide bombs Russia is using;

- Ukraine shot down one of its Turkish-built Bayraktar TB-2 drones over Kiev after allegedly losing control of it;

- Ukraine’s Air Force spokesman denied claims that Ukrainian air defense forces downed a Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missile. Despite denying the incident, the Western media continues writing articles about the “downing” of the missile;

- PMC Wagner has nearly total control over the Donbass city of Bakhmut. Wagner head Prigozhin has aired differences with the Russian Ministry of Defense publicly in a manner inconsistent with military protocol and discipline;

- Russian commanders have said that after weathering the Ukrainian offensive, they will continue grinding down Ukrainian troops in the same incremental manner they have been throughout the special military operation; - CNN admits Ukrainian HIMARS are being jammed by Russian electronic warfare, diminishing their effectiveness on the battlefield;

- The EU’s plan to produce “1 million” 155mm artillery rounds per year is still under discussion, when implemented it may take several years to reach the desired output similar to US efforts to expand shell production;

VIDEO WITH COMMENTARY

07 May: FEAR SET IN. Russians Dress as Civilians to RUN AWAY FROM THE FRONT | War in Ukraine
Reporting from Ukraine
243K subscribers
5-7-2023 10:45 p.m. EST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDH2L1EOI2U

⚠️ Watch RFU in 18+ languages: https://www.youtube.com/@RFU/channels

I am Ukrainian. My country has been invaded by Russia. In this video I will tell you what happened on the four hundred and thirty eighth day of the war.

Day 438: May 07

Ukrainians continued destroying Russian fuel store facilities along all main supply lines leading to southern Ukraine. The goal of this campaign is to create massive shortages of critical resources, which will undermine the Russian ability to use the accumulated tanks and other heavy equipment to stop the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Over the last 4 days, Ukrainians conducted a lot of drone strikes, and some of them were very successful.

First of all, Ukrainians successfully hit the Ilskiy Oil Refinery for the second time. Russian sources reported that Ukrainians used at least 4 drones, and 1 of them reached the target and caused a fire by exploding on top of the reservoir. The fire rapidly grew, and the square area reached up to 400 square meters, but this time the firefighters also managed to prevent the fire from spreading. So far, Ukrainians destroyed only 2 reservoirs, and as we can see, there are still a lot of targets in this region, which suggests that this is not the last attack on this refinery.

Another fire also broke out in the Krasnodar region. The cause of the fire still remains unspecified, but the object is an oil storage facility. The square area of fire grew even bigger than on the oil refinery and reached up to 500 square meters. This is the fourth oil-related facility that has been damaged or destroyed over the last week, and all of them are located on the southern supply line, which means that in could be used for the Black Sea Fleet or Russian equipment in Zaporizhia.

Today, Ukrainians conducted another strike on the oil depot in Sevastopol. As you remember, this was the first target, and even though half of the refinery was destroyed, the freshest satellite footage indicates that there are still 12 reservoirs left that look like they could potentially be used. But the strike on Sevastopol was just a part of a much biggest strike on Crimea.

The first group of drones reportedly targeted Krasnoperekopsk. This is one of the two most important logistical hubs in northern Crimea because all supplies that are being delivered to the Kherson region always pass through this small town.

Today explosions were also recorded in Dzhankoi, which is located on the same supply line. And Russian Head of Crimea also claimed that Ukrainians accompanied the drone strike with the launch of 2 ballistic missiles, Hrim-2, which were reportedly shot down above the settlements north of Feodosia, which are also located on the same supply line.

The second group of drones traditionally targeted the area around Evpatoria. The goal of these strikes is twofold. First of all, Ukrainians are trying to prevent Russians from returning their aviation to the airfield in Novodefedorivka. And secondly, most of the Russian air defense is concentrated along the western shore, so continuous strikes are necessary for collecting intelligence about the Russian air defense.

The third group of drones targeted Sevastopol and Hvardiyske. It was reported that at the moment of the explosion, the airfield had 10 fighter jets, 8 bombers, 6 air defense systems, and a lot of ammunition and fuel, so it was a perfect target.

Speaking about the airfields, several days ago, Ukrainians also conducted a successful drone attack on the airfield in Bryansk. As a result, Ukrainians completely destroyed 1 plane AN-124 and damaged the fuselage of another AN-124 plane.

In the meantime, the panic around the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Zaporizhia region reaches new heights. The Russian Head of the region claimed that they are expecting Ukrainians to launch a large-scale attack any day now because weather conditions have improved and the ground has dried out. That is why Russians have launched the second stage of massive evacuation. If previously, they evacuated people from settlements between Vasylivka and Tokmak, then now the evacuation was launched from all settlements between Enerhodar and Polohy, clearly indicating a much greater scale of the expected battle.

The massive evacuation brought disarray to the region, and some civilians reported finding thrown away military uniforms, claiming that soldiers were changing clothes and trying to take advantage of the disarray and desert by escaping together with the civilians because they did not want to be on the zero line when the counteroffensive is launched.

VIDEOS

1. Russia’s Pending Labor Crisis! 7 May 23 Ukraine Daily Update
Combat Veteran Reacts
259K subscribers
118K views 5-7-2023 12:15 p.m. EST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooqaOwlm3iU

2. Historic Moment: Russian Soldiers Surrendered to Ukraine One By One!
ANKA Daily News
428K subscribers
May 7, 2023 10:45 p.m. EST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12bueHm_vcU

No one can know exactly what will happen in the future. However, some experts can make predictions about what might happen in the future by looking at signs. There are many examples, such as weather reports and election polls.

In times of war, it is very difficult to make predictions about the future. However, sometimes concrete predictions can be made because of statements and military preparations. Russian soldiers have concrete predictions in this regard. This is taking a huge toll on the Russian army. The latest statement from the Ukrainian government reveals the situation the Russian soldiers are living in. So what exactly is happening in the war zone? What are the estimates of the Russian soldiers? What is the Ukrainian government saying?

The Ukrainian army has been resisting the Russian invasion since the beginning of the war. This resistance is thanks to a very important military plan. Ukrainian President Zelensky and the commanders held a meeting before the start of the war and prepared a comprehensive resistance plan. This plan has been implemented in stages. The Ukrainian army managed to liberate most of the territories occupied by Russia.

According to this plan, the Ukrainian army is now expected to make its final move. This move is called the “Spring Offensive”. The Ukrainian army plans to end this war completely by launching a massive offensive against the Russian army!

The Ukrainian army will use all the ammunition in its inventory for this operation. Drones, HIMARS missiles, Leopard tanks and Javelin missiles will be part of this operation. It is also known that the Ukrainian army will deploy snipers at critical points at the beginning of this offensive.

Media outlets in Ukraine have recently started to report a lot about this operation. Everyone in Ukraine is now waiting for this operation. It is thought that the Ukrainian army will be victorious as a result of this big operation.

Ukrainians are not the only ones talking about the Great Spring Offensive! Russian soldiers are also closely following the news about this offensive. Russian soldiers know very well how inadequate their troops are. Most Russian soldiers don’t even have enough bullets to fight. Russian soldiers now realize that they cannot win this war. Thousands of Russian soldiers are expected to die when the Ukrainian army’s Spring Offensive begins.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.