There were several strikes on Russian airfields. We are talking about at least three airfields where different types of Russian aircraft were based. The airfield in Engels, Saratov region, where Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers are deployed, was struck, and from which they launch Kh-101 missiles at Ukraine. The distance between Ukraine and Engels is over 700 kilometers.
Also under attack was the military airfield in Morozovsk, Rostov region. This is the most significant strike. The city is located approximately 300 km from Ukraine. Residents heard at least 60 explosions around this facility. It is noteworthy that the 559th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment of the Russian Federation is based at the airfield. It is equipped with Su-34 fighters and bombers. Preliminary reports indicated that 26 such bombers were stationed there.
The third aircraft manufacturing facility that came under attack by Ukrainian drones is located in Yeysk, Krasnodar Krai, 150 kilometers from Ukraine. Su-25s are based there. Given the publications, data from Ukrainian media, citing the GUR and other sources, this is the most massive strike on Russian airfields. Probably, more than 10 aircraft were destroyed at these airfields. If this data is confirmed by satellite images, it will be the most successful attack on Russian aircraft on the ground. Especially when we talk about Morozovsk. After all, the airfield was used for SU-34s, which took off quite often and were used for strikes by the guided bombs on Ukrainian territory. The strategy to combat this threat has become the most optimal. Now we have an extremely important trend of how the Armed Forces will minimize this threat of guided bombs.
The use of these strike drones against airfields, like last night, is a good example of how we need to use our own defense and industrial capabilities to solve military tasks. Ukrainian drones, such as A-22, Lutyi and Bober, have the longest range of over 1,300 kilometers, and they are Ukrainian products. We have cooperation with the British and Americans, who have a significant number of tactical strike drones used by the Armed Forces. We use these drones. But to a greater extent, we focus primarily on Ukrainian models to avoid any misinformation about strikes on Russian territory. They say that you can't hit Russia with the models that were given to you as military and technical assistance.
The Russian forces have been attempting to attack this settlement, which is located on a height, for quite some time. Although Chasiv Yar is currently being effectively defended from the Ukrainian side. The capture of Chasiv Yar by the Russians would be of great significance, both for them and for us. This is because it opens up opportunities for further advancement along the Sloviansk - Kramatorsk direction. Chasiv Yar is situated on a height, and if artillery is placed there, it will facilitate further movement.
The Russian troops attacked Chasiv Yar from several directions, including Bohdanivka from the north and Ivanivske from the south. On April 4, there was a frontal attack from Khromove to Chasiv Yar, along the T-0506 road, and there were two attacks. During these attacks, the Russian forces used armored vehicles, 32 vehicles, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles were used. One of the groups made its way to the forest, which is located just east of Chasiv Yar, and tried to gain a foothold there. Most likely, the Russians were driven out by the end of the day. The second group, consisting of eight armored vehicles, moved from Khromove along the landing, drove to Chasiv Yar to a certain area, and then drove back to the forest, landing the paratroopers who were supposed to gain a foothold there.
Currently, we have a situation where there were indeed some Russian forces trying to establish themselves to the east of Chasiv Yar. However, I hope that the current dynamics have resulted in their expulsion from that area. In the sector to the east of Chasiv Yar, we observe a certain penetration into the defense line of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, this is not the main defense line protecting Chasiv Yar. The main defense line runs along the Siverskyi Donets - Donbas canal, where powerful fortification systems are in place. The enemy managed to "run" a certain distance there. There is still some distance to the skyscrapers. But most likely, from April 4 to present, with the help of artillery, the Russians have already been knocked out.
The Russians also used aviation in this area. There is a video from the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade, which is engaged in defense there, where you can see that these Su-25s are striking with their strike weapons at the Russian column that is moving towards Chasiv Yar. As you can see, this is an example of how the Russians are destroying their units.
A new Russian tactic has been observed near Klishchiivka. The enemy tried to break through to Ukrainian positions using motorcycles. At high speed, soldiers on bikes are slipping through, passing, and on the way back they begin to throw smoke grenades. Under the cover of the smoke, infantry is trying to enter and advance into Klishchiivka. In this case, it is quite difficult for artillery to work. Only fpv drones with thermal imagers can be used. Such attacks have been repelled, but the Russians are still trying to use any tricks to reach the Ukrainian positions. In the areas around Chasiv Yar, in all these directions - Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Khromove, Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka - frontal attacks are observed. This will be the hottest area in the coming days.
This front line covers a number of settlements. In the Avdiivka direction, near the village of Berdychi, where the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade Magura is holding the line, the enemy is being destroyed quite actively. Although there is a slight advance of the Russian troops there. Probably, the situation will be corrected with the help of counterattacks.
The situation is also positive in Nevelske. Ukrainian units have achieved successes. Although the entire area west of Avdiivka remains extremely challenging. In addition to the 47th brigade, the 3rd Separate Special Forces Battalion and other units are active in the area. There were also Russian attacks by mechanized units near Lymanske. They were destroyed, repelled, thanks to the work of artillery and FPV drones, which in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers demonstrate positive, impressive results.
The situation around Novomykhailivka remains complicated, as does the entire area. The Russian forces have made some progress towards Novomykhailivka, but in all the settlements around Marinka, including Pobieda, Krasnohorivka and Heorhiivka, Ukrainian troops are holding back the Russian attacks. This direction is important for the Russians to ensure their advance from the north to Vuhledar. However, the enemy most likely does not have enough forces and means to make breakthroughs in all parts of the frontline. The situation remains extremely difficult, but the Russian troops do not have the conditions to make any operational or strategic breakthroughs there.
In the direction of Siversk, the Russian forces are attempting to neutralize the so-called Siversky bulge, which somewhat resembles the history of Avdiivka, when the enemy tries to launch attacks from several directions.
The Russian forces managed to advance towards the pit. This is one of the directions towards Siversk. Assault groups and armored vehicles were used there. That's all the Russians managed to do there this week. The direction is important for the enemy to somehow create preconditions for actions in the Lyman direction. The Russian forces also used armored vehicles for assaults near Terny, but the actions of the 12th Brigade of the Azov National Guard and other brigades resulted in Russian losses in armored vehicles. The Russians are now trying to actively use armored vehicles. It seems that the Russian Federation is aware of the limited amount of ammunition in the Ukrainian army. Therefore, the Russian troops are unsuccessfully trying to put pressure on different parts of the front, looking for weaknesses.