Victorious news of 778th day of war: Russian flag follows Russian warship in Pervomaiske, additional payments for the military at contact line

Germany designated 72% of arms exports in the first quarter of 2024 for Ukraine

This is reported by DW.

This is almost three quarters of the total amount of €4.89 billion.

Interestingly, in the first half of 2023, Germany's exports of military goods totaled €5.22 billion.

In terms of support for Ukraine, in the first year of the full-scale war, the supply of weapons worth €2.24 billion was approved for the country, including air defense systems and heavy artillery.

"In 2023, they were supplemented by Leopard 2 main battle tanks, which the German government provided after much hesitation. The volume of export licenses for Ukraine increased to €4.4 billion. In the first three months of 2024, exports have already reached €3.54 billion," the statement says.

Ukrainian parliament adopts draft law on mobilization in its entirety

On April 11, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the draft law on mobilization in its entirety. A total of 283 MPs voted for it.

MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported the information.

MPs from the Servant of the People party cast 192 votes, while the EU faction did not contribute any, and the Batkivshchyna faction provided two votes.

• Platform for Life and Peace - 18
• Voice - 16
• Restoration - 16
• For the Future - 12
• Trust - 15
• Non-factional - 12.

At the same time, the Rada did not support the amendment on the demobilization of the military after 36 months of continuous service. As many as 227 MPs voted not to include this provision in the draft law, said Iryna Herashchenko, a member of the EU faction.

"The key amendment on the right of servicemen to leave military service after 36 months and go for demobilization was voted down. 227 votes. These votes were given by ‘servants’ (members of the Servant of the People party - ed.), these people who are not fighting. 176 MPs. Platform for Life and Peace and two representatives of Batkivshchyna," she said.

Additional payment of UAH 70,000 to the military at the contact line: Parliament obliges the government to adopt a resolution

On Thursday, April 11, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported a resolution that obliges the Cabinet of Ministers to introduce monthly payments of UAH 70,000 for the military on the front line.

MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported the information.

He noted that 321 MPs supported the resolution. 

"The parliament approved a resolution that obliges the government to approve a resolution on UAH 70,000 for those on the front line (performing combat missions)," said the MP.

The resolution itself states that the additional payment is set for the duration of martial law. The payment will be made to servicemen who perform combat missions on the line of combat contact with the enemy at a distance of combat missions by a military unit of the first echelon of defense or offensive up to and including a company stronghold, as well as on the enemy's territory, for every 30 days of performing such missions.

Ukraine signs security agreement with Latvia

This was reported by the President's press service.

"Latvia undertakes to help Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression as much as necessary. This year, the country will provide Ukraine with military support of about 112 million euros," the statement said.

In addition, Latvia will provide defense assistance of 0.25% of GDP annually, the Office of the President added.

The document confirms the willingness of the Republic of Latvia to help Ukraine with recovery and reconstruction, protection of critical infrastructure, demining, unmanned technologies, and cybersecurity.

The agreement also stipulates Latvia's support for Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO.

The document is valid for ten years and provides for the possibility of extending it by mutual agreement.

American people, Congress support aid for Ukraine - former US State Department spokesman Price

Price said this on the sidelines of the International Mayors' Summit, reports Espreso correspondent Kateryna Halko.  

"I know that this (assistance to Ukraine - ed.) has the overwhelming support of the American people, the overwhelming support of members of Congress. The American people, the US Congress, certainly the current administration understands the need and continues to support Ukraine. This is an important principle in the context of Ukraine, but it is an important principle in the world. And when the rules of the world, when the very principles of national sovereignty are violated somewhere, as in the case of Ukraine, then they can potentially be violated anywhere," he said. 

Price stressed that the Americans are acutely aware of the need to support Ukraine not only with words but also with resources. 

"That's why we have been having a very active conversation with the Congress for many months now, and this conversation is ongoing. But what we hear from the Congress day in and day out, from Democrats and Republicans, is that they support continued solidarity with Ukraine, they want us to be able to demonstrate that, and we are confident that we will be able to continue to do so," the former State Department spokesman said. 

According to him, work is also underway in many formats to ensure that Russia is held accountable for its crimes. The United States is actively cooperating with other countries and Ukrainian partners to help collect evidence, analyze it, preserve it, and make it available to various international bodies, including the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. 

"Our Ukrainian partners have a very active and competent judicial system in which they have demonstrated a very good ability to prosecute war crimes as they have suffered at the hands of Russian forces, as well as their international bodies," he added.

MEPs refuse to approve EU Council funding until Ukraine receives 7 new Patriot systems

On Thursday, April 11, the European Parliament refused to approve a decision on financing the Council of the European Union until EU member states provide Ukraine with 7 new Patriot systems.

Former Belgian Prime Minister and now MEP Guy Verhofstadt of the Renew faction shared the information. He posted a video of his speech on social network X.

"I have in fact a point of order to ask you to change the agenda of today. I have to tell you that today that I am that sick of what is happening in Ukraine. As you all have seen, the last 20 days there are these numerous attacks by the Russians on ordinary cities of Ukraine: hospitals, power installations, apartment blocks. What I find scandalous is that Europe, with opening the door for Ukraine, the European Council is not even capable in such an urgency to decide to send a number of anti-missile systems to Ukraine," Verhofstadt said. 

He emphasized that there are 100 Patriot air defense systems in Europe, and the Europeans cannot provide only seven, as requested by Ukraine. In view of this, the MEP proposed to remove the approval of the European Council budget from the agenda until the member states provide Ukraine with seven Patriot systems. 

“Russian flag in Pervomaiske followed Russian warship"

Serhiy Tsehotskyi, an officer of the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakiv Handziuk, noted that Russian forces are trying to break through the Ukrainian defense and conduct offensive actions in the Avdiivka direction every day.

He shared the information on Espreso TV.

"Almost every day the enemy tries to break through our defense in one place or another to get to our positions. For example, yesterday, on April 10, a large number of enemy infantry massed in Pervomaiske, even managed to raise their tricolor on the outskirts of this settlement and shout to the whole world that Pervomaiske is already theirs. There were a lot of publications and information about this yesterday. The commander of our brigade reacted very quickly, and the tricolor followed the Russian warship. The Ukrainian flag is in Pervomaiske," emphasized the officer of the 59th Brigade.

According to him, today, on April 11, four Russian infantry fighting vehicles and infantry went on the offensive towards Krasnohorivka. The first armored personnel carrier was destroyed, three immediately fled.

"There are constant artillery attacks, FPV drones, 'kamikaze' drones and so on. The enemy is continuously conducting reconnaissance, the whole sky is dotted with enemy reconnaissance drones. However, the occupiers are not sitting still, they have increased the number of their electronic warfare systems, which are installed on vehicles and heavy armored vehicles, interfering with the operation of our FPV. In fact, the situation is very complicated, but under control. We are doing our best to secure our positions and prevent the enemy from accomplishing the task," summarized Tsehotskyi.

Lithuania provides Ukraine with new aid package

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense reported the information. 

It stated that as part of this aid package, Ukraine received drones, generators and folding beds for the Ukrainian army.

Lithuania’s assistance to Ukraine is sustained and continuous, and we are doing everything possible to keep increasing it. The weaponry and equipment supplied by Lithuania and the Allies is a critical factor in Ukraine’s struggle for freedom," said Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas.

In total, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Lithuania has provided military assistance to Ukraine amounting to about EUR 610 million. Of this amount, about EUR 84 million was provided this year. 

Ukrainian aviation strikes 12 Russian personnel concentrations

This was reported by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

During the day, Ukrainian aviation struck 12 concentrations of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment, 1 anti-aircraft missile system.

Ukrainian missile troops struck 2 Russian personnel concentrations.