Russo-Ukrainian War, day 766: Odesa at risk if Ukraine war persists, but Russia can’t take entire country, Elon Musk predicts

Military

UK Intel: Russia recruits 30.000 fresh troops every month to fight Ukraine. It also reported that Russian troops continue to gradually advance westward from Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast.

Russian schools in Belgorod near Ukrainian border shift to remote learning amid shelling. Earlier, the authorities of Belgorod Oblast announced plans to evacuate up to 9,000 children to other Russian regions.

Ukraine detains Russian agent planning series of strikes on Sumy Oblast. Russian intelligence recruited the collaborator after finding her pro-Kremlin posts on social media.

Ukraine’s Army Chief names the number of Ukrainian POWs during Avdiivka withdrawal. Syrskyi said Russian forces captured 25 Ukrainian service members during the operation of withdrawal from Avdiivka.

Ukraine’s military confirms that Russia shot down its own Su-27 over Crimea in friendly fire. The Russian military accidentally shot down one of its own Su-27 fighter jets over the Black Sea near Crimea’s Sevastopol on 28 March, as confirmed by Dmytro Pletenchuk, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy.

As of 30 Mar 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• • • Personnel: 441520 (+730)
    • Tanks: 6951 (+29)
    • APV: 13284 (+20)
    • Artillery systems: 11006 (+15)
    • MLRS: 1023
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 736 (+1)
    • Aircraft: 347
    • Helicopters: 325
    • UAV: 8701 (+45)
    • Cruise missiles : 2046 (+24)
    • Warships/boats: 26
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 14670 (+25)

Intelligence and technology

Funds still lacking for Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine, Estonia warns. Czechia has pledged to supply Ukraine with a massive ammunition shipment of up to 1.5 million rounds.

Russia begins production of Kh-101 cruise missiles with two warheads, doubling their danger — Defense Express. The analysis of the downed wreckage of the missile showed the mass of its explosive charge increased from 400 to 800 kg.

International

“We cannot afford any further delays” — White House to Congress on Ukraine’s air defense needs. The White House urged Congres to pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill so that the US can help Ukraine replenish critically needed air defense missiles.

Zelenskyy: The US reaction to attacks on Russian refineries was not positive, but it is a fair play. In an interview with The Washington Post, the Ukrainian President confirmed a lack of air defense, saying critics of aid for Ukraine didn’t understand the stakes in the war.

Political and legal developments

Zelenskyy shakes up government, removing former comedy colleague. Serhiy Shefir, a co-founder of “Studio Kvartal-95” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has been a key figure in entertainment and politics.

Zelenskyy positively responds to a petition calling to ban online casinos during martial law. The petition gathered 26,000 signatures in one day. It said online casinos negatively influence soldiers.

New developments

Elon Musk: Odesa could fall if Ukraine war drags on. However, Musk believes that there is no chance of Russia taking control of the entire Ukraine.

Ukraine launches world’s first video marriage service on state app. The Ukrainian authorities say this will be a groundbreaking development in government services.

Ukraine’s Army Chief Syrskyi: the need to mobilize 500,000 troops significantly reduced after audit. At the same time, he confirmed the military still needs more troops to ensure sufficient rotations and manpower to counter the increasing number of Russian troops.

Read our earlier daily review here.