Ukraine's Urgent Call for US Support Amid Escalating Russian Threat

Ukraine's armed forces are facing a more challenging situation in their fight against Russia than ever before. According to the military's top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, the situation on the eastern front has deteriorated significantly. This assessment is supported by video evidence, analysis, and interviews with Ukrainian soldiers conducted by CNN.

Frontline troops in Ukraine are facing challenges as the United States Congress gears up for a significant vote on $60bn of military aid. These troops are either retreating from important areas or facing heavy bombardment while trying to maintain control of key towns.

One such crucial location is the village of Ocheretyne, situated on a ridge line northwest of Avdiivka, an industrial town seized by Russia earlier this year. The strategic value of higher ground for defense purposes is well-known and highly sought after in military operations.

Night view of the Terminal building at the Rzeszow-Jasionka International Airport in Jasionka, Poland. In January, the airport checked in 57,500 passengers, surpassing the previous record set in January 2019. The majority of passengers flew with Ryanair airline, totaling 27,000.

JASIONKA, POLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Night view of the Terminal building at the Rzeszow-Jasionka International Airport, in Jasionka, Poland, on February 10, 2023. In January, 57,500 passengers were checked in at the airport in Jasionka, which is a better result than the best result so far in January 2019. The largest number of passengers used Ryanair airline (27,000). (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via AP)

Artur Widak/NurPhoto/AP/File

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A Polish man has been charged in connection with an alleged Russian plot to kill Ukraine leader Zelensky. DeepState, a Ukrainian organization that monitors battlefield developments daily, has observed a series of Russian advances in recent days along the railway line east into the village – about 4.5 kilometers (nearly 3 miles) in total. The group published drone video showing what it said were Russian soldiers in a trench near the railway line – providing visual confirmation of their advance.

Ukrainian volunteers are helping evacuate civilians from Ocheretyne and other villages ahead of approaching Russian forces. They have been sharing videos on social media showing older residents leaving badly destroyed apartment buildings, bringing along their pets and belongings packed into cardboard boxes. In the background, the sound of multiple explosions can be heard as they depart.

Russian military bloggers are reporting advances into Ocheretyne and nearby Novokalynove, located about 8 kilometers (5 miles) to the east. These advancements are posing a threat to a section of Ukraine's defensive lines in the eastern Donetsk region.

One Russian military blogger, Boris Rozhin, wrote on Telegram on Thursday afternoon that the large fortification between Ocheretyno and Novokalynovo may soon be in Russian hands. Assault groups have already entered Novokalynovo from the southeast and are continuing to advance.

In the village of Ocheretyne, near the town of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, a Ukrainian police officer walks past a destroyed residential building. The damage was caused by artillery and air raids on April 15, 2024. The photo was taken by Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images.

Russian forces have recently made gains in Ukraine, adding to their string of successes. These victories include breaking through Ukraine's defensive lines in the south near Tonenke and Orlivka in late March.

According to an officer from Ukraine's Eastern Command speaking to CNN, the Russian offensive in this area is focused on advancing towards the town of Pokrovsk, which is a crucial road intersection located approximately 30 kilometers to the west.

The officer, who prefers not to disclose his name due to lack of authorization to speak officially, mentioned that the capture and retention of Ocheretyne by Russian forces could potentially put important Ukrainian logistics routes at risk. These routes connect three crucial military hubs - Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka - which could then be controlled by Russian forces.

US aid package vote

Ukraine's armed forces are facing a serious lack of artillery munitions, which is why President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in a recent interview that this shortage is the main reason for the frontline withdrawals in Kyiv.

Zelensky pointed out that the artillery ratio is currently at 1 to 10 in favor of Russia, which puts Ukraine at a disadvantage. He also mentioned that Russian forces are continuously advancing and pushing Ukrainian forces back on a daily basis.

Former Vice President Mike Pence takes part in an interview with CNN from Brussels, Belgium on Thursday, April 18.

Former Vice President Mike Pence takes part in an interview with CNN from Brussels, Belgium on Thursday, April 18.

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Pence cautions that Putin may launch an attack on a NATO nation if he successfully takes over Ukraine.

Ukraine could potentially receive artillery shells and other weapons from the US if Congress gives the green light for new military assistance. After being delayed in different forms for around six months, a fresh aid package is anticipated to be presented for a vote in the House on Saturday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is confident that the bill will pass. He told CNN's Jake Tapper, "We know the timetable, we understand the urgency in Ukraine, and we are committed to standing for freedom to prevent Vladimir Putin from marching through Europe."

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also urged lawmakers to approve the legislation. He recognized that the battlefield was tilting in Russia's favor.

"We are witnessing Russian forces making small advances, putting pressure on the Ukrainian defense line. The Ukrainians are holding their ground admirably, but they need the necessary equipment and ammunition to continue their successful defense," stated a member of the House Defense Appropriations subcommittee. The bill still needs to be approved by the Senate, but there is optimism as similar aid for Ukraine was supported by the upper chamber earlier this year.

A photograph taken on April 11, 2024, near the town of Chasiv Yar, in Donetsk region, shows smoke rising from fires after bombing.

A photograph taken on April 11, 2024, near the town of Chasiv Yar, in Donetsk region, shows smoke rising from fires after bombing.

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About 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Ocheretyne, on another piece of higher ground, the town of Chasiv Yar is also firmly in Russian sights. Syrskyi, the Ukrainian Armed Forces chief, has said he believes the Kremlin has ordered its capture by May 9, the day Russia celebrates victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

Multiple reports describe heavy fighting taking place in an arc of about 120 degrees to the east of the town, including villages from Kalynivka to the northeast to Ivanivske and Klishchiivka to the southeast. Some of the battles are happening in areas that Ukraine had previously recaptured when it launched an offensive last summer.

"The situation in the town of Chasiv Yar is challenging," shared Nazar Voloshyn, who speaks for the Ukrainian Ground Forces’ “Khortytsia” operational-strategic group, in an interview with CNN. He mentioned that the enemy is currently utilizing air superiority, missiles, and large-caliber artillery ammunition in their efforts to reach the borders of Donetsk region.

Voloshyn went on to explain some of the tactics employed by the Russian ground forces. He mentioned that assault groups would advance towards Ukrainian positions, testing for any vulnerabilities, but would then withdraw without trying to secure the positions.

Yurii Fedorenko, commander of the “Achilles” drone battalion, part of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, mentioned that Russian forces had not gained much territory recently. However, he noted that troops in villages near Chasiv Yar were currently involved in intense combat.

According to Fedorenko, the battle is being fought for every house, street, and intersection. He explained that there have been changes in some positions during the fighting. If Russia managed to capture Chasiv Yar, it could lead to cities like Kostiantynivka and Kramatorsk coming under Russian fire control. This would mark a significant shift in the situation in Donetsk.

Ukrainian service members prepare shells next to a self-propelled howitzer at a position near a front line in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on April 3, 2024.

Ukrainian service members prepare shells next to a self-propelled howitzer at a position near a front line in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on April 3, 2024.

Russia's strategy in taking the town seems to involve destroying it from the air. Videos shared on pro-Ukrainian Telegram channels reveal a string of powerful explosions in Chasiv Yar. These explosions are likely the result of FAB guided aerial bombs dropped by Russian aircraft, even from distances as far as dozens of kilometers behind the front lines.

FAB bombs, weighing up to 1.5 tonnes with half high explosives, have been increasingly used by Russia since early 2023, proving devastating in effectiveness.

"It won't be easy for Russia to take the town, but their advantage is not having to preserve the settlement. They will just demolish it with air strikes, like they did with Mariinka and Avdiivka," Voloshyn told CNN.

Ukraine urgently needs to enhance its air defense capabilities to counter the growing FAB threat. Officials emphasize that deploying more Patriot systems would not only protect cities like Kharkiv from missile attacks but also deter Russian warplanes from targeting frontline areas like Chasiv Yar.

In an upcoming virtual meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council, President Zelensky is anticipated to appeal to key allies for additional donations of air defense systems. This is crucial in strengthening Ukraine's defense against potential threats.

Victoria Butenko contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The situation in Ukraine remains dire as Russian forces continue to make advances, particularly in the eastern Donbas region. The frontline troops are facing severe challenges, with some retreating and others enduring relentless bombardment while trying to hold onto key towns. The Ukrainian military's top commander has acknowledged the worsening situation, supported by video evidence, analysis, and interviews with soldiers.

The strategic significance of higher ground in military operations is evident in the battle for Ocheretyne, where Russian troops are gaining ground. The capture of Ocheretyne would threaten Ukrainian logistics routes and put important military hubs at risk. Additionally, the town of Chasiv Yar is under heavy attack, with Russian forces employing a devastating strategy of destroying it from the air using FAB guided aerial bombs. Ukraine urgently needs enhanced air defense capabilities to counter this threat and protect its frontline areas.