Thread by @TWMCLtd

This is the start of Sunday's daily thread covering all the news, and all you need to know, about #Ukraine's battle for survival against the full invasion by #Russia.

Updated in real time, throughout the day, scroll, share, like and reply to help beat Twitter Ukraine bans!

If you can spare any loose change for a coffee to support my work, there's a Ko-Fi link in my bio, thanks.

And if you need a catch up on yesterday's news, here's the link for the start of Saturday's thread.

So it's Day 417 of the war, and I have to say "Khrystos Voskres" (Christ Is Risen) or "Happy Easter" to all my readers from #Ukraine - and indeed #Russia if they are in the minority which opposes war.
The same wishes to all Orthodox believers celebrating Easter today.
💙💛

British Intelligence tries to keep up with all the comings and goings in #Russia's military, which has more changes than managers in the Premier League!

Also mention of horrific thermobaric weapons in #Luhansk

#RussiansGoHome

So the holiest day in the Christian calendar for many, and #Ukraine says #Russia destroyed a church in #Zaporizhzhia region.

Regional Governor Yury Malashko saying "Nothing holy, even on the night of the Resurrection of Christ."

This is in Komyshuvas - no one was injured.

💙Easter in #Ukraine💛

An increase today in #Russia's losses today compared to recent days.

Over 182,000 dead invaders now according to #Kyiv while a very notable number of artillery systems and Multi-launch rocket systems were also destroyed in the last 24 hours.

#StopRussia #SaveUkraine

Video's just been published by #Ukraine's government from the the attack on #Zaporizhzhia.

As well as the church in #Komyshuvas, nearby buildings were also destroyed.

In Zaporizhzhia itself there was also a missile launched at the "green zone."

#StandWithUkraine

More prisoner exchanges took place in the run up to Easter, culminating today.

In total 130 #Ukraine troops were returned, including border guards, national guardsmen + sailors.

They are mostly privates + sergeants who'd been captured in #Bakhmut #Soledar + #Zaporizhzhia.

In the village of #Komyshuvakha, after the missile attack, locals are rescuing objects from the church.

#Russia is accused of firing S-300s on #Zaporizhzhia early this Easter Sunday.
No-one was injured.

#RussiaIsATerroristState

Not to be outdone, a church in #Donetsk was also hit. #Ukraine says it's a provocation.

The Occupiers say a pregnant worshipper was killed during the Easter service at the Temple of Ascension, and a priest was injured.

There were a lot of attacks on #Donetsk in the early hours of the morning and consequently a lot of anger.

It seemed to start with the rocket at the church in the centre of the occupied city.

#Donetsk

Actually we can see here that the church was not hit, but a market nearby was. People are seen running in to the church after the explosion.
I think it unlikely a priest was injured and that was probably added for effect by #Russia.

#Donetsk

And here's another view showing quite a lot of distance from significant damage to the church, which was unscathed in this rocket attack in the occupied city.

#Russia says this is a kindergarten burning in #Donetsk after another rocket in the occupied territory.

And this was Kindergarten #294 in #Donetsk this morning. No injuries.

A hostel, DonNUET, also suffered damage in the shelling of central areas of occupied #Donetsk.

#DonetskIsUkraine #DonbasIsUkraine

More photos from #Donetsk

This is the scene at the covered market in the centre, near the church.

Occupiers now say 6 people were injured as well as the one dead woman - but she was not pregnant as they earlier reported.

Occupiers evacuate more #Ukraine citizens to #Russia. This is #Enerhodar, home of the biggest nuclear power plant.

Impossible to say if they are leaving voluntarily - certainly they're not allowed to go to unoccupied Ukraine. Also the children may not be with their real families

Around 30 Howitzers spotted on their way to #Ukraine.

This video was taken yesterday in #Udine, with #Italy making good on its promise with these M109L models being transported.

#StandWithUkraine

This is #Kyiv region, not #Venice!

Canoes the best form of transport in some places right now.

It shouldn't last - very little rain forecast in #Ukraine's capital in the coming week and spring temperatures.

#Ukraine's losses in the war are subject to constant speculation.

Now, #Ukraine's Defence Min @oleksiireznikov has told Spanish media that they've lost fewer soldiers than victims of the earthquake in #Turkiye (50,500)

#StandWithUkraine️

larazon.es/internacional/…

#YouTube may be breaking sanctions reports @thetimes after finding videos promoting the #Wagner mercenary group.

#StopRussia #RussiaIsATerroristState

thetimes.co.uk/article/wagner…

#Russia reports a drone with explosives crashed in #Bryansk region.

A woman out walking found the unknown aircraft in a forest. near it a bomb was discovered, thought to have been attached to the UAV.

#StopRussia

Two more bodies have been brought from the rubble in #Sloviansk today following Friday's terrorist attack by #Russia

So a total of 13 people were murdered in the bombing of the apartment block, the youngest just 2 years old. Another 22 suffered injuries.

#Ukraine's Foreign Minister is to visit #Baghdad tomorrow, his first trip to #Iraq since the war began.

@DmytroKuleba is expected to hold talks with Iraqi PM Mohamed Shia al-Sudani and FM Fuad Hussein.

#StandWithUkraine

EU commissioner @arianna_podesta says "it's unacceptable" that member states are unlaterally banning imports of #Ukraine's grain.

#Poland was first and Zelenskyy accepted this as they've given so much support. But #Hungary quickly followed, now #Bulgaria says it may do likewise.

In its evening statement, #Ukraine's General Staff reveals they shot down 4 of #Russia's drones today.

In addition Ukraine made 5 strikes on the invaders' troops and anti-aircraft missile complex.
They claim to have repelled 45 attacks in #Bakhmut and #Mariinka during the day.

Yet more bodies were found in the rubble in #Sloviansk this evening.

The rescue operation has now ended at the block of flats. The final death toll is 15.

24 were injured, 15 of whom were rescued alive from the ruins, including a 14 year old girl.

#RussiaIsATerroristState

Thank you @Z6N8t5nNIk6IRaj for the coffees 🙏🇯🇵
First donation for 3 days 💙💛

Ko-fi.com/home/coffeesho…

Canada has indicated it will give one of the huge AN-124 cargo planes to #Ukraine.

Made by the Ukrainian Antonov company, this one was bought by #Russia, but impounded in Canada at the outbreak of the illegal war.

#StandWithUkraine 📷wikipedia

American Bradley Fighting Vehicles filmed in #Ukraine.

#StopRussia #StandWithUkraine

The day started with news of attacks in #Zaporizhzhia and as we approach the end of what is Easter Day in #Ukraine, the region has been under attack again tonight.

First reports indicate that dachas (holiday homes) have been damaged but no casualties.
#StopRussia

Earlier today, for the first time in 300 years, #Ukraine was able to hold an Easter service in the Ukrainian language in the Dormition Cathedral at the famous Lavra in #Kyiv.

Here's a nicely written piece with all the background:

theguardian.com/world/2023/apr…

Oh wow, you've all been so kind.
Abi S, @mjjsmorenburg and here M.K. aka Pancernik have all made contributions in the last few minutes.

Much love guys - I depend on your support to be able to devote the time to these threads💙💛

Ko-fi.com/home/coffeesho…

A new damning complaint from a #Russia brigade of mobilised. The vid is nearly 7 min so can't upload (TG link below)

They say they're not combat ready & don't receive medical needs

And accuse Commanders of stealing weapons by saying they've replaced them
t.me/mobilizationne…

I've been super busy today and not had time to go through your replies and comments here. I have hit the down button 150 times, but poured a large glass of red and about to go through everything.

For tip offs, DMs open, which I read first!
Thanks everyone for the boosts/replies

#RussiaOnFire

Parts of #Belgorod have lost power after what appears to be a drone strike on some sort of power establishment in #Russia

Some local media report a thermal power plant being hit, but if this (unverified) video is genuine it looks like a substation on fire.

Another video of the fire at a substation in #Belgorod, one of the regions of #Russia which border #Ukraine.

A fire at a substation is confirmed.
Interestingly local authorities are denying it was air-defence gone wrong... so it may well be friendly-fire🤡😅