Russia deploying more “volunteers” to Ukraine - war update

That’s according to the Ukrainian Army’s General Staff, Ukrinform reports.

“Nearly a 400-strong battalion was formed in Leningrad region. It consists exclusively of servicemen with combat experience. They were sent to Ukraine to reinforce one of the units of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th All-Military Army,” the report reads.

The operational update adds that the Russians are launching more missile and bomb strikes on civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv and Zaporizhia regions, as well as actively conducting air reconnaissance.

Russia also raised the so-called “terrorist threat level” to yellow in the areas bordering Ukraine – until April 26. The move is likely aimed at organizing relocation of military equipment, weaponry, and personnel from those areas and into Ukraine.

In the Siversky direction, separate Russian military units may remain in place in the border areas of Kursk region to restrain Ukraine’s defense forces.

Partial siege and artillery shelling of Kharkiv continues. In some temporarily occupied territories, the enemy is trying to form units of the so-called "people's militia."

In the Donetsk and Tavriya directions, the Russians conducted more air strikes on Mariupol. The enemy is launching an assault mission near the Azovstal metallurgical complex and the local seaport.

In the South Buh direction, the enemy is trying to seize individual settlements, seeing no success.

Over the past 24 hours, Ukraine’s defenders repulsed six enemy attacks, destroyed two enemy vehicles and three artillery systems in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The Ukrainian Air Force shot down Russia’s Su-25 (NATO: Frogfoot) fighter jet.

The enemy has significantly reduced the use of aircraft due to unfavorable weather conditions.