international city travel agency

Travel Agents in International City

Desert Explorers Tourism LLC

Results 1 - 2 of 2

Top Travel Agents Companies in international city

• Asfar, Dubai, Contact: 04-4542466
• Desert Explorers Tourism LLC, Dubai, Contact: 050-7959465

About Travel Agents

Travel agents.

Travel Agents are engaged with selling tours and trips to travelers and tourists alike. The services they offer include arranging travel and transport, lodging, dining, sight seeing, and tourist activities. In simple terms a travel agent is a person whose job is to help people who want to travel by booking their tickets, making reservations, and so on. Travel Agents commonly work with freelance or with a travel agency that offers their services to domestic and foreign travelers. A travel agency is a private retail service provider that deals with services related to travel and tourism on behalf of suppliers of these services. These agencies are connected with service suppliers like airlines, hotels, travel insurance, car hire, cruise lines and package tours.

In addition to taking care of the travel needs of normal tourists, most travel agents offer a special set of services that cater to the needs of business travelers. Some travel agents only deal with business travel, booking flights and other means of travel and transit for business people. Travel agents help travelers save money and time by providing them with package deals or services at lower rates through their commercial contacts. A travel agent take care of booking flights, reserving hotel rooms and resorts, reserving event access, hiring a car and much more. Their services can be split into leisure travel, business travel and planned location travel.

While most people who contact travel agents in UAE look for leisure travel plans or planned holiday trips, there is a large market for business plans as well. The Emirates are home to an ever growing tourism market with its world class tourism services and attractions. The many travel agents in UAE offer unique services at competitive prices, and some of the most renowned of these agents can be found listed with us.

Experience a truly hassle-free journey with this list of Dubai based travel agents who are available 24/7 to assist on your travel. They support through live chats, calls and text options for any of your travel requirements. They ensure a memorable trip by custom designing every client with their travel requirements right from a hotel stay, flight tickets, and local commute options. Apart from the holiday tour packages they also deal with visit visas that are competitive in price without any deposit and hidden charges. They also provide packages for desert safari package tours in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Fujairah, desert dune buggies, parasailing in Dubai, dhow cruise trips, city tour in a bus from AbuDhabi to Dubai, combo deals with discounts up to 70%, luxury tour packages, camp nights at five star and seven-star hotels, water theme parks, themed activities, adventure tours, chauffeur services and many more.

14 Days Duba Tourism visa costs AED 450 30 Days Dubai Tourism visa costs AED 550 60 Days Dubai Tourist Visa costs AED 1250 90 Days Dubai Tourism visa costs AED 1350

How to find the lowest flight price for vacation?

Finding the lowest flight price for your vacation is now made easy. These listed travel agents have a tie-up with the leading travel agencies network where they provide access to the special pricing rates for flights, tour packages, hotels and resorts(inclusive of VAT) and car rentals.

What are the services provided by travel agents?

Travel agents help to get the best deals on flight tickets, hotel stay, cruise tours for families, corporate tours and business tours. They suggest the best tour package based on the client's interest and requirement.

Why travel agents are better than booking online?

Travel agents help to provide a customized solution for traveling needs and they give the best deals sometimes. They advise on the cost trends and are available anytime to solve customer queries.

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Travel Agents in International City, Dubai

Desert Explorers Tourism LLC

• Desert Explorers Tourism L.L.C is a local based Tourism Company, which has been established in 2012 Where, in short span of time the company has become a well k...
• Office No. S12, Building No: F6 China Cluster, International City, Dubai
• +971-4-5871100 , +971-54-4747439
• 0.0 0 votes

Happy Desert Safari

• Since 2000, Happy Adventures has successfully arranged to host so many tourist on every side the world, We Provide the Best Tours with Low-Cost Desert Safari Du...
• Office No. S19, R23, France Cluster, International City, Dubai
• +971-4-4318012 , +971-55-2301416

Dubai Dune Safari

• Get in touch with us today for the latest holiday packages in Dubai. Now you can book your desired dubai desert safari deals and other city tour packages online...
• R-23, France Cluster , International City, Dubai

Red Dunes Tourism LLC

• Beside our own fleet of Four-Wheel-Drive Land Cruisers, our experienced team of linguistic Guides provides Mountain Terrains and Desert Safari Tours as exotic v...
• Office S.10, Building X24, England Cluster, Al Warsan Area, PO Box 93099, International City, Dubai
• +971 4 4417202 , +971 55 6346353

Pay Less Tourism

• As an expert and finest tour operator in Dubai with robust world community, huge sources and a various portfolio of enterprise operations comprising tour operat...
• Shop # 4, England Cluster, P.O. Box: 75300 , Building Y-23 International City, Dubai
• +971 55 1414850 , +971 52 9533428

Eco Travel & Tourism

• We arrange from visa, airport pick up to your hotel accommodation and chart out tailor made programs for your finest enjoyment and satisfaction while in Dubai. ...
• K04, SHOP 2, P.O. Box: 182252 , Greece Cluster International City, Dubai
• +971 529298665 , +971 4 451 3330

Bright Basra Tourism & Travel LLC

• Basra Travel & Tourism offers you the best way to experience the world-famous icons of Dubai, such as the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab and the Palm Jumeirah (...
• Persia Cluster, International City, Dubai
• +971 4 4219717

Symphony Tourism

• We specialize in bringing our clients the most effective,customer oriented hospitality solutions catering for all your holiday destinations throughout UAE. We b...
• Office No. 07, Building No. W-02, Russian Cluster, PO Box 128424, International City, Dubai
• 00971 4 5586289 , 00971 55 368 9777

Pranav Tourism

• We have services like Visa, Hotel Bookings, Dubai Tours, Holiday Packages,....
• Office : 02, Ground Floor, Building X 21 England Cluster, P.O. Box: 299395 , International City, Dubai
• +971 4 4274073 , +971 55 7673442

Red Sand Tourism

• Travel company «Red Sand Tourism» and our team of licensed guides, caring managers and punctual drivers will make your stay in the UAE enjoyable and interesting...
• Office 03, Emirates Cluster 13, International City, P.O. Box: 91145, International City, Dubai
• +971 4 2767645 , +971 55 4424068

Eclipse Tourism

• Eclipse Tourism L.L.C are managed by a professional team and have progressed to the position as one of the top tourism companies in the United Arab Emirates. Ou...
• C-8 China Cluster, P.O. Box 125582, S-8 Building International City, Dubai
• +971 4 4534375 , +971 50 2888724

Metropolic Travel & Tourism LLC

• Metropolic Travel & Tourism LLC We apply for visas to Emirates 350 AED Our company is located in Dubai ...
• Building P-15, Shop 14 International City, France Cluster, International City, Dubai
• +971 4 369 9738

Royal Time Travels

• *Royal Time Travels was established to provide quality travel services to the international Travelers in U.A.E, Airline & Hotel Package in best price....
• England Cluster, Y-17, Office 20, P.O. Box: 77606, International City, Dubai
• +971 4 447 4944

Asfar Travel & Tourism

• Asfar Travel & Tourism is a well established company, providing travel products for travelers and travel agents all around the world since more than 20 years. ...
• P.O. Box: 20772, International City, Dubai
• +971 4 4542466

Desert Team Tourism

• With our team of professionals and well trained staff we guarantee to show you United Arab Emirates like never seen before. We offer our customer value for mone...
• R 23 France Cluster, P.O. Box 5952, International City, Dubai
• +971 4 4572582 , +971 55 4233296

East Sands Tourism LLC

• We have designed our platform to offer security. speed and flexibility. This also provides the independence needed for delivery of services that meet both globa...
• Shop No. 2, X-16, England Cluster, P.O. Box: 252384, International City, Dubai
• +971 55 667 8912 , +971 4 453 4829

Al Basrah Tourism

• We are known as one of the leading destination management companies and wholesalers in Dubai. We deal with premium / luxury hotels in Dubai along with a fleet o...
• Persia 05, P.O. Box: 252003, International City, Dubai
• +971 4 4232807

Silver Gate Tourism

• We provide a wide range of holiday and business options and specialize in creating tailor made packages to exactly fit each individual’s need. Feel free to have...
• China Cluster E7, International City, Dubai
• +971 4 5538916 , +971 55 3086999

Orient Travel - International City Branch

• Our expertise includes Corporate travel management, Retail travel management, Seamen Travel, On-shore & Off-shore crew travel, Rig-Crew travel, Leisure-Destinat...
• P.O. Box 13808, International City, Dubai
• +971 4 280 3803

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Ishtiak Mir

Extremely satisfied by the services of Speedy Way Travel & Tourism. Hope to avail your services in near future. Best of Luck to the entire team.

Bhagat Singh

They have a good communication and they r so fast to satisfy the guest need specially Mr kifayat thank Have a nice day

numan abbasi

Very professional staff, very cooperative, went there for visit visa and tickets. There response was very quick and the price was also very reasonable. Extremely satisfied by the services of Speedy Way Travel & Tourism. Hope to avail your services in near future. Best of Luck to the entire team.

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value Good service and very nice staff

Very professional and aggressive team who serve for the customers whenever I requested anything. I found them very Co-Operative. Stay blessed, keep same momentum & wish you best further.

Muhammad Tasleem

Good attraction with highly professional and experienced team having immense knowledge about recently updated rules by local authority. Keep it up.

Razzaq Nawaz

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value Serives are remarkable in terms of professionalism alongside great friendly staff. I always found them reliable and convenient. I urge the all of you belong to international city to visit the speedyway travels for any kind of traveling and visa services.

Mohamed Imran Khilji

We used their service for Flight booking, professional and prompt service. They dont just provide you with service, they will go above and beyond to help you incase there is any issue. My employee missed his flight due to immigration approval and Mr Hafeez helped us in rebooking that too very late at night, even after office hours. Highly recommended this place for services they provide.

Faisal Abbas

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value One of the best Travel Agency, Super Customer Service. Highly recommend.

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value Good and smooth journey of Dubai. Good follow-Up

Nasir Abbas

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value Excellent, Excellent, Can’t Say in Words. Just Wow

Kifayat Hussain

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value one of the best travel agency in UAE

Mohsin Saleem

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

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长城国际旅行社（迪拜） Great Wall International Travel & Tourism L.L.C

Great Wall International Travel & Tourism Services,based in China, has been serving the community for more than a decade.

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Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

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Russia begins city evacuation as it swaps cross-border strikes with Ukraine

Residents of Belgorod are moved away from the border while Ukraine deflects another barrage of drones and missiles.

Russia has partially evacuated Belgorod and has requests for further removals following Ukrainian air strikes on the border city.

About 300 residents from the city have been temporarily moved to safety further from the border, Belgorod region’s Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Monday. The evacuation comes as Russia and Ukraine increasingly trade drone and missile strikes.

Keep reading

Russia-ukraine war: list of key events, day 684, putin praises russian ‘defenders’ as ukraine deflects another barrage, russia and ukraine target each other’s defence industry amid land stalemate, ukraine says russian missile attack kills 11 in eastern town.

“Some 300 residents of Belgorod, who decided to temporarily evacuate, are at the moment being housed in temporary shelter centres in Stary Oskol, Gubkin and the Korochansky district,” which are further from the border, Gladkov said in a video posted on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Ukraine reported on Monday that at least four people were killed as Russia launched more than 50 missiles and drones in the early hours.

With the war on the front line in eastern Ukraine bogged down in winter trenches, Russia has concentrated on air strikes against Ukraine’s infrastructure, and what it says are military targets. However, civilian areas have been regularly hit.

In response, Kyiv has begun sending its own drones and missiles at targets in the occupied east, as well as inside Russia itself.

On December 30, 25 people were killed in Belgorod. It was the deadliest civilian toll in Russia since Moscow invaded its neighbour in February 2022.

Ukraine has launched further attacks since, spreading panic in the city, which sits about 30km (19 miles) from the border.

The governor offered residents the option of evacuation on Friday.

“Over the past 24 hours, we received 1,300 requests to send Belgorod children to school camps away from the city, in other regions,” Gladkov said.

Moscow strikes again

Meanwhile, Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine on Monday, hitting residential areas and commercial sites as it launched more than 50 missiles and drones.

At least four civilians were killed and some 30 injured, authorities reported, in the attacks in central and western parts of the country, as well as near the front lines.

Ukraine’s air force said it had shot down 18 out of 51 projectiles overnight, including 32 cruise missiles and eight Iranian-made Shahed drones.

“Critical infrastructure facilities, industrial civilian and military facilities were attacked,” the air force said.

A shopping centre and more than two dozen private buildings were damaged in the southern city of Kryvyi Rih, Governor Serhiy Lysak reported, with one killed.

“The mad enemy once again struck civilians,” Lysak wrote on the Telegram messaging app. “Directed missiles at people.”

In the eastern city of Kharkiv, an industrial site and an educational facility were damaged in at least four missile strikes, Governor Oleh Synyehubov said.

Four people were wounded in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, where Governor Yuriy Malashko reported five explosions and said residential areas had been hit.

Officials in the western Khmelnytskyi region reported at least six blasts but gave no immediate details of the damage. A senior presidential adviser said one person had been killed, according to the Reuters news agency.

All of Ukraine was under air raid alert for more than three hours on Monday.

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Stary Oskol city, Russia

The city of Belgorod oblast .

Stary Oskol - Overview

Stary Oskol is a city in Russia located in the Belgorod region, standing on the banks of the Oskol River, about 142 km northeast of Belgorod, 632 km south of Moscow.

The population of Stary Oskol is about 222,600 (2022), the area - 134 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 4725, the postal codes - 309500-309518.

Stary Oskol city flag

Stary oskol city coat of arms.

Stary Oskol city map, Russia

History of stary oskol.

In 1300, there was a village called Ugly on the the territory of the present city. Today, it is one of the districts of Stary Oskol. At that time, the village was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and was a border crossing point on the border with the Golden Horde.

The settlement of Oskol was founded by Russian Tsar Fyodor Ioanovich’s order (Ivan’s the Terrible son) to protect the southern borders of the Russian kingdom in 1593. The bulk of the population were peasants and the military.

In 1617, the town was burned by the Poles. In 1625, 1642 and 1677, the Crimean Tatars approached Stary Oskol, but could not capture it. The town was renamed Stary Oskol (meaning Old Oskol) in 1655, when the town of Tsaryov-Alexeyev, located down the river, was renamed Novy Oskol (New Oskol). Fortifications of the town existed until the 18th century.

More Historical Facts…

Gradually, Stary Oskol turned into peaceful, commercial and merchant town - the center of an agricultural district. Industrial production was represented mainly by enterprises on processing agricultural products.

In 1780, the town got its coat of arms. In 1784, Stary Oskol like most Russian towns of that time was rebuilt according to a new plan signed by Empress Catherine II. A large number of brick houses were built, mostly two-story buildings. The historic center of Stary Oskol has been preserved to our time.

In the second half of the 19th century, the town had a wide network of schools, libraries, reading rooms, printing, secondary schools. In 1894, construction of the railway began, trade and industry began to develop rapidly.

Until the 1930s, there were eleven Orthodox churches in Stary Oskol. During the Second World War, Stary Oskol was occupied by the Germans from July 2, 1942 to February 5, 1943. In 1954, the city became part of the newly formed Belgorod region.

In the late 1960s - early 1970s, in connection with the active development of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (the most powerful iron ore basin in the world), Stary Oskol became a major center of iron and steel industry.

Stary Oskol was declared a city of three top-priority Komsomol construction projects. The largest enterprises: Lebedinsky Mining and Processing Plant, Stoilensky Mining and Processing Plant, Oskolsky Electrometallurgical Plant became not only the city-forming enterprises, but also the largest industrial enterprises of the country. Stary Oskol experienced a new birth.

Today, Stary Oskol is a rapidly developing city, one of the leading mining and metallurgical centers of Russia.

Stary Oskol views

Stary Oskol cityscape

Author: Nikolai Ivanov

The fountain on Friendship Boulevard in Stary Oskol

October movie theater in Stary Oskol

Author: Roman Riapolov

Stary Oskol - Features

The coat of arms of Stary Oskol is a shield divided in half diagonally, in the red field there is a rifle, in the green field - a golden plow. It reflects both military and agricultural importance of the town.

Stary Oskol is among Russian cities with the youngest population. The average age of its citizens is about 35 years. The main reason lies in the history of the city. In the second half of the 20th century, a large number of members of the Young Communist League came to Stary Oskol to participate in the construction of large industrial enterprises.

Unique reserves of iron ore, developed industry and infrastructure, high scientific, technical and industrial potential, fertile land form the basis of Stary Oskol economy.

The main branches of local industry are mining, ferrous metallurgy, machine building and metalworking, building materials, food industry. There are more than 140 large and medium industrial enterprises, which employ more than 80 thousand people.

Attractions of Stary Oskol

The city has more than a dozen Orthodox churches and chapels. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Tokareva Street, 4/1) is the main church of Stary Oskol. St. Trinity Church (Bolshevistskaya Street, 17/15), built in 1730, is the oldest church in the city.

The Zoo was opened in Stary Oskol in 2008. Bears, lions, tigers, monkeys, wolves, camels, ostriches, and other species of birds and animals live there.

Museum of Local Lore (Lenina Street, 50). The museums, founded in 1923, has exhibitions about the history of Stary Oskol. It is located in a building which is a monument of history and culture of the 19th century once owned by the merchants and brothers Likhutins.

The museum organizes tours of the city and the area including visits to an ancient Russian settlement of Kholki, an underground monastery in Melovy mountains, and a biosphere reserve “Yamskaya steppe”.

Art Museum (Lenina Street, 57). The collection of local masters of folk clay toys (O.M.Goncharova and N.M.Goncharova) is a real pearl of the museum. Stary Oskol folk clay toys production was known from the end of the 18th century.

House Museum of Vasily Yeroshenko (Yeroshenko Street, 15). Yeroshenko’s life is a living legend for blind people not only in Russia but also abroad. He encourages disabled people, supports them with his talent, helps them on their ways to improve techniques. Yeroshenko spoke 12 foreign languages and was the professor of universities in Tokyo and Beijing, he became a classic of Japan literature for children.

Stary Oskol city of Russia photos

Pictures of stary oskol.

Byl movie theater in Stary Oskol

Friendship Boulevard in Stary Oskol

The Monument to Soviet-Bulgarian friendship in Stary Oskol

Sights of Stary Oskol

The memorial complex Ataman Forest in Stary Oskol

Cannon monument in Stary Oskol

Church of the Nativity in Stary Oskol

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Lider is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Stary Oskol, offering a luxury environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.

Lider offers guests an array of room amenities including a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and air conditioning, and getting online is possible, as free wifi is available.

The small hotel offers a 24 hour front desk, room service, and a chapel, to make your visit even more pleasant. The property also features a pool and a snack bar.

Given the close proximity of popular landmarks, such as Temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh (1.3 mi) and Monument to Georgiy Zhukov (1.8 mi), guests of Lider can easily experience some of Stary Oskol's most well known attractions.

While in Stary Oskol, you may want to check out some of the restaurants that are a short walk away from Lider, including Bakery Shu-Shu (0.8 mi), Shpachek (0.8 mi), and Moko (0.8 mi).

During your visit, be sure to check out popular attractions like Promagro (0.1 mi) and Heart of The City (0.8 mi), which are all within walking distance of the small hotel.

Enjoy your stay in Stary Oskol!

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April 18, 2024 - Iran targeted in aerial attack

Kathleen Magramo, Sana Noor Haq, Christian Edwards, Aditi Sangal, Elise Hammond, Amir Vera, Tori B. Powell and Maureen Chowdhury, Adam Renton and Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN

Our live coverage of the attack on Iran has moved here .

Attack was a calculated message to Iran, retired US Army general says

From CNN's Michael Holmes and Elizabeth Wolfe

The attack on Iran early Friday was likely intended as both a retaliatory measure and a cautionary message, a retired US Army Major General told CNN.

For days, Israel has been weighing its response to unprecedented weekend strikes from Iran, which were launched in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria earlier this month.

A US official told CNN that Friday's attack was an Israeli strike. Israel has declined to comment on it.

“Israel must maintain its vigilance” in case Iran decides to respond with another show of force, retired Major General Mark MacCarley said.

By targeting the Iranian province of Isfahan — the site of significant nuclear facilities —Israel was likely warning that it could easily overwhelm Iran's defenses, MacCarley said.

“I think that there was a very deliberate thought process on the part of the Israeli war cabinet," he said.

"Israelis had to retaliate, but at the same time, within that retaliation was a message, and that is, 'Yes, we can get through. Don’t do it again. If you do it again, then all heck will break out.'"

Blast heard near Isfahan was caused by air defense firing at "suspicious object," Iranian official says

From CNN's Adam Pourahmadi and Irene Nasser

A loud blast heard near the Iranian city of Isfahan was caused by "air defense firing at a suspicious object," an Iranian senior military commander said, according to Iran's state-aligned Tasnim news agency.

There was no "damage or incident," said senior military commander Second Brigadier General Mihandoust in Isfahan Province, according to Tasnim.

A US official told CNN that Israel had carried out a strike inside Iran. The Israeli military has not commented.

Iranian state media are reporting that all facilities in the area are secure, including significant nuclear facilities .

Three explosions were heard early Friday near the military base where fighter jets are located in the Isfahan province, Iran's semi-official FARS news agency reported.

Iran's National Cyberspace Center spokesman, Hossein Dalirian, said air defenses shot down three drones and "there are no reports of a missile attack for now."

The Middle East is on edge after a strike on Iran. Here's what we know

From CNN staff

Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran, a US official told CNN on Friday , in a move that threatens to further escalate conflict in the Middle East.

Iran’s air defense systems were activated in several locations after explosions were heard close to the airport and an army base in the province of Isfahan, state media reported early Friday morning.

Israel has not taken responsibility for the attack.

Here's what we know:

• What Iranian reports say: Three blasts were heard near a military base where fighter jets are located in northwest Isfahan, Iran’s semi-official FARS news agency reported. Following the strike, Iranian media reported that all facilities around Isfahan are secure, including significant nuclear facilities in the area. Iran's National Cyberspace Center spokesman, Hossein Dalirian, said air defenses shot down three drones and "there are no reports of a missile attack for now."
• What was the target? That remains unclear, but the US official told CNN the strike's target was not nuclear. According to FARS, a military radar was a possible target. Ghahjaworstan, where an explosion was heard, is located near Isfahan Airport and “the eighth hunting base of the Army Air Force,” FARS reported.
• How did we get here? Tensions remain acute across the Middle East as Israel wages war in Gaza against Palestinian militant group Hamas, an Iranian ally. Meanwhile, a decades-long shadow conflict between Israel and Iran erupted into the open on the weekend when Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel that Tehran said was retaliation for a deadly suspected Israeli airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Syria.
• What Israel says: The Israeli military said Friday they "don't have a comment at this time" when asked by CNN about reports of explosions in Iran. Israel's war cabinet has met periodically this week without announcing any definitive action following the Iranian strikes on Israel last weekend.
• What the US says: Israel’s allies, including the United States , have called for restraint from Israel in a bid to prevent a regional war. The US "didn’t green light" an Israeli response, another senior US official told CNN. Prior to Friday's strike, the US expectation was that Israel would not target civilian or nuclear facilities, the second official said.
• What happens next? That also remains unclear. Reports of the explosions came hours after Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN  that if Israel takes any further military action against Iran, its response would be “immediate and at a maximum level.” He added: “If the Israeli regime commits the grave error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them.”

Iran lifts flight suspensions put in place following reports of explosions

Iran has lifted flight suspensions put in place after reports of explosions near a military base in Isfahan province, according to the spokesperson of the Civil Aviation Organization.

"We inform you that the operational restrictions imposed on the airports have been removed and the airlines are allowed to carry out scheduled flights," the spokesperson said.

Flights have resumed at Mehrabad Airport and Imam Khomeini International Airport, the two major airports in Iran's capital, Tehran, after being suspended earlier today.

Iran had earlier temporarily suspended all flights heading to the cities of “Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz, the airports of the West, North West and South West," state-run Mehr TV reported.

Outgoing flights were also briefly canceled.

Iranian state media reports no major disruption to Isfahan's infrastructure

From CNN's Nic Robertson and Elizabeth Wolfe

Following a strike in Iran's Isfahan province, Iranian state media are reporting that all facilities in the area are secure, including significant nuclear facilities, CNN International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson reports.

Though a US official told CNN Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran, Israel has not taken responsibility for the attack.

"The overall impression that's being related by the Iranian government and other media outlets in Iran is that whatever events have happened — and they do leave it rather ambiguous — it has not damaged significantly any important facilities near Isfahan," Robertson said.

State media is also reporting that they have not had any enemy aircraft come into Iranian airspace, he added.

Flight en route to Tehran returns to Dubai

From CNN's Sandi Sidhu in Hong Kong 

A flight from Dubai to Tehran was diverted back to the United Arab Emirates on Friday morning after Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport closed. 

A Flydubai spokesperson told CNN that flights from Dubai to Iran had been canceled. 

"Flydubai flight FZ 1929 from Dubai to Tehran on 19 April has returned to Dubai due to the closure of Tehran Airport (IKA). In line with the issued NOTAM, our flights to Iran today have been canceled. The safety of our passengers and crew is our priority," the spokesperson said.

The flight left for Dubai at 4:10 a.m. (8:10 p.m. ET) and arrived back in Dubai at 5:51 a.m. (9:51 a.m. ET). 

US Secretary of Defense spoke with Israeli Defense Minister earlier Thursday before Israel attacked Iran

From CNN's Mary Kay Mallonee

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant earlier Thursday about “regional threats and Iran’s destabilizing actions in the Middle East,” according to a Pentagon readout.

The call happened before Israel carried out a strike inside Iran . The Pentagon readout does not mention any discussion of Israel’s plans to attack.

Austin also discussed "the importance of increasing and sustaining the flow of humanitarian aid to Gazan civilians, including via the new route from Ashdod Port in Israel," the readout said.

CNN reported Thursday night that Israel had told the US that it would be retaliating against Iran in the coming days, according to a senior US official.

Iran's air defense downs 3 drones, official says, as state media reports no large-scale strikes

From CNN's Adam Pourahmadi and Hamdi Alkhshali

Iranian air defenses shot down three drones Friday, according to a Tehran official, as state media said no large-scale strikes or explosions had been reported following blasts near the central city of Isfahan.

It comes after a US official told CNN Friday that Israel had carried out a strike inside Iran, in a move that threatens to raise regional tensions.

Iran's air defense systems were activated in several regions as a precaution against potential aerial threats, according to state news agency IRNA.

“Following the activation of air defense in some parts of the country to deal with some possible targets, reports indicate that so far, no large-scale strikes or explosions caused by any air threat has been reported,” IRNA said early Friday local time.

Extensive checks in Isfahan, a critical central province with significant nuclear facilities, indicate that all sensitive military and security installations remain secure, with no incidents reported.

Missile defense systems were not activated, IRNA added.

This post has been updated.

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Middle East latest: Netanyahu vows to 'increase pressure' on Hamas; Iran 'displayed power' in attack on Israel, Supreme Leader claims

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has spoken for the first time since his country attacked Israel. It follows news of Palestinians being killed in Rafah and the West Bank, and the IDF launching strikes in Lebanon.

Sunday 21 April 2024 18:30, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• Iran 'displayed power' in attack on Israel, Supreme Leader insists - despite failure
• Sean Bell: New details hint at impact of Israeli strike on Iran
• 13 children from same family killed in strike on Rafah, hospital says
• IDF sanctions a 'dangerous precedent', senior Israeli politician warns
• At least 14 Palestinians killed in West Bank raid, authorities say
• Israel says it has attacked 'terrorist targets' in Lebanon
• US Congress approves aid package for Israel 
• Analysis: Iran isn't biggest threat to the coalition right now
• Live reporting by Bhvishya Patel and (earlier)  Narbeh Minassian

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today and discussed the state of the region, a spokesperson for the German government has said.

"The chancellor emphasised that it was essential to avoid a regional escalation," the spokesperson said.

It comes as Iran and Israel, who have been locked in a shadow war for years, try to dial back tensions following a series of escalatory attacks between them as the Israel-Hamas war inflames the wider region.

Israel war cabinet member Benny Gantz has spoken with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and asked him to reconsider the decision to sanction the IDF's Netzah Yehuda battalion, the American news website Axios reports, citing Mr Gantz's office.

For context : This weekend a report from Axios claimed the US was expected to announce sanctions within days on the IDF battalion for human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.  

Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu has already responded, warning it is "forbidden" to sanction the IDF.

The Axios report adds it would be the first time the US has imposed sanctions on an Israeli military unit.

Israel and Iran have been at war for decades but they have been fighting in the shadows.

Analysts believe both countries are now trying to ease tensions following a series of escalatory attacks between them.

Here, our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn   explains how we got here and what could be next.

We have been reporting today on Israeli strikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah overnight which killed 22 people, including 18 children, according to health officials.

Now, the IDF has responded to the overnight strikes.

"At the given times, the IDF struck several military targets of the terrorist organisations in Gaza including military compounds, launch posts and armed terrorists," it said in a statement.

For context : Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million have sought refuge from fighting elsewhere.

It has also vowed to expand its ground offensive to the city on the border with Egypt despite international calls for restraint, including from the US.

Israel will "increase the political and military pressure on Hamas in the coming days", Benjamin Netanyahu has said.

Speaking before the Jewish holiday of Passover that starts tomorrow, the Israeli leader said all proposals for the release of hostages had been "outright rejected by Hamas".

"In the coming days we will increase the military and political pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages and achieve our victory," he said.

He also responded to reports of imminent US sanctions on the IDF religious battalion Netzah Yehuda saying: "If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit in the IDF I will fight it with all my might."

The balance between the right to protest and the rights of everyone else had been completely lost, a charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism has said. 

We have been reporting this weekend on a Met Police officer who was recorded preventing a Jewish man from crossing a road by a pro-Palestinian march because he is "openly Jewish".

The force has since apologised.

Responding to the incident in a statement on X, the Community Security Trust (CST) noted that since 7 October it had seen a "record increase in anti-Jewish hate crime against a backdrop of constant anti-Israel hate demonstrations".

It said CST was working with the police to protect the Jewish community but despite "all the good work" there had been "mistakes".

"This latest case fits that profile, with the context and detail lost in the heat of controversy. An individual officer tried to do the right thing but ended up making things worse in a very difficult moment," the charity said.

The broader question, the CST said, was "how much longer these costly and disruptive protests will be allowed to continue".

"It feels like any balance between the right to protest and the rights of everyone else had been completely lost, with extremists the only ones to benefit, Jews the first to suffer and the police often caught in the middle," it added.

The Israeli military says its soldiers shot two Palestinians who tried to attack them in the West Bank this morning. 

We reported earlier today the IDF claimed two Palestinians tried to stab and shoot its soldiers near the city of Hebron (see our 9.13am post). 

One was reported dead, but now the Palestinian health ministry says both have been killed.

The Israeli military said: "One of the terrorists attempted to stab IDF soldiers that were in the area, who responded with live fire and neutralised him." 

The force added: "At the same time, the other terrorist opened fire at the soldiers, who responded with live fire and neutralised him too."

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA, quoting local sources, said ambulance crews were prevented from reaching the two men.

Palestinian security sources told WAFA the two men, aged 18 and 19, died and that they were still unable to collect their bodies.

A Tory peer has called for the Gaza conflict to end "immediately" as he criticised Israel for an alleged attack on Rafah that killed at least 22 people.

Israel has been carrying out air raids on the southern Gazan city almost daily, with the latest round reportedly killing 17 children of the same extended family overnight (see our 1.46pm post).

Lord Ahmad, a minister at the foreign office, said on X: "Appalled by the Israeli strike on a residential apartment in the densely populated Rafah in Gaza, which resulted in more children being killed.  

"We must stop this fighting immediately and bring an end to this conflict."

It comes just one day after nine people were reportedly killed in another airstrike on the city, including six children, according to Palestinian authorities.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are seeking safety in Rafah, having fled attacks elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF says it is unaware of any US sanctions against one of its battalions, after a report claimed Washington is planning such a step against a unit for alleged human rights violations in the West Bank (see our 8.14am post).

The military said that its Netzah Yehuda battalion - which is reportedly the target of potential sanctions - is an active combat unit that operates according to the "principles of international law".

"Following publications about sanctions against the battalion, the IDF is not aware of the issue," military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said. 

"If a decision is made on the matter it will be reviewed. 

"The IDF works and will continue to work to investigate any unusual event in a practical manner and according to law."

We reported this morning the Board of Deputies of British Jews has called for an urgent meeting with Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley, following an officer's handling of an antisemitism campaigner near a pro-Palestinian march (see our 10.14am post).

The group has now said it will meet with Sir Mark later this week, along with the Jewish Leadership Council and antisemitism charity CST.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism, whose chief executive Gideon Falter was the campaigner called "openly Jewish" by a police officer last weekend, has told Sky News it has not been invited to the meeting.

Mr Falter had earlier called for Sir Mark to resign, as did former home secretary Suella Braverman.

In a video of the incident, an officer appears to prevent Mr Falter from crossing the road and tells him: "You are quite openly Jewish. 

"This is a pro-Palestinian march. I am not accusing you of anything, but I am worried about the reaction to your presence."

A government source said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is "appalled" at what happened.

The Met Police has apologised.

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The desert nation of UAE records its most rain ever, flooding highways and Dubai's airport

D UBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded — a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world's busiest airfield for international travel.

The state-run WAM news agency called the rain Tuesday “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.” That's before crude oil was discovered in this energy-rich nation then part of a British protectorate known as the Trucial States.

Rain also fell in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but was acute across the UAE.

The flooding sparked speculation that cloud seeding — flying small planes through clouds dispersing chemicals aimed at getting rain to fall — may have contributed to the deluge. But experts said the storm systems that produced the rain were forecast well in advance and that cloud seeding alone would not have caused such flooding.

Several reports quoted meteorologists at the National Center for Meteorology as saying they flew six or seven cloud-seeding flights before the rains. Flight-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed one aircraft affiliated with the UAE’s cloud-seeding efforts flew around the country Monday.

The National, an English-language, state-linked newspaper in Abu Dhabi, quoted an anonymous official at the center on Wednesday as saying no cloud seeding took place on Tuesday, without acknowledging any earlier flights.

The center did not respond to questions Wednesday from the AP.

The UAE, which heavily relies on energy-hungry desalination plants to provide water, conducts cloud seeding in part to increase its dwindling, limited groundwater .

Jeff Masters, a meteorologist for Yale Climate Connections, said the flooding in Dubai was caused by an unusually strong low pressure system that drove many rounds of heavy thunderstorms.

“You don’t need cloud seeding’s influence to account for the record deluge in Dubai,” Masters said.

Another expert, Steven Siems of Australia's Monash University, agreed.

Given the size of the storm, any seeding effort would simply be pointless," he said. “Nature is already doing the job perfectly well.”

Scientists also say climate change in general is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires around the world. Dubai hosted the United Nations' COP28 climate talks just last year. Rising temperatures and other effects of global warming long have been viewed as a threat to life in the already-baking region.

The rains began late Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport. The storms intensified around 9 a.m. Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport.

Standing water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. Arrivals were halted Tuesday night, and passengers struggled to reach terminals through water-covered roads.

One couple, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to speak freely in a country with strict laws that criminalize critical speech, called the situation at the airport “absolute carnage.”

“You cannot get a taxi. There's people sleeping in the Metro station. There's people sleeping in the airport,” the man said Wednesday.

Dubai International Airport acknowledged Wednesday morning that the flooding had left “limited transportation options” and affected flights as aircraft crews couldn't reach the airfield.

“Recovery will take some time,” the airport said on the social platform X.

Long-haul carrier Emirates and FlyDubai, its low-cost sister airline, had major disruptions.

Paul Griffiths, the airport's CEO, acknowledged continued issues with flooding Wednesday morning, saying every place an aircraft could be safely parked was taken. Some aircraft had been diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the city-state's second airfield.

“It remains an incredibly challenging time. In living memory, I don’t think anyone has ever seen conditions like it,” Griffiths told the state-owned talk radio station Dubai Eye. “We are in uncharted territory."

Egypt’s national carrier, EgyptAir, also temporarily suspended flights between Cairo and Dubai due to the bad weather.

Schools across the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, largely shut ahead of the storm and government employees were largely working remotely if able. Many workers stayed home as well, though some ventured out, with the unfortunate stalling out their vehicles in deeper-than-expected water covering spots on some roads. That included parts of the Sheikh Zayed Road, a 12-lane highway through downtown Dubai.

Authorities sent tanker trucks out into the streets and highways to pump away the water. Water poured into some homes, forcing people to bail out their houses.

The country's hereditary rulers offered no overall damage or injury information for the nation, as some slept in their flooded vehicles Tuesday night. In Ras al-Khaimah, the country's northernmost emirate, police said one 70-year-old man died when his vehicle was swept away by floodwater.

Khatm al-Shakla, an area near Al Ain in Abu Dhabi, saw 254 millimeters (10 inches) of rain Tuesday, the most anywhere in the country, officials said.

Authorities canceled school and the government instituted remote work again for Wednesday. Dubai later closed schools for the rest of the week.

Rain is unusual in the UAE, an arid, Arabian Peninsula nation, but occurs periodically during the cooler winter months. Many roads and other areas lack drainage given the lack of regular rainfall, causing flooding.

Meanwhile in neighboring Oman, a sultanate that rests on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, at least 19 people were killed in heavy rains in recent days, according to a statement Wednesday from the country's National Committee for Emergency Management. That includes some 10 schoolchildren swept away in a vehicle with an adult, which saw condolences come into the country from rulers across the region.

Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.

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Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 20, 2024

Riley Bailey, Angelica Evans, Nicole Wolkov, Christina Harward, Kateryna Stepanenko, and Frederick W. Kagan

April 20, 2024, 7:30pm ET  

Click here to see ISW’s interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.

Click here to see ISW’s 3D control of terrain topographic map of Ukraine. Use of a computer (not a mobile device) is strongly recommended for using this data-heavy tool.

Click here to access ISW’s archive of interactive time-lapse maps of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These maps complement the static control-of-terrain map that ISW produces daily by showing a dynamic frontline. ISW will update this time-lapse map archive monthly.

Note: The data cut-off for this product was 12:30pm ET on April 20. ISW will cover subsequent reports in the April 21 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment.

The US House of Representatives passed a supplemental appropriations bill on April 20 providing for roughly $60 billion of assistance to Ukraine. [1]  The bill must now be passed by the Senate and signed by the president before aid can begin to flow. These requirements and the logistics of transporting US materiel to the frontline in Ukraine will likely mean that new US assistance will not begin to affect the situation on the front line for several weeks. The frontline situation will therefore likely continue to deteriorate in that time, particularly if Russian forces increase their attacks to take advantage of the limited window before the arrival of new US aid. Ukrainian forces may suffer additional setbacks in the coming weeks while waiting for US security assistance that will allow Ukraine to stabilize the front, but they will likely be able to blunt the current Russian offensive assuming the resumed US assistance arrives promptly.  The US Senate will reportedly vote on the bill sometime in the coming week.[2] Pentagon Spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder stated on April 19 that the Pentagon’s robust logistics system will allow the United States to move security assistance within a matter of “days” and that he believes that the United States will be able to “rush the security assistance in volumes” that the United States believes Ukraine will need to be successful.[3] US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander reportedly told US lawmakers that the Pentagon would begin moving ammunition, artillery shells, and air defense assets quickly once Congress approves the aid.[4] US media reported that US officials stated that the US Department of Defense (DoD) has been assembling the first tranche of resumed US security assistance for Ukraine ahead of the vote in the US House of Representatives but noted that the Biden administration has yet to make a final decision on how large the first tranche of aid will be or what it will include.[5] US officials reportedly stated that the United States will be able to “almost immediately” send certain munitions to Ukraine from US storage facilities in Europe, particularly critically needed 155mm artillery shells and air defense missiles.[6] The US officials noted that other security assistance will likely take weeks to arrive in Ukraine depending on where it is currently stored.[7] Ukraine has systematically improved its military logistics operations in recent months, but this new system has not yet accommodated a sudden and large influx of materiel, and no system would be able to immediately distribute large quantities of materiel throughout the frontline.[8]

Ukrainian forces will therefore likely continue to face ongoing shortages of artillery ammunition and air defense interceptors in the coming weeks and the corresponding constraints that these shortages are placing on Ukraine’s ability to conduct effective defensive operations.[9] Ukrainian artillery shortages are letting Russian mechanized forces make marginal tactical gains, and Ukraine’s degraded air defense capabilities are permitting Russian aviation to heavily degrade Ukrainian defenses along the front with glide bomb strikes.[10] Russian forces could continue to leverage these operational advantages in the coming weeks to make further tactical gains and destabilize the Ukrainian defensive line in hopes of achieving operationally significant advances. ISW continues to assess that material shortages are forcing Ukraine to conserve ammunition and prioritize limited resources to critical sectors of the front, increasing the risk of a Russian breakthrough in other less well-provisioned sectors and making the overall frontline more fragile than the current relatively slow rate of Russian advances suggests.[11] The threat of an operationally significant Russian advance in the coming weeks remains, although the Ukrainian command may have more latitude to take short-term risks with dwindling supplies to prevent such an advance once it knows that more materiel will be arriving soon.

Russian forces will likely intensify ongoing offensive operations and missile and drone strikes in the coming weeks in order to exploit the closing window of Ukrainian materiel constraints.  Russian forces have maintained and, in some areas, intensified ongoing offensive operations, likely to exploit abnormally dry spring ground conditions and persisting Ukrainian materiel shortages before the arrival of promised Western security assistance.[12] Russian forces have also sought to exploit Ukraine’s degraded air defense capabilities in an effort to collapse the Ukrainian energy grid and cause long-term damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure and defense industrial capacity.[13] The now expected arrival of US security assistance has likely emphasized these considerations for Russian forces, and the Russian military command will likely intensify offensive operations and missile and drone strikes to pursue operationally significant effects that will certainly become harder to achieve against well-provisioned Ukrainian forces. Russian forces have only achieved tactical gains during the past six months of worsening Ukrainian constraints and remain unlikely to achieve a breakthrough that would collapse the frontline.[14] Russian forces may still be able to make operationally significant advances in the coming weeks and may prioritize sectors of the front where the Ukrainian defense appears relatively unstable, particularly west of Avdiivka, or areas of the front where Russian forces are within reach of an operationally significant objective, such as near Chasiv Yar.[15]

Russian forces may hope that continued and possibly intensified missile and drone strikes will be able to collapse the Ukrainian energy grid and force Ukraine to contend with a humanitarian crisis alongside its ongoing defensive operations. Russian forces could also shift their target set to strike Ukrainian transportation infrastructure to constrain Ukraine’s ability to sufficiently distribute manpower and materiel to critical sectors of the front. Russian forces heavily targeted Ukrainian transportation infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on April 19, and Russian forces may intend to expand these strikes in the coming weeks to interdict Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs).[16] Russian forces will likely also decide to exploit poor Ukrainian air defense coverage along the front and intensify glide bomb strikes in the coming weeks in hopes of causing widespread damage to Ukrainian defensive positions before it becomes riskier for Russian aircraft to conduct these strikes amid an improved Ukrainian air defense umbrella.

Ukraine will likely be in a significantly improved operational position by June 2024 regardless of delays in the arrival of US security assistance to the frontline, and the Russian military command will likely consider significant changes to the large-scale offensive operation that it is expected to launch in June, although it may still proceed as planned.  Ukrainian forces will likely leverage sufficient US security assistance to blunt Russian offensive operations in June 2024, which Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Head Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov recently highlighted as the likely month that Russian forces will launch their expected large-scale summer offensive effort.[17] The Russian military has likely been assessing that Ukrainian forces would be unable to defend against current and future Russian offensive operations due to delays in or the permanent end of US military assistance. This assumption was likely an integral part of Russia’s operational planning for this summer.[18] Russian forces have been establishing operational- and strategic-level reserves to support their expected summer offensive effort, but likely have been doing so based on the assumption that even badly-trained and poorly-equipped Russian forces could make advances against Ukrainian forces that lack essential artillery and air defense munitions.[19] Ukraine is also addressing its own manpower challenges and will likely continue to conduct rotations to rest and replenish degraded units, although it will take time for these efforts to generate large-scale effects.[20]

Ukrainian officials have previously indicated that Russian forces will likely continue to conduct offensive operations this summer focused on seizing the remainder of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts but may also launch an offensive operation to seize Kharkiv City.[21] Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov notably signaled on April 19 Russia’s intent to seize Kharkiv City.[22] The Russian military command may have envisioned that simultaneous offensive efforts towards Kharkiv City and along the current frontline in eastern Ukraine would stretch and overwhelm poorly-provisioned and undermanned Ukrainian forces and allow Russian forces to achieve a major breakthrough in at least one sector of the frontline. The Ukrainian forces with improving materiel and manpower supplies that will likely hold the frontline in June 2024 will undermine this operational intent of simultaneous Russian offensive operations across a wider front. The Russian military command will likely have to consider   if the intended areas and objectives of its summer offensive effort are now feasible and if the current means that Russian forces have been concentrating and preparing are sufficient to conduct planned offensive operations considering the expected resumption of US security assistance to Ukraine. ISW offers no forecast of the decisions the Russians will make at this time.

The likely resumption of US security assistance to Ukraine is a critical turning point in the war in Ukraine, but the Kremlin, the West, and Ukraine still have additional decisions to make that will determine the character and outcome of the fighting.  The Kremlin still retains the ability to further mobilize its economy and population to support its campaign to destroy Ukrainian statehood and identity and may determine to pursue domestically unpopular decisions should it deem them necessary. Ukraine still faces persisting force generation, sustainment, and defense industrial challenges that will heavily affect the capabilities that it can bring to bear. The United States and its Western allies must provide Ukraine with regular and consistent aid and deliver new critical systems to Ukrainian forces in a timely and effective manner for Western security assistance to have operationally significant effects. ISW has been considering a very wide forecast cone from the most advantageous to the most dangerous possible outcomes in recent months due to the uncertainty about the resumption of US aid to Ukraine.[23] ISW will likely be narrowing the forecast cone in the coming months as the impacts of Western security assistance become clearer in Ukraine and as the Kremlin decides how to respond.

Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted successful drone strikes against several energy infrastructure facilities and a fuel storage facility within Russia on the night of April 19 to 20.  Ukrainian media reported that sources in Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR), and Special Operations Forces (SSO) stated that the SBU, GUR, and SSO jointly launched dozens of drones against Moscow, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Tula, Smolensk, Ryazan, and Kaluga oblasts, and struck at least three electrical substations and a fuel storage facility.[24] Ukrainian media reported that the SBU, GUR, and SSO targeted Russian energy facilities that support Russian defense industrial facilities.[25] The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Russian air defenses destroyed and intercepted 50 Ukrainian drones over the same eight oblasts.[26] Bryansk Oblast Governor Alexander Bogomaz claimed that a drone crashed at an energy facility in Bryansk Oblast and caused a fire.[27] Kaluga Oblast Governor Vladislav Shapsha claimed that a drone strike slightly damaged energy infrastructure in Maloyaroslavetsky Raion, Kaluga Oblast.[28] Smolensk Oblast Governor Vasily Anokhin claimed that falling drone debris caused a container of fuel to catch fire in Kardymovsky Raion, Smolensk Oblast.[29] Geolocated footage published on April 20 shows a fire at a fuel storage facility in Kardymovo, Smolensk Oblast.[30] A Russian milblogger claimed that a fire started after an explosion in Stary Oskol, Belgorod Oblast.[31] ISW continues to assess that Ukrainian strikes against Russian energy facilities are a necessary component of Ukraine’s campaign to use asymmetric means to degrade industries that supply and support the Russian military.[32]

The Kremlin appears to be censoring demands for an investigation into the reported murder of a former Donetsk People Republic (DNR) serviceman amid a wider trend of the Kremlin coopting or otherwise censoring DNR-affiliated voices within the Russian information space.  Russian sources recently claimed that Russian propagandist, former DNR serviceman, and US national Russell Bonner Bentley III disappeared in Donetsk City on April 8.[33] Russian sources alleged that elements of the Russian 5th Tank Brigade (36th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Eastern Military District [EMD]) detained and interrogated Bentley under the impression that Bentley was a Ukrainian spy due to his foreign accent and later killed Bentley.[34] Veteran Russian propagandist and  RT  editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan announced Bentley‘s death on April 19.[35] Deputy Head of the DNR Main Directorate of Rosgvardia, Commander of the DNR’s special rapid response and riot police (OMON and SOBR), and former DNR Security Minister Alexander Khodakovsky called for an investigation into Bentley’s reported kidnapping and murder and “exemplary punishment” for the perpetrators in a post on April 19, which Khodakovsky later removed reportedly due to pressure from Russian officials.[36] The DNR “Vostok“ Battalion, which Khodakovsky previously commanded, claimed that Russian officials likely forced Khodakovsky to remove the post and that Khodakovsky complied with the demand in accordance with the unspecified “rules" of having a government position despite his personal relationship with Bentley.[37] Khodakovsky claimed on April 20 that being a government official and “a person” often creates competing priorities between his personal and professional loyalties, and insinuated that he agreed to remove his social media post to keep his government position.[38] Khodakovsky insinuated that censorship was necessary during the war and claimed that unspecified actors could pursue justice for Bentley after Russia won in Ukraine. Another DNR-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed on April 19 that unspecified actors are threatening to file charges against the milblogger for discrediting the Russian Armed Forces (a charge that could result in a fine of up to five million rubles ($65,530), up to five years of correctional or forced labor, or up to seven years in prison) after the milblogger demanded an official investigation into Bentley’s kidnapping and murder.[39]

Russian efforts to cover up Bentley’s death are the latest in what appears to be a concerted Kremlin effort to censor or coopt DNR officials and DNR/Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR)-affiliated voices within the Russian information space. The Russian Investigative Committee arrested former Russian officer and argent ultranationalist Igor Girkin (Strelkov), a prominent DNR commander in 2014, on charges of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces on July 21, 2023.[40] Russian authorities also arrested milblogger and former DNR serviceman Andrei Kurshin who reportedly ran the “Moscow Calling” Telegram channel in August 2023, and Russian milblogger and sergeant in the 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade (2nd LNR Army Corps) Andrei Morozov reportedly committed suicide after refusing the Russian military command’s orders to censor his reporting about high Russian casualty rates around Avdiivka in February 2024.[41] The Kremlin may be targeting DNR and LNR-affiliated voices within the Russian information space due to concerns that groups within the DNR and LNR, which have been fighting Ukrainian forces since 2014, are becoming disillusioned as the war drags on. Girkin, Kurshin, and Morozov were all vocal critics of the Russian military command, and Khodakovsky had previously disagreed with the Russian military command and ongoing Kremlin censorship efforts. All four, however, are and were firm supporters of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.[42] It is unclear how or if Kremlin officials will respond to Bentley’s death or how the targeting of DNR officials and affiliated voices will impact the Kremlin’s relationships with its proxies in occupied Ukraine.

Key Takeaways:

• The US House of Representatives passed a supplemental appropriations bill on April 20 providing for roughly $60 billion of assistance to Ukraine. The bill must now be passed by the Senate and signed by the president before aid can begin to flow.
• These requirements and the logistics of transporting US materiel to the frontline in Ukraine will likely mean that new US assistance will not begin to affect the situation on the front line for several weeks. The frontline situation will therefore likely continue to deteriorate in that time, particularly if Russian forces increase their attacks to take advantage of the limited window before the arrival of new US aid.
• Ukrainian forces may suffer additional setbacks in the coming weeks while waiting for US security assistance that will allow Ukraine to stabilize the front, but they will likely be able to blunt the current Russian offensive assuming the resumed US assistance arrives promptly.
• Russian forces will likely intensify ongoing offensive operations and missile and drone strikes in the coming weeks in order to exploit the closing window of Ukrainian materiel constraints.
• Ukraine will likely be in a significantly improved operational position by June 2024 regardless of delays in the arrival of US security assistance to the frontline, and the Russian military command will likely consider significant changes to the large-scale offensive operation that it is expected to launch in June, although it may still proceed as planned.
• The likely resumption of US security assistance to Ukraine is a critical turning point in the war in Ukraine, but the Kremlin, the West, and Ukraine still have additional decisions to make that will determine the character and outcome of the fighting.
• Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted successful drone strikes against several energy infrastructure facilities and a fuel storage facility within Russia on the night of April 19 to 20.
• The Kremlin appears to be censoring demands for an investigation into the reported murder of a former Donetsk People Republic (DNR) serviceman amid a wider trend of the Kremlin coopting or otherwise censoring DNR-affiliated voices within the Russian information space.
• Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Chasiv Yar (west of Bakhmut) and northwest of Avdiivka, and Ukrainian forces recently made confirmed advances south of Kreminna.
• Ukrainian and Russian sources reported that Russian forces are using US-made 203mm artillery ammunition that Russia may have received from Iran.

We do not report in detail on Russian war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We will continue to evaluate and report on the effects of these criminal activities on the Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian population and specifically on combat in Ukrainian urban areas. We utterly condemn Russian violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.

• Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine (comprised of two subordinate main efforts)
• Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast
• Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast
• Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis
• Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Campaign
• Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts
• Russian Technological Adaptations
• Activities in Russian-occupied areas
• Ukrainian Defense Industrial Base Efforts

Russian Information Operations and Narratives

• Significant Activity in Belarus

Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Luhansk Oblast  (Russian objective: Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and northern Donetsk Oblast)

Ukrainian forces recently advanced south of Kreminna, amid positional engagements along the Svatove-Kreminna line on April 20. Geolocated footage published on April 20 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced northeast of Bilohorivka (south of Kreminna), although likely not within the past 24 hours.[43] Positional engagements continued southwest of Svatove near Tverdokhlibove; near Kreminna itself; west of Kreminna near Yampolivka, Terny, and Torske; and south of Kreminna near Dibrova, Hryhorivka, and Bilohorivka.[44] Elements of the Chechen Akhmat “Aida” Spetsnaz Detachment are reportedly operating in the Serebryanske forest area (south of Kreminna).[45]

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Donetsk Oblast  (Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)

Positional engagements continued in the Siversk direction (northeast of Bakhmut) on April 20, but there were no confirmed changes to this frontline in this area. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked near Verkhnokamyanske (east of Siversk) and Spirne (southeast of Siversk).[46] Elements of the Russian 123rd Motorized Rifle Brigade (2nd Luhansk People’s Republic [LNR] Army Corps [AC]) are reportedly operating in the Siversk direction.[47]

Russian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar amid continued fighting in the area on April 20. Geolocated footage published on April 20 indicates that Russian forces marginally advanced along the T0504 (Chasiv Yar-Bakhmut) highway northwest of Ivanivske (southeast of Chasiv Yar).[48] A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced south of the Novyi Microraion (eastern Chasiv Yar), but ISW has not observed visual confirmation of this claim.[49] Russian sources continued to claim that Russian forces are conducting airstrikes, including using guided glide bombs, near Chasiv Yar.[50] Fighting continued northeast of Chasiv Yar near Bohdanivka; near Chasiv Yar itself, including near the Novyi Microraion; southeast of Chasiv Yar near Ivanivske and Klishchiivka; and south of Chasiv Yar near Pivdenne.[51] Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that Ukrainian forces struck a command post of the Russian 331st Guards Airborne (VDV) Regiment (98th VDV Division) in central Bakhmut on April 16.[52] Elements of the Russian 58th Spetsnaz Battalion (1st Donetsk People’s Republic [DNR] AC) and the 98th VDV Division are reportedly operating near Chasiv Yar.[53] Elements of the Russian 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade (2nd LNR AC) are reportedly operating in the Bakhmut direction.[54]

Russian forces appear to be attempting to exploit relatively significant tactical advances northwest of Avdiivka near Ocheretyne and recently made further marginal gains in the area. Geolocated footage published on April 20 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced within southeasternmost Ocheretyne.[55] Russian forces recently advanced roughly three kilometers along a railway line up to the southeastern outskirts of Ocheretyne, and the persisting Russian presence in the area may suggest that Russian forces have established a small tactical foothold on the outskirts of the settlement.[56] A Ukrainian serviceman operating in the Avdiivka direction stated on April 19 that Russian forces have significantly intensified assaults in the direction of Ocheretyne and appear to have redeployed a major amount of artillery and infantry units in the Avdiivka direction to the area.[57] The Ukrainian serviceman stated that Russian forces have relaxed pressure on Berdychi (northwest of Avdiivka) and Umanske (west of Avdiivka) but continue to conduct heavy assaults near Semenivka (west of Avdiivka).[58] The Ukrainian serviceman noted that Russian infantry continue to conduct “meat” assaults but had sufficient military equipment.[59] A Russian source recently claimed that Russian forces were beginning a tactical pause along the Avdiivka front except in the Ocheretyne and Netaylove (southwest of Avdiivka) areas.[60] A Russian milblogger claimed that elements of the 1st DNR AC are making relatively rapid gains in the Ocheretyne area.[61] Ocheretyne notably sits on a junction between the Ukrainian defensive line that Russian forces have been attacking since their seizure of Avdiivka in mid-February 2024 and a subsequent defensive line further west, which Russian sources have identified as a more heavily fortified line.[62] Russian forces will notably have to fight through Ocheretyne and stabilize the northern flank of the Avdiivka direction before being able to pursue a tactical penetration of the Ukrainian defense in the area.

Russian forces reportedly advanced elsewhere in the Avdiivka area on April 20. A Russian source claimed that Russian forces control 70 to 75 percent of Semenivka, although another Russian source later claimed that elements of the Russian 114th Motorized Rifle Brigade (1st DNR AC) seized Semenivka.[63] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced near Novokalynove and Novobakhmutivka (both northwest of Avdiivka).[64] One Russian milblogger, citing unspecified Ukrainian military analysts, claimed that Russian forces advanced up to 250 meters in depth in eastern Novokalynove, advanced 100 meters in depth on the outskirts of Novobakhmutivka, and advanced up to 1.51 kilometers wide and up to 700 meters in depth near the Zorya community garden (east of Novobakhmutivka and southeast of Ocheretyne).[65] Russian sources claimed that Russian forces also advanced north of Berdychi, near Umanske, and south of Pervomaiske (southwest of Avdiivka).[66] ISW has not observed visual evidence of these various claims of Russian advances, however. Geolocated footage published on April 20 indicates that Ukrainian forces continue to operate in Pervomaiske, despite the Russian MoD’s claim on April 13 that Russian forces seized the settlement.[67] Fighting continued northwest of Avdiivka near Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Ocheretyne, and Berdychi; west of Avdiivka near Semenivka, Umanske, and Yasnobrodivka; and southwest of Avdiivka near Pervomaiske and Nevelske.[68]

Russian forces reportedly advanced west of Donetsk City on April 20, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced southeast of Heorhiivka (west of Donetsk City), although ISW has not observed visual confirmation of this claim.[69] Positional engagements continued west of Donetsk City near Krasnohorivka and Heorhiivka, and southwest of Donetsk City near Novomykhailivka, Pobieda, and Vodyane.[70] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian aircraft are conducting guided glide bomb strikes against Ukrainian positions near Krasnohorivka and Novomykhailivka.[71] Elements of the Russian 238th Artillery Brigade (8th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Southern Military District [SMD]) and 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade (1st DNR AC) are reportedly operating near Krasnohorivka.[72]

Positional engagements continued in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area on April 20, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Positional engagements continued south of Velyka Novosilka near Staromayorske and Urozhaine.[73] Elements of the Russian 336th Naval Infantry Brigade (11th Army Corps, Baltic Fleet) are reportedly operating near Staromayorske, and elements of the Russian 57th Motorized Rifle Brigade (5th CAA, Eastern Military District [EMD]) are reportedly operating near Vuhledar (southeast of Velyka Novosilka).[74]

Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis  (Russian objective: Maintain frontline positions and secure rear areas against Ukrainian strikes)

Positional engagements continued in western Zaporizhia Oblast near Robotyne and northwest of Verbove (east of Robotyne) on April 20, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in this area.[75]

Positional fighting continued in the east (left) bank of Kherson Oblast, including near Krynky and the Antonivsky roadway bridge (north of Oleshky), on April 20, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in this area.[76]

Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Campaign  (Russian Objective: Target Ukrainian military and civilian infrastructure in the rear and on the frontline)

Russian forces conducted a series of missile strikes against Ukraine on the night of April 19 to 20. Ukrainian military officials reported that Russian forces launched three Iskander-M ballistic missiles and two S-300/400 air defense missiles from Belgorod Oblast and two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles from aircraft over the Black Sea.[77] Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed both Kh-59/69 cruise missiles over southern Ukraine.[78] Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command reported that an unspecified number of Russian ballistic missiles struck infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia and Odesa cities on the night of April 19 to 20.[79]

Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts  (Russian objective: Expand combat power without conducting general mobilization)

Ukrainian and Russian sources reported that Russian forces are using US-made 203mm artillery ammunition that Russia may have received from Iran.[80] The Ukrainian and Russian sources stated that the United States supplied Iran with these shells in the 1970s and that Iran may have reverse engineered the shells. The sources stated that Russian forces are using the 203mm shells, which Russia has reportedly renamed “Izdeliye 203,” in the Russian 2S7 “Pion” self-propelled artillery gun.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited a training ground in the Moscow Military District (MMD) on April 20 and inspected modernized drones.[81] Shoigu inspected various drones with payloads from 10 to 200 kilograms, which are reportedly made from domestically produced materials. Shoigu also inspected a drone that can reportedly withstand jamming, and the head of an unspecified defense industrial enterprise claimed that the enterprise can produce 30 such drones per month. Shoigu stated that the Russian MoD will create a research and production center for drones and robotic systems.

Russian Technological Adaptations  (Russian objective: Introduce technological innovations to optimize systems for use in Ukraine)

Nothing significant to report.

Ukrainian Defense Industrial Efforts  (Ukrainian objective: Develop its defense industrial base to become more self-sufficient in cooperation with US, European, and international partners)

ISW is not publishing coverage of Ukrainian defense industrial efforts today.

Activities in Russian-occupied areas  (Russian objective: Consolidate administrative control of annexed areas; forcibly integrate Ukrainian citizens into Russian sociocultural, economic, military, and governance systems)

ISW is not publishing coverage of activities in Russian-occupied areas today.

Russian officials will likely intensify information operations aimed at weakening US and Western support for Ukraine and promoting Western self-deterrence in the wake of the US House of Representatives passing a supplementary appropriations bill that provides roughly $60 billion of assistance to Ukraine. Russian officials have previously intensified information operations to prolong delays in the Western provision of military aid to Ukraine and force the West to self-deter. Previous Russian information operations amplified narratives about Russia’s nuclear capabilities, its alleged “red lines” for Western provisions of specific weapons systems to Ukraine, and its feigned willingness to negotiate with Ukraine [82] Russia intensified narratives about the risk of nuclear escalation in September-November 2022 to reestablish deterrence and dissuade the West from providing Ukraine the materiel needed to continue its counteroffensives following Russian military failures in Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts.[83] Russia also intensified information operations feigning interest in peace negotiations with Ukraine in December 2022 aimed at delaying the Western provision of tanks and long-range weapon systems to Ukraine.[84]

Significant activity in Belarus  (Russian efforts to increase its military presence in Belarus and further integrate Belarus into Russian-favorable frameworks and Wagner Group activity in Belarus)

Note: ISW does not receive any classified material from any source, uses only publicly available information, and draws extensively on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media as well as commercially available satellite imagery and other geospatial data as the basis for these reports. References to all sources used are provided in the endnotes of each update.

[1]  https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024151 ;  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/20/us/politics/house-vote-aid-gaza-israe... https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-aid-israel-tiktok-congress-a8910452e6...

[2]  https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-vote-long-awaited-95-billion-u...

[3]  https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-weapons-russia-congress-aid-a28f463da... ; https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/congress-passes-funding-us-rush-weap...

[4]  https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/19/pentagon-prepares-package-of-ar...

[5]  https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/19/pentagon-prepares-package-of-ar... https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-weapons-russia-congress-aid-a28f463da... ;  https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/congress-passes-funding-us-rush-weap... https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/04/19/ukraine-us-w...

[6]  https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-weapons-russia-congress-aid-a28f463da... ;  https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/congress-passes-funding-us-rush-weap... https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/19/pentagon-prepares-package-of-ar...

[7]  https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/04/19/ukraine-us-w... https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/19/pentagon-prepares-package-of-ar...

[8]  https://armyinform.com dot ua/2023/12/18/nova-arhitektura-derzhzakupivel-minoborony-prezentuvalo-agencziyu-derzhavnyj-operator-tylu-dot/ ;  https://armyinform.com dot ua/2023/12/15/rustem-umyerov-pro-100-dniv-na-posadi-ministra-oborony-ukrayiny/ ;  https://www.mil.gov dot ua/news/2024/01/13/prozorist-i-pidzvitnist-suspilstvu-%E2%80%93-nash-prioritet-%E2%80%93-zastupnik-ministra-oboroni-dmitro-klimenkov/ ;  https://armyinform.com dot ua/2024/01/13/zastupnyk-ministra-oborony-prozorist-i-pidzvitnist-suspilstvu-nash-priorytet/

[9]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar041924

[10]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar041324%C2%A0 ; https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/special-report-russian-str...

[11]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar032824

[12]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar032224 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar031524 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar041324

[13]  https://isw.pub/UkrWarO41224

[14]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar041324 ; https://www.understandingwar.org/backgr...

[15]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar041324

[16]  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...

[17]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar041824

[18]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar041324

[19]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar041324

[20]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar041624 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar041124 ; https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...

[21]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar041824 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar041924

[22]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar041924

[23]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar032824

[24]  https://suspilne dot media/728401-masstabna-ataka-bezpilotnikiv-u-8-oblastah-rf-ce-spilna-operacia-sbu-gur-ta-sso-dzerela/ ;  https://hromadske dot ua/posts/nichna-ataka-droniv-na-obyekti-u-rf-bulo-spilnoyu-operaciyeyu-sbu-gur-i-sso ;  https://armyinform.com dot ua/2024/04/20/visim-oblastej-rosiyi-bulo-atakovano-bezpilotnykamy/

[25]  https://suspilne dot media/728401-masstabna-ataka-bezpilotnikiv-u-8-oblastah-rf-ce-spilna-operacia-sbu-gur-ta-sso-dzerela/ ; https://hromadske dot ua/posts/nichna-ataka-droniv-na-obyekti-u-rf-bulo-spilnoyu-operaciyeyu-sbu-gur-i-sso ; https://armyinform.com dot ua/2024/04/20/visim-oblastej-rosiyi-bulo-atakovano-bezpilotnykamy/

[26]  https://t.me/mod_russia/37778

[27]  https://t.me/tass_agency/244891

[28]  https://t.me/tass_agency/244898

[29]  https://t.me/tass_agency/244903 ;  https://t.me/anohin67/1987

[30]  https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1781580042255938004

[31]  https://t.me/RVvoenkor/66475

[32]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar040224

[33]  https://t.me/limkat22/1248 ; https://vk.com/donbasstexac?w=wall2796799...

[34]  https://t.me/limkat22/1248 ; https://vk.com/donbasstexac?w=wall2796799...

[35]  https://t.me/tass_agency/244857 ; https://t.me/wargonzo/19462 ; http...

[36]  https://t.me/aleksandr_skif/3170 ; https://t.me/batalyon_vostok/307

[37]  https://t.me/batalyon_vostok/308

[38]  https://t.me/aleksandr_skif/3171

[39]  https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/17015 ; https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/16746 ;  https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/16747 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar0...

[40]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar072123

[41]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar083123 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWarO22124

[42]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar081323 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar081723 ; https:...

[43]  https://x.com/GeoConfirmed/status/1781669071706079245; https://x.com/giK1893/status/1781491170264097167; https://t.me/sowaFm/304

[44]  https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02m91TDgBKe57HqaDa3N... ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ontM2UEsYzhFVwU43Y... ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02JsragJXhWTFycYBDLV... ; https://t.me/mod_russia/37787

[45]  https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/17021

[46]  https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02m91TDgBKe57HqaDa3N...

[47]  https://t.me/boris_rozhin/120787

[48]  https://t.me/osirskiy/656; https://t.me/creamy_caprice/5205; https://t... https://twitter.com/CinC_AFU/status/1781534969698963820

[49]  https://t.me/rusich_army/14197

[50]  https://t.me/RVvoenkor/66465 ; https://t.me/boris_rozhin/120811 ; ht...

[51]  https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02m91TDgBKe57HqaDa3N...

[52]  https://t.me/andriyshTime/20850 ; https://t.me/dosye_shpiona/520

[53]  https://t.me/RVvoenkor/66511 ; https://t.me/nm_dnr/12119 https://t.me... https://t.me/rusich_army/14197

[54]  https://t.me/milinfolive/120700

[55]  https://t.me/creamy_caprice/5201; https://t.me/Khortytsky_wind/166

[56]  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...

[57]  https://armyinform.com dot ua/2024/04/19/vorog-perekynuv-osnovnu-masu-pidrozdiliv-na-ocheretyno/ ; https://youtu.be/hkohspm7Gh8

[58]  https://armyinform.com dot ua/2024/04/19/vorog-perekynuv-osnovnu-masu-pidrozdiliv-na-ocheretyno/ ; https://youtu.be/hkohspm7Gh8

[59]  https://armyinform.com dot ua/2024/04/19/vorog-perekynuv-osnovnu-masu-pidrozdiliv-na-ocheretyno/ ; https://youtu.be/hkohspm7Gh8

[60]  https://t.me/motopatriot/21921

[61]  https://t.me/RVvoenkor/66469

[62]  https://isw.pub/UkrWar031324 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar022924 ; https:... https://isw.pub/UkrWar021824

[63]  https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/55681 ; https://t.me/boris_rozhin/120746 ; https://t.me/wargonzo/19486

[64]  https://t.me/dva_majors/40433 ; https://t.me/wargonzo/19468 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/66469 ; 

[65]  https://t.me/RVvoenkor/66469

[66]  https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/55681 ; https://t.me/boris_rozhin/120746 ... https://t.me/motopatriot/21982

[67]  https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-ass...

[68]  https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02m91TDgBKe57HqaDa3N... https://t.me/RVvoenkor/66469 ;  https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/17034 ; https://t.me/voenkorKot... https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/55683

[69]  https://t.me/z_arhiv/26549

[70]  https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02m91TDgBKe57HqaDa3N... ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ontM2UEsYzhFVwU43Y... ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02JsragJXhWTFycYBDLV... ;  https://t.me/wargonzo/19468 ; https://t.me/rybar/59316 ;  https://t.me/dva_majors/40433 ; https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/10300

[71]  https://t.me/prigozhin_2023_tg/10276 ; https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/55683

[72]  https://t.me/RVvoenkor/66508 ; https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/10300

[73]  https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02m91TDgBKe57HqaDa3N... https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ontM2UEsYzhFVwU43Y... ;  https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02JsragJXhWTFycYBDLV...

[74]  https://t.me/voin_dv/8038 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/66530

[75]  https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ontM2UEsYzhFVwU43Y... ;  https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/8440 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/40433 ; https:...

[76]  https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02m91TDgBKe57HqaDa3N...

[77]  https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02JsragJXhWTFycYBDLV...

[78]  https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02JsragJXhWTFycYBDLV...

[79]  https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/8431 https://t.me/ivan_fedorov_zp/6579

[80]  https://mil.in dot ua/uk/news/u-rosiyan-pomityly-203-mm-snaryady-amerykanskogo-vyrobnytstva/ ;  https://t.me/milinfolive/120729 ; https://defence-ua dot com/news/rashisti_mogli_otrimati_203_mm_snarjadi_jmovirno_vid_iranu_tse_pokazovo-15098.html ; https://t.me/ukr_informant/11085

[81]  https://t.me/mod_russia/37779 ; https://t.me/mod_russia/37780

[82]  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...

[83]  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...

[84]  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...