Military Situation Update: Ukraine - April 1, 2025, 05:45 UTC
I. Strike Activity & Air Defense
Overnight Long-Range Strike Lull: Confirmed absence of large-scale Russian Shahed drone or missile attacks into Ukraine's interior overnight (Apr 1). Ukrainian sources attribute this to successful defensive actions (STERNENKO, UGS, SDF). Russian sources also acknowledge the lull (Fighterbomber).
Continued Intense Localized Strikes: Russian forces maintained high levels of localized strikes along front lines and near-rear areas using artillery, guided bombs (KABs), FPV drones, and other munitions.
Overall (Past 24h - UGS): 2 Russian missile strikes (3 missiles), 99 air strikes (169 KABs), over 5200 shelling incidents (124 MLRS), and 2223 kamikaze drone deployments reported across Ukraine. Additionally, 37 air strikes (36 KABs) and 266 artillery barrages (8 MLRS) were directed at the Kursk operational zone.
Southern Front (Past 24h - SDF): Recorded approx. 250 shelling incidents (approx. 1000 rounds), approx. 350 kamikaze drone strikes, over 80 drone munition drops. FPV strikes targeted frontline settlements in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast (Past 24h - SDF): 14 KAB strikes targeted settlements. Missile strikes confirmed on Zaporizhzhia city and Balabyne. The previously reported strike on Malokaterynivka (1 KIA, 5 WIA) resulted from these KAB attacks.
Nikopol (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast): Attacked evening (Mar 31) and morning (Apr 1) with artillery and drones, causing damage to infrastructure, an administrative building, and 3 private homes. No casualties reported from these specific attacks (UGS/Local Authorities).
Kherson Direction: Russian aviation conducted strikes targeting Ukrainian positions on the western (right) bank, including Korabel Island (Kherson city), according to Russian sources (Arkhangel Spetsnaza, Rybar).
Air Defense Activity:
Russian Claims: MoD and Bryansk Governor reiterated claims of intercepting 3 Ukrainian UAVs over Bryansk Oblast overnight (Apr 1).
Ukrainian Activity: A Strela-10 air defense system was observed engaging a drone on the Pokrovsk Direction (RU Source Video via Colonelcassad).
II. Ground Operations & Territorial Claims
(Note: Overall combat intensity remains high, with 216 combat clashes reported across the front in the past 24 hours per UGS. Highest intensity on Pokrovsk, Lyman, Toretsk, and Border regions.)
A. Border Areas (Kursk, Belgorod, Bryansk)
Kursk Oblast:
Intense fighting continues near Huyevo. Russian forces focus on clearing Ukrainian personnel from forests while evacuating civilians (>100 reported still present); RU sources detail specific units involved (30th, 22nd Regiments, 40th, 177th Naval Infantry Brigades, "Cherkes" recon) (Dvama, Rybar).
Ukrainian forces claim stopping 27 Russian attacks within the Kursk operational zone (past 24h - UGS).
Russia conducted 37 air strikes (36 KABs) and 266 artillery/MLRS barrages in the zone (UGS, past 24h).
Belgorod Oblast:
Meeting engagements continue near Demydovka and Popovka. No significant Line of Contact (LoC) changes reported by RU sources (Rybar, WarGonzo).
Russian sources claim destruction of 3 Ukrainian reinforcement groups near the border (Rybar).
Russian sources allege Ukraine is concentrating fresh, trained forces (not mobilized) in the rear areas of the Krasnopilskyi district (Sumy Obl.) for a potential push towards Krasnaya Yaruga (Belgorod Obl.), claiming these concentrations are being targeted and 3 small group attacks were repelled (Rybar, WarGonzo, Dnevnik Desantnika).
Bryansk Oblast:
Russian sources report continued Ukrainian strikes (artillery, drones) on Russian positions and border villages (e.g., Horomne, Rakivka, Kyrylivka, Sushany, Azarovka), claiming official sources underreport these incidents (Rybar).
Ukrainian drone attacks on March 29 confirmed by RU sources (ASTRA) wounded 4 FSB border guards near Kurskovichi, Sushany, and Novye Yurkovichi.
B. Eastern Front
Kharkiv Direction (Vovchansk): Ukrainian forces stopped 7 Russian attacks near Vovchansk (UGS, past 24h).
Kupyansk Direction:
Ukrainian forces repelled 9 Russian attacks towards Pishchane, Nova Kruhliakivka, Petropavlivka and near Zahryzove, Stepova Novoselivka (UGS, past 24h).
Russian military expert (Marochko via TASS) claims RU forces secured positions within Kondrashivka and are clearing northern outskirts; also claims regaining a lost position in Kolesnykivka after striking Ukrainian forces there.
Lyman Direction: Intensity remains HIGH. Ukrainian forces repelled 26 Russian attacks near Nadiya, Dibrova, Kolodiazi and towards Nove, Serebrianka, Torske, Zelena Dolyna, Novomykhailivka (UGS, past 24h). Russian sources claim advances towards Novoie and Katerynivka (Rybar).
Siversk Direction: Ukrainian forces repelled 3 Russian attacks near Ivano-Darivka and Bilohorivka (UGS, past 24h).
Kramatorsk Direction (Chasiv Yar):7 combat clashes recorded near Chasiv Yar and towards Predtechyne (UGS, past 24h). Russian forces maintain pressure; RU sources claim Ukrainian counterattacks are unsuccessful (WarGonzo).
Toretsk Direction: Intensity remains HIGH. Ukrainian forces repelled 19 Russian attacks near Toretsk and Shcherbynivka (UGS, past 24h). Russian sources claim advances near Panteleimonivka and ongoing fighting near Dzerzhynsk (Toretsk) (Rybar, WarGonzo). RU sources also claim advances towards Valentinovka (Rybar).
Pokrovsk Direction: Intensity remains HIGHEST. Ukrainian forces stopped 79 Russian attacks near numerous settlements including Panteleimonivka, Oleksandropil, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Kalynove, Udachne, etc., and towards Troitske and Horikhove (UGS, past 24h).
C. Southern Front
Novopavlivsk Direction (incl. South Donetsk):
Ukrainian forces stopped 12 Russian attacks near Kostiantynopil, Burlatske, Dniproenerhiia and towards Rozlyv (UGS, past 24h).
Russian sources (Rybar, WarGonzo) reiterate and confirm capture of Rozlyv, claiming a 3km deep advance and clearing 400 structures, suggesting potential Ukrainian disorganization on this specific sector.
Huliaipole Direction: Ukrainian forces repelled 10 Russian attacks near Novosilka, Pryvilne and towards Vilne Pole and Novopole (UGS/SDF, past 24h). (Note: SDF reported 9 attacks repelled).
Orikhiv Direction (Zaporizhzhia):
Ukrainian forces repelled 9 Russian attacks near Mali Shcherbaky, Lobkove, Shcherbaky, Kamyanske, and Novodanylivka (UGS/SDF, past 24h). SDF emphasizes lack of Russian success.
Russian sources (Rybar, WarGonzo) claim continued expansion north, west, and south from Stepove towards Lobkove, and that Russian assault units have entered the southern part of Lobkove village and are advancing north. Claim unsuccessful Ukrainian counterattack attempt.
Prydniprovsky Direction (Kherson Left Bank): Ukrainian forces repelled 1 Russian attack (UGS/SDF, past 24h). Positional fighting continues.
Southern Front (SDF): 120 personnel; 3 artillery systems; 1 Air Defense system; 22 auto/armored vehicles; 3 motorcycles; 4 boats; 1 buggy; 1 supply warehouse; 9 Starlink antennas; 1 UAV control antenna. 31 shelters/bunkers and 1 fire position destroyed.
Southern Front (SDF - March Total): Claim nearly 3,500 Russian personnel losses (approx. 33% increase compared to February).
Civilian Casualties (Recent & Updated):
Dnipro City (Mar 28 Strike): Death toll increased to 5 KIA after a 68-year-old man died from injuries in hospital (Lysak, RBC).
Kupyansk (Kharkiv Oblast, Mar 31):5 civilians WIA (59M, 74F, 53F from KABs; 63M, 35F from artillery) (Syniehubov).
Malokaterynivka (Zaporizhzhia, Mar 31/Apr 1):1 civilian KIA, 5 WIA from RU KAB strikes confirmed (SDF).
Horlivka (Occupied Donetsk, Mar 31/Apr 1 - RU Claim): Russian sources claim a Ukrainian attack on a civilian bus injured 12 civilians (Zona SVO).
Kazachi Laheri & Velyki Kopani (Occupied Kherson, Mar 31/Apr 1 - RU Claim): Russian sources claim Ukrainian shelling injured an 80-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man respectively (Rybar).
Russian Cumulative Claim (Past Week - RU Official): Claim over 100 Russian civilians wounded and 14 killed by Ukrainian strikes within Russia (Miroshnik via TASS, requires verification).
IV. Infrastructure & Local Conditions
Kherson City: Partial power outages continue in Central and Korabelnyi districts due to network damage; repairs ongoing. Electric transport is currently not operating due to power issues (UGS, RBC).
Nikopol (Dnipropetrovsk): Damage confirmed to infrastructure, an administrative building, and 3 private homes from Russian artillery/drone attacks (UGS/Local Authorities).
Horlivka (Occupied Donetsk): Russian sources report power outages in Nizhny Khutor and Shakhty im. Lenina settlements following alleged Ukrainian strike (Zona SVO).
Kupyansk (Kharkiv Oblast): Damage to 5 private houses, 2 cars, 1 garage reported from Russian strikes (Syniehubov).
V. Political & Information Environment
US Diplomatic Stance: US State Department spokesperson rejected reported Russian proposals for a temporary administration in Ukraine, reaffirming support for Ukraine's constitutional democracy and sovereignty, and called for a ceasefire and negotiations. (Previous reporting indicated Trump rejected the idea).
Russian Internal Issues: Reports of FSB detaining individuals impersonating FSB officers for extortion in occupied Donetsk; bribery charges against former Russian MoD employees. (Limited operational impact).
Russian Information Operations: Continued promotion of alleged Horlivka bus incident (Mar 31/Apr 1). April Fools' Day jokes circulated. Continued claims of Ukrainian atrocities and emphasis on Russian territorial gains (Rozlyv, Kondrashivka, Lobkove).
China-Russia Relations: Chinese FM Wang Yi emphasized China-Russia partnership, commitment to WWII outcomes, and readiness for constructive role in Ukraine conflict resolution based on a binding, fair agreement acceptable to all parties (Operation Z).
VI. Technological Notes
Ukrainian Long-Range FPVs: Russian sources (Rybar) note Ukrainian forces utilizing FPV drones with ranges up to 50km, employing relay systems, on the Zaporizhzhia front.
Booby-Trapped Radios (UA Warning): Ukrainian sources warn troops about potential Russian tactic of deploying booby-trapped radios (possibly via drone) that may emit signals upon approach, advising destruction from a distance (Shef Hayabusa).
