Military Situation Update: Ukraine - April 1, 2025, 06:15 UTC

(Updates based on information received between 05:46 UTC and 06:15 UTC)

I. Strike Activity & Air Defense

Confirmed Air Defense Success (Zaporizhzhia): Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the successful interception of two Russian Kh-59/69 guided aviation missiles launched from tactical aircraft towards the Zaporizhzhia direction around 21:00 UTC on March 31. (UA Air Force, Operatyvnyi ZSU, RBC-Ukraina)
Shahed Attack Lull Context: The absence of Shahed drone attacks overnight (Apr 1) is noted as the first such instance in 2025. Previous significant pauses occurred on Dec 10 and Oct 14, 2024, potentially linked to weather or successful Ukrainian strikes on drone depots. Russian strikes with other means (missiles, artillery, KABs) continued. (ASTRA, RBC-Ukraina)

No significant updates since 05:45 UTC report. (Note: RU VDV acknowledged receiving drone aid in Kursk via Dva Mayora; RU СК opened terrorism case regarding previously reported drone strike on tractorist).

Lyman Direction:
- RU CLAIM (Significant Advance): Russian sources claim forces advanced more than 2.5 km west from Novoliubivka towards Katerynivka, expanding the zone of control. Positional fighting reported near Krasnyi Lyman; claimed Ukrainian shelling of RU position west of Zherebets River. (Slivorychnyi Kapriz, includes geolocated point near Novoliubivka).
- RU CLAIM (Advance): Russian sources (Marochko via TASS) claim RU forces advanced approximately 1 km into Ukrainian defenses near Novoie (Donetsk Oblast) after consolidating near Ivanivka and regrouping over the last few days.
Pokrovsk Direction: No significant updates since 05:45 UTC report.
Donetsk Oblast (General): Ukrainian forces (35th Marine Bde, "Leleka" unit) documented the destruction/disablement of a Russian T-90M tank, reportedly entangled in barbed wire. (BUTUSOV PLUS)

Civilian Casualties (Occupied Donetsk - RU Claim Update): Russian sources increased the claimed number of wounded from the alleged Ukrainian drone attack on a bus in Horlivka to 14 civilians WIA. Power outages in nearby settlements also reported. (TASS, WarGonzo, Operatsiya Z)
Civilian Casualties (Russian Consolidated Claim Mar 24-30): Russian official sources (Miroshnik via Basurin) claim 118 civilians were affected by Ukrainian strikes on Russian/occupied territory (14 KIA, 104 WIA, incl. 3 minors). Claim 4 Russian media personnel KIA, 5 WIA. Claimed >=1785 munitions fired by Ukraine.
Equipment Losses (Russian): Confirmed loss/damage to one T-90M tank in Donetsk Oblast (BUTUSOV PLUS).

Kherson City: Electric transport resumed operation following earlier power issues. (RBC-Ukraina)
Horlivka (Occupied Donetsk - RU Claim): Power outages reported in Nizhny Khutor and Shakhty im. Lenina settlements following alleged Ukrainian strike on bus. (WarGonzo, Zona SVO)

Russian Internal Politics: Russian figure Viktor Medvedchuk reappeared in media, echoing previous Kremlin proposals regarding Ukraine (e.g., external administration), drawing criticism from pro-war channels. (Rybar)
Russian Conscription: Russia commenced its spring conscription drive (Apr 1 - Jul 15), aiming to draft 160,000 conscripts (an increase from recent years) aged 18-30. Legislation allowing year-round conscription is proposed. (Sever.Realii)
Ukrainian Recruitment: Ukrainian General Staff reported high interest in recruitment centers: 1,523 new applicants last week (total 48,406 applications), 9,765 candidates processing. 49 centers are operational. 21% of candidates are women, with highest rates in Chernivtsi, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia Oblasts. Centers provide consultations only; no summonses issued on-site. (UA General Staff)

Claimed UA Anti-Drone Tactic: Ukrainian sources (STERNENKO) described a purported tactic involving using a small device near Russian "Molniya" reconnaissance UAVs to detect the operator crew's location via a vulnerability. This detection allegedly allows a second drone team to target the operators in their dugouts. Claimed successful downings are attributed to this method.