Military Situation Update: Ukraine - April 1, 2025, 08:15 UTC
(Incorporating updates up to 08:15 UTC)
I. Air Activity & Strikes
Air Threat Alerts (Ongoing):
Ukrainian Air Force continues to warn of Russian tactical aviation activity on the northeastern direction and in the Sea of Azov. Threat of air-launched weapons persists for frontline oblasts (UA AF, 06:50 UTC, 07:16 UTC).
Repeated Guided Aerial Bomb (KAB) launches by Russian tactical aviation reported towards Sumy Oblast (UA AF, 06:53 UTC, 07:17 UTC).
NEW: KAB launches by Russian tactical aviation reported in Donetsk Oblast (UA AF, 07:56 UTC).
Confirmed Air Defense Success (Zaporizhzhia): Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the successful interception of two Russian Kh-59/69 guided aviation missiles launched towards the Zaporizhzhia direction around 21:00 UTC on March 31. (UA Air Force, Operatyvnyi ZSU, Tsaplienko - Previous Report)
Shahed Attack Lull: An absence of Shahed drone attacks was noted overnight (Mar 31 - Apr 1), marking the first such instance in 2025. Potential factors include adverse weather or successful Ukrainian strikes on launch/storage sites. Russian strikes using other munitions (missiles, artillery, KABs) continued. (ASTRA, RBC-Ukraina, Tsaplienko, Kotsnews - Previous Report & 08:10 UTC)
Claimed RU Strike Successes:
Russian MoD claims UAV teams of the "Yug" Group of Forces destroyed one Ukrainian Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one dugout with personnel, and one pickup truck. (RU MoD, 07:19 UTC)
Russian sources claim artillery units (305th Arty Bde, 5 CAA, Vostok Gp) destroyed a Ukrainian UAV control point on the South Donetsk direction. (Colonelcassad/Voin DV, 07:32 UTC)
NEW: Russian sources (Narodnaya Militsiya DNR) claim artillery (238th Arty Bde) destroyed a Ukrainian M777 howitzer near Zorya (likely Pokrovsk direction) using drone reconnaissance. (Narodnaya Militsiya DNR, 07:59 UTC)
II. Ground Operations & Territorial Control
A. Northern Border (Kursk/Belgorod/Sumy/Kharkiv)
Belgorod Oblast: Russian sources report Ukrainian forces are reinforcing near Demydovka and Popovka, with ongoing small arms fighting reported in both settlements. Intensive, mutual artillery, aviation, and drone activity is noted in the border area. (Voenkor Kotenok, 06:49 UTC)
Kursk/Sumy Border Area:
RU CLAIM (Consolidation & Advance Assessment - Rybar): Russian source (Rybar via Dnevnik Desantnika) claims Russian forces are progressively pushing Ukrainian units out of Kursk Oblast territory. Claims only Oleshnja and Gornal remain under narrow Ukrainian control within Kursk Oblast (RU). Asserts Russian forces are fighting along the Volodymyrivka – Zhuravka – Basovka line inside Sumy Oblast (UA). Details claimed timeline of RU advances (MAPP Sudzha, Hoholivka, Veselovka). Suggests RU advance towards Yunakovka (Sumy Oblast) could flank UA forces in Basovka. (Rybar via Dnevnik Desantnika, 07:01 UTC, 07:43 UTC)
RU CLAIM (Advance towards Oleshnia - NEW): Russian source (Slivochny Kapriz) claims Russian forces advanced over 1 km from Melova towards Oleshnia (Kursk Oblast, near Sumy border). Claims a forward RU position was shelled by Ukrainian forces. Geolocation provided: 51.146927 35.185601. (Slivochny Kapriz, 08:07 UTC)
RU CLAIM (Force Composition): Russian sources claim Ukrainian groups operating near Huyevo (Kursk Oblast) include former prisoners. (TASS, 07:42 UTC)
RU Assessment of UA Control (Kursk): Russian source (Slivochny Kapriz) estimates Ukrainian territorial control within Kursk Oblast at 97.1 km² as of Apr 1, down from a claimed 505 km² in February. (Slivochny Kapriz, 07:20 UTC)
Kharkiv Oblast (UA Drone Ops - NEW): Footage released shows Ukrainian "Khartia" Brigade drones targeting Russian personnel moving through forests in Kharkiv Oblast. (Tsaplienko, 08:07 UTC)
B. Eastern Front
Kupyansk Direction:
RU Advance Claim (NEW - UA Source): DeepState map update indicates Russian forces advanced near Kindrashivka. (DeepState, 07:59 UTC)
Lyman Direction:
RU CLAIM (Significant Advance): Russian sources claim forces advanced over 2.5 km west from Novoliubivka towards Katerynivka. (Slivorychnyi Kapriz - Previous Report)
RU CLAIM (Advance near Novoie): Russian sources claim forces advanced approximately 1 km into Ukrainian defenses near Novoie (Donetsk Oblast). (Marochko via TASS - Previous Report)
RU Offensive Actions (Kreminna Forests - NEW): Russian sources (Dnevnik Desantnika) claim ongoing offensive actions in the Kreminna forests, supported by artillery, aimed at clearing Ukrainian positions. Difficulties noted due to mines. Area described as natural defense for Serebryanka and Hryhorivka. (Dnevnik Desantnika, 08:14 UTC)
Siversk Direction (NEW - RU Claims):
Russian forces claim 300m advance from Bilohorivka towards Hryhorivka, capturing a strongpoint in a forest area. (Dnevnik Desantnika, 08:14 UTC)
Claimed destruction of a Ukrainian UAV control point in the southern part of Svyati Hory National Park and a mortar position southeast of Hryhorivka by Russian artillery. (Dnevnik Desantnika, 08:14 UTC)
Chasiv Yar Area (Kramatorsk Direction):
RU Counter-Drone Tactics: Reports indicate Russian deployment of static anti-drone nets and specialized "drone-trawler" UAVs. (Operatsiya Z / RVvoenkor - Previous Report)
RU CLAIM (Repelling UA Attacks - NEW): Russian sources (Poddubny) claim VDV units (98th Guards Airborne Division) are repelling Ukrainian attempts to attack Russian positions near Chasiv Yar, using tanks and armored vehicles. Claimed use of RU drones and artillery to target advancing UA forces and infantry in forest areas, inflicting losses. (Poddubny, 07:53 UTC)
Toretsk Direction:
UA CLAIM (POW Capture): Ukrainian National Police "Safari" assault regiment captured Russian personnel during defense of positions, thwarted infiltration attempt via tunnel. (Tsaplienko, 07:27 UTC)
RU Advance Confirmation (NEW - UA Source): DeepState map update confirms Russian forces advanced near Panteleimonivka. (DeepState, 07:59 UTC)
Pokrovsk Direction:
RU Drone Operations: Russian sources released footage of drone operations supporting ground assaults. (Colonelcassad, 07:02 UTC)
RU CLAIM (Advance near Dnipropetrovsk Border - NEW): Russian sources (TASS) claim Russian forces have significantly reduced the distance to Ukrainian positions near the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast border in the Pokrovsk (formerly Krasnoarmiisk) direction, approaching "almost point-blank". (TASS, 07:46 UTC) This corroborates earlier claims of being 2-4km from the border SE of Kotlyarivka.
UA Drone Operations Claim: Ukrainian drone unit "Ochi ta Zhalo" claims 357 unique enemy targets hit and 112 Russian personnel killed in Donbas (Mar 29-31). (BUTUSOV PLUS / Madyar - Previous Report)
UA SOF Drone Operations (NEW): Footage released shows Ukrainian 3rd SOF Regiment's "Popryvse" unit targeting Russian personnel and an ATV with drones. (Sternenko, 07:57 UTC)
Novopavlivsk Direction:
RU Advance Claim (NEW - UA Source): DeepState map update indicates Russian forces advanced in Rozlyv. (DeepState, 07:59 UTC) Note: This confirms further RU advance but contradicts earlier, strong RU claims of full capture. The situation in Rozlyv remains contested or requires further clarification.
Donetsk Oblast (General):
RU Equipment Loss: Ukrainian forces documented the destruction/disablement of a Russian T-90M tank. (BUTUSOV PLUS - Previous Report)
RU Assessment of Gains (March): Russian source (Slivochny Kapriz) claims total RU gains in March 2025 were +257.5 km². (Slivochny Kapriz, 07:20 UTC)
C. Southern Front
Zaporizhzhia Direction:
RU CLAIM (Advance): Russian sources claim units expelled Ukrainian forces from a major strongpoint west of Lobkove. (Voenkor Kotenok, 06:52 UTC)
Prydniprovsky Direction (Left Bank Kherson):
RU CLAIM: Russian sources report continued Ukrainian attempts to establish positions near the Antonivsky Bridge area, alleging targeting by Russian UAVs. (Dnevnik Desantnika - Previous Report)
RU Logistics/Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding efforts for equipment for RU units in Kherson persist. (Dva Mayora, 06:59 UTC)
Vremivka Direction (South Donetsk):
RU CLAIM (Counter-Drone Tactic): Russian sources claim UAV operators are using ramming tactics with their own UAVs to destroy Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" heavy drones. (Voin DV, 07:30 UTC)
III. Security & Internal Developments (Ukraine, Occupied Areas, Russia)
Foiled Attack (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast): SBU/OGP detained two suspects preparing an IED attack against a UAF mobile fire group SUV or administrative building. (O G P, 07:00 UTC)
Corruption (UA - NEW): Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office reported exposing a scheme involving an ex-deputy chief of staff of a military command and accomplices (two servicemen, one civilian) who allegedly accepted bribes (avg. $8,000 USD) to facilitate the transfer of soldiers from frontline to rear units. Four soldiers who paid for transfers are also under investigation. (O G P, 08:00 UTC)
Russian Conscription & Mobilization in Occupied Areas: Spring conscription drive (160,000 target) commenced. Ukrainian MFA protested forced mobilization in occupied territories. (Previous Reports)
Russian Internal Issues (Casualties/Information): Relatives of soldiers from Moscow unit w/ch 61899 appealed regarding high MIA numbers since Nov 2024, citing lack of information and overwhelmed morgues. (ASTRA, 07:06 UTC)
Occupied Donetsk Oblast (Horlivka Bus Attack): Russian Investigative Committee investigating alleged UA drone attack on bus (15 wounded claimed). Weekly toll claimed by RU: 26 wounded, 2 killed. (TASS, Basurin, Poddubny, Voenkor Kotenok - 06:54 UTC onwards)
Ukrainian Internal Displacement: Evacuation facilitated for residents from frontline Synelnykivskyi district (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast) to Zakarpattia Oblast. (Serhiy Lysak / Dnipro OVA, 07:17 UTC)
Ukrainian Regional Assessment (Kharkiv): Head of Kharkiv OVA highlighted challenges: defense, education continuity, healthcare (underground hospital), housing destruction (~37k houses in city, >75k objects region-wide), demining (30% territory mined). (Oleh Syniehubov / Kharkiv OVA, 07:39 UTC)
Civilian Infrastructure Damage (Odesa Oblast - NEW): Footage shows significant destruction of resort infrastructure in Zatoka, attributed to Russian drone/missile strikes. (Butusov Plus, 07:54 UTC)
IV. International & Political Developments
German FM Visit & Aid: German FM Baerbock visited Kyiv, announced €130 million additional humanitarian aid. (Multiple Sources - 06:48 UTC onwards)
Lithuanian FM Visit: Lithuanian FM Budrys visited Kyiv, reaffirmed support. (RBC-Ukraina, Tsaplienko - 07:32 UTC)
UK/FR/UA Security Meeting: UK Labour Leader Starmer (not PM) stated UK, France, Ukraine to hold meeting on security guarantees. (Tsaplienko, 07:25 UTC)
Ukrainian Recruitment: Continued interest reported (1,523 new applicants last week). (UA General Staff - Previous Report)
US-Russia/Ukraine Relations (RU Perspective): RU sources claim Trump displeasure with Zelenskyy over alleged changes to rare earth minerals deal terms linked to NATO. (Basurin, 07:36 UTC)
NATO Activity (Baltic - NEW): Portugal deployed a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft and 46 personnel to Ämari Air Base, Estonia, for the Baltic Sentry mission (Apr 6 - May 5). RU sources interpret this as part of expanding NATO presence and anticipate increased provocations against Russian shipping. (Arkhanhel Spetsnaza, 08:02 UTC)
V. Technological & Tactical Notes
RU Counter-Drone Measures: Use of static nets, "drone-trawler" UAVs (Chasiv Yar); UAV ramming tactics vs. heavy drones (Vremivka). (Previous Reports & Voin DV, 07:30 UTC)
UA Drone Strike Tactics: Footage shows targeting of RU assault and subsequent evacuation groups (30th Mech Bde); SOF units targeting personnel/ATVs (3rd SOF Regt); "Khartia" Brigade targeting personnel in forests (Kharkiv). (BUTUSOV PLUS, 07:09 UTC; Sternenko, 07:57 UTC; Tsaplienko, 08:07 UTC)
UA Urban Combat Tactics (Toretsk): Footage shows house-clearing, grenade use, prisoner capture, enemy use of tunnels. (Tsaplienko, 07:27 UTC)
VI. Casualty & Loss Reports (Significant Updates)
Civilian Casualties (Horlivka - RU Claim): RU sources maintain 15 wounded from bus attack; 26 wounded, 2 killed in past week. (Basurin, Poddubny, Voenkor Kotenok - 06:54 UTC onwards)
Personnel Losses (Russian - UA Claims):
UA drone unit "Ochi ta Zhalo" claims 112 RU KIA (Mar 29-31). (Previous Report)
UA source (Shtirlits) claims KIA of six specific RU officers (Lt Col, 3 Sr Lt, 1 Lt, 1 Jr Lt). (Shtirlits, 07:41 UTC)
UA forces (30th Mech Bde) claim destruction of RU assault/evacuation groups. (BUTUSOV PLUS, 07:09 UTC)
UA forces ("Safari" Regiment) claim capture of RU personnel (Toretsk). (Tsaplienko, 07:27 UTC)
NEW: UA 3rd SOF Regt claims destruction of three RU personnel and one ATV via drone strike. (Sternenko, 07:57 UTC)
Personnel Losses (Russian - Internal Reports): Relatives of RU unit w/ch 61899 report high MIA numbers since Nov 2024. (ASTRA, 07:06 UTC)
Personnel Losses (Ukrainian - RU Claims):
NEW: RU sources (Poddubny) claim inflicting losses on UA forces attempting attacks near Chasiv Yar. (Poddubny, 07:53 UTC)
NEW: RU sources (Colonelcassad, Parker) report KIA of Ukrainian Colonel Oleksii Kolos, described as head of a CBRN weapons research department at a military research institute, allegedly during demining of an "aerial weapon" in Kyiv Oblast on March 27. (Colonelcassad, 08:03 UTC; Parker, 08:09 UTC)
Equipment Losses (Russian - UA Claims):
Confirmed destruction/disablement of one T-90M tank. (Previous Report)
NEW: Destruction of one ATV (3rd SOF Regt drone strike). (Sternenko, 07:57 UTC)
Equipment Losses (Ukrainian - RU Claims):
Destruction of one Gvozdika SPG, one dugout, one pickup truck by UAVs (Yug Group). (RU MoD, 07:19 UTC)
Destruction of UAV control point by artillery (South Donetsk). (Colonelcassad/Voin DV, 07:32 UTC)
Destruction of "Baba Yaga" heavy drones via ramming tactics (Vremivka). (Voin DV, 07:30 UTC)
NEW: Destruction of Ukrainian M777 howitzer near Zorya (238th Arty Bde). (Narodnaya Militsiya DNR, 07:59 UTC)
NEW: Claimed destruction of UA UAV Control Point (Svyati Hory NP) and mortar position (SE of Hryhorivka) by RU artillery (Siversk direction). (Dnevnik Desantnika, 08:14 UTC)
NEW: Claimed destruction of UA tanks/armored vehicles near Chasiv Yar (98th VDV). (Poddubny, 07:53 UTC; Colonelcassad previous report corroborates VDV claims in area)
