Military Situation Update: Ukraine - April 1, 2025, 08:45 UTC
(Incorporating updates up to 08:45 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).
KAB launches by Russian tactical aviation reported in Donetsk Oblast (UA AF, 07:56 UTC).
Confirmed Air Defense Success (Zaporizhzhia - Previous): 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)
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)
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)
Kursk Operational Zone (UGS Report - Yesterday): Ukrainian forces repelled 27 Russian army assaults in the Kursk region operational zone. (Liveuamap/UGS, 08:17 UTC) Note: This likely refers to repelling Russian cross-border attacks or actions within contested border areas.
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): 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): Footage released shows Ukrainian "Khartia" Brigade drones targeting Russian personnel moving through forests in Kharkiv Oblast. (Tsaplienko, 08:07 UTC)
B. Eastern Front
Kupyansk Axis (UGS Report - Yesterday): Clashes occurred near Pishchane, Nova Kruhlyakivka, Petropavlivka and near Zahryzove, Stepova Novoselivka. (Liveuamap/UGS, 08:17 UTC)
Lyman Axis (UGS Report - Yesterday): Clashes occurred near Nadiya, Dibrova, Kolodyazi, and towards Nove, Serebryanka, Torske, Zelena Dolyna, Novomykhaylivka. (Liveuamap/UGS, 08:17 UTC)
RU CLAIM (Significant Advance - Previous): Russian sources claim forces advanced over 2.5 km west from Novoliubivka towards Katerynivka. (Slivorychnyi Kapriz - Previous Report)
RU CLAIM (Advance near Novoie - Previous): 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): 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 Axis (UGS Report - Yesterday): Clashes occurred near Ivano-Daryivka and Bilohorivka. (Liveuamap/UGS, 08:17 UTC)
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)
Kramatorsk Axis (UGS Report - Yesterday / incl. Chasiv Yar): Clashes occurred near Chasiv Yar and towards Predtechyne. (Liveuamap/UGS, 08:17 UTC)
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 / Equipment Loss - Reinforced): Russian sources (Poddubny, RU MoD) 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. RU MoD claims destruction of UA armored hardware by the 98th VDV using FPV drones. (Poddubny, 07:53 UTC; RU MoD, 08:22 UTC; Colonelcassad previous report corroborates VDV claims/losses in area)
Toretsk Axis (UGS Report - Yesterday): Clashes occurred near Toretsk and Shcherbynivka. (Liveuamap/UGS, 08:17 UTC)
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)
Pokrovsk Axis (UGS Report - Yesterday): Clashes occurred near Panteleymonivka, Oleksandropil, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Kalynove, Udachne, Zelene, Shevchenko, Kotlyne, Serhiyivka, Novoserhiyivka, Novooleksandrivka, Uspenivka, Sribne, Kotlyarivka, Bohdanivka, Andriyivka, Oleksiyivka and towards Troyitske and Horikhove. (Liveuamap/UGS, 08:17 UTC) This remains the highest intensity direction.
RU Drone Operations: Russian sources released footage of drone operations supporting ground assaults. (Colonelcassad, 07:02 UTC)
RU CLAIM (Advance near Dnipropetrovsk Border): 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 (Previous): 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: Footage released shows Ukrainian 3rd SOF Regiment's "Popryvse" unit targeting Russian personnel and an ATV with drones. (Sternenko, 07:57 UTC)
Novopavlivka Axis (UGS Report - Yesterday): Clashes occurred near Kostyantynopil, Burlatske, Dniproenerhiya and towards Rozlyv. (Liveuamap/UGS, 08:17 UTC)
RU Advance Claim (DeepState): 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 - Previous):
RU Equipment Loss: Ukrainian forces documented the destruction/disablement of a Russian T-90M tank. (BUTUSOV PLUS - Previous Report)
RU Assessment of Gains (March - Previous): Russian source (Slivochny Kapriz) claims total RU gains in March 2025 were +257.5 km². (Slivochny Kapriz, 07:20 UTC)
C. Southern Front
Huliaipole Axis (UGS Report - Yesterday): Clashes occurred near Novosilka, Pryvilne and towards Vilne Pole and Novopil. (Liveuamap/UGS, 08:17 UTC)
Orikhiv Axis (Zaporizhzhia - UGS Report - Yesterday): Clashes occurred near Mali Scherbaky, Lobkove, Scherbaky, Kamyanske and Novodanylivka. (Liveuamap/UGS, 08:17 UTC)
RU CLAIM (Advance - Previous): Russian sources claim units expelled Ukrainian forces from a major strongpoint west of Lobkove. (Voenkor Kotenok, 06:52 UTC)
Prydniprovsky Direction (Left Bank Kherson - UGS Report - Yesterday): Ukrainian forces repelled 1 Russian army assault. (Liveuamap/UGS, 08:17 UTC)
RU CLAIM (Ongoing Activity): 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)
Archival Context (Butusov): 2022 footage highlights RU strategic use of ZNPP impacting Dnipro levels, hindering UA riverine operations near Enerhodar. Notes a rejected 2022 UA plan to storm the NPP due to anticipated high losses. (Butusov Plus, 08:39 UTC)
Vremivka Direction (South Donetsk - Previous):
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 - Previous): 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): 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)
Ukrainian Training & Force Generation:
Marine Training: UGS released photos/report on adaptation course for new arrivals in the 37th Separate Marine Brigade, covering combat and tactical training, including urban combat elements. (General Staff ZSU, 08:32 UTC)
NGU Morale/Role: Report features soldier Rodion Merchanskyi (5th Slobozhanska Bde NGU), wounded but continuing service, highlighting NGU's combat role and motivation. (OTU Kharkiv, 08:33 UTC)
Civilian Impact & Reconstruction (Kryvyi Rih):
Head of Kryvyi Rih Military Administration reports over 2,660 residential buildings damaged since the start of the full-scale invasion, affecting over 8,700 families.
Local aid program provided over 322 million UAH to 8,658 families: 8,512 received aid for repairs (169M UAH), 146 families received aid for new housing (151M UAH).
Q1 2025: 1,787 residents received 73.6M UAH in aid (incl. 24 families for new apartments).
Repairs completed/ongoing on 2,481 buildings. Work nearing completion on a 5-story building on Vitaliya Vlasova St damaged by missile strike. (Oleksandr Vilkul, 08:35 UTC)
Civilian Infrastructure Damage (Odesa Oblast): Footage shows significant destruction of resort infrastructure in Zatoka, attributed to Russian drone/missile strikes. (Butusov Plus, 07:54 UTC)
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)
Russian Strikes on Energy Infrastructure (RU Claim):
RU MoD claims Ukrainian forces conducted two attacks on Russian energy infrastructure over the past day using UAVs. (TASS, 08:32 UTC)
Specific targets claimed: Substations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast (occupied) and Belgorod Oblast (RU), allegedly causing power outages. (TASS, 08:34 UTC)
RU MoD frames these as continued, unilateral Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities. (TASS, 08:35 UTC; Dnevnik Desantnika, 08:42 UTC; WarGonzo, 08:42 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)
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). RU Narrative: Russian sources claim this aid is subject to corruption and will not reach intended recipients, enriching officials instead. (Dva Mayora, 08:39 UTC)
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
