Military Situation Update: Ukraine - April 3, 2025, 09:25 UTC
(Derived from intelligence reports dated Mar 30 - Apr 3, including ISW reporting as of Apr 2, Ukrainian General Staff reports as of Apr 3 08:57 UTC, UA Air Force updates up to Apr 3 09:05 UTC, OTU Kharkiv update as of Apr 3 06:00 UTC, and intelligence/claims received up to Apr 3 09:25 UTC)
I. Overall Strategic Situation & Key Developments
Combat Intensity: Remains HIGH. Ukrainian General Staff (UGS) reported 216 combat engagements over Apr 2 (as of 05:00 UTC Apr 3). Major friction points persist on Pokrovsk, Toretsk, Novopavlivsk, Lyman, Orikhiv, Kramatorsk (Andriivka area), and Kursk border axes. Multiple clashes reported ongoing across several directions.
NEW RU CLAIM (Kotenok, Apr 3): RU forces ("Center" Group) entered outskirts of Kotlyarivka and Troitske. RU armor engaged UA near Oleksiivka, deployed assault troops.
NEW RU CLAIM (Slivochny Kapriz, Apr 3): Active fighting near Kurakhove. RU armor column attacked towards Oleksiivka. UA shelling RU assault elements. RU forces advanced 2.5 km West of Andriivka (S of Kurakhove) along the northern bank of the Vovcha River, establishing new positions (48.012707 36.997774).
NEW RU CLAIM (Kotenok, Apr 3): RU forces advanced, fighting reported in UA strongpoint W of Oleksandropil (near H-20 road) and on outskirts of Valentynivka. RU claim flag raised at Oleksandropil council building. Urban fighting reported near Dzerzhynsk/Toretsk (Rybar).
NEW RU CLAIM (MoD RF, Apr 3): Grad MLRS strike on UA stronghold, Dzerzhinsk direction.
NEW RU CLAIM (Colonelcassad Map, Apr 3): Shows RU advances and expanded zone of control within Dzerzhynsk (Toretsk).
NEW RU CLAIM (Kotenok, Apr 3): RU forces ("Vostok" Group, 5th Tank Bde) broke through UA flank defenses near Fedorivka-Vesele, entered southern outskirts of Fedorivka, fighting ongoing. Claims advance threatens UA flank/rear towards Komar/Bohatyr and potentially Huliaipole line. Claims UA logistics via Oleksiivka under attack. RU forces advanced >1.5 km along Mokri Yaly river, took positions in southern Vesele outskirts (Geolocated: 47.926144, 36.773695). RU forces advancing towards Bohatyr/Komar, Zelene Pole, Novopil, Shevchenko, Voskresenka.
NEW RU CLAIM (Voin DV, Apr 3): Drone strikes by "Vostok" Group units on UA forces, Shakhtarsk direction.
NEW RU CLAIM (Voin DV, Apr 3): RU Drone strike (29th CAA) hit UA position in building on Bohatyr-Kostyantynopil road section.
NEW RU CLAIM (Dva Mayora, Apr 3): 2 UA POWs captured from 3rd Assault Brigade ("Azov") near Nadiia.
Kursk border area: (UGS Apr 3 05:00 UTC / morning report: 28 RU attacks repelled in Kursk Oblast Apr 2). Cross-border activity confirmed (ISW).
NEW RU CLAIM (Dva Mayora, Apr 3): Popovka (Belgorod) reported in "grey zone", RU forces hit attempted UA reinforcement overnight. Demidovka (Belgorod) UA forces maintain presence in southern part, RU artillery/drones striking. Fighting for Huyevo reported ongoing (Rybar).
NEW RU CLAIM (Dnevnik Desantnika/Rybar, Apr 3): UA attempting to fortify near Guyevo/Gornal, using monastery; RU striking UA reserves. RU claim terrain loss here critical for UA Sumy defense.
NEW RU CLAIM (Arkhangel Spetsnaza, Apr 3): RU forces (51st PDP VDV) destroyed UA Bradley BMP in Oleshnia (Sumy Obl.).
NEW RU CLAIM (Colonelcassad/Alex Parker, Apr 3): Video shows destroyed UA engineering vehicles near "dragon's teeth" defenses in Demidovka area (Belgorod border).
NEW RU CLAIM (Kotsnews, Apr 3): RU 810th Naval Inf Bde FPV strikes N of Gornal. RU claims UA bombed Belgorod airfield to counter RU helicopter activity in border area (Alex Parker).
NEW RU ACTIVITY (Kotsnews/Dva Mayora, Apr 3): RU forces (30th MRR, 72nd MRD, "Sever" Group) reportedly evacuated civilians from vicinity of Guyevo (Kursk Oblast) to a safe location.
NEW RU DEFENSE (Alex Parker Returns, Apr 3): Reports of RU installing anti-drone nets on multi-story residential buildings in Belgorod Oblast.
Kramatorsk/Chasiv Yar: (UGS Apr 3 05:00 UTC: 6 RU assaults repelled Apr 2). Clashes confirmed Apr 2 near Chasiv Yar and towards Novomarkove, Stupochky, Predtechyne (UGS Morning Rpt).
NEW UA CLAIM (UGS, Apr 3): UA forces repelled significant RU assault near Andriivka (Donetsk), RU used ~2 platoons + armor; claimed heavy RU losses (See UA Defensive Posture).
Urban fighting reported (Rybar). RU claim fortified area occupied in southern Chasiv Yar.
NEW RU CLAIM (Dnevnik Desantnika, Apr 3): Ongoing urban fighting. RU forces (incl. VDV) advancing. Claims Line of Battle shifted N of Dniprovsky pond, fighting in Kobzarya/Privokzalna street area. UA holding fortified positions near station industrial zone. Claims RU destroyed major UA strongpoint on Chekhova street. RU forces pressing towards center from Ognuporny plant and attempting to reach railway near pond.
Kharkiv: (UGS Apr 3 05:00 UTC: 2 RU attacks repelled Apr 2). OTU Kharkiv (Apr 3): 2 RU attacks repelled near Vovchansk and towards Kamyanka Apr 2.
NEW UA CLAIM (Butusov, Apr 3): RU Lt. V. Balgrabsky (7th MRR) surrendered with remnants of company (5 total from battalion) near Kharkiv to UA 13th NGU "Khartia", citing hunger/command issues.
NEW UA ACTIVITY (Tsaplienko, Apr 3): UA 3rd Assault Bde ("Primus" unit, 1st Assault Bn) conducting drone strikes (munition drops) on RU trenches/positions in Kharkiv Oblast.
Prydniprovsky: (UGS Apr 3 05:00 UTC / morning report: 5 RU attempts repelled on Left Bank Apr 2).
NEW RU CLAIM (Mash, Apr 3): RU "Dnepr" Group artillery (D-30) destroyed UA UAV control point on Right Bank.
Ukrainian Success Confirmed: Repelled major RU assault near Andriivka (Kramatorsk axis), inflicting heavy losses (UGS).
Russian Advances Claimed/Confirmed:
Near Toretsk (incl. geolocated capture of Oleksandropil; NEW RU CLAIM: Fighting W of Oleksandropil and outskirts of Valentynivka; NEW RU CLAIM: Expanded zone of control in Dzerzhynsk/Toretsk - Colonelcassad Map).
Near Pokrovsk (ISW); RU CLAIM: Entered outskirts of Kotlyarivka and Troitske. NEW RU CLAIM: Advanced 2.5 km W of Andriivka (S of Kurakhove) along Vovcha River towards Oleksiivka. NEW RU CLAIM: Advance near Preobrazhenka (Colonelcassad Map).
Near Velyka Novosilka / Novopavlivsk: Confirmed capture of Vesele; Advance >1.5km along Mokri Yaly river and southern outskirts of Vesele (Geolocated); NEW RU CLAIM: Entered southern outskirts of Fedorivka, fighting ongoing.
SE of Bohdanivka (Andriivka direction - geolocated).
Lobkove (Zaporizhzhia): Confirmed capture by RU forces; RU CLAIM: Advancing N/NW from Stepove/Lobkove.
NEW UA CLAIM (DeepState, Apr 3): RU forces advanced in Piatykhatky and Andriivka.
NEW RU CLAIM (Chasiv Yar): Advances N of Dniprovsky pond (Kobzarya/Privokzalna streets); Strongpoint destroyed on Chekhova street (Dnevnik Desantnika). Fortified area occupied in southern Chasiv Yar (Previous RU Claim).
RU CLAIM: Advances towards Kamyanske (Zaporizhzhia).
NEW RU CLAIM (Belgorod Border): Popovka now in grey zone; UA presence confirmed in S. Demidovka.
Air & Missile Activity:
NEW RU KAB Launches (UA AF, Apr 3 09:05 UTC): Repeat launches towards Donetsk Oblast.
NEW UA Recon Drone Activity (UA AF, Apr 3 08:52 UTC): Ongoing enemy recon drone activity noted in Sumy Oblast, potential targeting guides.
Previous (Apr 2): UA AF intercepted 2x RU Kh-59/69 missiles (Zaporizhzhia). Lull in Shahed attacks noted overnight Mar 31-Apr 1.
II. Ukrainian Defensive Posture & Operations
Active defense maintained, repelling numerous assaults across multiple axes, including intense pressure on Pokrovsk (80 attacks), Toretsk (28), Kursk border (28), Lyman (21) on Apr 2.
NEW Confirmed Major Success (Kramatorsk Axis): UA forces repelled significant RU assault near Andriivka (Donetsk), involving ~2 RU platoons + armor. Claimed RU losses: 12 AFVs hit (7 destroyed), 18 KIA, 7 WIA (UGS video report, Apr 3). Counting ongoing.
UA 414th OPUBAS ("Ptakhy Madyara") drone strike video on individual RU soldier released (Butusov, Apr 3).
Video released (Apr 3, 421st Sep Bn) showing destruction of RU equipment.
Video released (Apr 3, 59th Bde) showing drone attack on individual RU soldier (Pokrovsk direction).
Shadow unit released video (Apr 3) of nighttime heavy bomber drone strikes on RU shelters/trenches.
UA 63rd Mech Bde video (Apr 3) shows destruction of RU tank.
NEW (Kharkiv): UA 3rd Assault Bde ("Primus" unit) drone strikes on RU trenches/positions (Tsaplienko, Apr 3).
NEW UA Drone Capability Assessment: RU sources report UA deployment of new German/UA co-developed HF-1 kamikaze drones (150km range, 4.8kg payload, up to 4000 planned). First use claimed by RU in Sumy Oblast (Poddybny).
Counter-Intelligence: Deputy Director of educational institution in Sumy Oblast detained, suspected of providing RU forces with info on UA troop locations/movements near Kursk border (OGP/SBU).
NEW UA POW Capture (Kharkiv): 13th NGU Brigade "Khartia" captured RU Lt. V. Balgrabsky (7th MRR) and remnants of his company (Butusov).
UA Naval Development: Minehunters "Cherkasy" and "Chernihiv" completed NATO Level 1 evaluation, confirming interoperability (UA Navy).
UA CLAIM (Kharkiv Zone Losses Inflicted - Past 24h - OTU Kharkiv, Apr 3 06:00 UTC): 102 RU personnel (43 KIA), 73 units OVT (8 vehicles, 1 ATGM, 6 spec. equip, 1 EW, 57 UAVs). Destroyed: 74 shelters, 2 ammo depots, 1 fuel storage.
UA CLAIM (Southern Axis Losses Inflicted - Past 24h - Southern Def Forces, Apr 3):158 RU personnel, 9 artillery systems, 1 ATGM, 1 "Murom-M" system, 7 EW systems, 35 vehicles/armor, 12 motorcycles, 5 boats, 3 ATVs, 2 Starlink antennas, 5 UAV control antennas, 10 comms antennas, 2 generators, 1 Orlan UAV, 2 Supercam UAVs, 2 field depots, 1 fuel storage. Destroyed: 67 shelters/dugouts, 1 observation post, 1 C2 post.
Personnel Recognition: Sgt Serhiy (92nd OShBr ATGM Platoon Cdr) awarded Order "For Courage" II degree. Cdr of DShV Recon Bn Grenade Launcher Platoon Sr. Soldier Andriy Marchuk awarded "Silver Cross" for actions near Pokrovsk (May-Jul 24) and Kursk (Jan 25 - claimed vs DPRK troops).
III. Russian Operations & Capabilities
Logistics & Personnel Issues: Needs reported for Azart radio batteries, UAZ pickup, satcom, drone detectors (Pokrovsk). Recruitment ads for FSB noted. Alleged desertion (unit 41885, Donetsk Obl) due to command threats, lack of support/pay/evac (ASTRA). Captured RU Lt. cites hunger (Butusov). Report of returned RU veteran (ex-prisoner) committing violent crime (Mobilizacia).
EW Development: "Ivan"-2 portable directional jammer showcased (WarGonzo).
Counter-Drone Tactics: Reports persist of static anti-drone nets and "drone-trawler" UAVs near Chasiv Yar. UAV ramming tactics claimed vs UA heavy drones on Vremivka axis. Anti-drone nets being installed on residential buildings in Belgorod Oblast.
Information Operations: Claims of UA losses/equipment destruction (see Losses section). Videos of drone/artillery strikes. Evacuation of civilians from Guyevo (Kursk) framed as "liberation". Narrative blaming Kyiv "terror" for hindering US-RU dialogue. Critique of RU command effectiveness circulated (Alex Parker Returns).
NEW (Apr 3): 3 WIA Nova Kakhovka; 3 WIA Horlivka; 1 WIA Donetsk (mine); Injuries in Belgorod Oblast (drones); School damaged Mala Lepetykha; Belgorod State Agrarian University building damaged (overnight UA attack).
Horlivka (Mar 31 bus attack): RU maintains 15 civilians WIA. Claim 26 WIA, 2 KIA in Horlivka over past week.
NEW Industrial Incident (Russia - Confirmed): Major fire at Onega Shipyard, Petrozavodsk (Karelia). RU MoD/MChS report ~1500 sq m affected, workshop 4 (fuel storage), 3 injured (2 critical). Fire localized. Cause confirmed as gas cylinder explosion (TASS/MChS).
VI. Political & Strategic Developments
NEW US-Russia High-Level Contact Confirmed: Head of RU RDIF Kirill Dmitriev confirmed conducting meetings with US Administration officials in Washington D.C. (TASS/RVvoenkor). Dmitriev claims dialogue destroyed under Biden, potential exists, opponents fear rapprochement. RU MFA spox Zakharova accused Kyiv of using "terror" to try and derail dialogue.
NEW US Tariffs & International Response:
Trump administration imposes tariffs (Dva Mayora/TASS). UA MoE assessing impact.
EU Response (Von der Leyen): Calls tariffs "serious blow," promises countermeasures (Basurin).
China Response: Urges US to cancel tariffs, threatens countermeasures (Reuters/RVvoenkor).
Potential Apple price increases due to tariffs on China production (NYT/RBC-Ukr). Axios warns tariffs could trigger global recession.
NEW Hungary & ICC: Hungary announces intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, coinciding with visit by Israeli PM Netanyahu (ASTRA/Sternenko/Colonelcassad).
NATO Role Discussion: Reports persist on potential use of NATO structures/ISR for European forces in Ukraine (FT/TASS).
NATO Logistics: US company Galvion opens helmet factory in Gdansk, Poland, for NATO/Europe; Nordic countries ordered ~125k helmets (Dva Mayora).
German Assessment: Expects continued RU interference (DW). German FM visited Kyiv, announced €130M additional humanitarian aid (Apr 1).
Lithuanian FM visited Kyiv, reaffirmed support (Apr 1).
UK/FR/UA Security Meeting: UK Labour Leader reportedly mentioned upcoming meeting on security guarantees (Tsaplienko, Apr 1).
International Support (EU/Kallas): EU countries reportedly providing >50% of Ukraine's current ammo needs.
