Military Situation Update: Ukraine - April 5, 2025, 13:30 UTC
I. Overall Strategic Situation
Combat Intensity: Remains HIGH across the frontlines. The Ukrainian General Staff (UGS) reported 145 combat engagements in the 24 hours preceding 08:00 UTC, Apr 5. Russian offensive pressure persists most significantly on the Lyman, Pokrovsk, South Donetsk, and Toretsk axes. The Kursk/Sumy border region also sees continued high-intensity engagements.
Russian Offensive Posture: Primary efforts focus on achieving breakthroughs in the Pokrovsk and Toretsk directions, with sustained pressure towards Lyman and Chasiv Yar. Operations continue on the South Donetsk (Vremivka salient), Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia), and Novopavlivsk directions, with Russian sources claiming incremental advances near Rozlyv (Apr 5), Bohatyr, and Novodarivka (Voin DV, Apr 5) and previously near Lobkove/Kamyanske (Apr 2). Persistent ground assaults continue within the Kursk/Belgorod border areas. Russian forces demonstrate a high tolerance for personnel and equipment losses in pursuit of territorial objectives. The Russian MoD (Apr 5) claims tactical improvements on the Kupyansk, Southern Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia axes and continued advances on the Pokrovsk axis.
Ukrainian Defensive Operations: Ukrainian forces maintain active defense, repelling numerous Russian assaults. UGS reports indicate ongoing defensive operations and disruption efforts within the Kursk border region. Drone operations continue to play a critical role in interdicting Russian logistics and halting localized advances, exemplified by retaliatory strikes by the 77th Airmobile Brigade following the Kryvyi Rih attack (Vilkul, Apr 5).
Air & Missile Threats: Persistent threat from Russian aviation (KABs), kamikaze drones (Shahed-type), and ballistic/cruise missiles targeting frontline positions, rear areas, and civilian infrastructure. Ongoing air threat alerts for multiple regions (see Section III).
II. Key Frontline Developments
Kursk/Sumy Border Zone:
Intensity: High. UGS reported repelling numerous Russian attacks in Kursk Oblast (Apr 5). Russian MoD (Apr 5, Sever Group) claims ongoing offensive actions targeting Ukrainian formations near Hornal, Huyevo, Oleshnia (Kursk Oblast) and striking multiple settlements in Sumy Oblast (Basovka, Belovody, Vladimirovka, Vodolagi, Zhuravka, Loknya, Miropolye, Novonikolayevka, Privolye, Sadki, Khrapovshchina, Yunakovka).
Russian Claims (Apr 5): Claimed capture of Basovka (Sumy Oblast). Claimed defeat of several Ukrainian brigades. Reported significant daily UA losses (>210 personnel, 1 IFV, 2 APCs, 5 AFVs, 9 vehicles, 1 mortar, 8 UAV C2 points). Note: Cumulative Russian MoD loss claims for this direction (>72,150 personnel, 404 tanks) are highly inflated and likely serve propaganda purposes. RU sources (Colonelcassad, Apr 5) claim destruction of a UA flag and booby-trapped mine dropped by a heavy UA drone on the Sudzha border checkpoint roof.
Kupyansk Axis:
Russian Claims (MoD, Apr 5): Claimed improved tactical situation. Inflicted losses on UA forces near Komarovka, Kondrashovka, Kamenka (Kharkiv region). Claimed >250 UA personnel losses, destruction of 2 pickups, 7 artillery guns (5 Western), and 1 ammunition depot.
Lyman Axis:
Intensity: Highest reported by UGS (39 Russian attacks repelled/ongoing in 24h preceding Apr 5, 08:00 UTC). Assaults focus towards Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka, Hrekivka, Olhivka, Novoserhiivka, Nove, Nadiia.
Russian Claims (MoD, Apr 5 - Yug Group): Claimed improved tactical situation. Engaged UA forces near Konstantinovka, Pravdovka, Zarya, Katerinovka (DPR). Claimed up to 300 UA personnel losses, 4 tanks, 2 AFVs, 9 vehicles, 6 artillery guns. Earlier (Apr 5) claims included expansion of control N/W of Makiivka; fierce fighting near Vishneve; capture of strongpoints near Ivanivka, approaching Nove from the south.
Pokrovsk Axis:
Intensity: Very High. UGS reported 69 assaults repelled/ongoing (Apr 2). Intense fighting persists. Russian MoD (Tsentr Group, Apr 5) claims advancing into Ukrainian defenses, engaging UA forces near Novoekonomicheskoye, Udachnoye, Zverevo, Yelizavetovka, Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk), Alekseyevka (DPR).
Russian Claims (MoD, Apr 5): Claimed up to 435 UA personnel losses, 3 AFVs, 10 vehicles, 2 artillery guns, 1 EW station destroyed.
TASS (citing Rogov): Claimed liberation of ~5 sq km near Rozlyv on the Donetsk border.
MoD (Vostok Group): Claimed taking more favorable lines, hitting UA near Otradnoye, Volnoye Pole (DPR). Claimed up to 140 UA personnel losses, 6 vehicles, 1 artillery gun.
Voin DV (Vostok Group): Claimed advances near Bohatyr (took 2 strongpoints, advanced 1km, control 1x1km area, >15 UA KIA) and Novodarivka (pushed UA from treeline, occupy 0.5x1.5km area, up to 10 UA KIA). Claimed strikes on 5 UA reinforcement groups (Bohatyr, Alekseyevka, Shevchenko, Burlatske, Novopil) and foiled UA evacuation near Volne Pole (destroyed 4 vehicles, up to 15 UA troops). Claimed destruction of 1 UA mortar crew via counter-battery.
Orikhiv Axis (Zaporizhzhia):
Intensity: High activity. UGS reported 12 clashes (Apr 2). Russian MoD (Dnepr Group, Apr 5) claims taking more advantageous lines, damaging UA formations near Stepovoye, Novopokrovka, Lobkovoye.
Russian Claims (MoD, Apr 5): Claimed up to 65 UA personnel losses, 1 US M113 APC, 5 vehicles destroyed, 2 ammo depots neutralized. Earlier claims (Apr 2) indicated significant advances near Lobkove (most of settlement), towards Kamyanske, Stepove, Shcherbaky. Lobkove remained contested.
Kherson Axis (Left Bank):
UGS reported repelling 3 RU attempts (Apr 2). Russian sources claim blockade of sea ports impacting UA logistics (Apr 5). UA 39th Brigade reports drone strikes targeting Russian positions in retaliation for Kryvyi Rih (Apr 5).
III. Air, Missile & Drone Activity
Current Threats (as of 13:30 UTC, Apr 5):
Air-Launched Weapons: Threat active for Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (UA Air Force, 13:08 UTC) and frontline oblasts due to Russian tactical aviation activity on eastern direction (UA Air Force, 12:50 UTC). Previous threat on northeastern direction (12:03 UTC).
Air Raid Alert: Active in communities of Zaporizhzhia Oblast (excluding Zaporizhzhia city) (Zaporizhzhia OVA, 13:31 UTC).
Attack Drones: Threat ended for Kharkiv Oblast (previously active 12:20 UTC).
KAB Launches: Previously active towards Sumy Oblast (UA Air Force, 12:10 UTC).
Ukrainian Air Defence (Night Apr 4-5):
Targeted by 92 Shahed-type UAVs. UA Air Force reports 51 shot down, 31 "locationally lost". Impact zones included Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Zhytomyr Oblasts.
Russian Air/Missile Strikes (Recent):
Aviation: Heavy reliance reported; 107 strikes, 171 KABs (UGS, 24h to 08:00 UTC Apr 5).
Kamikaze Drones:92 Shaheds launched overnight Apr 4-5. Total 2737 UAVs reported used (UGS, 24h to 08:00 UTC Apr 5). FPV drones continue targeting civilian infrastructure (e.g., Ivashky, Kharkiv Oblast, Apr 5).
Artillery/MLRS: Intense shelling reported; 6353 attacks, 105 MLRS (UGS, 24h to 08:00 UTC Apr 5).
Kryvyi Rih (Apr 4): Combined Iskander-M (cluster) and Shahed attack (See Section IV).
Kharkiv City & Oblast (Apr 3 Evening): Massive Shahed attack caused multiple hits, particularly in Novobavarskyi district; casualties reported (1 KIA, 29 WIA). Strike reported in Ruski Tyshky (1 WIA).
Russian Claims (MoD, Apr 5): Claims strikes targeted military airfield infrastructure, missile/artillery depots, UAV assembly enterprise, troop concentrations (147 areas). Claims destruction of explosives production facility in Zaporizhzhia city and five UA light aircraft at Dnipropetrovsk airport. Claimed downing 7 JDAMs, 5 HIMARS projectiles, 208 UA UAVs in 24h.
Ukrainian Deep Strikes (Confirmed/Claimed, Apr 4-5 & Follow-up):
Saransk, Mordovia: Confirmed strike on "Optical Fiber Systems" plant (54.2250389, 45.1958203), reportedly sole RU producer. Follow-up attempted UAV strike (Apr 5 morning) reportedly impacted plant territory but failed to detonate; RU sources note lack of local AD.
Chapayevsk, Samara Oblast: Confirmed fire at "Promsintez" explosives plant. UA SBU claims responsibility, reporting ~20 explosions, fires, halt in production at a leading RU explosives facility.
