Military Situation Update: Ukraine - April 6, 2025, 06:00 UTC
I. Executive Summary & Major Developments
Large-Scale Overnight Air Assault: Russia executed a significant combined air attack targeting Kyiv and its agglomeration, the Uman district (Cherkasy Oblast), Starokostiantyniv (Khmelnytskyi Oblast), and Sumy. Weapon systems employed included Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles, Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, and Shahed/Gerbera-type UAVs. Air alerts have concluded across Ukraine.
Kyiv Attack Aftermath: Ballistic missiles inflicted considerable damage and casualties in Kyiv.
Damage: Confirmed fires and damage to non-residential buildings in Darnytskyi, Obolonskyi, and Solomianskyi districts. Includes a partial collapse of a 5-story business center (Obolonskyi), fires at a furniture workshop spreading to a warehouse (Obolonskyi), destruction of a non-residential building and ignition of 3 cars (Darnytskyi), and 8 additional vehicles damaged (Darnytskyi). Emergency response operations ongoing. Visual confirmation of a large crater (Obolonskyi). Russian sources claim industrial/warehouse targets were hit.
Sumy Shahed Attack: An overnight attack involving 8 Shahed drones targeted civil infrastructure in Sumy city, confirmed by Sumy OVA and RBC-Ukraine.
Casualties:No casualties reported preliminarily.
Damage: Administrative and warehouse buildings, vehicles, and equipment of an enterprise were damaged. Russian sources claim industrial infrastructure was hit. Visual evidence shows significant fire damage at industrial/warehouse-type facilities.
Kupyansk Residential Strike: A Russian Guided Air Bomb (KAB) struck the 9th floor of a residential high-rise building in Kupyansk.
Casualties:2 civilians injured.
Damage: Resultant fire spread across multiple balconies (2nd-7th floors) and four apartments (100 sq m area). Partial damage to the struck building and window damage in three adjacent buildings. Other KAB/MLRS strikes reported in Kupiansk damaged city council building and residential houses.
Mykolaiv Drone Attack: Overnight Shahed attack resulted in falling debris causing fires in two private houses (extinguished) and damage to 13 private houses and one vehicle. 4 civilians injured.
Kryvyi Rih Attack Update (Apr 4 Incident): Casualty figures updated: 75 individuals sought medical assistance (1 additional since last reports), 37 remain hospitalized, with 19 in serious condition (including 4 children). National Day of Mourning observed (Apr 6).
Ground Combat Intensity: Remains HIGH, particularly on the Eastern Front. 178 combat engagements reported by UGS over the past 24 hours. Southern Defense Forces report high RU drone intensity in the South (>500 kamikaze drones/day).
Russian Offensive Posture: The Pokrovsk axis remains the main effort (75 attacks stopped). Significant pressure also persists on the Lyman (26 attacks), Toretsk (20 attacks), and Kursk/Sumy border (17 attacks repelled) directions. Russian forces heavily utilize KABs (163 used over Ukraine, 34 on Kursk direction in 24h; 22 used in South), kamikaze drones (2237 used in 24h, ~500 in South), artillery/MLRS (~5449 shelling incidents, 123 from MLRS in 24h), and unguided rockets (16 NARs used in South).
RU Claims: Russian sources claim advances near Novoliubivka (Lyman axis) and Kamianka (Kupyansk axis). TASS claims RU forces are pushing UA units out of Huyevo and Oleshnia in Kursk Oblast (Russia).
Ukrainian Defensive Operations: Successfully engaged ballistic and cruise missiles over Kyiv. Repelled numerous ground assaults across the front, notably 75 on the Pokrovsk axis. Inflicted significant Russian losses (+1330 personnel, 13 tanks, 20 AFVs, 56 arty systems claimed by UGS for Apr 5). Continue active defense using FPV drones, counter-battery fire, and fortifications. Ukrainian forces hit 12 RU concentration areas and 1 AD system in the past day.
Regional Allied Activity: Polish and Allied air assets were active over Poland during the Russian long-range aviation strikes on Ukraine.
Information Environment: Russian sources frame overnight strikes as targeting industrial/military objectives (Kyiv, Sumy). Ukrainian sources emphasize civilian casualties and damage (Kyiv, Sumy, Kupyansk, Mykolaiv, Kryvyi Rih aftermath). RU sources highlight FPV drone use, provide justification for strikes related to alleged energy infrastructure agreements, and claim territorial gains. UA sources report high RU losses and detail extensive shelling/strikes on civilian areas (e.g., Kharkiv Oblast). US Ambassador confirms overnight Russian missile attacks across Ukraine.
II. Air, Missile & Drone Activity
Overnight Combined Attack (Resolved):
Ballistic Missiles: Intense multi-wave attack on Kyiv from Bryansk/Voronezh Oblasts (RU). Air defenses engaged. Confirmed impacts, significant damage, 3 injuries.
Cruise Missiles: Kh-101 (Tu-95MS bombers) and Kalibr (Naval assets). Targeted Kyiv, Uman district (Cherkasy), and potentially Starokostiantyniv. Threat subsided.
Shahed/Gerbera Drones: Active overnight.
Targeted Mykolaiv (4 injured, damage).
Targeted Sumy (8 drones confirmed by UA OVA/RBC-Ukraine). Hit civil infrastructure (admin/warehouse buildings, equipment). No casualties reported. RU sources claim industrial targets hit. Visuals show significant damage/fire at industrial/warehouse facility.
Targeted Staryi Saltiv (Kharkiv Obl.): Hit a tent with construction materials/furniture near an educational facility, causing a large fire (450 sq m).
99 Aviation Strikes (using 163 KABs across Ukraine; 22 KABs specifically in the South).
16 Unguided Air Rockets (NARs) used in the South.
~5449 Shelling Attacks (including 123 MLRS attacks). >300 shelling incidents (>1300 rounds) in the South.
2237 Kamikaze Drone attacks (including ~500 kamikaze drones and >250 drone drops in the South).
Ongoing Threats (as of 06:00 UTC):
Guided Air Bombs (KABs): Persistent threat for frontline oblasts. Confirmed KAB strikes on Kupyansk (residential high-rise, city council building), Slatyne (Kharkiv Obl., 14 houses damaged). 34 KABs used on Kursk direction alone in past 24h. Air strikes hit Stepnohirsk and Lukianivske (Zaporizhzhia Obl.).
Tactical Aviation: Activity poses threat primarily to eastern/northeastern/southern regions.
Recent Impacts & Damage (Summary):
Kyiv: Ballistic missile impacts caused significant damage (partial building collapse, fires) in Darnytskyi, Obolonskyi, Solomianskyi districts; 3 civilians injured.
Kupyansk (Kharkiv Obl.): KAB strike on residential high-rise (2 injured, fire, structural damage); KAB strike on city council building (roof/window damage); MLRS strike destroyed private house/outbuilding, damaged other houses/lyceum.
Kharkiv Oblast (Other): Multiple settlements (Borova, Ivashky, Kozacha Lopan, Slatyne, Staryi Saltiv) hit by KABs, FPV drones, Shaheds, MLRS, causing damage to dozens of private houses, outbuildings, power lines, educational facility property. No casualties reported from these specific Kharkiv Oblast incidents (per OVA).
Uman District (Cherkasy Obl.): Targeted by cruise missiles; impact details pending.
Nikopol District (Dnipropetrovsk Obl.): Continued overnight artillery and kamikaze drone attacks on Nikopol city & Marhanets community. Damage to 7 apartment buildings, infrastructure, shop, car, garage. No casualties reported from these specific attacks.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Air strikes hit Stepnohirsk and Lukianivske.
Russian Air Defense Claims: RU MoD claims 11 Ukrainian UAVs destroyed overnight over Rostov (8), Kursk (2), and Belgorod (1) Oblasts.
III. Frontline Situation Overview (Selected Axes - UGS Report 05:00 UTC Apr 6 & Other Sources)
(Based on 178 total combat engagements reported over the past 24 hours)
Kursk/Sumy Border: High intensity. 17 Russian attacks repelled by UA forces in Kursk Oblast (UGS). RU conducted 322 artillery strikes (12 MLRS) and 22 air strikes (34 KABs) in this direction (UGS). RU forces maintain presence in UA border settlements (Kursk side), conduct cross-border attacks into Sumy Oblast.
RU Claim (TASS): Russian forces are actively pushing Ukrainian units out of Huyevo and Oleshnia settlements in Kursk Oblast.
Kharkiv Axis: Low intensity ground combat. 1 Russian attack repelled near Kamyanka (UGS). Multiple settlements subjected to RU air/drone/arty strikes (see Section II).
Kupyansk Axis: Moderate intensity. 6 Russian attacks repelled near Petropavlivka, Zahryzove, Nova Kruhliakivka (UGS). Kupyansk city heavily shelled (KABs, MLRS).
RU Claim (RVvoenkor): Russian forces advanced on the southern outskirts of Kamianka and along forest lines.
Lyman Axis:High Intensity. 26 Russian attacks conducted near Novoiehorivka, Novoliubivka, Hrekivka, Novoho, Katerynivka, and towards Zelena Dolyna (UGS).
RU Claim (RVvoenkor): Russian forces secured ground west of Balka Zhuravka and Novoliubivka (claimed 3.5km wide, 1.72km deep salient) and continue pressure westward.
Siversk Axis: Moderate intensity. 5 Russian attacks repelled near Bilohorivka and Verkhnokamyanske (UGS).
Kramatorsk Axis (Chasiv Yar): Low-moderate intensity ground assaults. 3 Russian attacks repelled near Chasiv Yar and Hryhorivka (UGS). RU sources claim UAV strikes on UA personnel near Chasiv Yar.
Toretsk Axis:High Intensity. 20 Russian attacks conducted in the areas of Kurdyumivka, Toretsk, Dachne, Leonidivka, and Druzba (UGS).
Pokrovsk Axis:Highest Intensity.75 Russian attacks stopped by Ukrainian defenders near Kotlyarivka, Valentynivka, Oleksandropil, Tarasivka, Lysivka, Shevchenko, Kotlyne, Udachne, Uspenivka, Novoolexandrivka, and Bohdanivka (UGS). UA 46th Airmobile Brigade reported defensive operations near Kurakhove (Mar 30 - Apr 5) and claimed significant RU losses.
RU Activity: Russian sources show FPV drone strikes targeting UA personnel, equipment (incl. Turkish Kirpi APC), positions, and communications (Starlink terminal) in this direction.
Novopavlivsk / South Donetsk Axis: Moderate intensity. 8 Russian attacks repelled near Rozliv, Kostiantynopil, and Burlatske (UGS).
RU Activity: Russian sources claim drone strikes by 30th Spetsnaz Coy destroying UA vehicle (pickup truck w/ white cross) and communications equipment near Bohatyr. RU sources previously shared images of captured French VAB/UA Kozak near Kurakhove.
Orikhiv Axis (Zaporizhzhia): Moderate intensity ground clashes. 4 unsuccessful Russian attacks conducted near Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, and towards Mala Tokmachka and Novoandriivka (UGS & Southern Def Forces). Air strikes hit Stepnohirsk and Lukianivske. RU sources previously claimed capture of Lobkove.
Prydniprovsky Axis (Kherson - Left Bank): Low intensity ground assaults. 2 unsuccessful Russian attempts to approach UA fortifications reported (UGS & Southern Def Forces). RU sources claim increased FAB (KAB) strikes by Russian Aerospace Forces.
Volyn/Polissia: No signs of Russian offensive grouping formation detected.
IV. Naval Situation
(No significant changes reported since Apr 4 update)
Black Sea / Azov Sea: No Russian warships reported deployed (as of Apr 4 AM).
Ukrainian FPV Drone Demand: High demand reported, with 103 unit requests totaling 4020 FPV drones currently outstanding (Sternenko).
Russian Drone Intensity (South): Southern Defense Forces report very high Russian drone usage: >500 kamikaze drones per day and >250 drone drops daily in the southern operational zone, constituting over 20% of total daily Russian drone strikes across the front. FPV strikes impact frontline settlements in Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.
Russian Perspective (Medical/Morale): Russian military surgeon interview highlighted challenges treating large numbers of wounded, potential impact of HIMARS strikes on RU units, and importance of soldier morale for recovery (Colonelcassad).
Russian Strike Justification: RU sources framed the large-scale overnight missile/drone attack as retaliation for Ukraine allegedly not adhering to an agreement regarding strikes on energy facilities (Dnevnik Desantnika).
OSINT Reporting Note (Previous): Nikolaevskiy Vanyok channel temporarily suspended publishing interception/shoot-down reports due to concerns about ground-level reporting accuracy (Apr 4).
Partisan Activity Claim (Previous): ATESH group claimed destruction of railway transformer cabinet near Kemerovo, Russia (Apr 4).
