Military Situation Update: Ukraine - April 6, 2025, 06:31 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 reportedly included Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles, Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, and Shahed/Gerbera-type UAVs. RU sources (WarGonzo) estimate approx. 40 UAVs, 10 Kalibrs, and 10 ballistic missiles (targeting Kyiv). 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 (3rd-5th floors) 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). Warehouse fire also reported in Solomianskyi. Emergency response operations ongoing. Visual confirmation of a large crater (Obolonskyi). Russian sources (Basurin) claim military targets were hit, framing strikes as precise.
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 (67M, 78F).
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 (at least 3 women confirmed). 7 Shaheds were reportedly downed over Mykolaiv Oblast.
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) including in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Zaporizhzhia OVA reported 19 KIA (9 children) and >70 WIA from this attack.
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, >250 drops/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) (W of Balka Zhuravka, 3.5km wide, 1.72km deep salient) and Kamianka (Kupyansk axis) (S. outskirts). TASS claims RU forces are pushing UA units out of Huyevo and Oleshnia in Kursk Oblast (Russia). FPV strikes reported by RU (Pokrovsk axis - Personnel, Starlink, Kirpi APC, car; Novopavlivsk axis/Bohatyr - Pickup truck, comms equipment; Sparta Btn claims destruction of Kozak APC, 3 vehicles).
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, 80 personnel, 10 arty systems, 19 vehicles/AFVs in South claimed by UGS/SDF for Apr 5). Continue active defense using FPV drones (60th OMBR, Favorit Coy, other units active), counter-battery fire, and fortifications. Ukrainian forces hit 12 RU concentration areas and 1 AD system in the past day. SDF South destroyed 48 RU shelters/bunkers, 3 observation points, ammo/fuel storage, comms equipment (Starlink, antennas).
Regional Allied Activity: Polish and Allied air assets were active over Poland during the Russian long-range aviation strikes on Ukraine. US Ambassador confirms overnight Russian missile attacks across Ukraine.
Information Environment: Russian sources frame overnight strikes as targeting military/industrial 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).
Weather: Snowfall reported in Lviv, Odesa, Ternopil, and Cherkasy oblasts, potentially impacting ground and air operations.
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. RU sources (WarGonzo) estimate approx. 10 ballistic missiles used.
Cruise Missiles: Kh-101 (Tu-95MS bombers) and Kalibr (Naval assets). Targeted Kyiv, Uman district (Cherkasy), and potentially Starokostiantyniv. RU sources (WarGonzo) estimate approx. 10 Kalibrs launched. Threat subsided. Trajectories reported as complex and evasive across central/western Ukraine (RU sources).
Targeted Mykolaiv (4 injured, damage). 7 Shaheds downed over Mykolaiv Oblast (SDF South).
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, constituting >20% of total RU daily drone strikes).
Ongoing Threats (as of 06:31 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 reported on Eastern direction (UA Air Force 06:28 UTC). Threat of air strikes remains for frontline oblasts.
Recent Impacts & Damage (Summary):
Kyiv: Ballistic missile impacts caused significant damage (partial business center collapse, fires in warehouses/workshops) in Darnytskyi, Obolonskyi, Solomianskyi districts; 3 civilians injured. Visuals confirm damage and emergency response.
Kupyansk (Kharkiv Obl.): KAB strike on residential high-rise (9th floor hit, 2 injured, fire, structural damage); KAB strike on city council building (roof/window damage); MLRS strike destroyed private house/outbuilding, damaged other houses/lyceum. Visuals confirm residential damage.
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; RU sources report explosions. Impact details pending.
Other Areas: Explosions also reported by RU sources in Bila Tserkva, Zhytomyr, Poltava, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Sumy Oblasts.
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. FPV strikes impact frontline settlements.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Air strikes hit Stepnohirsk and Lukianivske. FPV strikes impact frontline settlements.
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). Russian 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 - residential high-rise hit, 2 injured).
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 (Colonelcassad) 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 (Voin DV) 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. RU "Sparta" Btn (Colonelcassad) claims FPV destruction of Kozak APC and 3 vehicles.
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 Activity: Confirmed strikes by multiple units including 60th OMBR and Favorit Company against RU personnel and positions. High demand reported (Sternenko, Apr 5).
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 (Strike Justification): RU sources (Dnevnik Desantnika) framed the large-scale overnight missile/drone attack as retaliation for Ukraine allegedly not adhering to an agreement regarding strikes on energy facilities.
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).
Weather Conditions: Snowfall reported in western/southern oblasts (Lviv, Odesa, Ternopil, Cherkasy), potentially impacting mobility and visibility for ground/air operations.
