Military Situation Update: Ukraine - April 6, 2025, 09:01 UTC
I. Major Developments & Air/Missile Activity
Overnight Combined Air Assault (Apr 5-6): Large-scale Russian air attack utilizing strategic bombers, naval assets, ground launchers, and UAVs. Targeted regions included Kyiv, Cherkasy, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv Oblasts.
Weapons Detected (UA AF): 132 air targets tracked, including:
9x Kh-101/55SM cruise missiles (launched from Tu-95MS bombers over Saratov Oblast, Russia).
8x Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles (from the Black Sea).
6x Iskander-M ballistic missiles (launched from Bryansk Oblast, Russia).
109x Shahed-type UAVs and decoy drones (launched from Russia and occupied Crimea).
Interceptions (UA AF, as of 07:00 UTC Apr 6): A total of 53 air targets were successfully intercepted:
Decoys: 53 decoy drones were tracked but lost contact without causing reported impacts.
Impacts & Damage (Confirmed):
Kyiv City/Oblast: Ballistic missiles targeted the capital.
Casualties (KMVA/OGP/Mayor):1 Civilian Killed (male, found near explosion epicenter in Darnytskyi district), 3 Civilians Injured (2 hospitalized).
Damage (KMVA/OGP/DSNS Visuals):
Darnytskyi District: Fire in a non-residential building; separate debris impact caused destruction/fire at another building; vehicles damaged. The body was found near lyceum grounds.
Obolonskyi District: Large fire (1500 sq m) at a furniture workshop; partial collapse (3rd-5th floors) of a 5-story business center; damage to 13 cars.
Solomianskyi District: Debris caused fires in open areas; fire on a warehouse facade; damage to commercial kiosk windows.
Investigation: Office of the Prosecutor General (OGP) initiated a war crime investigation (Art. 438 CCU). SBU is also investigating. Russian sources (Colonelcassad) posted visuals claiming hits on production facilities/warehouses.
Sumy Oblast:8 Shahed UAVs struck civil and industrial infrastructure, damaging administrative/warehouse buildings and vehicles. Significant fire damage observed. No casualties reported (ASTRA visuals).
Mykolaiv Oblast: Debris from 7 downed Shahed UAVs caused damage. 4 civilians were injured. 13 private houses and 1 vehicle were damaged; fires occurred in 2 houses (UA Southern Forces).
Khmelnytskyi Oblast:1 missile was downed. 1 civilian woman was injured. Damage reported to a residential building, summer kitchen, two utility buildings, and three cars (Khmelnytskyi OVA).
Cherkasy & Kharkiv Oblasts: Also targeted in the overnight attack. Details pending.
President Zelenskyy Statement (Apr 6): Condemned the rising number of Russian air attacks as proof of Russia's intent to continue terror. Cited over 1460 KABs, nearly 670 Shaheds, and more than 30 missiles (over 20 in the last night alone) launched against Ukraine in the past week. Stated pressure on Russia is insufficient and must be increased.
Ongoing Threats (as of 09:01 UTC Apr 6):
Guided Air Bombs (KABs):Repeat launches reported by UA AF (08:29 UTC) targeting Donetsk and Sumy Oblasts. The threat remains high along frontline areas.
Tactical Aviation: Threat active for Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (UA AF 07:59 UTC).
Recent Counter-UAV Successes (UA Claim):
Operators from "Horizon Group" reportedly downed 8 Russian reconnaissance UAVs (4x Supercam, 2x Zala, 2x Orlan) using FPV drones. These recon drones are critical for directing Russian artillery, Lancet loitering munitions, and ballistic missiles (Sternenko, Apr 6).
Kryvyi Rih Attack Aftermath (Apr 4 Attack):
Casualties Updated (Apr 6): Total injured increased to 75 civilians, with 37 hospitalized (19 in serious condition). The confirmed death toll remains 19, including 9 children. (Operativnyi ZSU / DeepState).
Mourning: A national day of mourning is being observed across Ukraine (Apr 6). Flags lowered in Kyiv. (RBC-Ukraina / DeepState).
Attribution: Ukrainian sources (DeepState) attribute the primary deadly strike to a Russian Iskander-M ballistic missile hitting a courtyard. Russian narratives attempting to blame Ukrainian air defense for child casualties are being actively countered (Operativnyi ZSU).
Russian Air Defense / Encounters:
RU MoD claimed 11 UA UAVs downed over Rostov (8), Kursk (2), Belgorod (1) Oblasts overnight Apr 5-6 (Colonelcassad).
Video released showing a NATO F-16 conducting visual identification/escort of a Russian Tu-134UBL aircraft over water (Fighterbomber, Apr 6).
II. Ground Combat Operations & Frontline Situation
Overall Intensity: Combat intensity remains HIGH, particularly along the Eastern Front. 178 combat engagements were recorded in the 24 hours preceding the morning of Apr 6 (UGS).
Assessment Trend (UK Intel via Butusov Plus): While Russian offensive intensity is maintained, the effectiveness and territorial gains have shown a declining trend since the peak in November 2024. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces are demonstrating increased activity in tactical counterattacks.
Kursk/Sumy Border:
Intensity remains high. Ukrainian forces repelled 17 Russian attacks in Kursk Oblast (UGS, past 24h).
Russian sources (WarGonzo/Rybar) claim expanded control in Guevo (Kursk Obl.), pushing towards Oleshnia, with fighting reported inside Sumy Oblast territory.
A Russian assessment (Slivochniy Kapriz, Apr 6) claims the Ukrainian-controlled bridgehead in Kursk Oblast has been reduced significantly over the past month, now estimated at 95.8 km² (down from 504 km² on Mar 6). The same source claims Russian forces control 47.2 km² of Sumy Oblast adjacent to the border.
Russian sources continue to allege Ukrainian attacks on civilians in Bryansk Oblast border villages (Dva Mayora) and atrocities against civilians in Kursk Oblast border areas during the Ukrainian incursion (Basurin).
Belgorod Border: Heavy fighting continues near Dmitrovka/Popovka. Russian sources claim nearing a blockade of Demidovka and hitting withdrawing Ukrainian forces with drones. Russian forces also claim destruction of a Ukrainian heavy drone ("Baba Yaga") used for mining near Demidovka, citing terrain challenges (woods, UA height advantage) (Dnevnik Desantnika).
Kharkiv Axis (OTU Kharkiv): The situation remains complex. 1 Russian attack was repelled near Kamyanka (past 24h). Ukrainian forces claim inflicting RU losses (past 24h): 57 personnel (17 KIA), 68 equipment units (1 tank, 3 arty, 14 vehicles, etc.), and destroying 66 shelters/2 ammo depots.
Kupyansk Axis:6 Russian attacks were repelled (UGS). Russian sources claim advances on the southern outskirts of Kamianka (RVvoenkor). Russian channels show video of kamikaze robot and drone strikes destroying Ukrainian positions (Dva Mayora).
Lyman Axis: Intensity is High. 26 Russian attacks were repelled (UGS). Russian sources claim advances west of Balka Zhuravka/Novoliubivka (RVvoenkor) and from Ivanivka towards Katerynivka (Rybar). A situational map from a Russian source (Colonelcassad/z_arhiv, dated Apr 5) shows claimed Russian advances near Novoliubivka and Novo. Ukrainian PzH 2000 SPG destruction near Lipove via FPV drone confirmed geolocated (>6km from LBS).
Toretsk Axis: Intensity is High. 20 Russian attacks were repelled (UGS). Russian sources claim the capture of Aleksandropol (Rozivka) / Panteleimonivka and ongoing fighting for Tarasivka / Zelene Pole (Rybar). (Note: Aleksandropil capture was confirmed earlier, around Apr 3).
Pokrovsk Axis: Intensity remains Highest.75 Russian attacks were stopped (UGS). Russian sources claim tactical success in Udachne, repelling Ukrainian counterattacks in Kotlyne, and fighting near Shevchenko (WarGonzo). Russian forces reportedly advancing in Lysovka (Rybar). Russian FPV drone strikes targeting Ukrainian personnel claimed (Arkhangel Spetsnaza). Russian sources claim FPV strikes destroyed UA Kozak vehicle and others (Apr 5).
Novopavlivsk / South Donetsk Axis: Intensity is Moderate. 8 Russian attacks were repelled (UGS). Russian forces reportedly advancing towards Bogatyr (WarGonzo); fighting continues for Oleksiivka (north of Kostiantynopil) and near Volne Pole/Vesele/South of Rozlyv (Rybar). Russian claims from Apr 5 included advances up to 2km from Andriivka towards Oleksiivka, >1.5km near Bohatyr, and 200m near Burlatske.
Orikhiv Axis (Zaporizhzhia): Intensity is Moderate. 4 Russian attacks were repelled (UGS & SDF). Russian sources claim capture of Lobkove (confirmed earlier, ~Apr 3), successes near Shcherbaky/Stepove, and advancing near Kamenske. A Ukrainian counterattack near Lobkove was reportedly repelled (WarGonzo). Russian sources repeat claim of eliminating Ukrainian "International Legion" Sgt. V. Kucheruk via FPV drone (Poddubny / RVvoenkor). Russian drone operators claim destruction of 2 Starlink terminals and 1 repeater near Huliaipole (Voin DV, Apr 6).
Prydniprovsky Axis (Kherson - Left Bank): Ground assault intensity is Low. 2 Russian attacks were repelled (UGS & SDF).
III. Other Noteworthy Information
Ukrainian Training & Retaliation:
Photos released show OUV "Tavria" tank crew training (UGS).
Video released showing intensive training of 18-24 year old recruits (Operativnyi ZSU/StratCom).
63rd Mechanized Brigade released video of retaliatory strikes (GRAD, Arty, Mortars, Drones) explicitly "for Kryvyi Rih" (Vilkul).
Video evidence shows RU FPV drone attacks on Ukrainian positions and vehicles (ZONA SVO, Colonelcassad).
Internal issues reported: Systemic problems within Russian Air Defense (command rigidity, EW integration, accountability, morale); social tensions regarding perceived anti-Caucasus sentiment online (Alex Parker Returns); logistical challenges highlighted by difficulties during a soldier's funeral in Russia (MOBILIZATSIYA).
Information Environment:
Ukrainian OGP investigating the Kyiv attack as a war crime.
Russian sources frame Kyiv/Sumy strikes as targeting military/industrial facilities and continue amplifying narratives alleging Ukrainian atrocities on the Kursk border.
Polish advisor warns US (potential Trump admin) against recognizing Russian control over occupied territories in future negotiations (RBC-Ukraina).
Ukrainian channels actively countering Russian narratives regarding the cause of civilian casualties in Kryvyi Rih.
Communications Security: Russian sources claim destruction of 2 Starlink terminals and a repeater near Huliaipole, indicating continued efforts to degrade Ukrainian communication capabilities.
Logistics/Fundraising: Ukrainian fundraising appeals continue for various units and equipment needs (Shtirlits). Russian forces also exhibit reliance on volunteer fundraising for equipment.
