Military Situation Update: Ukraine - April 6, 2025, 10:01 UTC
I. Major Developments & Air/Missile Activity
Overnight Combined Air Assault (Apr 5-6) Aftermath & Analysis:
Targeting: Regions confirmed targeted included Kyiv, Cherkasy, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Zhytomyr, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts. RU sources claim targeting of airbases (Starokostiantyniv, Ozerne, Uman) and other locations (incl. Pavlohrad, Zolotonosha, Boryspil, Obukhiv).
Weapons & Interceptions (Summary - UA AF): 132 air targets tracked (9x Kh-101/55SM, 8x Kalibr, 6x Iskander-M, 109x Shahed/Decoy). 53 targets intercepted (6x Kh-101/55SM, 6x Kalibr, 1x Iskander-M, 40x Shahed). 53 decoy drones lost track without reported impacts.
Significant Interception Failure (Kyiv Oblast): UA Air Force spokesperson (Yuriy Ihnat) confirmed that 5 out of 6 Iskander-M ballistic missiles launched towards Kyiv Oblast were not intercepted and resulted in impacts.
Impacts & Damage (Updated):
Kyiv City/Oblast: Ballistic missile attack.
Casualties:1 Civilian Killed, 4 Civilians Injured (3 in Kyiv city, 1 with burns in Fastivskyi district, Kyiv Oblast - OMA update).
Damage: Fires/destruction in non-residential buildings (Darnytskyi); large fire and partial collapse (3rd-5th floors) of a 5-story business center (Obolonskyi); fires and damage (Solomianskyi). Confirmed damage to offices of Ukrainian and international media outlets (FREEДОМ, Dim, UATV, The Gaze) located in one affected business center (UA sources). Damage to a car wash and service station, destroying/damaging 10 vehicles in Brovarskyi district (OMA update). OGP investigating as war crime.
Sumy Oblast:8 Shahed UAVs struck civil infrastructure (admin/warehouse buildings, vehicles of an enterprise). No casualties reported (Tsaplienko/UA Sources). Multiple RU-claimed strikes (UMPK, Geran, Kh-31) reported in Sumy region on Apr 5-6 (Colonelcassad).
Mykolaiv Oblast: Debris from 7 downed Shaheds injured 4 civilians and damaged houses/vehicles. RU sources claim Kh-101 strike near Voznesensk (Colonelcassad).
Russian Tactical Shift (UA AF Assessment): UA AF spokesperson (Yuriy Ihnat) stated Russia has increased the proportion of ballistic missiles used since early 2024, likely due to their difficulty of interception (requiring systems like Patriot). Russia is also reportedly modifying missiles and drones, requiring continuous information sharing with partners for air defense improvements.
President Zelenskyy Statement Summary (Apr 6): Condemned escalating Russian air terror. Cited >1460 KABs, ~670 Shaheds, >30 missiles (over 20 overnight Apr 5-6) launched in the past week. Stated current pressure on Russia is insufficient.
Ukrainian Air Force Weekly Summary (Mar 31 - Apr 6):
Air Defence:481 air targets destroyed: 6x Kh-101/55SM, 6x Kalibr, 1x Iskander-M, 2x Kh-59/69, 257 Shahed UAVs, 106 reconnaissance UAVs, 103 other UAVs.
Aviation Sorties: Approx. 100 sorties conducted (>50 fighter cover, ~30 ground attack/support). Dozens of air strikes hit RU CPs, logistics, personnel/equipment concentrations.
Casualties: Final figures: 19 KIA (incl. 9 children), 74 WIA (37 hospitalized, 19 serious) (Vilkul/Operativnyi ZSU / DeepState).
Mourning: National day of mourning observed (Apr 6). Flags lowered in Kyiv. Kryvyi Rih mourning Apr 7-9.
Attribution/Narrative: UA maintains Iskander-M strike caused casualties. Russian narratives blaming UA AD actively countered. Retaliatory strikes by UA units (17th Tank, 13th NGU, 60th Mech, 503rd Marines) confirmed.
Russian Air Defense / Encounters:
RU MoD claim: 11 UA UAVs downed over Rostov (8), Kursk (2), Belgorod (1) Oblasts overnight Apr 5-6 (Colonelcassad).
NATO F-16 / RU Tu-134UBL visual identification reported over water (Fighterbomber, Apr 6).
Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Territory:
RU MoD Claim:7 UA attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in the past 24 hours. Energy facilities reportedly damaged in Crimea, Bryansk, Rostov, and Voronezh Oblasts due to UA UAV strikes.
Bryansk Governor Claim: Detailed 3 UA UAV attacks on energy infrastructure in Bryansk Oblast on Apr 5: Khvoshchevskaya facility (Sevsky dist.), high-voltage lines in Sevsky and Suzemsky districts, causing temporary power outages. Restoration reported complete.
RU Claim (Bryansk): Allegations of continuous UA strikes targeting civilians and civilian homes in Bryansk Oblast border villages (specifically one 1.5km from border), causing damage. Claims of local population discontent with authorities' response/lack of resettlement program (Dnevnik Desantnika).
II. Ground Combat Operations & Frontline Situation (Based on UGS Apr 6 morning report & recent claims/updates)
Overall Intensity: Combat intensity remains HIGH. 178 combat engagements recorded in the past 24 hours (UGS).
Assessment Trend (UK Intel via Butusov Plus): Russian offensive effectiveness/gains show declining trend since Nov 2024 peak; UA tactical counterattacks increasing.
Kursk/Sumy Border (Incl. Russian Territory):
High intensity. UA forces repelled 17 Russian attacks in Kursk Oblast (UGS, past 24h).
Russian Claims (WarGonzo/Rybar/Colonelcassad): Expanded control claimed in Guevo (Kursk Obl.), pushing towards Oleshnia; fighting within Sumy Oblast territory. Map update shows claimed advances in Guevo (Colonelcassad, Apr 6).
Territorial Assessment (RU Source - Slivochniy Kapriz, Apr 6): Claims UA bridgehead in Kursk Oblast reduced to 95.8 km² (from 504 km² on Mar 6). Claims RU forces control 47.2 km² of adjacent Sumy Oblast.
Russian Claim (TASS, Apr 6): Alleged "colossal losses" for UA units in Vodolahy, Sumy Oblast. (Needs verification).
Russian allegations of UA attacks/atrocities continue.
Belgorod Border: Heavy fighting near Dmitrovka/Popovka. RU claims nearing blockade of Demidovka, hitting UA forces with drones. Claimed destruction of UA "Baba Yaga" drone near Demidovka (Dnevnik Desantnika).
Kharkiv Axis (OTU Kharkiv): Complex situation. 1 Russian attack repelled near Kamyanka (UGS, past 24h / Liveuamap). UA claims RU losses (past 24h): 57 personnel (17 KIA), 68 equipment units.
Kupyansk Axis:6 Russian attacks repelled near Petropavlivka, Zahryzove, Nova Kruhlyakivka (UGS, past 24h / Liveuamap). Russian sources claim advances S of Kamianka (RVvoenkor). RU channels show kamikaze robot/drone strikes (Dva Mayora). RU sources claim ongoing UA counterattacks with NATO armor/special forces being repelled by RU "Zapad" Group (RVvoenkor).
Lyman Axis:High intensity. 26 Russian attacks repelled near Novoyehorivka, Novolubivka, Hrekivka, Nove, Katerynivka, towards Zelena Dolyna (UGS, past 24h / Liveuamap). Russian sources claim advances W of Balka Zhuravka/Novoliubivka (RVvoenkor) and from Ivanivka towards Katerynivka (Rybar). RU map (Colonelcassad/z_arhiv, Apr 5) shows claimed advances near Novoliubivka. UA PzH 2000 SPG destruction near Lipove confirmed geolocated (>6km from LBS).
Siversk Axis:5 Russian attacks repelled near Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamyanske (UGS, past 24h / Liveuamap).
Kramatorsk Axis (incl. Chasiv Yar):3 Russian attacks repelled near Chasiv Yar, Hryhorivka (UGS, past 24h / Liveuamap).
RU CLAIM (Significant): Russian sources (TASS) claim the Ukrainian grouping in the Zakhidnyi (Western) microdistrict of Chasiv Yar has been destroyed. Requires verification.
Toretsk Axis:High intensity. 20 Russian attacks repelled near Kurdumivka, Toretsk, Dachne, Leonidivka, Druzhba (UGS, past 24h / Liveuamap). Russian sources claim capture of Aleksandropol (Rozivka)/Panteleimonivka and fighting for Tarasivka/Zelene Pole (Rybar).
Russian Claims (WarGonzo/Rybar/Colonelcassad): Tactical success in Udachne; repelled UA counterattacks in Kotlyne; fighting near Shevchenko; advancing in Lysovka (claim corroborated by Colonelcassad map update, Apr 6). RU FPV drone strikes claimed (Arkhangel Spetsnaza).
UA Action: UA "Spartan" Brigade (NGU) reports ongoing effective defense and drone strikes against RU infantry in this sector.
Novopavlivsk / South Donetsk Axis: Moderate intensity. 8 Russian attacks repelled near Rozlyv, Kostyantynopil, Burlatske (UGS, past 24h / Liveuamap). Russian forces reportedly advancing towards Bogatyr (WarGonzo); fighting continues for Oleksiivka and near Volne Pole/Vesele/South of Rozlyv (Rybar). Previous RU claims (Apr 5) of advances near Andriivka, Bohatyr, Burlatske.
Orikhiv Axis (Zaporizhzhia): Moderate intensity. 4 Russian attacks repelled near Stepove, Mali Scherbaky and towards Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriyivka (UGS, past 24h / Liveuamap). Russian sources claim capture of Lobkove, successes near Shcherbaky/Stepove, advancing near Kamyanske. UA counterattack near Lobkove reportedly repelled (WarGonzo). Russian drone operators claim destruction of 2 Starlink terminals and 1 repeater near Huliaipole (Voin DV, Apr 6).
RU CLAIM (Specific Target): Russian sources claim killing UA International Legion Sgt. Vyacheslav Kucheruk with an FPV drone on this front (Dnevnik Desantnika).
Huliaipole Axis:1 Russian attack repelled near Rivnopil (UGS, past 24h / Liveuamap).
RU Mine Use Claim: RU sources claim UA "Kozak" armored vehicle destroyed by mine laid by RU 112th Rifle Regt (51st CAA) (Narodnaya Militsiya DNR).
UA Drone Strike: UA drone group "Hostri Kartuzy" claimed strike killing 5 RU soldiers transported by motorcycle (Tsaplienko).
III. Other Noteworthy Information
Hybrid Threats / Internal Security:
Report (The Guardian via Sternenko) alleges US-based neo-Nazi group "The Base", with leader Rinaldo Nazzaro residing in St. Petersburg, is paying individuals to conduct terror attacks in Ukraine (targeting energy infrastructure, military/police assets & personnel, government buildings, politicians) in cities including Kyiv. Source suggests potential Russian special services operation.
Ukrainian Training & Morale: OUV "Tavria" tank training photos; 18-24 y.o. recruit training video shown. Videos released showing retaliatory strikes "for Kryvyi Rih" (Vilkul / 503 Marine Battalion / other units). UA drone unit "BULAVA" (OPBde) video highlights need for drone saturation (Butusov Plus).
Video evidence of RU FPV drone attacks continues (ZONA SVO, Colonelcassad, Starshe Eddy, Spartan Brigade videos).
Military Automobile Inspection units shown conducting road security, convoy escorts, document checks, and counter-sabotage operations in occupied areas (RU MoD).
Reported internal issues: Air Defense problems, social tensions (Bryansk border population discontent claim), logistical challenges (soldier's funeral).
RU sources promote small arms training against FPV drones.
Information Environment:
UA OGP investigating Kyiv attack as war crime, highlighting damage to media offices. Zelenskyy emphasizes RU intent to continue terror. UA AF clarifies ballistic missile impacts in Kyiv Obl.
Russian sources frame Kyiv/Sumy strikes as targeting military/industrial facilities; claim destruction of UA grouping in Chasiv Yar; claim advances in Lysovka/Guevo; continue atrocity/civilian targeting narratives (Kursk/Bryansk borders); TASS claims high UA losses in Vodolahy (Sumy); RU MoD highlights UA attacks on RU energy infrastructure.
Polish advisor warns US against recognizing RU control over occupied territories (RBC-Ukraina).
Communications Security: Russian claim of destroying 2 Starlink terminals and a repeater near Huliaipole (Voin DV) indicates ongoing efforts to degrade UA C2 capabilities.
Logistics/Fundraising: Mutual reliance on volunteer fundraising apparent (Shtirlits / RU sources). Russian Military Auto Inspection activities highlight focus on securing logistics routes.
International: Germany plans NATO exercise "Red Storm Bravo" (Sep 2025) focused on rapid deployment to Baltics/Poland (Kotsnews). Russian sources report US CL650 Artemis recon flights over Balkans (Apr 4-5), linking to regional tensions (Arkhangel Spetsnaza).
