UPDATE (Donetsk Oblast): UAVs remain active in northern and central Donetsk Oblast (~18:59 UTC, UA AF). 1 UAV approaching Kostiantynivka; 2 moving East from Kramatorsk; 2 N of Dobropillia moving towards Druzhkivka/Kostiantynivka (~19:00 UTC, Vanek).
Guided Aerial Bomb (KAB) Threats & Strikes:
UPDATE (Donetsk): KAB launches by RU tactical aviation reported towards Donetsk Oblast (~18:44 UTC, UA AF).
Zolochiv Hromada (Kharkiv Oblast): Confirmed third KAB attack today; 4 KABs total (3 open terrain, 1 near Zolochiv town damaging house). 1 civilian injured (stress reaction) from earlier strike.
Overnight Combined Air Assault Analysis (Apr 5-6):
Key Failure: 5 out of 6 Iskander-M ballistic missiles targeting Kyiv Oblast were not intercepted. Potential evasion tactics or trajectory issues suspected.
Interceptions: 53/109 total air targets intercepted (includes 6/9 Kh-101/55SM, 6/8 Kalibr, 1/6 Iskander-M, 40 Shahed/Decoy).
Kryvyi Rih Attack Aftermath (Apr 4):
Death toll confirmed at 20 KIA (incl. 9 children), 75 WIA. Weapon confirmed as Iskander-M with cluster munition. US Ambassador formally condemned the strike. Spiritual advisor to D. Trump, Mark Burns, condemned the attack as terror (~18:59 UTC, RBC-Ukraina).
Weather Forecast: Significant cold snap forecasted across Ukraine from night Apr 6/7 (frost to -5°C, ice, possible snow), expected to impact mobility, logistics, and troop conditions. (RBC-Ukraina, 18:43 UTC).
II. Ground Combat Operations & Frontline Updates
Overall Intensity: Remains HIGH. Intense fighting reported on Pokrovsk, Lyman, Toretsk, Novopavlivsk and Kursk/Sumy border axes.
Huyevo / Oleshnia (Kursk): RU claims advances, pushing UA forces out of Huyevo towards Oleshnia. (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:33 UTC).
Demidovka Area (Belgorod): RU claims blocking UA supply routes near Demidovka (border area). (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:33 UTC).
UA Activity: Confirmed use of German Helsing HF-1 AI kamikaze drones (Sumy). Colombian volunteers confirmed with UA 47th Mech Bde (Kursk). UA 82nd Air Assault Bde active.
Kharkiv Axis:
UA Drone Strikes: UA 3rd Assault Brigade drone strikes targeting RU infantry confirmed via video. (Operativnyi ZSU, 18:12 UTC).
Kupyansk Axis:
RU Advances Claimed:
Expansion of control claimed in southern Kamianka. (Colonelcassad/@don_partizan, 18:23 UTC).
Expansion of control zone claimed near Petropavlivka (200m width, 300m depth). (Colonelcassad/@don_partizan, 18:23 UTC).
Intense Fighting Claimed: Near Fyholivka, N of Stepova Novoselivka, and Mala Shapovka-Kondrashivka area. (Colonelcassad/@don_partizan, 18:23 UTC).
RU Counter-Attack Claims: Video disseminated claiming RU forces repelling UA counterattacks involving NATO armor, inflicting heavy losses. (RVvoenkor, 18:29 UTC).
Lyman Axis:High intensity.
DeepState Assessment (Worsening UA Situation): Situation deteriorating for UA forces on the Nove-Katerynivka-Nevske line. RU advancing near Nevske and Nove due to advantages (drones, strike capability) and claimed UA issues (resource use, situational awareness). Constant pressure on Katerynivka. Frontline shifting. (DeepState, 18:01 UTC).
RU Advances Claimed:
Advance from Ivanivka towards Zelena Dolyna (300m control expansion). (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:33 UTC).
Advance towards Nove (200m control expansion). (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:33 UTC).
Advance south from Yampolivka towards Torske (350m), clearing strongpoint. (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:33 UTC).
UA Unit Needs: 55th Btn, 63rd Mech Bde (Serebryansky Forest area) reports heavy fighting, vehicle losses, and requests funds for pickup truck with EW capability. (Butusov Plus, 18:31 UTC).
Pokrovsk Axis:Highest intensity.
UA Retaliation Drone Strikes (Kurakhove Direction): Unit using donated Mavic drones claims 23 RU KIA in one day, disrupted assault in retaliation for Kryvyi Rih. Notes RU EW use and motorcycle tactics. (Sternenko, 17:47 UTC).
RU Advances Claimed: Continued advances claimed W of Troitske, near Bohdanivka.
Novopavlivsk / South Donetsk Axis:High intensity.
RU Advances Claimed: Advances near Kostiantynopil and towards Bohatyr. Intense fighting near Shevchenko - Volne Pole. Claim advance N into forest belts near Shevchenko.
Orikhiv Axis (Zaporizhzhia):
RU Claimed KIA: UA International Legion Sgt. Vyacheslav Kucheruk (Ukrainian) killed by FPV drone. (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:33 UTC).
Prydniprovsky Axis (Kherson - Left Bank):
RU Activity: RU 61st Naval Inf Bde claims UAV strikes on UA positions/equipment on Right Bank. (Dva Mayora, 17:46 UTC).
III. Ukrainian Operations in Russian Territory
Energy Infrastructure Strikes Assessment:
Ukrainian expert assesses recent strikes on Saransk (Mordovia) optic fiber plant as significant for disrupting RU production of fiber-optic guided FPV drones. (Kryvolap via RBC-Ukraina, 18:29 UTC).
Strike on Chapayevsk (Samara Oblast) explosives plant assessed as a successful hit impacting RU ordnance production. (Kryvolap via RBC-Ukraina, 18:29 UTC).
RU claims 7 UA strikes on RU energy infrastructure (Apr 5-6).
IV. Technology & Capabilities Assessment
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS):
UA FPV Use: Confirmed successful strikes by 3rd Assault Bde (Kharkiv), unit on Kurakhove direction (Pokrovsk - 23 KIA claimed), 35th Marines (Pokrovsk), 24th Mech (Chasiv Yar), 38th Marines (location unspecified). Massive need highlighted by units (e.g., 55th Btn/63rd Bde request).
RU FPV Use: Claimed strike on UA CAESAR 8x8 SPG (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast). Claimed strike on UA International MaxxPro MRAP near Kotlyno. Claimed KIA of UA Intl. Legion Sgt (Zaporizhzhia). RU 61st Naval Inf Bde claims strikes (Kherson Right Bank).
Impact of UA Strikes: UA strike on Saransk optic fiber plant assessed to impact RU FPV drone production.
Claimed UA Equipment Losses (RU Sources):
CAESAR 8x8 SPG damaged/destroyed by FPV drone in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. (Colonelcassad, 18:05 UTC).
International MaxxPro MRAP destroyed near Kotlyno (location unverified). (Colonelcassad, 18:05 UTC).
RU Strategic Airlift: Multiple Il-76MD observed at airfield, potentially indicating transport operations. (Fighterbomber, 17:33 UTC).
Bradley vs BMP-3 Assessment (Alleged RU MoD Report): Report allegedly acknowledges Bradley superiority in protection/firepower/ergonomics, recommends RU MoD adopt features. Subsequent RU commentary shows internal debate/resistance. (Kotenok, 17:54 UTC).
V. Other Noteworthy Information
Belarus/Russia Security: Belarusian customs claim interception of 580kg of explosives from Poland, allegedly destined for Russia. (Multiple RU Sources, 17:34 UTC).
Logistics/Funding: Persistent crowdfunding appeals from both sides. UA 55th Btn/63rd Bde appeals for pickup truck/EW. (Butusov Plus, 18:31 UTC). UA unit on Kurakhove direction confirms using donated drones for strikes. (Sternenko, 17:47 UTC). RU proposing preferential air travel benefits for SVO participants. (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:02 UTC).
Occupied Territories: Photos show dilapidated state of Shakhtar Stadium in occupied Donetsk. (Sternenko, 18:22 UTC).
Information Environment: Ongoing claims/counterclaims. RU sources highlight alleged UA losses (CAESAR, MaxxPro, Kupyansk armor), promote POW narratives, justify civilian-area strikes (Kryvyi Rih). UA highlights RU civilian attacks, AD needs, drone effectiveness. RU sources promote narrative of financial fraud in RU benefiting UA forces. (Operativnyi ZSU, 18:34 UTC).
