Estimated Scale: Approximately 20 UAVs remain active in Ukrainian airspace (Monitoring sources, ~07:03 UTC).
Current Vectors (UA AF, ~07:38 UTC / Monitoring Sources, ~07:36 UTC):
Multiple groups transiting Chernihiv Oblast towards Kyiv Oblast.
UAVs operating near Chernihiv city.
UAVs heading towards Poltava city.
UAVs approaching Vyshhorod (Kyiv Oblast).
UAVs transiting southern Kyiv Oblast entering Vinnytsia and Zhytomyr Oblasts.
One UAV previously noted near Ukrainka (Kyiv Oblast) heading towards Kyiv city (potential air defence engagement).
Ukrainian Air Defence: Confirmed active in Kyiv Oblast (OVA, ~07:01 UTC).
New Russian Air Threats (Since ~06:48 UTC):
Tactical aviation continues launching Guided Aerial Bombs (KABs) towards Sumy Oblast and Kharkiv Oblast (UA AF).
NEW (RU CLAIM/VIDEO): Russian Vostok Group aviation (11th Air Force Army) conducted strikes using 4x FAB-500 UMPK glide bombs against alleged Ukrainian positions in a forest strip near Zelene Pole (South Donetsk/Velyka Novosilka direction) (RU Source - Voin DV, ~07:30 UTC).
NEW: Air raid alert declared for Zaporizhzhia Oblast (~07:28 UTC).
Odesa: Damage confirmed to a business center, a restaurant, and partial destruction of a school for visually impaired children (Shaheds hit territory) (UA Sources citing Dumska, ~07:10 UTC). RU claims hits targeted industrial zone East of airport (alleged weapons production/storage) and port territory (RU Source - Poddubny, ~07:07 UTC).
Kyiv Oblast (Boryspil): RU claims UAVs struck the Boryspil airport area, alleging logistics hub and targeting Ukrainian Air Defence elements (RU Source - Poddubny, ~07:07 UTC). (UA confirmation needed).
Cherkasy: RU claims strike hit Cherkasy airfield territory. Alleges UAV hit vehicle parking (fuel trucks, workshops), damaged hangars/meteo station, caused detonation at engineering storage facility (RU Source - Dnevnik Desantnika, ~07:06 UTC). (Requires verification).
Civilian Casualties/Damage (Kharkiv Oblast - Confirmed):
Ivashky (Bohodukhiv district):1 civilian (24 y/o male) killed by FPV drone while on a scooter (UA Prosecutor, ~06:52 UTC).
Kupyansk:1 civilian (58 y/o female) injured (severe stress reaction) due to evening artillery shelling (UA Prosecutor, ~06:52 UTC).
Horokhovatka (Izium district):2 civilians injured due to series of airstrikes. Significant damage: 4 homes caught fire, 11 others damaged; fires in outbuildings/garage; 3 shops damaged (UA SES, ~06:54 UTC).
II. Frontline Developments
Pokrovsk Axis:
UA Defensive Success (Apr 21): Ukrainian 31st Mechanized Brigade, with attached units, reported repelling 8 Russian assault waves yesterday. Claimed destruction of 16 Russian motorcycles and several infantry groups (UA 31 OMBr Source via Butusov Plus, ~07:22 UTC). (Suggests continued RU use of motorcycle assaults in this area).
RU Drone Activity: Russian "Rubikon" special center drone operators claimed destruction of various Ukrainian equipment (Roshel Senator, HMMWV, artillery, vehicles, heavy UAVs) and personnel in support of RU offensive operations in Donetsk Oblast (RU Source - RVvoenkor, ~07:22 UTC).
UA FPV Activity: Ukrainian FPV strike reported targeting Russian forces at the turnoff for the Dovha Balka - Mykolaipole road (Donetsk Oblast) (UA Source - Shef Hayabusa citing subscriber, ~07:12 UTC).
Kramatorsk Axis:
RU CLAIM (VIDEO): Russian forces (200th OMSBR drone operators) destroyed a Ukrainian mortar position near Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka (RU Source - Colonelcassad, ~07:01 UTC).
RU CLAIM (VIDEO/GEOLOCATION): Russian FPV drones successfully destroyed a Ukrainian tank at a starting position near Fedorivka Druha (approx. 8km from LoC) on Apr 21, causing ammunition detonation (RU Source - Slivochniy Kapriz citing Finistteam, ~07:35 UTC). (Reinforces previous textual claim).
RU CLAIM (Apr 19): Russian forces successfully hit a Ukrainian self-propelled artillery unit (SPG) near Yurkivka (approx. 10km from LoC), causing ammo detonation (RU Source - Slivochniy Kapriz citing Finistteam, ~07:24 UTC).
Lyman Axis:
RU CLAIM: Russian forces advanced >400 meters along the Siverskyi Donets River towards Hryhorivka (RU Source - Slivochniy Kapriz, ~06:53 UTC). (Requires verification). Positional fighting ongoing near Siversk; UA shelling reported on RU forward position near Bilohorivka.
General:
Ukrainian 43rd Artillery Brigade showcased suppression fire using 2S7 Pion artillery against alleged Russian infantry positions prior to an assault (UA Source - Operativnyi ZSU, ~06:46 UTC).
III. Cross-Border Engagements (Kursk/Sumy/Chernihiv)
Kursk Oblast Border Zone:
RU CLAIM: Russian forces ("Sever" group) are conducting operations in Hornal "carefully" due to the potential presence of civilians in basements (RU Source - TASS, ~07:35 UTC). (Context: Previous RU claim of >200 UA KIA and UA destroying historical buildings).
RU CLAIM: Alleged Colombian mercenary Andres Felipe Zapata Zuleta (callsign "Fenix") killed by Russian forces in Kursk Oblast (RU Source - Voenkor Kotenok, ~07:40 UTC). (Requires verification; suggests foreign fighter presence in UA border operations).
RU CLAIM (Significant Deployment): Approximately 300 Ukrainian UAV operator teams have been deployed to the Kursk Oblast border region to hold the line (RU Source - Dnevnik Desantnika, ~07:31 UTC). (Requires verification; indicates potential intensification of UA drone ops).
Russian medical units confirmed operating near the border, conducting evacuations (RU Source - Colonelcassad/Readovka, ~07:32 UTC).
Sumy Oblast Border Zone:
RU CLAIM (Significant Deployment): A group of over 100 Ukrainian military personnel, reportedly trained in the UK, has been transferred from Poltava to Sumy Oblast (RU Source - TASS, ~07:25 UTC). (Requires verification; indicates potential reinforcement of Sumy border).
IV. Capabilities, Logistics & Counter-Intelligence
Russian Needs (Zaporizhzhia Front): Ongoing fundraising appeal for 7th Guards Air Assault Division (VDV) units, seeking multiple Mavic 3 drones (Thermal/Pro/Classic), drone detectors, radios, and 5.45mm magazines (RU Sources - Dva Mayora/Dnevnik Desantnika, ~07:02 UTC).
Ukrainian Counter-Intelligence: Alleged Russian informant detained in Mykolaiv. Suspect (50 y/o male) accused of collecting/transmitting UA troop/equipment locations via Telegram since Aug 2023; ammo found (UA Prosecutor General, ~07:00 UTC).
Ukrainian Logistics: Starlink terminal procured and sent to "Chorne Krylo" unit (UA Source - Shef Hayabusa, ~07:07 UTC).
V. Political & Information Operations Context
Russian Narratives:
Renewed speculation linking Ukrainian procurement of radiation sickness medication to a potential "dirty bomb" scenario (RU Source - Starshe Eddy, ~06:47 UTC).
Dismissal of reported Trump peace plan details; expression of confidence in upcoming positive news from the frontlines (RU Source - Dva Mayora, ~07:09 UTC).
Promotion of internal Russian stability/achievements (Grozny Mayor award) (RU Source - Kadyrov_95, ~07:12 UTC).
Highlighting alleged foreign mercenary casualties on the Ukrainian side (Colombian in Kursk) (RU Source - Voenkor Kotenok, ~07:40 UTC).
Highlighting RU care for civilians (Hornal claim) and alleged differences in casualty recovery practices (RU Source - TASS/Colonelcassad, ~07:35 / 07:32 UTC).
Reporting on internal security operations against migrants in occupied Donetsk Oblast (RU Source - Mash na Donbasse, ~07:20 UTC).
Ukrainian / International:
President Zelenskyy reportedly plans to attend the funeral of Pope Francis; former US President Trump also expected to attend (UA Source - Operativnyi ZSU, ~07:34 UTC).
Coordination Headquarters for POWs reminding public of regional consultation centers and appointment system (UA Source - KoordShtab POW, ~07:10 UTC).
Ongoing efforts to improve conditions at underground schools in Zaporizhzhia (sports ground construction) (UA Source - Zaporizhzhia OVA, ~07:02 UTC).
