As of Tue Apr 22 10:23:26 2025 (Incorporating intelligence up to approx. 10:23 UTC)
I. Strategic & Air Warfare Overview
Russian Air Strikes & Impacts (UPDATED):
Zaporizhzhia City KAB Strike (Major Update):
Impact Confirmed: Two Russian Guided Aerial Bombs (KABs) struck Zaporizhzhia City (~07:51 UTC launch reported, ~11:40 local time / 08:40 UTC impacts). One hit an unspecified infrastructure object, the other struck a multi-story residential building in a densely populated area (Zaporizhzhia OMA/OVA video report, Tsaplienko video). Video and photographic evidence confirms significant structural damage and secondary fires (vehicles).
Casualties (UPDATED & Confirmed):1 civilian confirmed killed (69F). 15 civilians wounded and receiving medical attention (6 treated on-site, 9 hospitalized), including two children (14M - severe condition, 4M - moderate condition) (Zaporizhzhia OMA/OVA, RBC-Ukraina, ASTRA, Tsaplienko, Operatyvnyi ZSU, Sternenko, ~09:04 - 10:18 UTC).
Kupyansk KAB Strike (UPDATED):
Impact Confirmed: Russian forces attacked Kupyansk (Kharkiv Oblast) with 4 KABs.
Casualties & Damage:4 civilians wounded. Significant damage to residential sector: 55 private houses damaged or destroyed reported by Kharkiv ODA head Syniehubov; DSNS reports 14 private homes destroyed, multiple outbuildings, 3 fires ignited (~09:27 - 09:52 UTC).
Ongoing KAB Threats: Tactical aviation activity launching KABs towards Sumy Oblast and Kharkiv Oblast previously reported (UA AF). KABs also previously targeted Donetsk Oblast.
Current Vectors & Activity (UA AF / Monitoring Sources, ~09:10 - 10:15 UTC):
Multiple groups of UAVs (Shahed-type) targeting Kharkiv City. Initial reports indicated up to 8 UAVs converging on the city.
At ~10:15 UTC, 4 UAVs reported over Kharkiv (Air Defence actively engaging), 3 more transiting towards/through Chuhuiv/Kharkiv, and 3 approaching Kharkiv from the south.
Confirmed "Shahed" drone hit reported in Kharkiv City (Kharkiv Mayor Terekhov via RBC-Ukraina, Operatyvnyi ZSU, ~09:57 - 09:59 UTC).
Second strike reported in Shevchenkivskyi district, Kharkiv (Terekhov, Syniehubov ~10:08 - 10:15 UTC).
Preliminary report: 1 civilian wounded from UAV strike in Kharkiv (Syniehubov, ~10:20 UTC).
Alert Status: Air alert active in Kharkiv and surrounding areas. UA AF urges residents to remain sheltered (10:21 UTC). Air alert cancelled in Zaporizhzhia City (~09:08 UTC).
RU Claim (Widespread Attacks): RU source claims widespread "Geran" (Shahed) drone attacks ongoing across Ukraine, including Kherson, Kyiv, Kharkiv Obl., Cherkasy Obl. (Zona SVO, ~09:59 UTC). Requires further UA confirmation.
Ukrainian Air Defence:
Mobile Fire Groups: Air Command "South" demonstrated effective engagement of aerial targets over Odesa Oblast during the night of Apr 22 (UA AF video, ~09:41 UTC). Air Defence actively engaging UAVs over Kharkiv (UA AF, ~10:15 UTC).
Previous claim of 9 Russian UAVs downed by "ReDrone" program forces stands.
AEW&C Assessment (UPDATED): RU sources continue analysis and express concern regarding the potential deployment and impact of Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C (ASC 890) aircraft by Ukraine. Reports cite alleged test flights over Lviv tracked via FlightRadar (RU Source - Kotsnews, ~09:32 UTC).
Russian Air Defence Claims (Previous Day): Claims of downing 11 UA UAVs and 3 JDAM bombs remain standing (MoD RU, ~09:43 UTC).
Russian Counter-UAS Developments (NEW): President Putin signed a law expanding the authority of departmental security guards to use firearms and special means against UAVs, including outside protected object boundaries. The law also allows for the placement of counter-UAS systems near airfields and permits the generation of electronic interference specifically for counter-UAS purposes (Colonelcassad, ~10:03 UTC).
II. Frontline Developments
(Incorporating UA General Staff updates for the previous day & new claims/reports)
Pokrovsk Axis (Highest Intensity):
RU Claim (Preobrazhenka): Russian forces maintain claim of liberating Preobrazhenka, securing supply road, destroying UA equipment (RU Source, ~08:18 UTC). (Note: DeepState previously reported RU advance near Preobrazhenka).
UA GSFU Report (Previous Day Clashes): UA forces repelled 61 Russian assaults/actions across numerous settlements including Sukha Balka, Myrolyubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Novooleksandrivka, Preobrazhenka. (GSFU, ~08:54 UTC).
RU Drone Activity (NEW): RU sources report use of "Molniya" fixed-wing FPV drones by RU units (RU Source - Arkhangel Spetsnaza, ~09:47 UTC).
Toretsk Axis (Major Update):
RU CLAIM (Capture of Sukha Balka - CONFIRMED by RU MoD): Russian forces, specifically the "Yug" Group, claim the liberation of Sukha Balka (Donetsk Oblast). Claimed significance: allows approach to H-20 highway towards Konstantynivka (TASS, MoD RU, Dvama Jora, Kotsnews, ~09:23 - 09:46 UTC).
UA GSFU Report (Previous Day Clashes): UA forces repelled 23 Russian attacks near Toretsk, Dyliyivka, and Scherbynivka (GSFU, ~08:54 UTC).
RU Activity Claim (NEW): RU source claims drone detected and facilitated destruction of UA DRG attempting entry near Dzerzhynsk (RU Source - Colonelcassad, ~09:36 UTC).
Novopavlivsk Axis (South Donetsk / Vremivka Salient / Kurakhove):
UA Strike Claim (NEW): UA "Zliuki Bobry" drone unit claims destruction of 4 RU personnel on Kurakhove direction (Sternenko, ~10:20 UTC).
UA GSFU Report (Previous Day Clashes): UA forces repelled 19 Russian attacks near Kostyantynopil, Vilne Pole, Novosilka, Rozlyv (GSFU, ~08:54 UTC).
RU Strikes/Activity:
RU UAV operators (69th Bde, Vostok Group) maintain claim of destroying a second UA Starlink terminal near a previously claimed location (RU Source - Voin DV, ~09:00 UTC).
Zaporizhzhia Axis (Orikhiv) (Major Update):
Major UA Defensive Success (Confirmed by GSFU): UA forces, including 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, successfully repelled a large-scale Russian mechanized assault shortly before Easter. Attack involved ~40 RU armored vehicles (tanks, BMP, BTR) and >300 personnel. UA employed coordinated aerial reconnaissance, FPV drones (engaging targets up to 8km out), artillery, and infantry small arms/mortars.
Claimed RU Losses (GSFU / 128 Bde):29 units of RU armored vehicles destroyed, approximately 140 RU personnel KIA/WIA. Battle lasted over 2 hours (GSFU Video Report, ~09:36 UTC). This confirms and expands on earlier GUR reports.
Current Situation: RU sources report high intensity FPV drone activity from both sides across the front (RU Source - Dnevnik Desantnika, ~09:46 UTC).
UA GSFU Report (Previous Day Clashes): UA forces repelled 3 Russian assaults near Stepove and Novodanylivka (GSFU, ~08:54 UTC).
Lyman Axis:
UA GSFU Report (Previous Day Clashes): UA forces repelled 25 Russian attacks near Nove, Nadiya, Hrekivka, Torske, etc. (GSFU, ~08:54 UTC).
Kramatorsk Axis (Chasiv Yar):
UA GSFU Report (Previous Day Clashes): UA forces repelled 4 Russian attacks near Vasukivka, Chasiv Yar, Markove, Stupochky (GSFU, ~08:54 UTC).
Situation in Bakhmut: Video from occupied Bakhmut shows extensive destruction and Russian propaganda displays (Victory Day banners) amidst empty streets, confirming RU control and IO efforts (Butusov Plus, ~09:32 UTC).
Siversk Axis:
UA GSFU Report (Previous Day Clashes): UA forces repelled 2 Russian attacks near Verkhnokamyanske and Pereyizne (GSFU, ~08:54 UTC).
Kupyansk Axis:
UA GSFU Report (Previous Day Clashes): UA forces repelled 2 Russian attacks near Petropavlivka and Zahryzove (GSFU, ~08:54 UTC).
UA Strike (NEW): UA Border Guard FPV unit "SKY LORDS" claim destruction of RU artillery piece in Kharkiv Direction (OTU Kharkiv, ~09:48 UTC).
Kharkiv Direction (Border Areas) (NEW - RU Claims):
RU sources claim UA used ceasefire period for rotation and resupply near Lyptsi and Vovchansk. Claim RU forces have resumed active assaults.
RU claims strikes hit UA combat group and ammo depot near Lyptsi.
RU claims artillery/drones destroyed 2 UA combat groups, a howitzer, and an EW station near Vovchansk (Dnevnik Desantnika, ~10:18 UTC).
RU claims strikes (Krasnopol guided shells, drones) by "Anvar" unit in Bohodukhiv district targeted UA temporary deployment point (PVD), killing a squad, and hitting platoon strongpoints and communication nodes. Claims Bohodukhiv is key UA logistics hub (Poddubny, ~10:05 UTC).
Kherson Axis (Prydniprovskyi):
UA GSFU Report (Previous Day Clashes): UA forces repelled 2 Russian assaults (GSFU, ~08:54 UTC).
RU Claim: RU source claims explosions heard in Kherson City (Zona SVO, ~09:59 UTC).
RU 33rd MRR UAV unit claim destruction of UA armored vehicle, comms antenna, and repeater (location unspecified) stands (Colonelcassad, ~09:02 UTC).
UA "Phoenix" unit claimed destruction of 3 RU motorcycles, antenna, ~10 personnel (location unspecified) stands (Operatyvnyi ZSU, ~09:08 UTC).
UA drone strike claimed against RU soldier during "Easter ceasefire" (Butusov Plus, ~10:18 UTC).
III. Cross-Border Engagements (Kursk/Sumy/Chernihiv/Bryansk/Belgorod)
Kursk Oblast Border Zone (UA Perspective):
UA GSFU Report (Previous Day Clashes): UA forces repelled 21 Russian assaults. GSFU also reported significant RU air and artillery strikes in this direction (GSFU, ~08:54 UTC).
RU Claims (Reinforced):
RU forces claim presence of English and Spanish-speaking mercenaries among UA forces near Hornal Monastery (TASS citing RU sources, ~09:37 UTC).
RU sources claim liberation of Hornal Monastery after over 10 days of heavy fighting (Operatsiya Z citing RVvoenkor/Zvezda, ~10:04 UTC). Video allegedly shows aftermath. Claim RU forces continue "liberating" Kursk Oblast.
RU sources continue claims of advances near Hornal Monastery and repelling UA DRGs. Video shows destruction in Plehkovo, blamed on UA (RU Sources, ~08:35 / 09:27 UTC).
Sumy Oblast Border Zone (RU Perspective - NEW CLAIM):
Akhmat/Kadyrov Claim: RU Akhmat special forces (Aida group) claim they preemptively mined UA approach routes and subsequently destroyed a UA armored vehicle (likely BTR/BMP) and a BREM (recovery vehicle) using mines and FPV drones during an attempted UA border breach on the morning of Apr 22 (Kadyrov_95, ~09:50 UTC).
Belgorod Oblast Border Zone (RU Perspective):
Civilian Casualties (RU GOV REPORT):4 civilians injured in separate alleged UA drone attacks targeting vehicles and agricultural workers in Valuysky, Grayvoronsky, Shebekinsky, Krasnoyaruzhsky districts (RU Gov - Gladkov, ~09:16 UTC).
UA Ground Drone Destroyed (RU CLAIM - VIDEO): RU 34th Bde UAV operators claim destruction of UA ground drone (robotic platform) near Demidovka (RVvoenkor, ~09:06 UTC). Corroborates earlier claim.
Bryansk Oblast Border Zone (RU Perspective - NEW CLAIM):
Civilian Casualties & Damage (RU GOV REPORT): RU Governor claims targeted UA kamikaze drone attacks in Klimovsky district.
In Brakhlov:1 civilian woman wounded by shrapnel (hospitalized). Repeat drone attack resulted in 3 houses burned, damage to another roof and garage.
In Khoromne:5 houses burned by drone attacks. No casualties reported. (Governor Bogomaz via Dva Mayora, ~09:54 UTC).
Report of death of RU conscript Aman Malyshev near border stands (UA Source, ~08:49 UTC).
IV. Capabilities, Logistics & Personnel
Ukrainian Capabilities & Resilience:
AEW&C: Potential arrival/operational testing of Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft (RU sources claim test flight over Lviv).
Intelligence: Promotion of "eVorog" chatbot via Diia app for civilian reporting on RU movements continues (DeepState, ~09:12 UTC). RU sources reiterate claim Japan finalizing agreement to provide SAR satellite intelligence to UA GUR (RU Sources, ~08:05 / 09:04 UTC).
Internal Systems: UA MoD promotes "Armiya+" application for electronic reports, training, benefits access; highlights usage by 40th Marine Brigade (GSFU, ~09:13 UTC). NEW: Meeting between Kyiv City/Oblast Military Administrations, major mobile operators (Kyivstar, Vodafone, lifecell), and Ministry of Digital Transformation to improve telecom network stability and resilience, including equipping base stations/nodes with generators and backup power systems (KMVA, ~10:12 UTC).
Ground Robotics: Loss of a ground drone claimed by RU near Demidovka (Belgorod border).
Drones: FPV strike claimed destroying RU artillery (Kharkiv Dir.). Mobile AD groups demonstrate effectiveness vs aerial targets (Odesa Obl.). FPV strike claimed killing 4 RU personnel (Kurakhove Dir.).
Recruitment: Ongoing campaigns for various brigades (46th Airmobile, 92nd Assault, Air Assault Forces).
Communications: Continued RU claims targeting Starlink terminals (Vremivka) and comms antennas/repeaters (unspecified). Efforts underway to enhance telecom network resilience in Kyiv region.
Anti-Corruption (NEW): Prosecutor General reports exposing embezzlement scheme (>150 million UAH) related to Podilskyi Bridge construction in Kyiv, suspects include municipal enterprise leadership (PGO, Operatyvnyi ZSU, ~10:00 / 10:20 UTC).
Regional Cooperation / IDP Support (NEW): Dnipropetrovsk and Zakarpattia OVAs signed cooperation memorandum focusing on social protection, humanitarian security, and development. Highlights ongoing evacuation from 12 frontline communities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, with Zakarpattia receiving IDPs (elderly, disabled, families) and relocated businesses (Dnipropetrovsk OVA head Lysak, ~10:00 UTC).
POW Support (NEW): Coordination Staff held meeting with families of servicemen from 169th Training Center ("Desna") discussing exchange processes, MIA search, communication channels (ICRC, UN), and support mechanisms (Coord Staff, ~10:21 UTC).
Russian Capabilities & Logistics:
Drone Technology: Active use of FPVs ("Molniya" fixed-wing confirmed on Pokrovsk axis), reconnaissance UAVs. Claimed use of FPVs coordinated with mines on Sumy border. Thermal poncho production reported (Zaporizhzhia front). Claimed destruction of UA ground drone. NEW CLAIMS: Drone strikes reported destroying UA personnel (unspecified location - "Okhotnik" unit), targeting UA bases/ammo/comms (Kharkiv direction).
Targeting: Demonstrated capability to target UA vehicles (armored, BREM), comms infrastructure (Starlink, antennas, repeaters), ground robots, personnel, positions, and artillery. Continued heavy use of KABs against civilian areas and infrastructure (Zaporizhzhia, Kupyansk). Claims targeting UA bases/ammo depots (Kharkiv Dir.).
Mine Warfare: Claimed use of preemptive mining on Sumy border leading to destruction of UA vehicles.
Personnel Issues: Reports of irregular contract signing and conscript death remain noted. Tactical medicine concerns raised regarding quality of occlusive dressings (RU Source, ~09:50 UTC).
Counter-UAS Development (NEW): New law expands authority for guards to use force against UAVs and allows signal interference generation near protected sites/airfields.
Naval Drone Development (NEW): Creation of a dedicated Technical Council under Navy CinC indicates strategic focus on developing maritime unmanned systems.
Youth Militarization / IO (NEW): "Yunarmia" movement receives significantly increased funding (~1 billion RUB) for military-patriotic activities, including in occupied Ukrainian territories.
Belgorod Oblast:4 injured in separate alleged UA drone attacks (RU Gov).
Bryansk Oblast (NEW):1 Wounded (civilian woman) from alleged UA drone attack in Brakhlov.
UA Military: Losses implied by RU strike claims (vehicles, artillery, ground drone, personnel, bases, ammo depots, EW stations, howitzer). RU Akhmat claim: Destruction of UA BTR/BMP and BREM on Sumy border. GSFU reports losses during repelled RU assaults.
RU Military: Significant losses (29 vehicles, ~140 KIA/WIA) claimed by UA GSFU in repelled Zaporizhzhia assault. UA claim:4 KIA via drone strike on Kurakhove direction. Losses implied by UA strike claims (artillery, motorcycles, personnel). Death of conscript Aman Malyshev near Bryansk border (UA Claim).
V. Political & Information Operations Context
Potential Negotiations / Ceasefire:
Peskov Statements (Reinforced): Kremlin spokesperson Peskov stated Russia has no current plans for talks with Kyiv on stopping strikes on civilian objects but reiterated Putin's readiness to discuss if Ukraine removes "legal obstacles" (i.e., the decree banning talks with Putin). Emphasized need to consider the "Easter ceasefire experience" and understand UA readiness for reciprocity (TASS, Tsaplienko, ~09:24 - 09:44 UTC).
Trump Plan Narrative: Circulation continues regarding alleged Trump plan details (RU control Crimea, frozen LoC, etc.).
French FM Interpretation: French FM view of RU Easter ceasefire as ploy targeting Trump noted.
RU Claim (Territorial Concessions - NEW): RU source (Zona SVO citing NY Post/US official) claims Kyiv is prepared to accept de facto (but not de jure) loss of 20% of territory (areas annexed by Russia), alleging this was discussed with a UA delegation last week (~10:02 UTC). Requires independent verification.
Russian Narratives & IO:
Highlighting alleged UA drone attacks on RU civilians/infrastructure (Belgorod, Bryansk).
Showcasing RU drone/mine effectiveness (Sumy border, Pokrovsk, UA ground drone destruction, Kharkiv direction strikes).
Promoting capture of Sukha Balka and its strategic significance. NEW: Promoting liberation of Hornal Monastery (Kursk).
Claiming presence of foreign mercenaries in Kursk Oblast.
Disseminating claimed UA equipment/personnel losses.
Framing Japanese intel support and Swedish AEW&C deployment as hostile.
Video from occupied Bakhmut showing RU flags/propaganda amidst destruction.
NEW: Highlighting new Counter-UAS legislation as strengthening defense.
NEW: Promoting focus on maritime drone development.
NEW: Justifying increased funding for "Yunarmia" youth militarization.
