Operational Intelligence Briefing - Major Updates and Analysis (April 28, 2025, 23:49 UTC)
Updated Situation
The situation remains highly dynamic with ongoing and widespread Russian aerial attacks across Ukraine. New intelligence confirms a civilian injury in Kyiv due to drone debris and provides updated trajectories for numerous "Shahed" drones impacting multiple oblasts. Russia continues to disseminate information regarding the recent death of a high-ranking general and legal proceedings against Ukrainian personnel. A new statement from Nikolay Patrushev introduces a narrative about NATO exercises targeting Russian territories. Power restoration efforts are ongoing in Portugal.
Key developments indicate:
Civilian Injury in Kyiv: The Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, confirms a civilian injury in the Desnianskyi district where drone debris fell. Medics are on site providing assistance. This underscores the continued threat to civilians despite air defense efforts.
Widespread Russian Drone Activity: The Ukrainian Air Force and Mykolayiv Vanek provide extensive updates on the movement of "Shahed" drones across numerous oblasts, including Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Odesa. Multiple drone groups are reported moving towards and within Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy Oblasts. A drone is now reported approaching Dnipropetrovsk from the northeast and another approaching Kamianske. Several drones are also reported near Sloviansk and one near Poltava. This indicates a large-scale and coordinated drone attack targeting multiple regions.
Ballistic Missile Threat to Zaporizhzhia Confirmed: The Head of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, Ivan Fedorov, reports a confirmed threat of ballistic missile use for the entire Zaporizhzhia Oblast. This confirms the shift in the type of aerial threat in this region.
Russian Information Operations and Legal Narratives: Russia continues to disseminate information regarding the sentencing of a Ukrainian soldier for terrorism in Kursk Oblast, portraying Ukrainian actions negatively.
Details on Deceased Russian General: TASS reports further details regarding the recently deceased Major General Yaroslav Moskalik, stating he was a talented commander and brave officer who oversaw the duty shift monitoring the "special operation zone" and preparing materials for President Putin regarding the situation in southeastern Ukraine.
NATO Exercise Narrative: Nikolay Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, claims in an interview with TASS that NATO exercises near Russian borders are practicing scenarios involving the capture of Kaliningrad Oblast and preemptive strikes on nuclear arsenals. This introduces a new element to the Russian information space, framing NATO as directly threatening Russian territory and strategic assets.
Power Restoration in Portugal: CNN reports that power has been restored to 2.5 million consumers in Portugal.
These updates highlight the persistent and multi-faceted nature of the Russian aerial threat, including extensive drone attacks and ballistic missile threats. The confirmed civilian injury in Kyiv underscores the humanitarian impact. Russia is actively shaping narratives through legal proceedings and highlighting the roles of deceased personnel, while also introducing new claims about NATO intentions.
Areas of Significant Activity (Updated)
Kyiv Oblast (including Hostomel): Inbound Russian attack UAVs (per previous reporting), air defense actively engaged, reports of explosions and falling debris in Kyiv city, resulting in a burning house and cars in the Desnianskyi district, with medics called to the scene. A civilian injury is now confirmed in the Desnianskyi district.Video footage circulating also reportedly shows the moment of an explosion in Kyiv during the drone attack.
Kyiv City: Air raid alert declared due to approaching "Shaheds" and ballistic missile threat (per previous reporting, ballistic threat has passed), reports of explosions, falling debris in Desnianskyi district with confirmed damage to a private house and cars, medics called. A civilian is confirmed injured in the Desnianskyi district.Video footage reportedly shows an explosion.
Sumy Oblast: Presence of Russian attack UAVs (southwestern/northern course) with groups moving towards Poltava Oblast from southern Sumy. Drones are reported in the south of Sumy Oblast heading towards Poltava Oblast.
Kharkiv Oblast: Presence of Russian attack UAVs with groups moving towards Poltava Oblast from the north and center of Kharkiv Oblast, and a group moving west from the south of Kharkiv Oblast, and a group moving southwest on the border with Donetsk Oblast.
Chernihiv Oblast: Russian attack UAVs moving south from the west (per previous reporting), with potentially a drone from southern Chernihiv moving towards Kyiv Oblast (per previous reporting).
Odesa Oblast (Southern): One Russian attack UAV remains active near Vylkove with a random course.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Air raid alert declared across the entire oblast due to the confirmed threat of attack UAVs (per previous reporting, alert cancelled) and now a confirmed threat of ballistic missile use. A drone group is reported on the border of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions heading north.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: Air raid alert active due to threat of attack UAVs from Zaporizhzhia Oblast (per previous reporting), with three drones reportedly flying from Zaporizhzhia towards Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (per previous reporting). Drones are reported near Pavlohrad heading towards Synelnykive (per previous reporting), and new drone groups are reported entering the oblast from Poltava Oblast. A drone is now reported approaching Dnipro from the northeast and another approaching Kamianske.
Poltava Oblast: Threat of attack UAVs, with six drones moving into the oblast from Sumy Oblast. A drone is reported approaching Poltava from the north (per previous reporting) and one drone is now reported near Poltava. New drone groups are reported entering the oblast from Sumy and Kharkiv Oblasts and moving towards Cherkasy and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts.
Cherkasy Oblast: Threat of attack UAVs, with seven drones near Kremenchuk moving into the oblast, and six drones located south and west of Smila (Cherkasy Oblast) (per previous reporting). Explosions are reported near Cherkasy (per previous reporting). New drone groups are reported entering the oblast from Poltava Oblast.
Lipetsk Oblast (Russia): Downgraded UAV threat level (Yellow), "Threat of attack UAV" cancelled for Yelets (per previous reporting).
Kursk Oblast (RU): Russia disseminating information about the sentencing of a Ukrainian soldier for actions in Olgovka in September 2024.
Bryansk Oblast (RU): Significant Ukrainian UAV attack targeting a military microelectronics factory resulting in a civilian fatality and injury (per previous reporting).
Australia/United States: Delays in the transfer of Australian M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine due to US permission requirements (per previous reporting).
Europe (Spain, Portugal, etc.): Ongoing power restoration efforts in Portugal.
Palestine: Reports of Mahmoud Abbas planning to visit Russia on May 9th and potentially hold talks with Putin on May 10th, indicating potential diplomatic engagement outside of the Ukraine conflict (per previous reporting).
Balashikha (RU): Investigation into an explosion attributed to an explosive device as murder, with speculation of a high-ranking military official's death (per previous reporting). Official reports now clarify the deceased is Major General Yaroslav Moskalik, Deputy Head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff, and provide details on his role.
Donetsk Oblast: A drone group is reported on the border of Kharkiv and Donetsk Oblasts heading southwest. Several drones are now reported slightly north of Sloviansk.
Potential Future Developments
Further assessment of the extent of the civilian injury and damage in Kyiv resulting from falling drone debris.
Outcomes of the ongoing air defense operations against the numerous approaching and active drones across multiple oblasts, including Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy.
Any impacts of the confirmed ballistic missile threat to Zaporizhzhia.
Further information or clarification regarding the Russian legal proceedings against the Ukrainian soldier, and any response from Ukraine.
Any observable impact or follow-up to the potential meeting between Mahmoud Abbas and Putin (per previous reporting).
Any further statements or actions related to Donald Trump's political commentary (per previous reporting) and the latest statement by Nikolay Patrushev regarding NATO exercises.
The nature and impact of the claimed use of artificial intelligence in combat by Russia (per previous reporting).
Any further details or investigations into the death of Major General Yaroslav Moskalik.
Any observable impact of the extensive drone activity on critical infrastructure or military targets in the affected regions.
Potential Indicators
Reports of successful interceptions of drones or ballistic missiles by Ukrainian air defense in affected regions, including Kyiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, and Zaporizhzhia.
Reports of damage or casualties resulting from drone attacks or ballistic missile strikes in reported areas, including Kyiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Zaporizhzhia, and the vicinity of Sloviansk and Kamianske.
Official statements from Ukraine regarding the legal proceedings against the Ukrainian soldier.
Any further diplomatic developments related to the potential Abbas-Putin meeting (per previous reporting).
Any political reactions or responses to Donald Trump's recent statements (per previous reporting) or Nikolay Patrushev's claims about NATO exercises.
Independent analysis or confirmation of the use and effectiveness of artificial intelligence in Russian military operations (per previous reporting).
Any observed changes in the threat level or air raid alerts for affected regions.
Official confirmation of the proposed naming of Russian naval vessels (per previous reporting).
Further information or findings from the investigation into the death of Major General Yaroslav Moskalik.
Updates on the progress of power restoration efforts in Portugal.
Observable changes in the flight paths or tactics of Russian drone attacks.
Reports or visual evidence of the impact of drone strikes in the areas of reported activity.
