War in Ukraine today: latest news, 20 April 2025 (photo)

It has been the 1152 th day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression. 

 

What happened in Ukraine today:

Here is operational information of the General Staff as of 6 pm:   

On 20 April, there were 45 combat engagements in the frontline. Ukrainian defenders are stopping the enemy, holding the line and disrupting russians’ plans.

The enemy fired artillery from the territory of the russian federation near the settlements of Miropilske and Turyia in Sumy oblast.

Towards Lyman, there were two firefights near Nadiia and Myrne.

Towards Kramatorsk, the enemy attacked four times in the vicinity of Chasiv Yar and towards Stupochki and Bila Hora. One firefight is currently underway.

In the Toretsk, the invaders attacked twice in the vicinity of Druzhba and Toretsk.

The enemy is still highly active towards Pokrovsk. Twenty times, clashes of varying intensity broke out near the vicinity of Sukha Balka, Miroliubivka, Yelizavetivka, Lysivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Yelizavetivka, Uspenivka, Preobrazhenka, Andriivka and Rozlyv. Two firefights are still ongoing.

Towards Novopavlivka, the aggressor twice tried to advance in the vicinity of Skudne and towards Odradne.

Towards Orikhiv, three times the occupants tried to advance to the positions of Ukrainian units in the vicinity of Mala Tokmachka and Stepove, but were rebuffed.

Towards Kursk oblast, Ukrainian defenders repelled three invaders’ attacks, there were 12 firefights. The enemy made 100 artillery attacks, including seven from multiple launch rocket systems.

Towards Kharkiv, Kupiansk, Siversk, Huliaipole and Kherson, the enemy did not conduct any active offensives.

Ukrainian troops are depleting the enemy along the entire frontline and in the rear.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine informs that despite the ceasefire announced by russia, there were 45 combat engagements on the frontline since the beginning of the day on 20 April. Of these, 20 took place towards Pokrovsk. 

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports that during the so-called ceasefire, russia has increased the use of FPVs on the frontline.  This was announced by.

Recent war events in the east of Ukraine

Kharkiv oblast

Viktor Trehubov, Spokesman for the Khortytsia military group, reports that as of the morning of 20 April, the russian military continued to conduct combat operations, including towards Kupiansk, despite putin’s statement about an ‘Easter truce’.

The RMA reports that the enemy made two vain attempts to advance towards Kharkiv in the vicinity of Vovchansk and Mala Shapkivka.

There were seven attacks against Kupiansk yesterday. Ukrainian defence forces repelled the enemy’s assault near Zahryzove, Kindrashivka, Nova Kruhliakivka and Petropavlivka.

Shelling

At 16:21, russians attacked Kupiansk. A private residential building was damaged as a result of the shelling by the GAB. There were no casualties.

At 16:10, russians attacked Kupiansk. As a result of the shelling, the roof, two outbuildings to a private residential building and a firewood shed on the area of 200 sq.m. caught fire. A 62-year-old woman was injured.

At 13:10, russians attacked Izium region, Novoplatonivka village. As a result of shelling from multiple rocket launchers, forest litter on the area of 4.5 hectares was burning.

At 05:30, russians attacked Kupiansk. As a result of the shelling by the GAB, 3 private houses were damaged. A man and a woman were injured, suffering from an acute stress reaction.

Other

Following the ballistic missile attack on Kharkiv by russian forces on Friday, 17 people remain in hospital. Among them, a 12-year-old boy, a 15-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy are in moderate condition.

  Donetsk oblast

Frontline

 President Zelenskyy after the report of Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi reported that the russian army is conducting the most active fighting towards Pokrovsk and Siversk, in these and some other areas of the front, the occupiers continue to use heavy weapons. There was an increase in the number of attacks and the use of drones after 10am. From 00:00 to 12:00 this morning, the russian army stormed Ukrainian positions 26 times.  

Vitalii Piasetskyi, Chief Sergeant of the 93rd Kholodny Yar Brigade, says that soldiers of the 93rd Kholodny Yar Brigade in Donetsk oblast, amid putin’s announcement of an ‘Easter truce’, note that the number of attacks in their area of responsibility has decreased.

Nazar Voloshyn and Viktor Tregubov, Spokesmen for the Khortytsia separate military unit, state that during the ‘Easter truce’ declared by russia, Ukrainian defenders are conducting a defensive operation and responding only to the actions of russian troops. The fighting is currently ongoing towards Pokrovsk and Toretsk.

The General Staff reported that the number of attacks on the eastern front has decreased. The russian army attacked towards Pokrovsk the most, where Ukrainian defenders stopped 54 attacks in the vicinity of Sukha Balka, Tarasivka, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Lysivka, Novooleksandrivka, Preobrazhenka, Sribne, Bohdanivka, Troitske, Novotoretske, Svyrydonivka, Malynivka, Shevchenko, Zvirove, Uspenivka, Kotliarivka, Andriivka and towards Stara Mykolaivka.

Towards Lyman and Toretsk, there were 18 and 14 attacks, respectively.

Shelling

The police recorded 3,523 enemy attacks on the frontline and residential areas. russian troops shelled 6 settlements: the towns of Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, Lyman, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, and the village of Piddubne. Thirty-four civilian objects were destroyed, including 20 residential buildings. 

russians struck Kostiantynivka 13 times, including 10 bomb attacks, killing two civilians and wounding three others. They damaged 17 private houses, three administrative buildings, a petrol station, an outbuilding, and three non-residential premises. 

The enemy dropped an UMPB D-30SN bomb on Piddubne in Volnovakha region, injuring two civilians and damaging a private house.

In Pokrovsk, a russian shell damaged an apartment building. A shop was smashed in Myrnohrad.

In Kramatorsk, a private house was damaged by a Molniya-2 UAV.

Luhansk oblast

The RMA said that the enemy sent 223 unmanned aerial vehicles at the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They also launched an airstrike. The russians used cannon artillery 16 times, and a multiple rocket launcher system once. The enemy tried to conduct an assault in the area of Hrekivka.

Three more facts of the destruction of crosses on the graves of Holodomor victims by the occupiers in Luhansk oblast were reported. This time in Novopskov region. Namely, in Zaidarivka, Rohove and Aidar. The crosses, which were erected as a testament to the terrible tragedy of the Ukrainian people, have now been cut down.

The invaders report that they are ready to connect only 135 apartment buildings in Lysychansk to the heating system in the next heating season. These are mainly the city centre and the area of the former ‘Rubber goods factory’. In total, there were more than 1,100 multi-storey buildings in the town.

What is happening now in the north of Ukraine

Kyiv oblast

Kyiv City State Administration reported that a new department for working with families of missing persons and prisoners of war has been launched at the Kyiv Military Hub. The department’s experts provide comprehensive consultations, help to understand difficult situations and accompany families at every stage of the journey.

Mykola Kalashnyk, Head of the RMA, informed that the areas of cooperation and important projects implemented for a better and safer future for children in Kyiv oblast were discussed with Munir Mammadzade, head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine. According to him, UNICEF provides communities in Kyiv oblast with significant comprehensive support.

This week, Kyiv oblast joined the International Marathon of Heroes. More than 50,000 participants around the world honoured Ukrainian defenders.

According to Ukrzaliznytsia, the sculpture Freedom by Oleksii Sai was unveiled at the Central Railway Station in Kyiv. The inscription was created from the letters left over from the welcome sign of the frontline village of Liubymivka in Kherson oblast. The sign was heavily damaged by russian artillery and close combat

Zhytomyr oblast

On 19 April, during the exchange of prisoners of war, Volodymyr Orekhivskyi, a soldier from Malyn district, returned from russian captivity. He was taken prisoner at the beginning of the full-scale invasion on 11 April 2022. Volodymyr had been captive for almost 3 years. 

Four American volunteers from California and Nevada, representing the charity Hands on Global, came to Zhytomyr. They brought seven humanitarian aid packages for local volunteers from the Grandma’s Battalion. The cargo included sewing machines, fabrics and amulets. The women came for three weeks to help sew clothes for the military and weave protective nets.

Sumy oblast

The State Border Guard Service on 20 April reported that russian forces carried out small arms fire on Ukrainian positions held by border guards in Sumy oblast. Earlier, on 19 April, the kremlin leader announced an ‘Easter truce,’ claiming that the russian side would allegedly cease all hostilities from 6pm on 19 April to midnight on 21 April.

Throughout the past day, 19 April, russian forces carried out 115 shelling attacks on Sumy oblast, with a total of 225 strikes recorded. The enemy used mortars (43 explosions), multiple rocket launchers (16 explosions), artillery (73 explosions), FPV-drones (54 explosions), GABs (27 explosions), and dropped explosive devices from UAVs (13 explosions). Twelve communities came under enemy fire: Sumy, Khotin, Yunakivka, Myropillia, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Putyvl, Shalyhyne, Esman, Svesa, and Seredyna-Buda.

 Sumy Regional Military Administration informed that on 19 April, as a result of artillery strikes by russian forces on Sumy community, a private house and a car were damaged. Additionally, a private house in Khotin community was damaged due to enemy shelling by multiple rocket launchers.
 According to the North Operational Command, during the day on 19 April, due to russian shelling, an agricultural enterprise in Verkhnia Syrovatka was damaged. In Putyvl, a commercial establishment and a service station also sustained damage.

Chernihiv oblast

Chernihiv’s Border Guard Detachment reported that on April 19, before 6pm and kremel leader Vladimir Putin’s announcement of an ‘Easter truce,’ russian forces shelled 12 border villages in Chernihiv oblast using various types of weapons. No shelling was recorded on the border after 6pm. As of the morning of 20 April, there have been no provocations from russian forces.

During the day on 19 April, until 6pm, russian forces attacked three border communities in Chernihiv oblast: Novhorod-Siverskyi, Semenivka, and Snovsk. The enemy carried out shelling by barrel artillery (14 explosions), strikes with aircraft-type UAVs (1 explosion), FPV-drones (24 explosions), and dropped explosive devices from UAVs (35 explosions).

Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine

Dnipropetrovsk oblast

Mykola Lukashuk, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council, reported that last night, the occupiers attacked Nikopol region. They dropped ammunition from a drone on Marhanets community. According to the updated data, last night the occupants also shelled Velyka Mykhailivka community of Synelnykove region with MLRSs. 

Seven private houses and a power line were damaged there.

Vinnytsia oblast

​In the week from 14 to 20 April 2025, 27 defenders from Vinnytsia oblast were killed.

Poltava oblast

Poltava RMA reported that nine soldiers from Poltava oblast returned from russian captivity. 

Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine

Zaporizhzhia oblast

On 19 April, russian forces launched 389 attacks on 18 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. The russian military launched 15 airstrikes targeting Novoiakovlivka, Stepnohirsk, Lukianivske, Pavlivka, Kamianske, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, and Novodarivka. 199 UAVs of various modifications attacked Zaporizhzhia, Mahdalynivka, Malokaterynivka, Bilenke, Prymorske, Kamianske, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, and Novodarivka. There were 6 MLRS attacks on Shchaslyve, Huliaipole, Charivne, and Novodarivka. Another 169 artillery strikes hit the territories of Lukianivske, Kamianske, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, and Novodarivka. Twenty-nine reports about damage to houses, apartments, vehicles, and infrastructure facilities were received. One person was injured as a result of an enemy attack in Vasylivka region.

On 19 April, two fires broke out in Zaporizhzhia oblast due to russian shelling, affecting outbuildings and the local ecosystem.

Vladyslav Voloshyn, Spokesman of the Southern Defense Forces, reported that, despite vladimir putin’s announcement of the “Easter truce,” the russian army is not observing a ceasefire towards Zaporizhzhia. Instead, they are using the time to evacuate the bodies of fallen soldiers and damaged equipment. According to Andrii Bystryk, Head of communications for the 110th Territorial Defense Brigade, there were 14 russian shellings towards Huliaipole as of 13:00 on 20 April.

The General Staff reported that russian forces attempted to advance three times toward Ukrainian positions near Mala Tokmachka and Stepove towards Orikhiv but were repelled.

Mykolaiv oblast

On 19 April, the enemy launched five FPV drone attacks on Kutsurub community. As a result of the strikes, three private houses, a utility building, a vehicle, and agricultural equipment were damaged in the village of Dmytrivka. A fire also broke out on the roof of a two-story private home, which firefighters extinguished. No casualties were reported.

The 36th Separate Marine Brigade, named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynskyi, reported that, within the prisoner exchange with russia, 126 marines from Mykolaiv returned to Ukraine. These marines had defended Mariupol and were captured. Service members from the 36th Marine Brigade, the 1st and 501st separate battalions are among those released.

Odesa oblast

As of 6:00 am on 20 April, one enemy carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total salvo capacity of up to 6 missiles was in the Black Sea. There were 2 enemy vessels in the Mediterranean Sea, which are carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles, with a total salvo capacity of up to 12 missiles.

Over the past day, 6 vessels passed through the Kerch Strait into the Black Sea in russia’s interests, while 6 more ships entered the Sea of Azov.

Kherson oblast

Kherson Regional Military Administration reported the deaths of three people as a result of russian attacks. A man born in 1967 was killed in a combined enemy strike on Stanislav. A 65-year-old man received fatal injuries during the shelling of Antonivka. A woman from Antonivka was also killed as a result of a russian attack on 12 April.

In Novoraisk community, a 31-year-old man was injured after his motorcycle wheel hit an explosive device. As a result of the explosion, he sustained a broken collarbone.

A resident of Kherson sought medical help after being injured in a russian drone attack on 18 April. The 33-year-old man suffered a blast injury and facial abrasions.

Another resident of Antonivka required medical assistance after russian forces dropped an explosive from a drone on him several days ago. The 53-year-old man sustained a blast injury.

Yesterday, settlements in the liberated part of Kherson oblast were subjected to numerous attacks by enemy drones and artillery. The regional center, Sadove, Antonivka, Stanislav, Bilozerka, Zelenivka, Molodizhne, Komyshany, Chornobaivka, Poniativka, Pryozerne, Kizomys, and Inzhenerne in Kherson region were under enemy fire. russian forces attacked Novoberyslav, Osokorivka, Vysoke, Novoraisk, Zmiivka, Chervonyi Maiak, Dudchany, Monastyrske, and the regional center in Beryslav region. As a result of the enemy strikes, four apartment buildings and 20 private houses, three cars, gas pipelines, a garage, and utility buildings were damaged. One person was killed and three others were injured due to russian aggression.

The South Operational Command reported that, over the past day, russian forces lost 11 artillery systems, 20 units of armored vehicles, 12 reconnaissance drones, and one electronic warfare station in the south. In addition, Ukrainian forces eliminated 59 occupiers, struck 55 shelters and one enemy firing position. They also destroyed three boats, seven motorcycles, ten UAV control antennas, one communication antenna, one Starlink antenna, and two ammunition storage sites belonging to russian troops.

Holiday services were held in 43 religious institutions across the deoccupied Kherson oblast. More than 220 police officers and about 30 National Guard servicemen ensured public order and safety around places of worship. All religious facilities were thoroughly inspected by specialists from the regional police’s explosives department.

Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine

Volyn oblast

Lutsk community sent 2 Starlink Gen3 satellite modems, 2 EcoFlow Delta charging stations, a Maxpeedingrods inverter generator, 2 ThermTee Cyclops 350 thermal imagers and a Shelter 6 portable electronic means of countering unmanned aerial vehicles to the 214th Separate Assault Battalion.

Zakarpattia oblast

Oleksii Chorpita, defender for Azovstal from the oblast, has returned from russian captivity. Oleksii spent 3 years in russian captivity.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast

A project to support families affected by the war has been launched in Kalush. The project will include a mobile space. Individual and group psychological consultations, group art therapy and play therapy classes, individual speech therapy consultations, integration classes in Ukrainian and English, sports relays and flash mobs, excursions and training for parents are planned.

Lviv oblast

Among the 277 people who were released from captivity is Nazarii Kurtianyk, defender from the village of Zavyshen, Sheptytskyi region. Nazarii was captured during the withdrawal from Azovstal. He spent 3 years in captivity.

Yurii Havur, soldier of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo has been in captivity since the spring of 2022, resident of Novoiavorivsk, is also returning home from captivity.

Bohdan Halilei, soldier of the 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, from the village of Zapytiv, Novoyarichiv community, is going home. The defender was captured in February.

Rivne oblast

A meeting with relatives of military personnel was held in Sarny. Among those present were families of servicemen of the 60th Separate Battalion Polish Wolves of the 104th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as relatives of missing and fallen defenders.

Ternopil oblast

The 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Brigadier General Mark Bezruchko received 50 FPV drones, 3 DJI Mavic 3 and 4 Mavic 3 PRO quadcopters, from Ternopil community.

Khmelnytskyi oblast

According to preliminary information, 5 residents of Khmelnytskyi oblast were released from russian captivity as part of the exchange. Among them, 3 are from Khmelnytskyi region, 1 is from Kamianets-Podilskyi region and 1 is from Shepetivskyi region.

Chernivtsi oblast

General Oleksandr Syrsky, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, awarded Sergeant Oleh Laba, paramedic of the Medical Post of the Self-Propelled Artillery Division of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynskyi, with the Golden Cross honorary badge.

International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)

A mourning performance was held in Valencia to honor the victims of russian strikes on Kryvyi Rih, Sumy and other cities of Ukraine. The Heart of Memory campaign aimed to draw the attention of Spaniards and tourists to the crimes of the russian federation on the eve of Easter. Symbolic children’s coffins, photographs of the destruction and toys were installed on the Holy Virgin Square. Participants distributed information leaflets and urged the world not to be indifferent to the tragedy in Ukraine.

 

---

 

Materials compiled by Tetyana Pidgorna, Olena Reka, Yana Hushchyna, Tamara Moshkovska, Sofia Ratynska, Ioanna Kryvenko, Helena Albahachiieva, Kristina Maknynia 

Translated by Tetyana Pidgorna, Yana Hushchyna, Alla Litrovnyk, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Ilona Korolevska, Tetiana Moiseienko, Marharyta Koval, Tetiana Kurbatova

 

---

Ukrainian Women’s Guard

SUPPORT US

Donate to Ukrainian Women’s Guard PayPal mail: [email protected]

DONATE ⇒https://www.uavarta.org/donat/

Subscribe to our channels and pages:

https://www.facebook.com/UkrZhinochaVarta
https://t.me/UWguardNewsEN
https://t.me/zhinkavarta
https://t.me/uaguard
https://instagram.com/ukrainianwomens_guard