It has been the 1153 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:
Ukraine’s defence forces are holding back russian invaders’ offensive.
On 21 April, there were 56 combat engagements on the frontline.
Communities of Zarichchia, Timonovychi, Khrinivka, Krasnyi Khutir in Chernihiv oblast; Miropilske, Zarutske, Sosnivka, Prokhody, Petrushivka, Studenok, Kucherivka, Malushyne, Bobylivka, Bila Bereza in Sumy oblast suffered from enemy artillery and mortar fire; enemy aircraft also attacked Maryine, Krasnopillia, Vysoke, Mala Rybitsa, Miropilske, Prokhody, Stepok in Sumy oblast.
Towards Lyman, the invading army attacked Ukrainian positions seven times in the vicinity of Nove, Novomykhailivka, Hrekivka, Myrne, Kolodiazi and Torske. One firefight is currently underway.
Towards Kramatorsk, the enemy tried to advance once in the vicinity of Markove, but was repelled.
Towards Toretsk, the enemy is trying to break into Ukrainian defences in the vicinity of Toretsk, Dyliivka and Shcherbynivka. Two attacks are ongoing, and five assault attacks repelled.
Towards Pokrovsk, russian occupiers made 22 attempts to push Ukrainian troops from their positions near Sukha Balka, Miroliubivka, Yelizavetivka, Sukhyi Yar, Kotlyne, Uspenivka, Novooleksandrivka, Nadiivka and Troitske. Ukrainian defence forces are holding back the onslaught and repelled nine attacks, 13 firefights are still ongoing. russian terrorists’ aviation struck Oleksandropol, Pokrovsk, Novopavlivka and Muravka with guided aerial bombs.
Towards Novopavlivka, Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 assault attacks by enemy troops. The enemy tried to advance in the vicinity of Kostiantynopol, Vilne Pole, Pryvilne, Novosilka and Rozlyv, and another firefight is ongoing. Novodarivka and Dachne came under air strikes.
Towards Huliaipole, enemy aircraft attacked Malynivka and Zaliznychne with unguided aerial missiles.
Towards Orikhiv, Ukrainian defenders repelled an enemy attack near Stepove. Shcherbaky, Novoiakovlivka and Stepnohirsk came under air strikes.
Towards Kherson, the enemy conducted one offensive, which was unsuccessful.
In Kursk oblast, Ukrainian troops repelled five enemy attacks today, two of which are still ongoing. The invaders’ aircraft carried out 16 strikes, dropping 21 drones. In addition, the enemy fired over 130 artillery shells at the positions of our troops and settlements.
Towards Kharkiv, Kupiansk, Siversk and Huliaipole, there were no combat engagements.
A new grenade launcher that meets NATO standards has been approved for use in the Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence has codified and approved for use in the Armed Forces of Ukraine the 40 mm AGL-53 automatic grenade launcher of domestic production. This grenade launcher can be mounted on combat vehicles or light all-terrain vehicles, and with a special tripod, it can be used as a group infantry weapon.
The Defence Forces have already been joined by 8,000 ex-convicts. Many of the former prisoners have received state awards for bravery on the battlefield: The first groups of volunteers joined combat units in August last year, and today these fighters are part of legendary assault brigades, including the 1st Separate Assault Battalion “Da Vinci”, the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, the 93rd Mechanised Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar” and others. More than 900 more applications for parole to serve in the Armed Forces are currently being considered.
Recent war events in the east of Ukraine
Kharkiv oblast
The day before, towards Kharkiv, the enemy tried to break through the defensive lines of our defenders once near Krasne Pershe.
Towards Kupiansk, the enemy attacked near Holubivka yesterday.
Pavlo Shamshyn, spokesman of the Kharkiv military operation, reported that in the area of responsibility, the russian Federation did not stop shelling either during the “ceasefire” or afterwards, but the intensity of attacks slightly decreased . From 12 to 8am on 21 April, there were 61 attacks. Of these, one was made with small arms, five with MLRS, six with artillery, 19 with mortars, and 30 with UAVs.
Attacks
At 4:45am, russians attacked Kupiansk. A garage and a car on the area of 50 sq m were burning as a result of the MLRS attack.
At 4:56am, russians attacked Kupiansk. The roof of a private house caught fire as a result of an MLRS attack.
At 5:05am, russians attacked Kupiansk. The roof of a private house on the area of 50 sq m burned down as a result of shelling from MLRS.
At 11:40am, russians attacked Khotimlia village. A truck and a crane were damaged as a result of a Molniya UAV hitting the ground.
At 3:30pm, russians attacked Kivsharivka village. As a result of shelling by a Shahed UAV, 8 apartments from the second to the fifth floor on the area of 320 sq m. In total, 36 apartments on the total area of about 1,600 sq m were burned.
Other
The men who exploded on an explosive device in Balakliia community on 20 April are 25 and 26 years old. They sustained mine-blast injuries and shrapnel wounds to their limbs, the Kharkiv regional police reported.
Regional SES spokesman Yevhen Vasylenko confirmed that it was a fire truck explosion.
Donetsk oblast
Frontline
The 28th Brigade of the Knights of the Winter Campaign reported stated that russian invaders attempted a motorcycle assault in the Toretsk sector. It was stopped by artillery and drones.
Maksym Butolin, chief sergeant of the 54th Separate Mechanised Brigade, stated that the number of attacks by the russian army towards Siversk on 20 April decreased on Easter, but not by much. The situation on this section of the front cannot be considered a “ceasefire” as declared by putin.
According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, on 20 April, russian troops tried to advance three times towards Siversk near Bilohorivka and Ivano-Darivka.
The General Staff recorded thirty fewer assaults and attacks per day on Easter, while the russian army did not reduce pressure towards Pokrovsk and the number of battles in this area on 20 April was the same as the day before.
Russia attacked 39 times towards Pokrovsk, trying to regain the positions near Lysivka, Kotlyne, Udachne and Uspenivka.
12 attacks and engagements took place towards Lyman, the second most intense section of the frontline. Here, the occupying army is pressing along the entire front line, in particular, trying to retake the territory of the recently liberated Nadiia village.
Shelling
Kramatorsk CMA said that at around 1:30pm, a russian drone attacked a private household, damaging the roof of the garage. There were no casualties. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated.
In the first 10 minutes of 21 April, russia shelled the town of Kostiantynivka with Smerch. The facades of private houses and a gas pipeline were damaged.
At 2am, the occupation forces shelled Kostiantynivka and Ivanopillia, damaging at least three private houses.
Yesterday the police recorded 1,066 hostile attacks along the frontline and in the residential sector.
Five settlements were under fire: Toretsk, Novoekonomichne, Volodymyrivka, Hryshyne and Zoria.
Near Zoria of Illinivka community, russians hit a car with an FPV drone, injuring two civilians.
In Pokrovsk region, one person was wounded in Novoekonomichne and one in Hryshyne.
In addition, information about a civilian killed in Siversk, who died as a result of shelling on 19 April, has been established.
Other
More than two thousand people remain in the city of Pokrovsk despite constant shelling and the close frontline.
A representative of the Yellow Ribbon movement of resistance of Ukrainians under occupation reported that the russian occupiers are taking equipment out of the factories in the occupied territories of Donetsk oblast, and have been doing so during all the years of occupation since 2014, and such actions are systematic and coordinated. Recently, such cases have been recorded in two cities – Khartsyzsk and Yenakievo – where metal and production lines for the russian military-industrial complex may be exported.
Luhansk oblast
The RMA reported that the enemy attempted to storm the positions of the Defence Forces towards Lyman and Siversk. In particular, near Nadiia, Hrekivka and Bilohorivka. 131 enemy UAVs performed combat missions in our sector. The invaders received artillery support six times.
A state of emergency was declared in Siverskodonetsk. A large-scale landscape fire broke out around the city. The flames have covered more than 350 hectares. There is a possibility of the fire spreading to the surrounding settlements of Borivske, Oskolonivka and Bobrove. Due to the inability to organise preventive measures to prevent forest fires, the invaders faced the emergency from the first warm days of the year.
At the same time, the organisation of propaganda activities is at the proper level. For instance, a laser shooting range has recently been opened in one of Kadiivka’s schools, named after the Bolotov militant. The occupation administration is confident that the new equipment “will allow children to acquire the relevant skills that will be useful in life”.
What is happening now in the north of Ukraine
Kyiv oblast
The State Tax University in Irpin has opened modern gyms and a digital shooting range for basic military training of students. The space was arranged on the basis of one of the dormitories, where the building was damaged by shelling in 2022 during the battle for Irpin. Not only students, but also children of IDPs, military personnel and combatants will be able to train free of charge at the shooting range and gyms.
On Easter, a weekly reminder campaign “Don’t be silent, captivity kills” was held in Kyiv to support Ukrainian soldiers and civilians held in russian captivity or missing in action.
Mykola Kalashnyk, Head of the RMA, announced that 14 industrial parks operate in Kyiv oblast, being real drivers of economic development. These are modern production clusters that can attract investors focused on innovative technologies and high-tech production. This is not only a way to create thousands of jobs, but also an important source of revenue for local budgets.
Zhytomyr oblast
Ovruch City Council informed that two residents of Ovruch community – marine Ihor Logvynchuk and border guard Vasyl Hryshchuk, who remained captive for almost 3 years – have returned from russian captivity.
The City Council decided at a meeting that two more electric lifts will be installed in Zhytomyr in the houses where war veterans live. This is part of a systematic effort to create a barrier-free environment and ensure equal access to infrastructure.
Sumy oblast
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported that intense fighting continues in Sumy oblast near the state border, as well as on russian territory. He visited brigades in Sumy oblast that are repelling russia’s attempts to seize border areas and discussed the situation in the oblast and the strengthening of combat capabilities with commanders.
State Border Guard Service informed that in the north of Sumy oblast, closer to Chernihiv oblast and the section near Kharkiv oblast, there has recently been an increase in attempts by sabotage and reconnaissance groups. These groups may be smaller in number but sometimes consist of up to 15 servicemen. Towards Basivka, Novenke, and Zhuravka, russian forces continue to use small groups. Ukrainian forces continue to eliminate russian sabotage groups.
Serhii Minakov, Head of Esman community, said that in the community, a 66-year-old man was killed due to russian mortar shelling in Studenok village. In the morning, a neighboring house caught fire as a result of the strike. The man went out to extinguish the fire, and russian forces struck again.
According to the City Council, russian forces attacked one of the elderates of Sumy community in the morning. As a result of the enemy attack, the roof of a residential house was damaged. Preliminary reports indicate no casualties.
Sumy Regional Military Administration reported that during the night and morning, russian forces carried out 52 shellings of border areas and settlements in Sumy oblast. A total of 106 strikes from various types of weapons were recorded. The shelling affected Yunakivka, Myropillia, Krasnopillia, Hlukhiv, Shalyhyne, Esman, Svessa, and Seredyna-Buda communities.
Fortitude mobile clinics continue to operate in Sumy oblast. Over the past week, another 387 residents of Trostianets community received free medical assistance. Additionally, transportation was organised from Soldatske and Rutyne to the mobile clinic, which was operating in the nearest safe zone.
Chernihiv oblast
Chernihiv Border Guard Detachment reported that during the “Easter ceasefire” on 20 April, russian forces attacked the border Semenivka community using UAVs. This occurred at 12:08pm. Border guards recorded three strikes — explosive devices dropped from UAVs in the area of Arkhypivka village.
According to the Regional Police, on Easter, 20 April, law enforcement officers evacuated a woman and her three-year-old son from a village in Semenivka community on the border of Chernihiv oblast, which had been under russian shelling.
Viacheslav Chaus, Head of the Regional Military Administration, informed that over the past day, five shelling incidents were recorded in Chernihiv oblast, resulting in 10 explosions. The enemy targeted Koriukivka and Novhorod-Siverskyi regions.
Viacheslav Chaus, Head of the Regional Military Administration, said that last week, russian forces attacked 26 settlements in Chernihiv oblast. During this period, 193 shellings and 383 explosions were recorded. Specifically, the russian army launched 8 unguided aerial missiles and carried out 83 drone strikes. According to him, a border enterprise and a passenger train carriage were damaged. In just one day, shelling in villages in Novhorod-Siverskyi region caused fires in 13 buildings.
Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine
Dnipropetrovsk oblast
The enemy attacked the oblast by UAVs, resulting in several fires. In Pidhorodne community of Dnipropetrovsk oblast, a summer house and an outbuilding were damaged. In Pavlohrad, an enterprise sustained damage. The occupiers struck Mezhova community of Synelnykove region by a drone, damaging infrastructure. Due to a KAB-guided bomb attack on Novopavlivka community, an agricultural company was damaged. In the morning, the occupiers shelled Marhanets in Nikopol region by artillery.
By early morning, Air Defence Forces were working on enemy UAVs over the oblast, shooting down 7 drones.
During the day, the occupiers attacked Nikopol region more than 20 times by artillery and UAVs, targeting the regional centre, Pokrov, Myrove, Chervonohryhorivka and Marhanets communities. 3 civilians were injured in Nikopol. A 62-year-old woman stepped on an enemy mine and sustained a severe leg injury. A 66-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman were injured during enemy strikes and received the necessary medical assistance. 7 private houses, outbuildings, a farm, a playground, infrastructure, gas pipelines and a power line were damaged. Mezhova community was targeted again.
Vinnytsia oblast
A marine from Vapniarka community, Viktor Stoliarenko, was killed in action. On 10 November 2024, he went missing while on a combat mission near Illinka village in Donetsk oblast. According to the identification of his remains and the official ruling dated 17 April 2025, the serviceman is now officially considered deceased.
A mini-football tournament was held in Vinnytsia in memory of fallen Azov fighter Denys Babii, callsign Train. 5 teams took part in the event, which was organised by the NGO Centuria and the fan association Sportovia. The tournament united friends, comrades and the football community in honouring the memory of the defender, who was killed in action on 21 April 2023, near Bakhmut.
Kirovohrad oblast
Authorities confirmed the release of 5 defenders from russian captivity on 19 April. The freed people include Pavlo Baihazov, Vladyslav Pavliuchenko and Viktor Pavlenko from Onufriivka community; Mykola Fedunets from Hurivka community; and Andrii Ivanov from Ustynivka community.
Poltava oblast
In the morning, russian combat UAVs were detected over Poltava oblast. Air defence units engaged several targets. As a result, the roof of an extension of a private household in Lubny region was damaged. There were no injuries reported.
Roman Istomin, Spokesperson of Poltava Regional TCC and SP, reported that 5 servicemen from Poltava oblast returned from russian captivity on 19 April, namely: Dmytro Aharkov and Eduard Liash from Hadiach, Oleh Povkh from Reshetylivka community, Mykhailo Starykov from Horishni Plavni community and Stanislav Turovskyi from Myrhorod.
Cherkasy oblast
Ihor Taburets, Head of Cherkasy RMA, stated that air defence forces destroyed 8 russian UAVs over the oblast. 1 infrastructure facility was damaged as a result of the russian attack.
In Uman, a living corridor ceremony was held to pay tribute to defender Ruslan Sunduk, who was killed on 11 April 2025, in Zaporizhzhia oblast. He was 49 years old.
Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia oblast
Yesterday, 20 April, the occupiers carried out 133 attacks on 7 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. 108 UAVs of various types attacked Kamianske, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, and Novodarivka. 25 artillery strikes were carried out in Kamianske, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, and Novodarivka. No reports of destruction were received.
The General Staff reported that on 20 April, the occupying forces attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders four times in the areas of Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaky, and Stepove towards Orikhiv.
A sports and rehabilitation center called “Vidnovlennia” (“Recovery”) was opened in Vidradne, Shyrokove community, where veterans, service members, and their families will be able to receive comprehensive support. In particular, military personnel and demobilized individuals can undergo rehabilitation assessments, receive individualized rehabilitation plans, and attend individual and group sessions. 83 demobilized individuals are officially registered in Shyrokove community, with hundreds more currently defending the country.
Mykolaiv oblast
At around 4:57am, the enemy attacked the city of Mykolaiv with missiles; the type is being determined. There were no casualties or damage.
Odesa oblast
As of 6am on 21 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, 1 vessel passed through the Kerch Strait into the Black Sea in russia’s interests, while 6 more ships entered the Sea of Azov.
Kherson oblast
On 21 April, at around 7:20am, russian forces launched an artillery attack on Dniprovskyi district of Kherson. A man born in 1952 was injured, sustaining a blast injury and shrapnel wounds to his arm.
Today, the russian army attacked residents of Bilozerka with a drone while they were walking down the street. Due to the dropping of explosives, an elderly woman was killed. A 47-year-old man was taken to the hospital with blast and closed head injuries, as well as shrapnel wounds to his legs.
Later, Kherson Regional Military Administration reported another person injured in the drone attack on Bilozerka. A 66-year-old man was diagnosed with a blast injury, concussion, and brain contusion.
Additionally, medical assistance was required for a 40-year-old woman from Bilozerka whose car was targeted by a drone-dropped explosive on the morning of 18 April. She was hospitalized with a blast injury, concussion, and brain contusion.
Medical help was also needed for a woman who was injured on 18 April due to a russian shelling of the village of Romashkove in Bilozerka community. The 64-year-old victim was diagnosed with a blast injury, concussion, and wounds to her back and leg.
Yesterday, 20 April, the russian forces attacked Antonivka, Sadove, Prydniprovske, Vysuntsi, Poniativka, Vysoke, Odradokamianka, Shliakhove, Zolota Balka, Burhunka, Mykilske, Chervonyi Maiak, and the city of Kherson. A store and a critical infrastructure facility were damaged. Three people were killed and three more were injured due to russian aggression.
Last week, russians launched nearly 2,100 drones against communities on the right bank of Kherson oblast. Over 80% were shot down by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Attacks continued even during the so-called “Easter truce.” The total number of violations of the promised ceasefire was 130. In particular, there were 108 cases of strike drone use, 13 explosive drops from UAVs, and seven shellings of Ukrainian settlements, plus two more in the area of the Antonivskyi Bridge.
Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces continue to strike enemy positions, fire post, and rear areas. Over the past day, enemy losses amounted to 38 occupiers, one artillery system, three units of automotive and armored equipment, three reconnaissance UAVs, four electronic warfare stations, six boats, three motorcycles, two ATVs, and one Starlink antenna.
During the Easter holidays, the Food Train — a special kitchen train capable of preparing tens of thousands of meals even without electricity — arrived in Kherson oblast. This unique project was implemented by Ukrzaliznytsia JSC with the support of The Howard G. Buffett Foundation to provide food to residents of regions affected by the war. This time, 1,250 Easter cakes and 2,500 hot meals were delivered to internally displaced persons living in temporary shelters in the region.
Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine
Volyn oblast
The Military Unit A4667 received 2 EcoFlow Delta 2 charging stations and a Maxpeedingrods inverter generator from Lutsk community.
Zakarpattia oblast
Last week, the Owl’s Nest Humanitarian Aid Center provided IDPs registered in Uzhgorod with 50 bags with grocery sets and 80 loaves of bread. During the week, volunteers gave out clothes, shoes, bed linen and dishes (1,850 items) from the PDUM Partnerschaft Deutschland-Ukraine/Moldova e. V., Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen / Wings of Help e.V., Spletinnia Kosice, TES FUND – Zakarpattia Entrepreneurship Support Fund, Valentyn Stefanyo and other benefactors.
Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
Tlumach City Council reported that police Sergeant Arsen Hlynchak received the For the Defense of Ukraine Presidential Medal of Honor.
Lviv oblast
Zymnovodnivka community, with funds of entrepreneurs and caring residents of the village of Sknyliv, sent electronic warfare equipment for soldier Taras, who serves in the communications company of the 35th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrohradsky.
Krasno community raised UAH 16,000 to the military during a charity event.
In Zolochiv, during the Donate Love to the World charity event, over UAH 93,000 were raised. These funds will be used to purchase FPV drones to the 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Volodymyr Monomakh.
Rivne oblast
Rivne oblast was visited by Iryna Malyutina, advisor to the Ministry of Community and Territories Development of Ukraine, Head of the Movement Without Barriers project. The regional center became one of 15 pilot cities in Ukraine, where a barrier-free route is being created. During the visit, a field meeting was held on the future route with the participation of representatives of local authorities and architects.
Ternopil oblast
The Trajectory educational grant program for veterans and their families has been launched in Ternopil oblast. The program provides comprehensive support: training in modern and in-demand skills, mentoring support, as well as the opportunity to receive financing to start your own business.
Khmelnytskyi oblast
Khmelnytskyi community sent another 20 DJI Mavic 3E quadcopters worth over UAH 2.2m to the Defense Forces.
Chernivtsi oblast
Mandrotherapy for wounded soldiers continues. This time, a trip to the Kaidashev’s Family play at Chernivtsi Olha Kobylianska Musical and Drama Theater, one of the most beautiful theaters in Europe, was organized for military personnel undergoing rehabilitation in Bukovina.
International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, met with Brian Fitzpatrick, US Congressman and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. They discussed continued financial support and efforts for peace.
Lieutenant General Peter Boysen, commander of the Danish army, announced that Denmark plans to send its military to Ukraine for training this summer.
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
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