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Situation Report

2025-04-22 20:54:05Z
Previous Report (2025-04-22 20:24:26Z)

Military Situation Update

As of Tue Apr 22 20:53:26 2025

I. Air Warfare & Strategic Strikes

  • Ongoing Russian UAV Attack (MAJOR):

    • Odesa Oblast:
      • Multiple explosions confirmed in Odesa city (Mayor, Suspilne, STERNENKO, RU sources).
      • Fire reported at impact site(s), including a private house (STERNENKO, RVCassad). Attack ongoing for the second consecutive evening.
      • Air defense remains active. Initial drone presence over the sea near Odesa cleared (Nikolaevski Vanek, ~20:13 UTC). Later reports confirm drones over the city/suburbs (UA AF, ~20:10 UTC).
      • Current Drone Count (Odesa approach): 8 Shahed-type drones reported remaining after initial shootdowns (Nikolaevski Vanek, ~20:06 UTC).
    • Poltava Oblast:
      • Explosions reported in Poltava community (RBC-Ukraina).
      • Attack ongoing. Air defense active.
      • Drone Count Update: Total 7 drones shot down over Poltava Oblast (updated from 2). 6 drones remain active targeting the region (Nikolaevski Vanek, ~20:25 UTC). 3 drones crossed from Sumy into Poltava Oblast (~20:43 UTC).
    • Sumy/Chernihiv Oblasts:
      • 3 drones reported near Konotop (Sumy Oblast) (~20:43 UTC).
      • New groups identified: Multiple Shahed groups moved from Sumy towards Chernihiv Oblast (UA AF, ~20:23 UTC). 5 drones reported north of Chernihiv Oblast heading west (~20:43 UTC).
    • Kharkiv Oblast: Air raid alert remains active.
    • Overall Air Raid Alerts: Active in Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv Oblasts (Colonelcassad, UA AF).

  • Vladimir Oblast Arsenal Aftermath (Kirzhach, Russia):

    • Ongoing Detonations: Confirmed by multiple sources, including Russian MoD and visual reports (ASTRA, Operativnyi ZSU, STERNENKO). Extensive forest fires ongoing near the site.
    • Russian Response: MoD RU officially acknowledges detonation following a fire at a military unit storage facility. Commission established, headed by Deputy Defence Minister Col. Gen. A. Bulyga, to investigate circumstances. Official narrative remains accident/fire.
    • Ukrainian Assessment: Sources emphasize scale of destruction, circulating estimated value ("billions") and munition tonnage (~270k tons estimate via Kots/Hayabusa). Framed as a successful deep strike.

  • Russian Strikes (MoD Claims, Apr 22):

    • Claimed strikes engaged UAV production sites and temporary deployment areas of AFU personnel and foreign mercenaries.
    • Claimed neutralization operations continue in Kursk Oblast.

  • Claimed Ukrainian Strikes:

    • Kharkiv Direction: Video shared showing alleged AGS-17 strike by RU 128th Motor Rifle Bde disrupting UA rotation attempt (Colonelcassad). [Note: RU claim]
    • Unspecified Southern Front: Video shared showing AASM HAMMER strike on RU company command post (Operativnyi ZSU).
    • Unspecified Location: Video shared showing FPV drone strikes ("Ptahy Madyara" unit) targeting RU personnel/vehicles (Operativnyi ZSU).
    • Kupyansk Axis: Video shared showing destruction of alleged UA EW equipment/antennas via drone (Colonelcassad). [Note: RU claim]

II. Frontline Operations

  • Donetsk Front:
    • Pokrovsk Axis: Russian MoD claims liberation of Sukha Balka village (Yug Group of Forces). [Note: Aligns with previous visual/assessment reports.]
    • Chasiv Yar: Russian VDV (217th Regt) claim successful interception of Ukrainian heavy bomber drones (RVvoenkor). [Note: RU claim]
  • Kursk/Sumy Border Zone:
    • Russian MoD Claims (Apr 22): Claims inflicting significant losses on UA forces operating in Kursk Oblast: >160 personnel, 1 tank, 1 AFV, 10 vehicles, 1 SPG, 3 artillery guns, 1 mortar, 1 OSA-AKM SAM, 1 EW station, 6 UAV C2 points, 1 ammo depot, 1 technical equipment depot. [Note: RU claim]
    • Hornal Monastery Area: RU sources claim FPV drone strikes by 382nd Marine Bn/810th Bde inside Preobrazhensky Church, targeting alleged UA positions, killing 2 personnel (Voenkor DV). [Note: RU claim, potential LOAC violation targeting religious site]

III. Other Developments

  • Kherson: Explosions reported (RBC-Ukraina, Suspilne).
  • China-Russia Defense Cooperation Concerns: Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese Ambassador in Kyiv regarding alleged defense cooperation between China and Russia, claiming evidence was provided (TASS).
  • Russian Personnel Readiness/Morale: ASTRA report highlights a case (Ivan Demidkin) involving a severely wounded Russian soldier (multiple contusions, vision loss, fractures) being forcibly returned to the frontlines from Russia despite medical unfitness, alleged mistreatment by a pro-war paramilitary group volunteer, and administrative failures regarding status and compensation. This indicates potential systemic issues affecting Russian personnel treatment, medical evaluations, and morale.
  • Internal Russian Investigations: DBR investigating Ukrainian military official in Vinnytsia Oblast for alleged fraudulent combat pay claims (~5 million UAH) (RBC-Ukraina). FSB reportedly stripped citizenship from two Russian comedians critical of the war (Komissarenko, Romanov) (NgP Razvedka). Son of Chechen leader appointed Secretary of the Security Council of Chechnya (Alex Parker Returns). MoD RU commission formed for Vladimir arsenal incident.
Previous Report (2025-04-22 20:24:26Z)