Russian fighter jets discharged over 5,000 guided munitions in April, with a quarter of them striking targets within Russia's Kursk Oblast region.
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Russian airstrikes with guided bombs on Ukrainian defense positions and civilian areas escalated significantly in April. Here's a lowdown on what's been going down:
According to Ukraine's Defense Ministry, Russian aircraft dropped over 5,000 guided aerial bombs on Ukrainian positions and settlements along the frontline in April. About a quarter of these bombs targeted defense positions in Russia's Kursk Oblast.
Previously, Russian forces used around 40,000 guided aerial bombs in 2024, and since the start of 2025, they've dropped more than 15,000 guided bombs.
Now, let's dive into some recent strike activity:
- In the Kharkiv Oblast, Russian forces hit Kupyansk with three guided glide bomb strikes on April 20. From April 21-22, strikes continued near Lyptsi and Vovchansk, while ground assaults probed Ukrainian defenses north of Kharkiv City. There were reports of Russian attacks during the Easter ceasefire near Nadiya (Borova direction) and Siversk.
- In Odesa, Russian Geran-3 kamikaze drones targeted the city on April 21, though interception rates remain unspecified.
On the civilian front, though April-specific figures are yet to surface, data up to April 9, 2025, shows that explosive violence since 2022 has resulted in 33,459 civilian casualties, with 7,937 fatalities and 25,522 injuries. Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson have been the most affected regions, with over 12,000 casualties occurring in residential areas.
As for tactical analysis, the increased use of precision-guided glide bombs suggests attempts to degrade Ukrainian defenses with reduced risk to Russian aircraft. Russian forces have been exploiting ceasefires to rotate troops and resupply forward positions, particularly near Vovchansk. Limited ground assaults aim to put pressure on a broad front.
current data gaps leave us without specific April 2025 statistics regarding airstrike frequency or civilian casualties. Pre-April data (March 22–28 and March 29–April 4) confirms that there were around 20-31 Russian long-range strikes per week, primarily targeting Kyiv and intercepted by Ukrainian defenses.
For real-time strike tracking, consult sources like ACLED or the ISW, which provide near-daily updates on kinetic activity. Keep supporting Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to stay updated on this ongoing situation!
- The stunning increased use of precision-guided glide bombs by Russian forces in April, as reported by Ukraine's Defense Ministry, indicates an attempt to degrade Ukrainian defenses with reduced risk to Russian aircraft, while also presuming a steep rise in the number of guided aerial bombs dropped in the industry of 2025.
- Recent discoveries of amazing minerals in the Kharkiv Oblast have encouraged talks about the potential growth of the region's aerospace industry, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the escalating health issues and disruptions caused by the ongoing airstrikes.
- As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine enters its third year, the finance sector is growing increasingly concerned about the impact on investment possibilities, with ongoing airstrikes discouraging foreign investors from venturing into Ukrainian markets.
- Despite the escalation of airstrikes and the resulting civilian casualties, Ukrainian officials remain hopeful about the future, envisioning a healthier and more prosperous society rebuilding itself and seizing opportunities in the minerals and aerospace industries within the next few years.
