Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 16, 2026

Assessment as of: 9:45 PM ET

Data Cutoff: 1:30 PM ET

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Russian forces conducted the sixth largest series of drone and missile strikes throughout the day on April 15 and overnight into April 16, using over 700 strike vehicles, killing at least 17 and injuring at least 100 civilians.[i] The Ukrainian Air Force reported on April 16 that Russian forces launched two waves of strikes against Ukraine from 0700 local time on April 15 to 0700 local time on April 16, including 19 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, 20 Kh-101 cruise missiles, five Iskander-K missiles, and 659 Shahed-type, Gerbera-type, and Italmas-type drones, of which Ukrainian forces downed 19 Kh-101s, eight Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, four Iskander-Ks, and 636 long-range drones.[ii] The Ukrainian Air Force noted that 12 missiles and 20 drones struck 26 locations and that debris from downed drones and missiles damaged another 25 locations. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched all 20 Kh-101 cruise missiles, one Iskander-K cruise missile, and 361 of the Shahed-type, Gerbera-type, and Italmas-type drones (of which about 200 where Shaheds) from 0900 to 2200 local time on April 15, of which Ukrainian forces downed 19 Kh-101s, the Iskander-K missile, and 349 long-range drones.[iii] Ukrainian officials reported strikes against Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure and residential areas, inflicting especially high damage and casualties in Kyiv, Dnipro, Odesa, and Kharkiv cities.[iv] Russian strikes against Kyiv City alone killed at least four and injured at least 54.[v] Russian forces have launched seven strike series consisting of 700 or more drones and missiles, three series of which Russian forces launched within the past month.[vi]

Russian forces also conducted a double-tap strike against first responders responding to Russian strikes in Kyiv City. Kyiv City officials reported that a Russian ballistic missile struck an area Kyiv City's Obolonskyi Raion where three Ukrainian medics and three police officers were responding to a previous Russian strike, injuring at least two medics and at least one law enforcement officer.[vii]

Russian forces leveraged a new strike tactic allowing Russia to threaten more areas of Ukraine for longer periods of time and disproportionately affect civilian areas — tactics first debuted during the largest Russian strikes series of the war thus far on March 23 to 24.[viii] Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Colonel Yuriy Ihnat noted that Russian forces timed the waves of strikes such that the first wave of drones overnight acted almost as "combat reconnaissance" ahead of the two main waves of strikes.[ix] Ihnat noted that Russian forces used cruise missiles in the first wave and ballistic missiles in the second wave. Russian forces most likely intended to exhaust Ukrainian air defenses with long-range drones and cruise missiles, for both of which Ukrainian forces have high interception rates, ahead of ballistic missile strikes, which Ukrainian forces struggle to intercept. Ukraine relies on US-provided Patriot air defense systems and interceptors to down Russian ballistic missiles, underscoring Ukraine's urgent need for both Patriot interceptors in particular and a well-rounded air defense umbrella.[x] Russia likely seeks to take advantage of a global shortage of Patriot interceptors and the current war in the Middle East to escalate its strike campaign against Ukraine.

Russia likely stockpiled weapons for two large strike series within 48 hours during Russia's unilaterally-imposed Easter ceasefire on April 11 to 12.[xi] The Russian military likely has been stockpiled drones and missiles to conduct a large strike series against Ukraine at a moment of its choosing, and the Easter ceasefire disproportionately benefited Russia as Russian strike tactics rely on overwhelming and exhausting Ukrainian air defenses. Russian forces likely previously stockpiled drones and missiles for their largest strike series of the war thus far of nearly 1,000 drones and missiles on March 23 to 24.[xii] Russia tends to launch these larger strike packages around poignant moments in peace negotiations with Ukraine, including immediately before or after bilateral or trilateral talks including the United States.

The Russian military command is likely pulling forces from the Russian strategic reserves in order to mitigate Russian forces’ continuous inability to reach the unrealistic operational objectives and deadlines. Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Deputy Head Major General Vadym Skibitskyi told the Financial Times (FT) on April 16 that Russia is likely preparing to dip into its strategic reserve to add 20,000 fresh troops to its force grouping in southeastern Ukraine.[xiii] Skibitskyi stated that a GUR report indicates that Russia is aiming to capture the entire Donbas by September 2026 and that it currently has around 680,000 soldiers currently stationed in the theater. Skibitskyi's statement supports Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets' recent reports that Russian forces are deploying elements of their strategic reserve in the Oleksandrivka and Zaporizhia directions, both away from their priority effort in Donetsk Oblast.[xiv] Russian forces have faced several difficulties in recent months, including simultaneously increasing casualty rates and decreasing recruitment rates, that threaten the success of the Russian military command’s usual tactics of casualty-heavy, high-intensity waves of assaults and infiltration missions.[xv] Russian forces have repeatedly failed to meet the Russian military command’s unrealistic deadlines.[xvi] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on April 10 that Russian forces set a deadline to seize Druzhkivka, Kostyantynivka, and Pokrovsk by the end of April 2026.[xvii] Russian forces have seized Pokrovsk they have not made the inroads in Kostyantynivka and Druzhkivka necessary to seize the settlements by the end of April. The deployment, if true, is unlikely to significantly alter the situation on the frontline; 20,000 soldiers are notably fewer than one month’s worth of Russian casualties.

Senior Russian officials allegedly continue to repress pro-war information space figures that the Kremlin cannot censor or co-opt as part of wider efforts to consolidate the information space under the Kremlin’s control. The administrator of the Russian ultranationalist milblogger account Voevoda Veshaet and former Russian combat helicopter pilot, Alexey Zemtsov, published a video on April 15 in which he states that if the video is online then he “is no longer here,” and that he will "exercise his last officer's honor," meaning that he intended to commit suicide.[xviii] Zemtsov alleged in the video that he faced censorship from the Russian military command, including Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Vladimir Kravchenko, Zemtsov's commander "Colonel Avramenko," and "Senior Lieutenant Kantemirov," for discussing issues in the Russian military on his Telegram channel. Zemtsov claimed that Russian authorities prosecuted him for charges of discrediting the Russian military for complaining about the kit he received after transferring to an assault unit, and that he "cannot bear such a disgrace," which Zemtsov stated ultimately contributed to his decision to take his own life. Multiple Russian sources have claimed that Zemtsov is still alive as of April 16, however.[xix] Another Russian milblogger who focuses on Russian aviation issues responded to Zemtsov and stated that the Russian military command has attempted to silence dissent through repressive means common in the military, including the milblogger's own channel.[xx] The Russian government and military have repeatedly attempted to co-opt and subordinate figures in the pro-war information space to state control.[xxi] Prominent independent Russian milblogger Andrei Morozov similarly reportedly committed suicide on February 21, 2024 after refusing the Russian military command’s orders to delete his reports about high Russian casualty rates around Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast.[xxii]

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces conducted the sixth largest series of drone and missile strikes throughout the day on April 15 and overnight into April 16, using over 700 strike vehicles, killing at least 17 and injuring at least 100 civilians.
• Russian forces also conducted a double-tap strike against first responders responding to Russian strikes in Kyiv City.
• Russian forces leveraged a new strike tactic allowing Russia to threaten more areas of Ukraine for longer periods of time and disproportionately affect civilian areas — tactics first debuted during the largest Russian strikes series of the war thus far on March 23 to 24.
• The Russian military command is likely pulling forces from the Russian strategic reserves in order to mitigate Russian forces’ continuous inability to reach the unrealistic operational objectives and deadlines.
• Senior Russian officials allegedly continue to repress pro-war information space figures that the Kremlin cannot censor or co-opt as part of wider efforts to consolidate the information space under the Kremlin’s control.
• Ukrainian forces advanced in the Slovyansk-Lyman tactical area.
• Ukrainian forces continued their long-range strike campaign against Russian oil infrastructure. Russian forces launched 44 missiles and 636 long-range drones against Ukraine.

We do not report in detail on Russian war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We will continue to evaluate and report on the effects of these criminal activities on the Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian population and specifically on combat in Ukrainian urban areas. We utterly condemn Russian violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.    

• Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation
• Russian Supporting Effort – Northern Axis
• Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine (comprised of three subordinate main efforts)
• Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Push Ukrainian forces back from the international border with Belgorod Oblast and approach to within tube artillery range of Kharkiv City
• Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast
• Russian Subordinate Main Effort #3 – Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas, and possibly advance into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
• Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis
• Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Campaign
• Significant Activity in Belarus

Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation

Ukrainian forces continued their long-range strikes campaign against Russian oil infrastructure. Geolocated footage published photos on April 16 showing a large-scale fire at the site of the Tuapse Naftoexport port and oil depot in Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai.[xxiii] The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces struck the Tuapse oil refinery on the night of April 16, causing fire.[xxiv] The Ukrainian General Staff reported that the Tuapse Oil Refinery refines oil with a declared volume of 12 million tons per year. A Ukrainian telegram channel reported on April 16 that residents of Tuapse claimed that the strikes set three storage tanks at the Rosneft’s Tuapse Oil Refinery on fire.[xxv] Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck Tuapse.[xxvi]

Russian Supporting Effort – Northern Axis (Russian objective: Create defensible buffer zones in Sumy Oblast along the international border)

Russian forces continued offensive operations in northern Sumy Oblast on April 16 but did not advance.

Russian forces attacked in northern Sumy Oblast, including north of Sumy City near Mala Korchakivka, Varachyne, Korchakivka, and Kindrativka; northeast of Sumy City near Myropillya; east of Sumy City toward Myropilske; and southeast of Sumy City near Novodmytrivka, Pokrovka, and Mykhailivka on April 15 and 16.[xxvii]

Order of Battle: Reconnaissance elements of the Russian 83rd Separate Airborne (VDV) Brigade are reportedly operating in the Kursk direction.[xxviii]

Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Kharkiv Oblast (Russian objective: Push Ukrainian forces back from the international border to create a defensible buffer zone with Belgorod Oblast and approach to within tube artillery range of Kharkiv City)

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Kharkiv direction on April 16 but did not advance.

Russian forces attacked northeast of Kharkiv City near Starytsya, Symynivka, Vovchansk, Zybyne, Izbytske, Vovchanski Khutory and toward Volokhivka and Okhrimivka on April 15 and 16.[xxix]

The commander of a Ukrainian brigade operating in northern Kharkiv Oblast reported that Ukrainian forces have seized some unspecified streets in Vovchansk after eliminating Russian positions along those streets.[xxx]

The commander of a Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) brigade reported on April 16 that Ukrainian drones recently struck a rare Russian IMR-3 mine clearing vehicle in the Vovchansk direction.[xxxi]

Order of Battle: Elements of the Russian 128th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (44th Army Corps [AC], Leningrad Military District [LMD]) are reportedly operating near Vovchanski Khutory.[xxxii]

Neither Russian nor Ukrainian sources reported ground operations in the Velykyi Burluk direction on April 16.

Unconfirmed claims: A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces recently advanced northeast of Zemlyanky (northeast of Velykyi Burluk), northwest of Odradne (east of Velykyi Burluk), and east of Kolodyazne (southeast of Velykyi Burluk).[xxxiii]

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Oskil River (Russian objective: Cross the Oskil River in Kharkiv Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and northern Donetsk Oblast)

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Kupyansk direction on April 16 but did not make confirmed advances.

Russian forces attacked near Kupyansk itself, east of Kupyansk near Podoly, southeast of Kupyansk near Kurylivka, Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi, and Kivsharivka on April 15 and 16.[xxxiv] Russian milbloggers claimed Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Kurylivka.[xxxv]

Order of Battle: Drone operators of the Russian 272nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (47th Tank Division, 1st Guards Tank Army [GTA], Moscow Military District [MMD]) are reportedly operating in the Kupyansk direction.[xxxvi]

Russian forces continued offensive operations north of Borova near Novoplatonivka and east of Borova near Novoserhiivka and Shyikivka on April 15 and 16 but did not advance.[xxxvii]

Order of Battle: Elements of the Russian 13th Tank Regiment (4th Tank Division, 1st GTA, MMD) are reportedly operating northeast of Shyikivka.[xxxviii]

Ukrainian forces continue their long-range strikes against Russian military assets in occupied Luhansk Oblast. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) reported on April 16 that the SBU and Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) drones struck cargo trains carrying fuel at railway stations near occupied Luhansk City (about 99 kilometers from the frontline), destroying the oil tankers and damaging railway infrastructure.[xxxix] Russian milblogger focusing on Luhansk Oblast responded to the strikes, acknowledging the Ukrainian strikes and criticizing the Russian military command for underreporting the damage from Ukrainian strikes and for failing to effectively counter the strikes.[xl] The milblogger claimed that Ukrainian drone flight paths over Luhansk Oblast are unusual and that Ukrainian forces may be using replica or restored Shahed-type drones to counter Russian drones.[xli]

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #3 – Donetsk Oblast (Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas, and advance into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast)

Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Slovyansk direction.

Assessed Ukrainian counteroffensives: Geolocated footage posted on April 15 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced east of Lyman.[xlii]

Unconfirmed claims: A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced northeast of Lyman itself and east and west of Yampil (southeast of Lyman).[xliii]

Refinement of areas under Russian claims: Geolocated footage published on April 15 indicates that Ukrainian forces hold positions within Sosnove (northwest of Lyman), contrary to previous Russian claims.[xliv]

Russian forces attacked near Lyman itself; northwest of Lyman near Yarova; north of Slovyansk near Svyatohirsk; northeast of Slovyansk toward Zakitne; east of Slovyansk near Kalenyky and Rai-Oleksandrivka; and southeast of Slovyansk near Nykyforivka and Fedorivka on April 15 and 16.[xlv] Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Lyman itself, Rai-Oleksandrivka, Zakitne, and Nykyforivka.[xlvi]

Order of Battle: Drone elements of the Russian 37th Motorized Rifle Regiment (67th Motorized Rifle Division, 25th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Central Military District [CMD]) are striking Ukrainian forces east of Lyman.[xlvii] Artillery elements of the Chechen Shram Group are shelling Ukrainian positions in Ozerne (east of Slovyansk).[xlviii] Elements of the 6th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (3rd CAA, formerly 2nd Luhansk People's Republic Army Corps [LNR AC], Southern Military District [SMD]) are operating in Kalenyky.[xlix] Elements of the 85th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (3rd CAA) are reportedly operating in the Rai-Oleksandrivka tactical direction.[l] Drone operators of the Rubikon Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies are reportedly operating in the Lyman direction.[li] Artillery elements of the Pyatnashka International Volunteer Brigade (Russian Volunteer Corps) are reportedly operating in the Slovyansk direction.[lii]

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area on April 16 but did advance.

Assessed Russian infiltration: Geolocated footage published on April 16 shows a Russian servicemember in northern Ivanopillya (southeast of Kostyantynivka) conducting what ISW assesses was an infiltration mission that did not change the control of terrain for forward edge of the battle area (FEBA).[liii]

Refinements of areas under Russian claims: Geolocated footage published on April 16 indicates that  Ukrainian forces hold positions in Virolyubivka (east of Druzhkivka), an area in which Russian sources previously claimed that Russian forces maintained positions.[liv]

Russian forces attacked near Kostyantynivka itself, northeast of Kostyantynivka near Minkivka and toward Tykhonivka, south of Kostyantynivka near Pleshchiivka, southwest of Kostyantynivka near Stepanivka and Illinivka, west of Kostyantynivka toward Dovha Balka, and southwest of Druzhkivka near Sofiivka and Novopavlivka on April 15 and 16.[lv]

Order of Battle: Artillery elements of the Russian 6th Motorized Rifle Division (3rd AC, under operational control of the Southern Grouping of Forces) are shelling Ukrainian positions in Novodmytrivka (north of Kostyantynivka).[lvi] First-person-view (FPV) drone operators of the 33rd Motorized Rifle Regiment (20th Motorized Rifle Division, 8th CAA, SMD) are reportedly striking Ukrainian forces near Novomykolaivka (southwest of Druzhkivka).[lvii] Drone operators of the Russian Zmey Gorynych detachment (Russian Federal Security Service's [FSB] Donetsk People's Republic [DNR] Directorate) are striking Ukrainian positions in southern Kostyantynivka.[lviii] Artillery elements of the 70th Motorized Rifle Division (18th CAA, SMD) are striking Ukrainian positions in Viroliubivka (north of Kostyantynivka).[lix] Elements of the 77th Separate Motorized Rifle Regiment (7th Military Base, 49th CAA, SMD) and 20th Motorized Rifle Division (8th CAA) and drone operators of the Chechen 78th Sever-Akhmat Motorized Rifle Regiment (42nd Motorized Rifle Division, 58th CAA, SMD) and 1194th Motorized Rifle Regiment (4th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, 3rd CAA) are reportedly operating in the Kostyantynivka direction.[lx]

Russian forces conducted limited ground operations east of Dobropillya near Novyi Donbas, Ivanivka, and Nove Shakhove on April 16 but did not make any confirmed advances.[lxi]

Unconfirmed claims: A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced east of Dorozhnie (southeast of Dobropillya).[lxii]

Order of Battle: Drone operators of the Russian 439th Motorized Rifle Regiment (under the operational control of the 30th Motorized Rifle Brigade, 2nd CAA, CMD) and reconnaissance elements of the 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (150th Motorized Rifle Division, 8th CAA) are reportedly operating in the Dobropillya tactical area.[lxiii]

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction on April 16 but did not advance.

Russian forces attacked near Pokrovsk itself; northwest of Pokrovsk near Hryshyne and toward Novooleksandrivka, Serhiivka, and Shevchenko; north of Pokrovsk near Rodynske and Bilytske; northeast of Pokrovsk near Rivne; and southwest of Pokrovsk near Udachne, Molodetske, and Kotlyne on April 15 and 16.[lxiv]

The Ukrainian 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces operating in the Pokrovsk direction reported on April 16 that Russian forces are conducting several waves of operations to infiltrate central Hryshyne and are attempting to advance into northern Hryshyne.[lxv]

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Novopavlivka itself, northeast of Novopavlivka near Muravka and Novomykolaivka, and south of Novopavlivka near Filiya on April 16 but did not advance.[lxvi]

Order of Battle: FPV drone operators of the Russian 56th Separate Spetsnaz Battalion (51st CAA, formerly 1st DNR AC, SMD) are reportedly striking Ukrainian equipment near Shevchenko.[lxvii]

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Oleksandrivka direction on April 16 but did not advance.

Assessed Russian infiltrations: Geolocated footage published on April 15 shows Russian forces operating in northern Ternove (southeast of Oleksandrivka) in what ISW assesses was an infiltration operation that did not change the control of terrain or the FEBA.[lxviii]

Unconfirmed claims: A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced northeast and southeast of Lisne (east of Oleksandrivka).[lxix]

Russian forces attacked northeast of Oleksandrivka near Ivanivka and toward Havrylivka; east of Oleksandrivka toward Lisne; southeast of Oleksandrivka near Oleksandrohrad, Vorone, and Ternove and toward Kalynivkse; south of Oleksandrivka near Zlahoda; and southwest of Oleksandrivka near Zarichne on April 15 and 16.[lxx] Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Vyshneve, Verbove, and Rybne (all southeast of Oleksandrivka).[lxxi]

Ukrainian forces continued their mid-range strike campaign against Russian military assets and logistics routes in occupied Donetsk Oblast. The Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) reported that its drone operators recently struck a Russian Osa-AK air defense system near occupied Vodyane (approximately 47 kilometers from the frontline) and workshop and warehouse of the Russian Rubikon Center for Advanced Unmanned Systems near occupied Hirne (either 60 or 78 kilometers from the frontline) overnight on April 15 to 16.[lxxii] Geolocated footage published on April 16 confirms the Ukrainian USF strike against a Russian Osa-AK air defense system northwest of Vodyane.[lxxiii] The Ukrainian 1st Azov Corps reported on April 16 that its drone operators are striking Russian logistics on the Donetsk City ring highway (about 47 to 67 kilometers from the frontline) and near occupied Zuhres (about 67 kilometers from the frontline), Andriivka (one of multiple settlements between 18 and 103 kilometers from the frontline), Starobesheve (about 92 kilometers from the frontline), Horlivka (about 21 kilometers from the frontline), and Lysychanske (about 75 kilometers from the frontline).[lxxiv]

Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis (Russian objective: Maintain frontline positions, secure rear areas against Ukrainian strikes, and advance within tube artillery range of Zaporizhzhia City)

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Hulyaipole direction on April 16 but did not advance.

Assessed Russian infiltrations: Geolocated footage published April 16 shows a Russian servicemember operating in western Zaliznychne (west of Hulyaipole) in what ISW assesses was likely an infiltration mission that did not change the control of terrain or forward edge of the battle area (FEBA).[lxxv]

Russian forces attacked near Hulyaipole; northwest of Hulyaipole near Dobropillya, Olenokotyantynivka, Tsvitkove, and Pryluky and toward Vozdvyzhivka; west of Hulyaipole near Zaliznychne, Hirke, and Staroukrainka; and southwest of Hulyaipole toward Hulyaipilske and Charivne on April 15 and 16.[lxxvi]

A Ukrainian drone officer operating in the Hulyaipole direction reported on April 16 that Russian forces continue transferring new units to the Hulyaipole to gradually replace units rendered combat ineffective.[lxxvii]

Order of Battle: Elements of the Russian 430th Motorized Rifle Regiment (29th Combined Arms Army [CAA], EMD), 14th Separate Spetsnaz Brigade (Russian General Staff's Main Directorate [GRU]), and 38th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (35th CAA, EMD) are reportedly operating in the Zaporizhia direction, likely referring to the Hulyaipole direction.[lxxviii]

Russian forces continued offensive operations in western Zaporizhia Oblast on April 15 but did not advance.

Russian milbloggers claimed on April 16 that Russian forces attacked northwest of Orikhiv near Prymorske and Stepnohirsk.[lxxix]

Order of Battle: Drone operators of the 3rd Assault Company of the Russian 291st Motorized Rifle Regiment (42nd Motorized Rifle Division, 58th CAA, Southern Military District [SMD]) are reportedly intercepting Ukrainian drones over Zaporizhia Oblast.[lxxx] Drone operators of the Chechen 270th Akhmat-Kavkaz Motorized Rifle Regiment (42nd Motorized Rifle Division) are reportedly striking Ukrainian vehicles in the Zaporizhia direction.[lxxxi] First-person view (FPV) drone operators of the 4th Military Base (58th CAA) are reportedly intercepting Ukrainian drones near Orikhiv.[lxxxii]

Ukrainian forces continued their mid-range strikes against Russian military objects in occupied Zaporizhia Oblast. A Ukrainian unmanned systems battalion reported that Ukrainian forces struck a Russian Buk-M1 air defense system near occupied Bahativka (roughly 59 kilometers from the frontline) on the night of April 15 to 16.[lxxxiii]

Russian forces attacked east of Kherson City toward the Antonivskyi Bridge and southwest of Kherson City near Bilohrudyi Island on April 15 and 16 but did not advance.[lxxxiv]

Ukrainian forces continue their frontline strikes against Russian military assets in the Kherson direction. The Ukrainian General Staff reported on April 16 that Ukrainian forces struck a Russian drone control post near Hola Prystan (southwest of Kherson City).[lxxxv]

Ukrainian forces continue their mid- and long-range strike campaign against Russian military infrastructure in occupied Crimea. The Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) and USF Commander Major Robert “Magyar” Brovdi reported that Ukrainian forces struck a Russian Pantsir air defense system in occupied Feodosia (about 250 kilometers from the frontline); two Iskander missile defense system bases in Kurortne (one of a series of settlements ranging about 210 to 250 kilometers from the frontline) and Mizhhirya (roughly 220 kilometers from the frontline); the Russian 758th Material and Technical Support Center (Black Sea Fleet [BSF]) near Mizhhirya (about 220 kilometers from the frontline); and an oil depot near Biiuk-Onlar (about 180 kilometers from the front) and Hlybokyi Yar (about 230 kilometers from the front) on the night of April 15 to 16.[lxxxvi] Geolocated footage published on April 16 confirms the strikes near Mizhhirya, Viyuk-Onlar, Feodosia, and Hlybokyi Yar.[lxxxvii]

Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Campaign (Russian Objective: Target Ukrainian military and civilian infrastructure in the rear and on the frontline)

See topline text.

Significant activity in Belarus (Russian efforts to increase its military presence in Belarus and further integrate Belarus into Russian-favorable frameworks)

Nothing significant to report.

Note: ISW does not receive any classified material from any source, uses only publicly available information, and draws extensively on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media as well as commercially available satellite imagery and other geospatial data as the basis for these reports. References to all sources used are provided in the endnotes of each update.