Russia pulls out forces for a large-scale offensive near the estuary in the Donetsk region

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that Russia is amassing forces for a large-scale offensive near Lyman in the Donetsk region, where it holds a tenfold advantage in personnel. According to an analysis cited by New Voice of Ukraine on April 2, 2025, Russian troops are expanding their bridgehead northeast of Lyman, aiming to create conditions for capturing both Borova and Lyman in the coming months. This buildup is part of a strategic effort to leverage their numerical superiority and territorial gains to reinforce their position in the area, potentially setting the stage for a significant push in eastern Ukraine.

Russian large-scale attack on Kharkiv injured eight people

A Russian drone attack on Kharkiv during the night of April 1-2 caused widespread damage and injuries, according to the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office. The strike, which targeted the Kholodnohirskyi district, involved Geran-2 drones, with between 13 and 15 confirmed impacts. Most of the strikes hit an industrial zone, igniting fires that spread across 2,000 square meters of warehouses and production facilities. Around 20 residential houses were also damaged.

The attack injured eight people, including a nine-month-old infant. Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Dmytro Chubenko confirmed the use of Geran-2 UAVs, displaying recovered drone fragments as evidence. The incident highlights Russia’s continued use of drone warfare to target civilian infrastructure in Ukraine’s second-largest city.

Russia mirrors Ukraine in reporting energy ceasefire violations to US

Moscow has announced plans to submit a list of alleged Ukrainian "violations" of the partial ceasefire to U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. This comes after Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umierov was tasked with compiling evidence of Russian ceasefire breaches and presenting it to the United States.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the list had already been sent to Waltz, as well as to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, UN representatives, and the OSCE. Lavrov insisted that Russia has fully complied with its agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump to cease attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has directed Umierov to provide evidence of Russia's continued violations.

Two Ukrainian children were returned from the occupation. Their mother was killed in front of one of them

Ukraine has successfully brought back two children from Russian-occupied territories, including an 11-year-old boy whose mother was killed by Russian troops. The initiative Bring Kids Back UA reported that Oleksandr, who witnessed his mother’s murder in the spring of 2022, was taken in by a female relative to prevent his deportation to Russia. Despite her efforts, the boy remained at constant risk. With the help of the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, he has now been safely evacuated to Ukrainian-controlled territory. He is currently seeking a loving family that can provide him with the care and support he needs.

In a separate operation, a woman and her daughter were also evacuated after facing extreme hardships under Russian occupation. The journey to safety was complicated, as occupation authorities repeatedly changed the rules for crossing the border. However, they have now returned to Ukraine and can begin rebuilding their lives. As of March 2025, Ukraine has successfully brought back 1,247 children from Russian-occupied regions, though human rights activists estimate that at least 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain under Russian control.