Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 25, 2026

Key Points:

• Russian forces launched a massive overnight strike on Ukraine with 666 drones and missiles, primarily targeting Dnipro City, resulting in at least six civilian deaths and 47 injuries; Ukrainian air defenses intercepted the majority of the attack.
• Russia is employing a tactic of launching large waves of drones and cruise missiles to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses before ballistic missile strikes, with plans to conduct frequent large-scale strikes involving hundreds of drones and missiles.
• Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted long-range drone strikes deep into Russian territory, including Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk, marking some of Ukraine’s longest-range attacks thus far and highlighting vulnerabilities in Russia’s Ural region.
• Russian military efforts continue in eastern Ukraine with ongoing offensive operations around Kharkiv, Kupyansk, and Donetsk oblasts, though advances remain limited amid active Ukrainian counterattacks and strikes on Russian military assets.
• Russian ultranationalist voices are preparing the public for potential future limited reserve call-ups to address low unit cohesion and heavy casualties, signaling possible adjustments in Russia’s military recruitment and mobilization strategy.