Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of April 20
Photo: What is the situation on the front at Easter, given the ceasefire announced by Russia (Getty Images)
On April 19, despite the ceasefire announced by Russia in the evening, 127 combat engagements took place along the frontline. The highest number was recorded in the Pokrovsk direction, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to updated information, yesterday the enemy launched 103 airstrikes on the positions of Ukrainian units and populated areas, dropped 170 guided aerial bombs, and deployed 2,781 kamikaze drones. In addition, the enemy carried out 5,912 artillery strikes, including 115 using multiple launch rocket systems.
"The enemy carried out airstrikes, in particular on the areas of the settlements of Riasne, Velykyi Prykil, Stepok, and Myropilske in Sumy region; Zelene Pole in Donetsk region; Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Novodarivka, Lukianivske, Pavlivka, Stepnohirsk, Kamianske, and Novoiakovlivka in Zaporizhzhia region," the report states.
Situation in specific directions
In the Kharkiv direction, the enemy made two unsuccessful attempts to advance in the areas of Vovchansk and Mala Shapkivka.
In the Kupiansk direction, seven enemy attacks took place yesterday. Ukrainian defense forces repelled assault actions near Zahryzove, Kindrashivka, Nova Kruhliakivka, and Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman direction, 14 combat engagements were recorded. The enemy attempted to advance near Novomykhailivka, Nove, Yampolivka, as well as toward Torske, Hrekivka, Hlushchenkove, Olhivka, and Zelena Dolyna.
In the Siversk direction, Ukrainian troops repelled two enemy attacks near the settlement of Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy carried out seven attacks on Ukrainian positions near Chasiv Yar, Stupochky, and Kurdiumivka.
Over the past day in the Toretsk direction, the enemy launched 18 attacks on Ukrainian units near Toretsk, Druzhba, Dachne, and toward Dyliivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 39 enemy assault actions in the areas of Sukha Balka, Tarasivka, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Lysivka, Novooleksandrivka, Preobrazhenka, Sribne, Bohdanivka, Troitske, Novotoretske, Svyrydonivka, Malynivka, Shevchenko, Zvirove, Uspenivka, Kotliarivka, Andriivka, and toward Stara Mykolaivka.
In the Novopavlivka direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 12 enemy attacks near Pryvilne, Novosilka, and Kostiantynopil.
In the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled three attacks toward Mala Tokmachka and near Novoandriivka.
In the Huliaipole and Prydniprovskyi directions, the enemy did not conduct offensive actions.
In Kursk region, Ukrainian troops repelled 20 enemy attacks over the past day. The enemy also launched 15 airstrikes using 25 guided aerial bombs and carried out 356 shelling attacks, including eight with multiple launch rocket systems.
In the Volyn and Polissia directions, there are no signs of enemy offensive group formations.
Russian losses in Ukraine
On April 19, Russia’s losses amounted to 950 personnel. Ukrainian troops also destroyed one tank, five armored combat vehicles, 49 artillery systems, 64 tactical-level UAVs, 112 vehicles, and one unit of special equipment.
Additionally, during the past day, the aviation, missile forces, and artillery of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck 15 areas of concentration of enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment, three UAV control points, two air defense systems, and five units of rocket and artillery forces of the Russian invaders.
Russian ceasefire
On April 19, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin announced an Easter ceasefire. The Russian side allegedly suspended all hostilities for a limited time. According to Putin, Russian forces supposedly halted all combat operations from 6:00 p.m. on April 19 to 12:00 a.m. on April 21.
However, despite the promise, Russian forces continued shelling Ukrainian positions not only along the front line but also in populated areas. For instance, Russian troops attacked the village of Stanislav in Kherson region with a strike drone, killing a local resident.
As President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported, between 6:00 p.m. yesterday and midnight today, 387 shelling attacks and 19 assault actions by the Russian army took place. Russian forces used drones 290 times. In addition, 59 Russian shelling attacks and five assault actions by enemy units were recorded along various frontline directions.
