Russia – Ukraine war updates latest from the General Staff of Ukraine as of April 20, 2026.
This report is part of EMPR’s April 2026 Russia-Ukraine war timeline, tracking daily battlefield and geopolitical developments. For full coverage of this escalation phase, see the complete timeline.
Today is the 1,517th day of the large-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
Update as of 08:00 AM on Russian invasion of Ukraine
In total, 206 combat engagements were recorded over the past day.
Yesterday, the enemy carried out 71 airstrikes, dropping 253 guided aerial bombs. In addition, they deployed 7,767 kamikaze drones and conducted 2,916 shelling attacks on populated areas and positions of our troops, including 85 using multiple launch rocket systems.
The aggressor carried out airstrikes, in particular in the areas of the settlements of Ivanivka, Havrylivka, and Velykomykhailivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region; and Vozdvyzhenska, Huliaipilske, Liubytske, Mykilske, Dolynka, Charivne, and Kopani in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Over the past day, aviation, missile forces, and artillery of the Defense Forces struck four areas where enemy personnel were concentrated.
Update as of 04:00 PM on Russian invasion of Ukraine
In total, 139 combat engagements have taken place since the beginning of this day.
The Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy, destroying personnel and exhausting the occupiers’ combat potential through systematic fire strikes.
The enemy carried out 51 airstrikes, dropping 152 guided aerial bombs. In addition, they deployed 5,035 kamikaze drones and conducted 2,237 shelling attacks on populated areas and positions of our troops.
EMPR updates by Directions
Northern-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk Direction
08:00 AM: the russian enemy carried out two airstrikes yesterday, using seven guided bombs, and conducted 100 shelling attacks on our positions and settlements, including five using multiple launch rocket systems.
10:00 PM: three combat engagements took place. The enemy conducted 58 shelling attacks on our positions and settlements, including two using multiple launch rocket systems.
Southern-Slobozhanskyi Direction
08:00 AM: the russian occupiers launched ten assaults on the positions of our units in the areas of Synelnykove, Prylipka, Starytsia, Vovchansk, Vilcha, and toward Bochkovе.
10:00 PM: the russian enemy launched three assaults on the positions of our units in the areas of Starytsia, Vovchanski Khutory, and Vilcha. One engagement is ongoing.
Kupiansk Direction
08:00 AM: the Defense Forces successfully repelled ten enemy attacks in the areas of Kurylivka, Kolisnykivka, Kivsharivka, Borivska Andriivka, and Radkivka.
10:00 PM: Ukrainian defenders repelled nine russian assaults toward the settlements of Kupiansk, Petropavlivka, Kivsharivka, and Novoosynove. One engagement is still ongoing.
Lyman Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian forces repelled six attempts by the occupiers to advance near the settlements of Karmazynivka, Hrekivka, Drobysheve, Lyman, and toward Shyikivka and Tverdokhlibove.
10:00 PM: Ukrainian forces repelled two attempts by the russian occupiers to advance near Karmazynivka. One engagement is still ongoing.
Sloviansk Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian defenders stopped four attempts by the occupiers to advance near Rai-Oleksandrivka.
10:00 PM: the enemy did not conduct offensive operations.
Kramatorsk Direction
08:00 AM: the russian troops attacked twice near the settlements of Holubivka and Nykyforivka.
10:00 PM: the Russian troops did not conduct offensive operations.
Kostyantinivka Direction
08:00 AM: the Russians carried out 21 attacks near Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiivka, Stepanivka, Illinivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Novopavlivka, and Sofiivka.
10:00 PM: the Defense Forces successfully repelled 18 russian assaults near Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiivka, Ivanopillia, Illinivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Novopavlivka, Stepanivka, and Sofiivka.
Pokrovsk Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian defenders repelled 42 assault actions by the aggressor in the areas of Bilitske, Rodynske, Dorozhne, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Zatyshok, Udachne, Muravka, Novopidhorodne, Molodetske, Novopavlivka, and Filiia, as well as toward Novooleksandrivka, Vasylivka, Hannivka, and Shevchenko.
10:00 PM: the russian forces carried out 25 attacks. The occupiers attempted to advance in the areas of Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Pokrovsk, Udachne, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, and Filiia, as well as toward Bilitske, Shevchenko, Nove Shakhove, Kucheriv Yar, Vasylivka, and Novopavlivka. One engagement is still ongoing. According to preliminary estimates, 78 occupiers were eliminated and 22 wounded in this direction today. Six vehicles and 12 pieces of special equipment were destroyed, along with two UAV control points. Eight artillery systems, 77 personnel shelters, and eight vehicles were damaged. A total of 136 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types were destroyed or suppressed.
Oleksandrivka Direction
08:00 AM: the Russians attacked four times in the areas of Oleksandrohrad and Sichneve.
10:00 PM: the russian occupiers attempted three times to improve their tactical position by attacking toward Kalynivske and Zlahoda. Airstrikes targeted Havrylivka and Malomykhailivka.
Huliaipole Direction
08:00 AM: 33 russian attacks took place in the areas of Varvarivka, Dobropillia, Zelene, Sviatopetrivka, Tsvitkove, Zaliznychne, Pryluky, Olenokostiantynivka, and toward Verkhna Tersa, Huliaipilske, and Hirke.
10:00 PM: the Defense Forces successfully repelled 17 russian attacks toward Dobropillia, Tsvitkove, Zaliznychne, Hirke, Staroukrainka, Olenokostiantynivka, Huliaipilske, and in the area of Huliaipole. The enemy carried out airstrikes in the areas of Tsvitkove, Vozdvyzhenka, Rybalske, Lisne, Rivne, Novoselivka, Charivne, and Dolynka. One engagement is still ongoing.
Orikhiv Direction
08:00 AM: the russian troops attempted twice to advance in the areas of Pavlivka and Shcherbaky.
10:00 PM: the Russians did not conduct offensive actions but carried out an airstrike on Orikhiv.
Prydniprovskyi Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian units repelled five russian attacks near Bilohrudyi Island and the Antonivskyi Bridge.
10:00 PM: Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled three assault attempts toward the Antonivskyi Bridge.
Volyn and Polissia Directions
08:00 AM and 10:00 PM: no signs of the formation of enemy offensive groupings were detected.
Overall, Russian invaders’ losses amounted to 1,050 personnel. The enemy also lost two tanks, two armored combat vehicles, 72 artillery systems, one air defense system, 1,427 unmanned aerial vehicles, 174 vehicles, and one piece of special equipment.
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