March 29–April 5 live war map: Russian forces launch new offensive

Offensive in Zaporizhzhia has stalled

After Russia’s breakthrough 2.5 km toward the Stepove–Orikhiv lateral road two weeks ago, the pace of the Russian offensive has significantly slowed. They reached the road but failed to cut it at any point. In the area of Mali Shcherbaky, the front line has completely stabilized. The invaders focused their main efforts on capturing Lobkove and Stepove, but only managed minimal gains and a slight expansion of the combat zone there. Consequently, the enemy attempted an assault on a neighboring sector near Kamianske, where they managed to advance 200 meters along a 2.5 km-wide front. A major obstacle in this area is the Yanchekrak River, which complicates logistics and prevents the Russian troops from developing the offensive.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 29 - April 5, Photo: Espreso

Battle for Kostiantynopil

On the front between the previously captured Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka, Russian forces are engaged in fierce fighting to advance toward and seize control of the Donetsk–Zaporizhzhia highway. On one side, they are launching frontal assaults on Kostiantynopil and Andriivka, while on the other, they are attempting to break through to Komar in order to cut off retreat routes and once again try to encircle our military grouping—something our forces on this front have already successfully avoided at least three times.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 29 - April 5, Photo: Espreso

Throughout this week, the advance toward Komar has completely stalled despite multiple attempts to push toward Dniprorudne and Burlatske. Although Russian forces have been present in Andriivka and Kostiantynopil for over a month now, they have not been able to fully capture these settlements. This week, the Defense Forces managed to repel a mechanized assault from Andriivka toward Oleksiivka. However, the Russian troops did gain control of part of the grey zone along the Vovcha River between Andriivka and Kostiantynivka.

The most dangerous situation, however, is developing slightly to the south, where the enemy has entered and entrenched themselves in Rozlyv, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces have so far been unable to cut off this salient. If this advance continues, Russian forces will gain the ability to attack Kostiantynopil from the south as well, significantly worsening the position of Ukrainian defenders in this sector. Moreover, in the north, Russian forces are attempting to break through from Sribne toward Oleksiivka, further increasing the threat of encirclement from another flank.

Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka axis

For over a month, Russian forces have been trying to capture two small villages—Nadiivka and Preobrazhenka. The defenders of Preobrazhenka held out for a long time in semi-encirclement, and after withdrawing from the village, they created such a “kill zone” that the Russians have still been unable to gain a foothold there. As a result, the enemy decided to bypass it from the north and began advancing toward Kotliarivka.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 29 - April 5, Photo: Espreso

In Nadiivka, the Russians managed to secure an additional few hundred meters this week, but still haven’t taken full control of the village, despite committing significant resources. In response, the Armed Forces of Ukraine conducted a series of successful counterattacks near Nadiivka and in the direction of Novoelyzavetivka. Ukrainian troops also launched attacks near Uspenivka toward Solone, and just a few days ago, they cut off the enemy’s advance on Novooleksandrivka.

In other areas on the right flank of the Pokrovsk front, constant back-and-forth counterattacks continue without significant territorial changes. These actions by our defenders are significantly slowing down the Russian offensive and reducing their operational capacity. Although Russian forces claimed two months ago that they would soon enter the Dnipropetrovsk region, they are currently stalled—advancing just 2–3 km per month.

Offensive on Kostiantynivka and Toretsk

While the Defense Forces are holding back the Russians in Chasiv Yar, the enemy is attempting to advance toward Kostiantynivka from the south. Their offensive through Toretsk had stalled for a long nine months, so two weeks ago, in an effort to accelerate the campaign, they opened a new front from the Avdiivka direction. However, this new offensive has largely failed.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 29 - April 5, Photo: Espreso

An entire army, redeployed from the Kurakhove front, managed to advance just 2 kilometers in two weeks, capturing Panteleimonivka and partially entering Oleksandropil, but failed to consolidate its positions there. The advance from Panteleimonivka toward Valentynivka was repelled by Ukrainian defenses, as was the offensive from New York toward Shcherbynivka. It’s clear this army lacks the strength to push forward and will need reinforcements—the very ones that had been prepared for a breakthrough toward Kostiantynivka. Deploying them now would effectively mean the offensive has already failed.

Meanwhile, in Toretsk, the situation is changing rapidly. Fierce battles are ongoing for every building, and both sides are constantly bringing in reinforcements. This week, Russian forces managed to capture the neighborhood between the Toretsk mine and the settlement of Krymske.

Lyman crisis

On one hand, a week ago Russian forces achieved a significant breakthrough, advancing 7 kilometers deep into Ukrainian defenses. On the other hand, they were halted on the approaches to Katerynivka, which lies between Lyman and Borova. This week, the invaders made only minimal gains—focused less on advancing forward and more on expanding their newly captured bridgehead, particularly toward the village of Nove and Zelena Dolyna to the south, as well as northward toward Makiivka.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 29 - April 5, Photo: Espreso

Russia’s near-term objective appears to be the complete expulsion of Ukrainian forces from the Luhansk region along the stretch between Katerynivka and the village of Stepy, located on the road between Borova and Svatove. In the longer term, this newly established bridgehead provides the enemy with the option to launch simultaneous offensives—southward toward Borova and westward toward Lyman via Shandryholove.

At present, Ukrainian forces have not been able to cut off this new salient. However, this task may be within reach for the newly formed Ukrainian corps based on the 3rd Assault Brigade.

New threat to Kupiansk

This week, Russian forces managed to advance more than 2 kilometers toward Kindrashivka, which serves as the northern gateway to Kupiansk from the right bank of the Oskil River. Ukrainian forces withdrew and took up defensive positions within the village itself. Previously, four Russian bridgeheads established on the right bank of the Oskil failed to deliver meaningful results, as the invaders, crossing without armored vehicles, lacked offensive potential and were quickly eliminated.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 29 - April 5, Photo: Espreso

As a result, Russian forces have now concentrated on a single direction—the advance on Kupiansk. If the enemy succeeds in fully capturing Kindrashivka, they would have less than 5 kilometers to reach Kupiansk via the main road. However, it is unlikely that this objective will be achievable for the Russians in the coming months.

At the same time, the enemy continues to apply pressure on Zapadne, in Dvorichna, Novomlynsk, and even farther north, aiming to stretch and disperse the Ukrainian defensive capabilities.

Record-breaking March

destroed enemy, Photo: Espreso

In March, the Ukrainian Armed Forces set several unprecedented records in this war. The most notable was the number of enemy personnel eliminated per square kilometer of territory captured by Russian forces. In the first month of spring, Russian troops occupied 133 square kilometers of Ukrainian land but lost 41,160 soldiers—an average of 309 servicemen per square kilometer.

destroed enemy, Photo: Espreso

For comparison: the average for all of 2024 was 130 per km², rising to 150 in January. This means that in March, the pace of the Russian advance significantly declined, while their losses remained consistently high.

Other records set by the Defense Forces reinforce this trend. The downing of over 4,000 tactical-level drones points both to a rise in Russian drone-based attacks and improved Ukrainian counter-drone capabilities. The destruction of more than 3,500 vehicles highlights a sharp reduction in the enemy’s armored assets. And the elimination of 1,644 artillery systems directly reflects the increasing effectiveness of Ukraine’s drone warfare and counter-battery operations.

destroed enemy, Photo: Espreso

The maps were created based on information from the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ General Staff, as well as other open and verified sources. At the same time, the maps are not fully accurate and only approximately reflect trends in the combat zone.