Ukraine in Brief:
The 26th day of the heroic opposition of the Ukrainian people to the russian military invasion continues.
Ukraine continues to maintain the line of defense of a united Europe, thanks to the active opposition to the russian aggressor of the Defense Forces in cooperation with civil society.
In Kyiv and Chernihiv Oblasts, the enemy is trying to organize engineering equipment for positions to conduct positional defense and restore their units’ logistics.
The enemy continues to insidiously destroy the infrastructure in the captured cities, launch missile and bomb strikes on peaceful neighborhoods of Ukrainian cities and villages, rob, kidnap and take hostage civilians.
In the direction of Chernihiv, the enemy did not conduct offensive operations. Russian occuption troops continued to fire on the positions of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and densely populated areas of the city.
The enemy suffered heavy losses and was stopped while attempting to attack Brovary.
Russian occupation troops continue to blockade the city of Sumy.
In the Kharkiv Oblast, the enemy is not conducting active offensive operations. The available forces are trying to block Kharkiv, exert fire on the defensive lines and civilian infrastructure of the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Chuguev.
The occupiers continue to make significant efforts to establish control over Izyum, and the troops are being dispersed in the area. The enemy is trying to strengthen the group, arranges a strip of strongholds.
In the Donetsk Oblast, the enemy is conducting assault operations and conducting fire raids along the entire contact line. Russian occupation troops tried to break through the defense of AFU’s positions in the Avdiivka direction, were unsuccessful, suffered losses, and retreated.
In Mykolaiv Oblast, the enemy tries to keep earlier occupied frontiers, carries out actions to restore combat capability, and replenish stocks.
Northern Oblasts
Kyiv
The situation is difficult but under control. The capital remains the main target of the occupiers, despite their failures in the offensive. According to British intelligence, most russians remain 25 kilometers from the center of Kyiv. https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1505786552332529665
At night in the Podilskyi district of Kyiv, there were several explosions in the area of one of the shopping centers. The attack killed eight people.
Kyiv Oblast
Constant battles in the direction of the Zhytomyr highway. Shelling in Gostomel, Bucha, Irpin, Makariv communities. Makariv was liberated from the occupiers and thus cut off russian occupation troops from the M-06 highway.
The humanitarian catastrophe is in Ivankivska, Dymerska, and Poliska communities. Slavutych is completely isolated.
The evacuation was successful in Vorzel.
The radiation in the Chornobyl zone has deteriorated and can only worsen if the situation does not change. https://t.me/snriugovua/172 Forest fires are occurring in radioactively contaminated areas and cannot be extinguished in time due to the russian occupation of the Exclusion Zone.
Zhytomyr Oblast
Zhytomyr Oblast was shelled for the first time from Grad. The missiles fell near Zhytomyr and Korostyshiv.
Sumy Oblast
Russian occupation troops are trying to block Sumy. Today they damaged a 50-ton ammonia tank in Sumy on the territory of PJSC Sumykhimprom, which caused a slight leak. Around 7 am, the leak was localized.
Russian occupation troops fired heavy artillery at private homes in Trostyanets. Three older people died.
Chernihiv Oblast
The occupiers arrest government officials of the temporarily occupied communities in Chernihiv Oblast. The car fleet of the Sivershchyna resistance forces is being actively replenished with trophy equipment of the occupiers. There is no gas, electricity, or communication in Chernihiv. Locals prepare food on the street.
Eastern Oblasts
Kharkiv Oblast
The occupiers are trying to block Kharkiv and are making significant efforts to control Izyum. Thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the russians have significantly reduced their presence in the sky over Kharkiv. Borys Romanchenko, a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp, died in the shelling in Kharkiv.
A russian fighter jet was shot down near Chuguev, and two drones were destroyed in the Kharkiv region.
Donetsk Oblast
Bakhmut
There is no military action, but the situation is tense. Police officers are conducting intensive patrols of community streets. The State Emergency Service is also working in an intensified mode. The city infrastructure is operating normally. Utilities are operational.
Refugees from the city of Popasna arrive in the town. City officials, activists, and volunteers are preparing to receive internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Kramatorsk
The situation remains alarming. At night there was a blow near the airport. There is no information about the destruction and the victims. The AFU, together with the Territorial Defense Forces, are preparing to meet the enemy. The Territorial Defense patrols the city.
A cargo of levothyroxine, which is necessary for patients with thyroid disease, has arrived in the city. The Clinical Department of Donetsk National Medical University employees provides consultations by phone. Receipt and distribution of humanitarian aid continue. Volunteers help with the evacuation of the population at the train station.
Pokrovsk and Pokrovsk District
Russian aircraft and artillery attacked Avdiivka and its suburbs. One civilian is currently known to be killed, and two are injured. As a result of enemy shelling, damages were recorded in 15 places.
The AFU repel the enemy. The Territorial Defense Forces stand guard together with the police. Municipal Engineering workers have reported no accidents for the past 24 hours. Communal establishments function on a full-time basis. The list of addresses with anti-radiation shelters has been updated and clarified in the Pokrovsk City Council. Activists and volunteers help to arrange shelters.
About 80 Avdiivka and Velyka Novosilka residents were evacuated to safer places in the Pokrovsk District.
The russian occupiers continue to ruthlessly kill civilians in Donetsk Oblast, attacking with airstrikes, banned cluster munitions, and heavy artillery. Today 33 children were rescued out of the enemy fire. Foreign donors sent humanitarian aid to children, particularly the Center for Psychosocial Rehabilitation.
Volnovakha
The situation on the community’s territory is quiet now. The place of hostilities has shifted. The occupiers continue repressions, capture boys, and compile lists of active residents. In the settlements of the community, the occupiers are shooting people. In Ivanyvka, 6 people have already been shot; in Kalynove, father and son were shot.
Residents move freely. They can go to Dokuchaievsk and Donetsk. Many people have left. People in Volnovakha suffer from a humanitarian crisis, and they have nothing left.
The ministry of emergenсy situations of russia takes people to the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts. The occupiers compile lists of people, but do not inform the reason.
People came out of the basements where they were during hostilities and had no access to information. Now they are shocked by the horrors they see around.
Mariupol
Today is the twenty-first day of the Mariupol blockade. The Azov Regiment deputy commander notes that the city is bombed every 10 minutes. About 300,000 residents have been left without electricity, food, heat, and communications for the third week now.
The frontline is located in the city center. The enemy fires even with such heavy flamethrower systems as Solntsepek. Russians kidnap people from temporarily occupied territories of Mariupol. They forcibly separate children from their parents and take them to russia.
Luhansk Oblast
Russian occupation troops have forcibly taken 2389 children from temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts to russia. Forcible deportation of civilians to the territory of the aggressor state shows signs of abduction and is a gross violation of international law. Rubizhne and Popasna are under Ukrainian control.
Southern Oblasts
Zaporizhzhia Oblast
Russian occupation troops are trying to keep the occupied territories under control. The russian occupiers continue to terrorize the locals and loot Vasylivka, Polohy, Melitopol, and Berdyansk Districts.
The occupiers are actively searching for and detaining pro-Ukrainian activists, officials, Anti-Terrorist Operation / Joint Forces Operation members, and members of their families. At the same time, they try to create a positive image of themselves by distributing food to civilians and continue to spread misinformation and propaganda actively.
Several cases of russian occupation troops deploying personnel, weapons, and vehicles on civilian infrastructure have been noticed. The occupiers continue shelling settlements and civilian infrastructure. The most alarming situation is in the village of Kamianske.
The Ukrainian military is resisting the enemy. The Ukrainian army disabled one enemy armored personnel carrier and armored multipurpose light tractor (MTLB). A convoy of russian military vehicles was also destroyed, including two armored combat vehicles, Tigers, and a Kamaz truck.
As a result of artillery shelling in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, five high-voltage substations were de-energized. Polohy, Rozivka, Vasylivka, Huliaipole, and Orikhiv communities were partially left without electricity supply. Problems with electricity supply also arise in occupied Berdyansk, where the city’s power grids cannot withstand the power system load.
Zaporizhzhia
Multiple air raid alerts wailed in the city; nevertheless, the situation remains comparatively calm. By March 21st, the humanitarian hubs in Zaporizhzhia have processed 25,321 IDPs, of them 6,453 children. Most of them are Mariupol residents. All of them receive primary mandatory social, humanitarian assistance and health care. The evacuees can rest before going further to save regions by train or personal transport. Almost a thousand of them have decided to stay in Zaporizhzhia.
Vasylivka
Russian invaders spread false information about the alleged shelling of the city with artillery and BM 21 Grad MRLs of the Ukrainian defenders. The fake news has been officially refuted: according to the Ivan Arefiev, AFU Colonel and Zaporizhzhya Oblast Military Administration Spokesperson, the Ukrainian military did not carry out – and have never carried out – any military action of danger to life and limb of the civil population in cities and villages of the Oblast.
Melitopol
Russian invaders kidnapped several Melitopolski Vedomosti media outlet employees and Mykhailo Kumov, MV-Holding owner. The aggressors press them to collaborate.
Kamyanske
On March 20th, the russian occupation troops launched a two-hour-long shelling of the village of Kamyanske, Vasylivsky District. The enemy fired from Grad MRLs, mortars, SPGs, and a tank at residential areas. Several buildings were ruined, others caught fire. The number of victims is yet to be announced. Video on the topic from the Military Television of Ukraine: https://youtu.be/V5YIkorfaJ8.
Kherson Oblast
Russians in the temporarily occupied Kherson Oblast terrorise the local population and abduct politicians, activists, and journalists. Today, they released Oleh Baturyn, a journalist who was held in captivity for eight days. He described the inhumane conditions, beatings, and tortures he was subjected to only because of his affiliation to the media. According to Oleh, the invaders show what other journalists are to expect. Besides that, the aggressors try forcing them to collaborate.
They also kidnapped Oleksandr Shapoval, Berislav Mayor, whose whereabouts currently remain unknown.
In Kherson, the invaders opened fire against a peaceful protest against the occupation.
Skadovsk
The city is teeming with orcs. A fire was opened against peaceful residents at a meeting; some were wounded. The orcs halted the humanitarian aid that had to reach the Kherson Oblast and Skadovsk a day before. The AFU hold the lines and control the situation. The Territorial Defense Forces patrol the city. The local government calls upon the locals to stick together and keep calm. Food supplies are to be organised in the nearest future. People do not panic and engage in volunteer activities. The situation is bad yet stable. There is no calm in the city, but no blasts are heard. The town needs a humanitarian/green corridor. There are practically no medicines or infant formula available.
Odesa Oblast
According to British intelligence, the russian military tries to go around Mykolayiv, where they sustain losses and advance towards Odesa. https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1505658994987261957 At the same time, their navy continues shelling the city.
In the morning, Odesa was subjected to shelling from naval artillery. Several buildings were destroyed.
Central Oblasts
Kirovohrad Oblast
Kropyvnytskyi
The situation in the Oblast is under control. Air raid alerts would go off from time to time during the day. The AFU protect the limits of the Oblast and its military facilities. The Territorial Defense Forces keep watch at checkpoints and join the police to patrol the city. The health care institutions in Kropyvnytskyi are ready to employ surgeons and anaesthesiologists from among IDPs, promising full employment and accommodation. The locals hosting IDPs are eligible for financial compensation for the utility costs. More than 40 members of the Zoryany Academic Music, Singing, and Dancing Theatre have engaged in preparing meals for the service members and announced a concert to the Victory Day of Ukraine. A Telegram channel for the humanitarian center in Kropyvtytskyi has been launched.
The President awarded Andriy Norov, a graduate from the Kropyvnytskyi School No.1, with the title of the Hero of Ukraine (posthumously).
Poltava Oblast
It is calm in the Oblast. There was an air raid alert in Poltava, Myrhorod, and Lubny. The AFU continue their firing drills. The coordination center that deals with the reception and accommodation of IDPs is working round-the-clock. Humanitarian cargoes are delivered to ‘hot spots’ short of food supplies. IDPs are involved in humanitarian aid loading and distribution. Distribution of infant formula has begun for IDP families. Military hospitals admit wounded service members, and civil clinics provide Poltava residents and IDPs with health care services. Local police officers in the Oblast checked 858 vehicles, 1,753 suspects, 12 potential enemy collaborators in the past 24 hours. 1 vehicle was impounded, and two individuals were subjected to public works. Within the past 24 hours, the hotline for IDPs received 120 calls; 147 appeals transferred via the hotline for IDPs were processed. There are 1,510 IDPs officially registered to stay in the Poltava Oblast.
Vinnytsia Oblast
The Vinnytsia mayor calls upon all the entrepreneurs to resume operation. The situation in the city is relatively calm. It is calm in Zhmerynka. The Territorial Defense Forces are patrolling the city. The infrastructure operates in normal mode.
Western Oblasts
Lviv Oblast
The situation in the Oblast is unsettling, with five air raid alerts in the past 24 hours. 218 Lviv Oblast residents were mobilised in the past 24 hours. Since the beginning of the war, the total number of mobilised Oblast residents made almost 28 500. The Lviv Oblast Military Administration (OMA) received its first Starlink set from SpaceX Company.
Mostyska is to host an Israeli clinic to treat IDPs. The clinic will operate as a field hospital. More than a thousand new IDPs arrived in the Oblast. Since the beginning of the war, the Oblast provided shelter for almost 211 thousand. The photo of Lviv meeting IDPs: https://www.facebook.com/kozytskyy.maksym.official/posts/362783905856185.
A day before, the Oblast sent nearly 1,200 tons of humanitarian cargoes to various regions of Ukraine. Specifically, the aid went to Chernihiv, Kharkiv Oblasts, and Kyiv. Despite high fines for deadwood burning in the Oblast, fires destroyed more than 27 ha in the previous 24 hours. The rescuers liquidated 82 fires.
Drohobych
U.S. doctors are assisting IDPs at the premises of Bohdan Lepkyi Lyceum in the city. The city is to arrange sightseeing tours for IDPs. For the announcement by the City Council, please go to: https://www.facebook.com/DrogRada/posts/4411776505590676.
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast
Air raid alerts went off three times today in Ivano-Frankivsk. The city continues working on the home front, supporting the AFU and IDPs. There are social canteens offering meals at affordable prices. The city receives humanitarian aid from abroad. The honorary consul of a neighboring country transferred a hundred tourniquets to Ivano-Frankivsk. These will be sent to the front line.
Rivne Oblast
Rivne
The situation is under control though tense. There were six air raid alerts during the day. The military patrols the border with Belarus on the background of continuing alerts of the threat of an offensive on Volyn.
The Rivne Oblast Military Administration Head informed about two missile strikes against a general military training area in the Oblast. The citizens are united and provide volunteer centers with tangible and intangible support.
Zdovbytsia
Air sirens sounded three times during the day. An active patrolling of streets and checkpoints continue. A resident who had valiantly died on the battlefield was awarded the Bravery Order, 3rd Grade (posthumously). The volunteers work daily to provide the military and those who’ve decided to stay in the east of Ukraine with necessary products and materials.
Khmelnytskyi Oblast
Khmelnytskyi
The situation in the city is under control. The city accommodates everyone forced to leave their home to russian invaders. Another yet batch of humanitarian cargo of medicines, medical devices, and wheelchairs reached the city from the Vatican. The cargo was delivered with assistance from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church community in Novara, Italy. The received cargo will be distributed as per requests to where needed the most. Maryna Krut, a local singer, launched an open-air concert to boost the spirit and the will to fight the invaders.
Kamyanets-Podilskyi
The situation in the community is relatively calm and under control. Air raid alerts went off several times a day. The AFU keep with their statutory responsibilities. The Territorial Defense Forces patrol the city, protect strategic facilities, and keeps watch at checkpoints. 250 newcomers reached the town in the past 24 hours. The total number of IDPs officially registered with reception stations stands at 14,000. The city expects centralized evacuation trains with IDPs. The processing of humanitarian aid continues. The aid and specialised equipment for NSE rescuers have been delivered today. A staff meeting involving the city mayor took place to decide on a share in wages to be channeled to satisfy the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Masterclasses for internally displaced children continue.
Chernivtsi Oblast (Bukovyna)
The situation in the community is relatively calm and controlled. In the Chernivtsi Oblast, an entrepreneur makes buggies for the Ukrainian army for free: such machines can help deliver weapons quickly or pick up the wounded.
Residents are demanding an end to the war, supportting the call to close the sky over Ukraine, and trying to convey its importance to others. For this purpose, an artistic action «Вільне небо/Free Sky» will be held in Bukovyna.
About two tons of humanitarian aid were delivered to the Kharkiv Oblast. 15 ambulances were handed over to Bukovyna by the Italian government.
Zakarpattia Oblast
The situation in the oblast is calm. However, there was an air alarm. In Zakarpattia Oblast, video recorders were banned to avoid disclosure of information about the performance of military and the Territorial Defense Forces tasks.
Almost 220 thousand people from other regions of Ukraine now live in Zakarpattia Oblast. More than 12,000 citizens left the Zakarpattia checkpoints in a day.
A memorial plaque dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the reunification of Ukraine and russia was dismantled in Uzhhorod. Arsonists continue to burn dryness. There were 59 cases of arson during the day, which is 92 hectares of land.
