[Korrespondent] 23:19 An air alert has been declared in many regions of Ukraine. According to the speaker of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Ignat, in the Kyiv region, the Defense Forces destroyed several drones of the Shahed type, there are also shots down in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
23:16 Ukraine this week will take part in the Summit for Democracy, which will be held this week at the initiative of Biden and the United States, Zelensky said.
22:47 Zelensky said in an evening video message that for the first time he held a meeting of the Headquarters on the road - in Dnipro: "It is here - in the strategic city of the center of our country, after visiting Marganets and Nikopol, Zaporozhye, the advanced positions of our soldiers in the Zaporozhye region. Commanders of operational areas reported the actual situation - General Syrsky, General Tarnavsky - they were in person; those who lead the defense in the Donetsk region, in the hottest areas. There were also online reports from the commanders of the joint strategic groupings of troops covering the south and north. There was a report from the commander-in-chief, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate MO".
The President thanked the intelligence fighters "for their powerful work today in Bakhmut, the Kraken unit is, as always, on top." At Headquarters, we discussed the general situation in the front-line areas, the strengthening and protection of the frontiers along the entire length of the front - from the Kherson region to the Kharkov region.
22:08 The meeting of the UN Security Council in connection with Russia's plans to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus will take place on March 28 or 29, said US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Richard Mills.
21:40 France plans to buy 40 Mirage 2000-9 fighters from the UAE in order to transfer them to Ukraine, writes Intelligence Online.
21:16 About 2,000 local residents remain in Avdiivka, among them there are children, said the head of the GVA Vitaliy Barabash. According to him, the city repeats the fate of Maryinka: "Everyone saw these terrible shots that Maryinka is now. These are not even horror films, these are some post-apocalyptic stories in Maryinka now. And every day Avdiivka really turns into Maryinka."
21:02 Zelensky said that he visited the Nikopol district in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which is constantly under enemy shelling: "I discussed the consequences of terrorist attacks on Nikopol, Marganets and other settlements in the region. Almost 5,000 buildings in the district were damaged or destroyed, including medical and educational institutions. citizens are provided with the necessary assistance.
20:39 Scholz confirmed that the Leopard 2 tanks promised by the German government have arrived in Ukraine.
20:13 The Russians attacked Nikopol and the Marganets community of the Dnipropetrovsk region with a kamikaze drone, one person was injured, the head of the OVA, Serhiy Lysak, said.
19:41 Reznikov showed the replenishment in the Ukrainian reinforced units: Challenger from the UK, Stryker & Cougar from the USA and Marder from Germany. “By the way, after personal “piloting” by the Challenger, as a participant in trophy raids, I can say that even a Rolls Royce driver will not be in such comfort as the crew of this work of martial art on the roads. So, in the bottom line: our “military The zoo is expanding. And the "elephant" joined the "fighting cats". This is how our paratroopers called the Challenger," the minister wrote.
19:35 Putin announced his intention to place nuclear weapons in Belarus, which alarmed the whole world. About what is the essence of the nuclear rhetoric of the Russian dictator - in the material Nuclear blackmail .
19:13 Russia, in exchange for Shahed drones, supplies Iran with cyber weapons, including means for digital surveillance, writes The Wall Street Journal. According to the sources of the publication among US and Iranian officials, cooperation between Moscow and Tehran has intensified after the latter agreed to provide, in addition to drones, short-range missiles and tank and artillery shells.
19:11 A telephone conversation appeared on the network, supposedly between Russian producer Iosif Prigogine and ex-member of the Federation Council and billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov. On the recording, the interlocutors harshly criticize the Russian authorities, in particular Vladimir Putin, for unleashing a war against Ukraine. Read more in the material Satan and the Dummy .
18:55 Mobilization in Ukraine has been ongoing since February 24, 2022, and there are no waves, Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar said: "If you see headlines about mobilization, this is the everyday reality of war, not news. But for a calm perception of realities, you need to know that there are no waves of mobilization. Everything is proceeding as planned. The need for mobilization depends on the development of the situation at the front - these are obvious things, this is not news."
18:46 The most fierce battles are now going on for Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Maryinka. The Russian army is concentrating its main efforts on conducting offensive operations in the Limansky, Bakhmutsky, Avdeevsky and Maryinsky directions, the General Staff said in an evening summary. During the day, units of the Defense Forces repulsed 41 attacks in the indicated directions.
On the Avdeevsky and Maryinsky directions, the enemy used non-lethal aerosol "tear" grenades in the areas of the settlements of Novokalinovo, Lastochkino, Pervomayskoye and Maryinka.
18:29 Russia's plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus are not new to Ukrainian intelligence, and Putin only raises the stakes with his statements, said Andrei Yusov, spokesman for the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense.
He recalled that back in January, Ukrainian intelligence warned that Putin could use the territory of Belarus for nuclear provocations. And Lukashenka made it clear that this is one of the scenarios for the development of events. In particular, changes were made to the constitution of the Republic of Belarus. In addition, it was announced about the deployment of the Iskander complex in Belarus, which can carry nuclear weapons.
Yusov also made it clear that the Main Intelligence Directorate knows where the nuclear weapons storage facility is being built in Belarus: "Nothing can go unnoticed here during the movement of nuclear weapons and the construction of such facilities ... But why should we disclose this now."
18:22 Moscow considers "absolutely unacceptable" Yerevan's plans to join the Rome Statute of the ICC against the backdrop of "illegal" orders against the Russian leadership, propagandistic media write, citing a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry. Armenia was warned about the "extremely negative" consequences of these possible steps for bilateral relations.
The Constitutional Court of Armenia previously recognized the obligations enshrined in the Rome Statute as consistent with the constitution. The next step should be ratification in Parliament.
17:46 The Russians have been shelling Berislav of the Kherson region from aviation and artillery all day, said the head of the OVA, Alexander Prokudin. Three people are known to have been injured, two of them in serious condition. The shelling continues.
17:11 In the area of Rozovka, located on the border of the Zaporozhye and Donetsk regions, the Russians began to urgently build protective structures from concrete "dragon's teeth." They were noticed along the Mariupol-Nikolskoe-Pologi-Orekhov-Zaporozhye highway, Piotr Andryushchenko, adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, said.
He also said that in Mariupol air defense systems from the Central and Primorsky districts were moved by the invaders to the Left Bank.
17:05 18 Leopard 2 tanks promised by Germany have already arrived in Ukraine , writes Spiegel. Also, about 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles were transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
16:44 In Slavyansk, the number of wounded as a result of a Russian strike has increased to 32, two people died, the National Police reported. Five injured are in serious condition, the rescue operation continues.
16:27 The European Union is waiting for Lukashenka's reaction to Russia's initiative to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus. If Minsk confirms these intentions, then this "will not go unnoticed", said European Commission spokesman for foreign policy Peter Stano: "This could mean an escalation, a threat to European security that will not go unanswered by the member countries ... But We have not yet seen any confirmation from the Belarusian side that such a step is on the agenda or is already taking place."
16:21 The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, said that he visited the Dnieper hydroelectric power station in the Zaporozhye region, where he met with Zelensky. According to Grossi, this hydroelectric power plant is an integral part of the system that ensures the nuclear safety of ZNPP. Zelensky showed Grossi a dam damaged by Russian shelling.
15:56 Zelensky said that today he is at the forefront in the Zaporozhye region.
15:34 A foreigner was arrested in Poland on suspicion of spying for the Russian Federation. According to counterintelligence, the suspect collected data on the critical infrastructure of several provinces, as well as on the activities of departments responsible for security. The received information was passed on to the Russian special services. In total, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 20 people have been detained in Poland, suspected of collaborating with Russian or Belarusian intelligence.
14:58 In the occupied Novotroitsk of the Donetsk region, after the explosion, the composition of the BC is detonated, said the adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, Petr Andryushchenko.
14:25 Beijing said that under no circumstances should a nuclear war be unleashed. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning, it is necessary to "focus on the diplomatic solution of problems." She also referred to the joint statement of the leaders of the nuclear states, made on January 5, 2022, which states that it is impossible to win a nuclear war. "The statement emphasized that wars between states possessing nuclear weapons should be avoided and strategic risks should be reduced," Mao Ning recalled.
She also stressed that under the current circumstances, "all parties should focus their efforts on a diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis" and "jointly help to defuse the situation."
13:51 The death toll from the Russian strike on the center of Slavyansk has risen to two, 29 people were injured, said Pavel Kirilenko, head of the OVA.
13:33 Peskov said that the reaction of the West will not affect Russia's plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.
13:09 The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in its report on human rights in Ukraine, noted that searches in the premises of the UOC-MP may be of a "discriminatory nature." Oleg Nikolenko, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, commented on this statement: "Ukraine is a democratic state in which freedom of religion is guaranteed. At the same time, freedom is not identical with the right to engage in activities that undermine national security. We call on OHCHR to refrain from unbalanced political assessments, and base its reports on facts" .
12:33 Avdiivka Donetsk region - in the "red zone", visiting the city is prohibited for volunteers and journalists, said the head of the city military administration Vitaliy Barabash.
12:30 In Slavyansk, as a result of Russian shelling, at least one person died, 25 were injured , the rescue operation continues, Pavel Kirilenko, head of the OVA, said. Administrative and office buildings, five high-rise buildings and seven private houses were destroyed. The Russians hit the city center around 10:30 with two S-300 missiles.
In addition, at the same time, Druzhkovka was hit by missiles: two S-300 missiles hit the Druzhkovka orphanage and almost completely destroyed it. According to preliminary information, there are no victims or injured in Druzhkovka.
11:57 The Russians fired at Slovyansk, Donetsk region, there are dead and injured, the rubble is being cleared, Zelensky said.
11:29 Russian media write that in Mariupol they blew up the car of "the head of the city police department" Mikhail Moskvin, he was shell-shocked.
11:18 Thanks to the Mits project . Ukrainian kam'yana , in which Ukrainians bought salt from Soledar, managed to raise over 58.5 million hryvnias for kamikaze drones for the GUR. For this money, intelligence will receive more than 2,200 FPV drones, said Mikhail Fedorov, head of the Ministry of Digital Development.
10:45 The International Criminal Court is going to issue new warrants for the arrest of citizens of the Russian Federation - for deliberate strikes on civilian infrastructure, writes The New York Times, citing sources.
10:38 Erdogan, during a conversation with Putin, called on him to immediately end the war in Ukraine, the Turkish Communications Department said. Also, the Turkish leader "emphasized the importance that Turkey attaches to the immediate cessation of Russian-Ukrainian conflicts through negotiations."
10:10 British intelligence believes that the threat from drones is limiting the operations of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, although the latest attacks have not caused damage to any military installations.
10:07 Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky once again visited the hottest spots of the Bakhmut direction. According to the Ministry of Defense, the commander "made a number of operational decisions aimed at strengthening our capabilities to deter and defeat the enemy."
According to Syrsky, the most intense phase of the battle for Bakhmut is now underway: "The situation is consistently difficult. The enemy is suffering significant losses in human resources, weapons and military equipment, but continues to conduct offensive operations."
The commander emphasized that the defense of Bakhmut "is due to military necessity and is based on the competent use of the city's defensive capabilities, erected fortifications and equipped firing structures." “We are considering all possible scenarios for the development of events and will act adequately to the current situation,” Syrsky assured.
09:56 In Mariupol, an explosion thundered in the area of the Bakhchivandzhi market (Primorsky district, Builders Avenue) in the morning. According to preliminary information, the car of one of the commanders of the occupiers exploded, Mayor of Mariupol Vadym Boychenko said.
09:23 In the Donetsk region on March 26, as a result of Russian shelling, one person was killed (in Krasnogorovka), two more were injured. There are four wounded in the Kherson region, according to the IVA.
09:19 Russian publics write that Rustam Muradov, commander of the Eastern Group of Forces of the Russian Federation, has been removed from his post. It was he who was responsible for the failed assaults near Ugledar. Muradov was recently promoted to the rank of Colonel General.
09:16 The Insider writes that the former Berkut officer Valery Astakhov is involved in the abuse of Ukrainian children who were taken to Crimea. The journalists showed photos of Astakhov to the boy who told about the beating of Ukrainian children in the camp, and he recognized him. In the Druzhba camp in Evpatoria, Astakhov took the children to the basement, showed a stick and threatened that he would beat them for supporting Ukraine.
09:07 Mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov reported several explosions in the occupied city. According to him, the building where the enemy power structures are located was damaged. In turn, the local "authorities" announced an "attempted shelling" of the city by "Ukrainian militants", four people were injured, several buildings were damaged.
08:54 The General Staff announced the approximate losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of March 27.
- personnel - about 171,160 (+610) people liquidated,
- tanks - 3595 (+0),
- armored combat vehicles - 6953 (+6),
- artillery systems - 2638 (+7),
- MLRS - 523 (+1),
- air defense systems - 277 (+0),
- aircraft - 305 (+0),
- helicopters - 291 (+0),
- UAV operational-tactical level - 2216 (+0),
- cruise missiles - 911 (+0),
- ships/boats - 18 (+0),
- automotive equipment and tankers - 5493 (+7),
- special equipment - 285 (+3).
08:27 The Russian army is concentrating its main efforts on conducting offensive operations in the Kupyansky, Limansky, Bakhmutsky, Avdeevsky and Maryinsky directions. Over the past day, the defense forces have repelled more than 60 enemy attacks, the General Staff said in a morning report .
03:43 Ukrainian crews returned home after training in Britain on Challenger 2 tanks, reports The Guardian. The training of Ukrainians started in January, immediately after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the transfer of 14 Challenger 2 tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The curator of the training mission, Lieutenant Colonel John Stone, noted the high level of competence of the Ukrainian military.
03:15 The White House does not yet see signs that Russia could already move its nuclear weapons to the territory of Belarus, said John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council. He also noted that the United States will monitor the likely movement of nuclear weapons, if it takes place.
02:18 The French Foreign Ministry condemned Putin's statement on the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus and called on Russia to abandon this idea. French diplomats called the agreement between the Russian Federation and Belarus "an additional element of the erosion of the international architecture of arms control and strategic stability in Europe."
00:09 Zelensky said in an evening video message that he had held a special meeting with the military, as well as meetings with the security sector, with intelligence. "Defence, strengthening our defense - both from external threats and from internal threats. We are preparing our response steps," the president said.
He also called it "wrong and unfair when our fighters, who come from the front line, have the feeling that for many in the rear the war is already over." The President called on every Ukrainian to "support our fighters whenever possible," to join volunteer meetings whenever possible, participate in information work, and spread the truth about aggression.
Zelensky also said that he met with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom and the UNICEF team, discussed the restoration of Ukraine, school infrastructure, and agreed to work together on several areas. In particular, this is the issue of the return of Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia by force, the creation of bomb shelters and the technical support of distance learning in those areas and areas where it is impossible to study offline.