Nightwatch logo
'Nightwatch' text with white and gray letters
Historical Intelligence

Situation Report

Archived operational intelligence briefing

Report Time
2025-03-17 19:16:05Z
11 months ago
Previous (2025-03-17 19:02:36Z)

Updated Analysis of the Military Situation in Ukraine: March 17, 2025, 19:15 UTC

Key Changes and Developments (19:02 UTC - 19:15 UTC)

  1. CONTINUED, WIDESPREAD DRONE ATTACK (EXTREME PRIORITY, CONFIRMED, MULTIPLE SOURCES):

    • Николаевский Ванёк (19:12 UTC): Provided detailed drone movement updates:
      • 1 drone west of Kropyvnytskyi, heading west.
      • 1 drone in the south of Kirovohrad Oblast, heading towards Pervomaisk district of Mykolaiv Oblast.
      • 2 drones near Kryvyi Rih (potential for loud explosions).
      • 6 drones heading towards/through Samar/Pavlohrad (potential for loud explosions).
      • 9 drones north and northwest of Dnipro - under attack.
      • 2 drones south of Dnipro, heading west.
      • 1 drone entering Kharkiv (potential for loud explosions).
      • 2 drones south of Kharkiv, heading south.
      • 1 drone heading towards/through Chuhuiv.
      • 1 drone heading towards/through Balakliia.
      • 3 drones in the area of Krasnohrad, Kharkiv Oblast.
      • 4 drones south of Poltava, heading west.
      • 1 drone near Myrhorod.
    • Повітряні Сили ЗС України / Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (19:13 UTC): Reports guided aerial bombs towards Balakliia, Kharkiv Oblast.
    • *🇺🇦Сергій Лисак / Дніпропетровська ОДА (ОВА)* (19:04 UTC): Reports a drone attack in the Dnipro region, advising people to take cover.
      
      • Assessment: The MASSIVE, MULTI-DIRECTIONAL DRONE ATTACK CONTINUES. The WIDE GEOGRAPHIC SPREAD and MULTIPLE TARGETS indicate a COORDINATED EFFORT to OVERWHELM UKRAINIAN AIR DEFENSES and STRIKE STRATEGIC LOCATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. KROPYVNYTSKYI, PERVOMAISK, KRYVYI RIH, SAMAR/PAVLOHRAD, DNIPRO, KHARKIV, CHUHUIIV, BALAKLIIA, KRASNOHRAD, POLTAVA, and MYRHOROD are under IMMEDIATE THREAT. The use of GUIDED AERIAL BOMBS towards BALAKLIIA signifies an ESCALATION of the AIR ATTACK.
  2. FIGHTING IN ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION (HIGH PRIORITY, REPORTED, RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN SOURCES):

    • Colonelcassad (19:02 UTC): Claims Ukrainian forces are SURRENDERING in the ZAPORIZHZHIA DIRECTION, near MALI SHCHERBAKY. Reports three Ukrainian soldiers contacted a Russian unit via a chatbot to coordinate their surrender.
    • ЦАПЛІЄНКО_UKRAINE FIGHTS (19:14 UTC): Reports Russian forces have INTENSIFIED activity in the ZAPORIZHZHIA DIRECTION, attempting to BREACH the PIATYKHATKY-MALI SHCHERBAKY line. Claims the Russian 108th Airborne Assault Regiment is attacking Ukrainian positions near Mali Shcherbaky and Piatykhatky and is attempting to gain a foothold on the road near Stepove. Includes a map image showing contested areas.
      • Assessment: These reports CONFLICT regarding the SITUATION in the ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION. The RUSSIAN CLAIM of UKRAINIAN SURRENDER may be PROPAGANDA, while the UKRAINIAN REPORT indicates INTENSIFIED RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE ACTIVITY along a SPECIFIC LINE. INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION is NEEDED to CONFIRM THE CLAIMS and ASSESS THE EXTENT OF RUSSIAN ADVANCES. The CONVERGENCE of BOTH REPORTS on the MALI SHCHERBAKY area HIGHLIGHTS this as a KEY BATTLE ZONE.
  3. POTENTIAL SECURITY INCIDENT IN KYIV (MEDIUM PRIORITY, REPORTED, UKRAINIAN SOURCES):

    • РБК-Україна (19:08 UTC): Reports the VOKZALNA metro station in KYIV is TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to a SUSPICIOUS BOX. Trains are passing without stopping. Explosive ordnance disposal teams are on the scene.
  • Оперативний ЗСУ (19:14): Reports a security threat and the closing of the Vokzalna metro station.
    • Assessment: This indicates a POTENTIAL SECURITY THREAT in KYIV, though the NATURE OF THE THREAT is UNCLEAR. The CLOSURE OF THE METRO STATION and DEPLOYMENT OF EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TEAMS suggest a PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. Further INFORMATION IS NEEDED to ASSESS THE SITUATION.
  1. OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

    • Дневник Десантника🇷🇺 (19:02 UTC): Asks followers about the potential results of a Trump-Putin meeting.
    • АРХАНГЕЛ СПЕЦНАЗА (19:08): claims that the leaders of the Houthi movement have given orders to flee their homes, in anticipation of US attacks. * Assessment: This suggests HEIGHTENED TENSIONS and POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED US MILITARY ACTION in the RED SEA REGION.
  • Дневник Десантника🇷🇺 (19:06): Asks followers what weapons the Houthis are using. * Оперативний ЗСУ (19:09): Reports that the Trump Administration is considering recognizing Crimea as Russian. * ЦАПЛІЄНКО_UKRAINE FIGHTS (19:11): Reports that the US will put pressure on Russia if Putin does not cooperate.
    • Alex Parker Returns (19:11): Claims a representative of the White House stated that the French do not speak German because of America.
  • РБК-Україна (19:05): Claims the fighting on the Pokrovsk direction stopped because the troops were moved to the Kursk region.

Updated Situation Summary

  • EXTREME PRIORITY:

    • MASSIVE, MULTI-DIRECTIONAL DRONE ATTACK CONTINUES ACROSS UKRAINE. MULTIPLE WAVES and TARGETS ACROSS A WIDE GEOGRAPHIC AREA. GUIDED AERIAL BOMB attacks INCREASE THE THREAT, particularly in KHARKIV OBLAST.
    • INTENSIFIED RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE ACTIVITY in the ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION, particularly near MALI SHCHERBAKY and PIATYKHATKY. CONFLICTING REPORTS regarding UKRAINIAN SURRENDER vs. RUSSIAN ADVANCES.
    • CONFIRMED UKRAINIAN LONG-RANGE STRIKE CAPABILITY with a 3000 KM RANGE DRONE and OTHER "NEPTUNE" MISSILE VARIANTS exceeding 1000 KM RANGE. This is a MAJOR DEVELOPMENT with SIGNIFICANT STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS.
    • INCREASED THREAT OF MISSILE AND GUIDED AERIAL BOMB ATTACKS from MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS, particularly SUMY OBLAST.
    • CLAIMS OF MAJOR UKRAINIAN LOSSES in KURSK REGION, including ABRAMS TANKS, BRADLEY FIGHTING VEHICLES, and M-777 HOWITZERS. URGENT VERIFICATION NEEDED.
  • POTENTIAL UKRAINIAN LONG-RANGE MISSILE STRIKE on OIL REFINERY in TUAPSE on MARCH 14, possibly using a NEW "LONG NEPTUNE" MISSILE. CRITICAL TO VERIFY.

  • HIGH PRIORITY:

    • POTENTIAL SHIFT IN US POLICY regarding RECOGNITION OF CRIMEA AS RUSSIAN TERRITORY. REQUIRES CLOSE MONITORING.
    • POTENTIAL DEPLOYMENT of NATO FORCES to UKRAINE.
    • CONTINUED FIGHTING and REPORTED RUSSIAN ADVANCES in the KURSK REGION.
  • POTENTIAL SECURITY INCIDENT in KYIV.

  • MEDIUM PRIORITY:

    • REPORTS OF BRIDGE DESTRUCTION over the KONKA RIVER in KHERSON OBLAST.
    • CLAIMS OF UKRAINIAN WITHDRAWAL FROM KURSK REGION UNDER FIRE. LIKELY PROPAGANDA.

Updated Recommendations

  1. COUNTER THE ONGOING DRONE ATTACK (EXTREME PRIORITY, IMMEDIATE ACTION):

    • MAINTAIN MAXIMUM ALERT STATUS for AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS across ALL AFFECTED REGIONS, with PARTICULAR FOCUS ON KROPYVNYTSKYI, PERVOMAISK, KRYVYI RIH, SAMAR/PAVLOHRAD, DNIPRO, KHARKIV, CHUHUIIV, BALAKLIIA, KRASNOHRAD, POLTAVA, AND MYRHOROD.
    • PRIORITIZE INTERCEPTING DRONES targeting CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE and POPULATION CENTERS.
    • DEPLOY COUNTER-DRONE MEASURES as AVAILABLE.
    • ISSUE/MAINTAIN WARNINGS to CIVILIANS in AFFECTED AREAS, especially MAJOR CITIES, to SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.
    • PRIORITIZE THE PROTECTION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
    • MONITOR DRONE MOVEMENTS and ADJUST DEFENSES accordingly, using ALL AVAILABLE TRACKING DATA.
    • COORDINATE AIR DEFENSE EFFORTS between DIFFERENT REGIONS to OPTIMIZE COVERAGE.
  • PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL MISSILE AND GUIDED BOMB ATTACKS, especially in BALAKLIIA.
  1. VERIFY AND ASSESS THE SITUATION IN ZAPORIZHZHIA (EXTREME PRIORITY, IMMEDIATE ACTION):

    • URGENTLY GATHER INTELLIGENCE to CONFIRM OR REFUTE BOTH the RUSSIAN CLAIM of UKRAINIAN SURRENDER and the UKRAINIAN REPORT of INTENSIFIED RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE ACTIVITY near MALI SHCHERBAKY and PIATYKHATKY.
      • Use ALL AVAILABLE SOURCES, including HUMAN INTELLIGENCE, SIGNAL INTELLIGENCE, IMAGERY INTELLIGENCE, and OPEN-SOURCE INTELLIGENCE (OSINT).
      • PRIORITIZE IMAGERY INTELLIGENCE to VISUALLY CONFIRM TROOP MOVEMENTS, ENGAGEMENTS, and POTENTIAL CAPTURES.
    • IF RUSSIAN ADVANCES ARE CONFIRMED:
      • REINFORCE UKRAINIAN DEFENSES in the AREA.
      • DEPLOY ANTI-TANK WEAPONS and ARTILLERY to SLOW DOWN RUSSIAN PROGRESS.
      • PREPARE COUNTEROFFENSIVE OPTIONS if FEASIBLE.
    • IF UKRAINIAN SURRENDER IS CONFIRMED:
      • ASSESS THE CIRCUMSTANCES leading to the SURRENDER.
      • INVESTIGATE POTENTIAL MORALE ISSUES or LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS within UKRAINIAN UNITS in the AREA.
  • IF NEITHER CLAIM IS FULLY CONFIRMED, MAINTAIN HEIGHTENED ALERT AND CONTINUE MONITORING.
  1. ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL SECURITY INCIDENT IN KYIV (HIGH PRIORITY, IMMEDIATE ACTION):

    • MONITOR THE SITUATION at the VOKZALNA METRO STATION CLOSELY.
    • SUPPORT THE WORK of EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TEAMS.
    • KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED about the STATUS OF THE STATION and any POTENTIAL THREATS.
    • IF A THREAT IS CONFIRMED, INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE and IMPLEMENT MEASURES to PREVENT FUTURE INCIDENTS.
  2. VERIFY CLAIMS OF MAJOR UKRAINIAN LOSSES (EXTREME PRIORITY, IMMEDIATE ACTION):

    • URGENTLY GATHER INTELLIGENCE to CONFIRM OR REFUTE the REPORTED LOSSES of ABRAMS TANKS, BRADLEY FIGHTING VEHICLES, and M-777 HOWITZERS.
      • Use ALL AVAILABLE SOURCES, including HUMAN INTELLIGENCE, SIGNAL INTELLIGENCE, IMAGERY INTELLIGENCE, and OPEN-SOURCE INTELLIGENCE (OSINT).
      • PRIORITIZE IMAGERY INTELLIGENCE to VISUALLY CONFIRM the PRESENCE OF DESTROYED OR ABANDONED EQUIPMENT.
    • IF CONFIRMED, ASSESS THE IMPACT on UKRAINIAN COMBAT CAPABILITY and ADJUST STRATEGY ACCORDINGLY.
  3. VERIFY AND ASSESS POTENTIAL UKRAINIAN LONG-RANGE MISSILE STRIKE (EXTREME PRIORITY, IMMEDIATE ACTION):

    • URGENTLY GATHER INTELLIGENCE to CONFIRM the STRIKE on the OIL REFINERY in TUAPSE ON MARCH 14 and IDENTIFY THE WEAPON USED.
      • Use ALL AVAILABLE SOURCES, including HUMAN INTELLIGENCE, SIGNAL INTELLIGENCE, IMAGERY INTELLIGENCE, and OPEN-SOURCE INTELLIGENCE (OSINT).
      • PRIORITIZE IMAGERY INTELLIGENCE to ASSESS THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE to the REFINERY.
    • IF CONFIRMED, ASSESS THE STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS of the NEW "LONG NEPTUNE" MISSILE:
      • RANGE AND ACCURACY.
      • POTENTIAL TARGETS within RUSSIAN TERRITORY.
      • IMPACT ON RUSSIAN LOGISTICS AND WAR EFFORT.
    • PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL RUSSIAN RETALIATION.
  4. MAINTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE KURSK REGION (HIGH PRIORITY, ONGOING ACTION):

    • All previous recommendations remain in effect.
  5. MONITOR BRIDGE DESTRUCTION REPORTS (MEDIUM PRIORITY, CONTINUOUS ACTION):

    • GATHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on the REPORTED DESTRUCTION of the BRIDGE over the KONKA RIVER.
    • ASSESS THE IMPACT on MILITARY LOGISTICS and MOVEMENT in the AREA.
  6. DISREGARD LIKELY PROPAGANDA (LOW PRIORITY, MONITOR):

    • MONITOR the REPORTED VIDEO of UKRAINIAN WITHDRAWAL, but TREAT IT WITH EXTREME CAUTION as it is LIKELY PROPAGANDA.
  7. ASSESS UKRAINIAN LONG-RANGE CAPABILITIES (EXTREME PRIORITY, IMMEDIATE ACTION):

  • GATHER DETAILED INFORMATION on the SPECIFICATIONS and DEPLOYMENT STATUS of the 3000 KM RANGE DRONE and OTHER "NEPTUNE" MISSILE VARIANTS.
  • RANGE, ACCURACY, PAYLOAD, GUIDANCE SYSTEMS. * PRODUCTION CAPACITY AND RATE. * DEPLOYMENT LOCATIONS AND OPERATIONAL READINESS.
  • ASSESS THE POTENTIAL IMPACT on RUSSIAN MILITARY OPERATIONS and CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. * IDENTIFY POTENTIAL TARGETS within RANGE.
  • EVALUATE RUSSIAN DEFENSIVE CAPABILITIES against THESE WEAPONS. * DEVELOP COUNTERMEASURES and MITIGATION STRATEGIES.
  • PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL ESCALATION and ADJUST DEFENSIVE POSTURES accordingly.
  1. MONITOR POTENTIAL SHIFTS IN US POLICY (HIGH PRIORITY, CONTINUOUS ACTION):
  • **CLOSELY MONITOR STATEMENTS from US OFFICIALS and MEDIA REPORTS regarding CRIMEA. * **ASSESS THE LIKELIHOOD of OFFICIAL RECOGNITION of CRIMEA AS RUSSIAN TERRITORY.
  • ANALYZE THE POTENTIAL IMPACT on the CONFLICT and INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
  • **PREPARE FOR VARIOUS SCENARIOS, including POTENTIAL NEGOTIATIONS and SHIFTS IN INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT.
  1. VERIFY AND ASSESS POTENTIAL DEPLOYMENT OF NATO TROOPS TO UKRAINE(HIGH PRIORITY, CONTINUOUS ACTION):
    • **CLOSELY MONITOR STATEMENTS from NATO OFFICIALS and MEDIA REPORTS regarding TROOP DEPLOYMENT TO UKRAINE.
    • **ASSESS THE LIKELIHOOD of OFFICIAL DEPLOYMENT of NATO TROOPS in UKRAINE.
  • ANALYZE THE POTENTIAL IMPACT on the CONFLICT and INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
  • **PREPARE FOR VARIOUS SCENARIOS, including POTENTIAL CONFLICT BETWEEN NATO AND RUSSIAN FORCES and SHIFTS IN INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT.
  1. MAINTAIN ALL OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS (ADJUSTED PRIORITIES): All previous recommendations remain in effect, with priorities adjusted.

The situation remains EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND HIGHLY DYNAMIC. The CONTINUED, MASSIVE, MULTI-DIRECTIONAL DRONE ATTACK presents an IMMEDIATE AND WIDESPREAD THREAT. The INTENSIFIED RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE ACTIVITY in the ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION and the POTENTIAL SECURITY INCIDENT in KYIV add NEW URGENCY to the SITUATION. RAPID DECISION-MAKING, EFFECTIVE RESOURCE ALLOCATION, and CLOSE COORDINATION WITH ALLIES are CRITICAL to MITIGATE these THREATS and MAINTAIN UKRAINE'S DEFENSIVE CAPABILITIES.

Previous (2025-03-17 19:02:36Z)

We only use optional analytics cookies if you allow them. Necessary cookies stay on for sign-in and site security.

Learn more in our Privacy Policy.