Mykolaiv Oblast: 1 UAV near Balovne (AD engaging); 2 UAVs near Yelanets.
Kirovohrad Oblast: 2 UAVs circling near Dolynska.
Poltava Oblast: 2 UAVs west of Poltava city, heading west; 2 UAVs south of Kremenchuk, heading towards Cherkasy Oblast.
Cherkasy Oblast: 10 UAVs circling near Smila / south of Cherkasy city; 4 UAVs circling east of Cherkasy city.
Kharkiv Oblast: 1 UAV transitioning from Poltava Oblast.
Air Force Summary (00:55 UTC - Partially superseded by Vanek):
Multiple groups in Poltava Oblast moving SW.
Group from Mykolaiv Oblast heading towards Kirovohrad Oblast.
Multiple groups in Cherkasy Oblast, changing course constantly.
Group from Dnipropetrovsk Oblast heading towards Poltava Oblast.
UAV from Sumy Oblast heading towards Poltava Oblast.
Previous Activity & Impacts:
Cherkasy: Explosions confirmed earlier (23:49 UTC). Threat remains high with multiple UAVs active (01:09 UTC). Potential AD activity previously reported near Cherkasy/Zolotonosha (00:32 UTC).
Kryvyi Rih: Subjected to massive attacks earlier; significant destruction reported but no fatalities.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Threat reported earlier west of the city (23:50 UTC). AD work confirmed. Status less clear currently.
Mykolaiv Oblast: UAVs previously reported heading towards/through Bashtanka (00:32 UTC), now active near Balovne and Yelanets (01:09 UTC).
Kropyvnytskyi: Threat emerged (00:18 UTC), UAVs previously near the city (00:32 UTC), now near Dolynska (01:09 UTC).
Kherson Oblast: Initial movement towards Kherson city reported earlier, status unclear after diversions.
UGS Summary (as of 22:00 Local, March 25): Reported 764 Russian kamikaze drone attacks for the day.
Russian Tactical Aviation / Guided Bombs (KABs): Activity reported earlier (SE, NE). UGS reported 84 Russian air strikes using 129 KABs across various fronts (as of 22:00 Local, March 25).
Missile Threats: Missile danger alert issued earlier for Chernihiv Oblast.
Air Defence Activity: Confirmed active earlier over Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Cherkasy. Active engagement reported near Balovne (Mykolaiv Oblast, 01:09 UTC).
Accidental Russian Munition Drops: ASTRA reports ongoing incidents (35 since start of 2025).
II. Border Situation (Kursk/Belgorod/Sumy)
Russian Information Operations (Kursk): TASS (01:02 UTC) disseminated video testimony from an alleged local resident claiming Ukrainian soldiers threatened civilians in Kursk border areas. This aligns with ongoing Russian narratives regarding alleged Ukrainian atrocities in the region and should be treated as potential propaganda aimed at discrediting Ukrainian forces and justifying Russian actions.
Popovka (Belgorod Oblast): Ongoing fighting reported earlier (22:00 UTC). Russian source detailed border clash. Artillery fire reported on Popovka.
Demydovka (Belgorod Oblast): Heavy fighting ongoing earlier. Russian sources claim Ukrainian forces hold some houses but not the village.
Cherkasskoye Porechnoye (Kursk Oblast): Russian report confirms RU control, claimed recaptured approx. two weeks ago. Heavy destruction, mining reported. Context: RU MoD claimed liberation on Mar 23.
Sudzha Area / Pogrebki (Kursk Oblast): Russian sources (Colonelcassad, 23:18 UTC) claim discovery of destroyed M2 Bradley in Pogrebki after alleged liberation of most of Sudzha border area.
Krasnoyaruzhsky Direction (Belgorod Oblast): Russian source provides alleged Ukrainian Order of Battle, claims heavy losses inflicted.
Russian Claims (General):
MoD claimed liberation of Mirnoye (Donetsk) and Malye Shcherbaki (Zaporizhzhia).
MoD claimed routing Ukrainian forces near Kursk border, inflicting >260 casualties/24h.
Claimed capture of Ukrainian soldier near Guyevo (Kursk Oblast).
TASS (23:03, 23:31, 23:41 UTC) continues narrative regarding an alleged Feb 1, 2025, Ukrainian missile strike on an orphanage in Sudzha.
Ukrainian Claims (Kursk Direction - UGS 22:00 Local, March 25): Ongoing operations, repelling 28 Russian assaults (3 ongoing). Reports significant RU air (15 strikes/19 KABs) and artillery attacks.
III. Frontline Activity (Based on UGS Report 22:00 Local, March 25 & Other Sources)
Overall: 183 combat clashes reported by UGS (as of 22:00 Local, March 25). High levels of Russian air, drone, and artillery strikes.
Russian Armor Modifications & Tactics (Observation): Recent Russian-source imagery (Colonelcassad, 00:06 UTC) visually confirms widespread use of improvised "cope cages" and additional slat armor. Indicates tactical adaptation against top-attack munitions/drones. Damaged equipment visible despite modifications.
Russian Sniper Tactics vs. Drones: Russian source (Voin DV, 01:05 UTC) reports snipers from the 29th CAA are actively targeting Ukrainian heavy drones ("Baba Yaga") using thermal sights at night, claiming success. They also claim Ukrainian drones are treated with chemicals, necessitating distance after downing (Potential Hazard Note: Investigate claims of chemical treatment on downed drones).
Huliaipole Direction: 1 Russian attack near Pryvilne repelled. Airstrikes reported.
Orikhiv Direction (Zaporizhzhia): 9 Russian attempts (near Kaminske, towards Lobkove, Stepove); 6 ongoing. Airstrikes on Mala Tokmachka. Russian MoD claims liberation of Malye Shcherbaki. Russian sources claim advances north of Zherebianky, within Lobkove, and holding most of Stepove. Video evidence shows UA 128th Mtn Assault Bde drone strikes.
Prydniprovsky Direction (Left Bank Kherson): 1 clash reported. Russian airstrikes on Vesele, Oleksandrivka, Dudchany.
IV. Other Significant Military Updates
Political/Strategic Context:
President Zelensky (reported 23:47 UTC) anticipates a "very short window" (1-3 months) between any ceasefire and a final agreement, expecting continuous Russian violations.
Moldova: Pro-Russian Gagauz leader Yevhenia Hutsul detained at Chisinau airport (approx. 00:31 UTC) related to alleged illicit Russian funding for the banned "Shor" party. Indicates potential regional countermeasures against Russian influence.
Russian Information Operations (POW Abuse Claims): Colonelcassad (01:05 UTC) disseminated video testimony from an alleged returned Russian POW ("Zvon") claiming severe mistreatment, beatings, threats, denial of medical care, and potential war crimes (execution of other POWs) by Ukrainian forces (SBU, 56th Motorized Brigade mentioned). This is part of a recurring Russian narrative and should be treated as potential propaganda aimed at demoralizing Ukrainian forces, justifying Russian actions, and potentially complicating POW exchanges. Verification is required.
Casualties: Updated count from March 24 Sumy strike: 106 injured (23 children). No fatalities reported in Kryvyi Rih from recent drone attacks despite major destruction.
SBU Activity: Confirmed detention of individual in Kryvyi Rih accused of plotting attack on TCC under Russian direction.
Equipment/Loss Claims & Technology:
Russian Developments: Russia claims development of the "Sifa" FPV drone for anti-UAV/helicopter roles (TASS, 00:31 UTC). Russian snipers reportedly adapting tactics to counter heavy Ukrainian drones (Voin DV, 01:05 UTC).
Russian MoD claims strikes on 148 UA concentration areas, airfields, UAV CPs. Russian source claims Lancet strike destroyed Leopard tank (Pokrovsk). Ukrainian sources show drone strikes destroying Russian equipment/troops. Visual confirmation of UA strike on RU media personnel near Kupiansk (March 24). Confirmation of widespread Russian armor modifications.
Internal Russian Matters: General Shamarin (Head of Communications), accused of bribery, reportedly wants to join the SMO (TASS, 22:52 UTC). TASS pushing Sudzha narratives (orphanage, alleged UA threats).
V. Older Relevant Updates (6h - 3 days prior)
March 23 (06:01 UTC): Major Ukrainian drone attack inside Russia (Rostov, Astrakhan); Significant casualties in Kyiv from RU drone attack; RU claims of Leopard destruction (Sumy); Intense fighting reported.
March 24 (09:41 UTC): Ballistic missile threats; RU claims on Sudzha gas facility; UA drone strikes on RU oil infrastructure; Reported US-Russia talks; Reported UA gains near Dvorichna; Potential RU cyberattack claim on UA Railways.
March 24 (05:42 UTC): Strong UA claims (official sources) of HIMARS strike destroying 4 RU helicopters (2 Ka-52, 2 Mi-8) in Belgorod Oblast (verification pending); Continued drone attacks on Kyiv Oblast infrastructure; Continued fighting near Demidovka (Belgorod) with conflicting claims; Bridge destruction in Grafovka (Belgorod) confirmed; RU claims of intercepting 28 UA drones; Confirmed damage/casualty in Nikopol/Marhanets from RU strikes.
March 23 (13:31 UTC): Significant UA drone resupply confirmed (380 units); RU ZU-23 use against drones reported; Ballistic missile threats (Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Poltava); Reported RU propaganda on Kyiv damage; Reported capture of RU soldier (potential forced conscription).
March 23 (21:12 UTC): Continued large-scale drone attack; Confirmation of destroyed bridges in Grafovka/Nadezhinka (Belgorod); Ukrainian/US negotiating teams met in Saudi Arabia; Claims of Russian strikes in Kherson Oblast; Claims Ukrainian forces did not fully capture Demidovka.
March 23 (17:02 UTC): Confirmed continued fighting in Demidovka (Belgorod); Russian claims of advances along DPR frontline; Ukrainian claims of civilian casualties in Donetsk Oblast; Death of Russian soldier reported.
March 23 (12:02 UTC): Claimed RU artillery strike on Zaporizhzhia power substation (verification needed); Confirmed civilian casualties (father, 5-yr-old daughter) in Kyiv drone attack; RU drone attack on Kupyansk ("Molniya" drone); Reported RU assault attempt near Volchansk repelled.
March 23 (04:03 UTC):REPORTED RUSSIAN ADVANCE INTO SUMY OBLAST (56th VDV, Russian source, Urgent Verification Needed); Reported RU AD activity near Kupyansk (MANPADS vs UA helo); Confirmed 2 deaths in Kyiv drone attack; Claimed RU liberation of Sudzha (Verification Needed); Reported RU advance along Oskol reservoir; Report on RU "Geran" drone upgrades (CRPA antenna).
