Military Situation Update: March 26, 2025, 10:28 UTC

I. Overall Assessment

Russian forces maintain high-intensity offensive operations, primarily along the Pokrovsk, Chasiv Yar, and Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia) axes, relying heavily on manpower supported by extensive drone usage, Guided Aerial Bombs (KABs), and artillery. Significant kinetic activity persists along the Kursk/Belgorod border areas and in the South Donetsk direction.

Contradictory statements emerge from Moscow regarding attacks on energy infrastructure. Kremlin spokesperson Peskov asserted (Mar 26) that a moratorium on striking Ukrainian energy facilities remains active and is being followed by Russian forces. However, the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) later accused (Mar 26) Ukrainian forces of continuing strikes against Russian energy infrastructure (Crimea, Bryansk, Kursk), claiming Kyiv aims to derail potential RU-US agreements. This follows large-scale Russian drone attacks overnight (Mar 25/26) targeting non-energy infrastructure within Ukraine, and a subsequent RU drone strike reported in Kramatorsk (Mar 26).

Ukrainian forces continue an active defense strategy, countering ground assaults while prioritizing drone warfare (both offensive and defensive) and counter-battery engagements. Efforts to supply frontline units with drones and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems are ongoing. Russian forces reportedly continue incremental advances in specific sectors, particularly along the border and in the South Donetsk direction.

II. Air, Missile, and Drone Activity

Overnight Russian Strikes (Mar 25/26):
- Large-scale drone attack (117 assets, primarily Shahed-type) targeted non-energy infrastructure. Ukraine reported intercepting 56 Shaheds.
- Impacts confirmed in Kryvyi Rih (industrial enterprise, civilian infrastructure), Okhtyrka (houses, shops), and Cherkasy Oblast.
New Russian Drone Strike (Mar 26):
- Attack reported on central Kramatorsk, damaging a multi-story building. No casualties initially reported (RBC-Ukraine).
Russian Stance on Energy Strikes (Contradictory):
- Peskov claimed (Mar 26) an active Russian moratorium on striking Ukrainian energy facilities.
- Russian MoD claimed (Mar 26) Ukrainian forces struck Russian energy targets overnight: 2 UAVs targeting Glevbovskoye gas storage equipment (Crimea, claimed intercepted); UAV attacks on power facilities in Bryansk and Kursk Oblasts (causing power outages affecting >4000 consumers in Khomutovsky district, Kursk). MoD framed this as Kyiv undermining RU-US talks.
Persistent Russian Air/Artillery/Drone Activity: High tempo across frontlines. KAB use continues (Sumy, Kharkiv Oblasts confirmed by UA OTU Kharkiv report).
Ukrainian Drone/EW Activity:
- Offensive: Continued strikes reported targeting Russian logistics (e.g., 65th Mech Brigade video targeting truck) and personnel (e.g., 414th "Birds of Magyar"). Woman injured by RU drone strike in Kherson city (ASTRA, Mar 26).
- Defensive: Ukrainian 28th Mechanized Brigade claimed downing 3 RU reconnaissance UAVs (2 Zala, 1 Supercam) (Sternenko, Mar 26). OTU "Kharkiv" claims 44 RU UAVs downed/damaged in its sector in 24h.
- Procurement/Development: Zaporizhzhia OVA confirmed delivery of 330+ drones, EW systems to 4 brigades. Reports suggest development/introduction of a new multi-role naval drone (MBEK/"Katran"?) potentially linked to UK (Poddubny).

III. Border Situation (Kursk/Belgorod/Sumy/Kharkiv)

Overall: Characterized by intense fighting, positional clashes, heavy artillery/drone exchanges, and claimed cross-border attempts.
Kursk Oblast / Sumy Oblast Border (RU Claims):
- Russian MoD officially claims capture of Kazachya Loknya (near Sudzha) by 155th Naval Infantry Brigade and 150th Motorised Rifle Regiment (Sever Group) (Mar 26).
- Russian sources claim units of the 177th Naval Infantry Regiment are advancing near Huyevo (Sumy Oblast border) and potentially crossed the Psel River (Dva Mayora, Mar 26).
Belgorod Oblast (RU Claims/Reports):
- Intense fighting continues near Demidovka; RU sources claim unspecified "results achieved" (Arkhangel Spetsnaza, Mar 26).
- Russian sources claim multiple Ukrainian attempts to breach the border near Krasnoyaruzhsky district were repelled (Mar 26). One attempt allegedly involved an IMR engineering vehicle destroyed before reaching "dragon's teeth" fortifications (Alex Parker, Dva Mayora, Kotsnews). Another claimed attempt towards Popovka involved up to 4 vehicles (2 IMR, 2 BMP), all claimed destroyed by mines/FPV drones (Arkhangel Spetsnaza, Mar 26).
- Death of RU Channel One journalist Prokofieva near Demidovka confirmed; operator Volkov seriously injured. Reports of impacts on Russian border settlements persist.
Kharkiv Sector (UA OTU Report - Mar 26, 09:00):
- Situation remains complex. 4 Russian ground assault attempts repelled near Vovchansk, Tykhe, and towards Kamyanka in the past 24 hours.
- High level of RU activity: 2 KAB strikes, 46 kamikaze drones used, 468 artillery shelling incidents in 24h.

IV. Frontline Activity

Overall: High intensity combat. Russian focus remains on Pokrovsk, Chasiv Yar, Orikhiv.
Pokrovsk Direction: Remains area of highest intensity. RU forces maintain pressure. Ukrainian SSO (144th Center) claimed capture of 9 RU soldiers via drone (Mar 25/26).
South Donetsk Direction (RU Claims - NEW/Updated):
- Russian sources claim increased activity following capture of Kostyantynivka (near Vuhledar). Claim pressure on Razliv from North/South, control gained over a forest belt SE of Razliv, artillery strikes on UA positions in Razliv and Bogatyr (Dnevnik Desantnika, Mar 26).
- Further claims of RU advance from Privolnoye towards Volne Pole, forcing UA withdrawal. Claimed FPV strike destroyed a UA truck moving from Zaporizhzhia area towards the front (Dnevnik Desantnika, Mar 26).
Orikhiv Direction (Zaporizhzhia): Continued RU attempts to advance. Zaporizhzhia OVA confirms drone/EW deliveries to UA brigades operating in the sector.
Kherson Direction (Left Bank): Primarily artillery/drone exchanges. Woman injured by RU drone in Kherson city (see Air Activity).

V. Other Significant Updates