Military Situation Update: March 26, 2025, 19:00 UTC
I. Overall Operational Tempo
Intensity: High intensity combat persists across the front. 156 combat clashes were reported as of 14:00 UTC (UGS, Mar 26). Russian forces continue large-scale air attacks, with significant ongoing drone activity targeting Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia.
Primary Russian Focus: The Pokrovsk direction remains the principal axis for Russian offensive operations. Significant activity also noted on Toretsk, Novopavlivsk, Huliaipole, Vremivka, Siversk, Orikhiv, and border directions.
II. Frontline Activity
Pokrovsk Direction: Remains the most active sector. 53 Russian attacks reported near multiple settlements as of 14:00 UTC (UGS). Seven clashes were ongoing.
Russian Claim (Basurin, 18:35 UTC): Video purports to show drone strike on UA Bradley IFV during troop dismount.
Russian Claim (RVvoenkor, 18:19 UTC): Video claims destruction of NATO equipment, infantry, artillery by "Center" group (Mar 25).
Russian Claim (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:04 UTC): Difficult situation N. Ocheretyne due to UA FPV drones hindering logistics despite RU EW. Claims RU strikes in Yablonivka, Yelyzovetivka, Kalynove.
Toretsk (Dzerzhynske) Direction: Significant Russian activity continues. 15 attacks reported near Toretsk, Dachne, Krymske, Dyliivka as of 14:00 UTC (UGS).
Russian Claim (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:39 UTC): Claims 200m advance near Toretsk mine and advance near stadium; no change near Shcherbynivka.
Chasiv Yar Direction: Russian assaults persist. 3 attacks repelled near Chasiv Yar, Predtechyne, Bila Hora as of 14:00 UTC (UGS).
Ukrainian Claim: "Rarog" Bn (24th Mech Bde) using thermal FPVs against RU assault groups (Butusov Plus, 16:45 UTC).
Russian Claim (Poddybnyi, 17:51 UTC): Drone strike on UA ATV near Kostiantynivka.
Russian Claim (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:39 UTC): Claims continued storming of Shevchenko microdistrict, advance SE of Stupochky, UAVs hitting UA rear areas.
Novopavlivsk (Yuzhno-Donetske) Direction: UA repelled 17 Russian attacks near Kostiantynopil, Rozlyv, Skudne, Vesele as of 14:00 UTC (UGS).
Russian Claim (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:39 UTC): Claims pressure N/S of Rozlyv, control of forest strip SE, arty on Rozlyv, strike on UA position in Boharyr.
Huliaipole Direction: 15 Russian assaults repelled near Rivnopil, Novosilka, Pryvilne, Vilne Pole, Novopil as of 14:00 UTC (UGS).
Vremivka (Velykonovosilkivske) Direction:
Russian Claim: 30th Spetsnaz claim mining road, disabling MaxxPro, destroying it with FPV.
Russian Claim (Rybar, 18:19 UTC): Claims RU forces advanced towards center of Vilne Pole.
Russian Claim (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:39 UTC): Claims advance from Pryvilne towards Vilne Pole, pushing UA forces out.
Siversk Direction: UA repelled 7 Russian attacks near Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, Ivano-Darivka as of 14:00 UTC (UGS).
Orikhiv Direction (Zaporizhzhia): UA stopped 7 Russian attacks near Mali Shcherbaky, Stepove, Lobkove, Shcherbaky as of 14:00 UTC (UGS).
Russian Claims: Intense engagements near Lobkove, Stepove, Male Shcherbaky. Elements of 108th, 247th Airborne claim control Lobkove, southern Shcherbaky. Local advances near Robotyne, Mala Tokmachka.
Russian MoD Claim: Geran-2 struck alleged UA UAV position in Dolinskoye (17:20 UTC).
Kharkiv Direction: Two Russian assaults towards Vovchansk (UGS, 14:00 UTC).
Russian Claim: UA drone injured civilian in Aleshky (Basurin, 17:20 UTC).
Russian MoD Claim (18:36 UTC): Video purports to show Giatsint-B destroying UA artillery piece in Kherson region.
III. Air, Missile, and Drone Activity
Current Threats (As of 19:00 UTC):
UAV Threat (Kharkiv): ONGOING ATTACK. Multiple alerts for UAV threat in Kharkiv Oblast throughout the evening. UAVs reported approaching Kharkiv city from the north (UA Air Force 18:33, 18:41, Nikolaevskiy Vanek 18:45, 18:54 UTC). Explosions reported in Kharkiv city, including in Kyivskyi district and city center; attributed to Shahed impacts (Tsaplienko 18:46, 18:50; RBC-Ukraine 18:50 UTC).
UAV Threat (Zaporizhzhia): Air raid alert active for entire Zaporizhzhia Oblast (Zaporizhzhia OVA, 18:23 UTC). Enemy attack UAVs reported moving from Zaporizhzhia towards Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (UA Air Force, 18:24 UTC). Several groups reported heading towards Zaporizhzhia city (UA Air Force, 18:53 UTC).
UAV Threat (Dnipropetrovsk): Threat active due to UAVs moving from Zaporizhzhia (UA Air Force, 18:31 UTC).
Missile Threat: Alert previously active for Chernihiv Oblast (UA Air Force, 18:30 UTC) - Status update pending.
KAB Threat: Russian tactical aviation active.
Launches reported towards eastern Kharkiv Oblast (UA Air Force, 18:55 UTC).
Launches reported in Zaporizhzhia region (UA Air Force, 18:59 UTC).
Threat previously noted for frontline regions (UA Air Force, 15:46 UTC).
Ukrainian Air/Drone Activity & Claims:
F-16 Operations: Earlier reports of high effectiveness vs Shaheds/cruise missiles (Multiple UA sources).
Drone Strikes: Continued claims of successful FPV strikes (Pokrovsk, Chasiv Yar, Lyman, Kherson). SSO "Faust" claims in Kursk Oblast.
Counter-Drone: UA 63rd Brigade claims downing 5 RU drones (fixed-wing & Mavic) in Lyman direction (Butusov Plus, 18:13 UTC).
Russian Air/Drone Activity & Claims:
New Shahed Launch Sites: Reports suggest 3 new launch sites near Primorsko-Akhtarsk (RBC-Ukraine, 17:41 UTC).
Nikopol Attacks: Continued kamikaze drone/artillery use (Lysak, Dnipro OVA, 16:30 UTC).
Claimed Strikes: MoD claims neutralization of UA personnel near Pokrovsk (16:17 UTC), strike on UA UAV position (Dolinskoye, Zaporizhzhia, 17:20 UTC), destruction of UA arty (Kherson, 18:36 UTC). Basurin claims strike on Bradley (Pokrovsk area implied, 18:35 UTC).
"Chernika-2" Drones: RU source claims successful use of Moscow-produced "Chernika-2" drones in Sudzha due to EW evasion (Arkhangel Spetsnaza, 18:03 UTC).
Ukrainian SSO "Faust" (Claim): Reports significant equipment destruction in Kursk Oblast via FPVs.
Russian Claims (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:39 UTC): Claims pressure on southern Hoholiivka with slight advance, stating forces are "practically in Sumy Oblast". Claims Sudzha Gas Infrastructure Station (GIS) still burning.
Russian Claims (RVvoenkor, 18:43 UTC): Claims RU forces repelling UA attacks on Belgorod front. Specific claims: FPV destroyed UA group in Uhroidy (Sumy); 2x UA SPGs destroyed near Petrushivka (Sumy); UA IFV hit; US M113 APC and IMR engineering vehicle destroyed near Maryino.
Russian Claims (Previously): Offensive on Vladimirovka line, fighting near Basovka, Gogolevka, Guevo, Sudzha, Oleshnya. Claimed UA retreat in Gogolevka, heavy mining near Guevo. Putin attributed "liberation of Sudzha" to RU forces (MoD, 16:52 UTC). Guevo fighting involves UA SSO/Recon/Air Assault elements (Dva Mayora). Claimed destruction of Canadian APC near Honcharivka.
Belgorod Oblast:
Russian Claim (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:39 UTC): Fog limiting ground/air activity, situation remains tense. Fighting previously reported near Demydovka, Popovka, Grafovka/Prilesye.
Casualties/Info Ops: RU propagandist Anna Prokof'eva reported killed by mine (Multiple sources); RU MFA blames Kyiv. Condition of injured RU operator Volkov stabilized, being transferred to Moscow (TASS, 18:48 UTC).
Humanitarian/Info Ops: RU Ombudsman Moskalkova claims over 400 Kursk residents returned from Ukraine (81 from Sumy), 72 remain, 1000 missing (ASTRA, 18:53 UTC). RU MoD circulates POW testimonies (MoD Russia, 17:48 UTC; Colonelcassad, 18:17 UTC).
V. Logistics, Support, and Technology
North Korean Artillery: Confirmed sighting of 7-8 M1989 "Koksan" SPGs and possible M1991 MLRS TLVs on train in N. Occupied Crimea (Sternenko, 18:04 UTC).
French Military Aid: France announced a €2 billion military aid package for Ukraine. Includes: MILAN anti-tank missiles, MICA & Mistral air defense missiles, missiles for Mirage aircraft, AMX-10RC armored vehicles, ammunition (incl. remotely operated), and support for co-production in Ukraine (Macron via Tsaplienko 18:45, RBC-Ukraine 18:48, 18:52; Operativnyi ZSU 18:59 UTC). President Zelensky mentioned discussing increasing the number of Mirage-2000 aircraft with Macron (RBC-Ukraine, 18:56 UTC).
US Military Airlift: US Air Force C-17 reported landing at Rzeszow Airport, Poland, from Kuwait (Voenkor Kotenok, 18:50 UTC), potentially resuming direct US military airlift.
Russian Anti-Drone/EW: Deployment of new AD systems (incl. laser) ordered (Medvedev via Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:18 UTC). Claims of "Chernika-2" drone success due to EW evasion (Arkhangel Spetsnaza, 18:03 UTC). Claimed EW interception of UA drones (Basurin, 17:20 UTC).
Ukrainian Drone Development/Use: Active counter-drone ops (Lyman). Continued offensive FPV use. Online weapons permits now available via Diia app (STERNENKO, 18:37 UTC, though Dep. Head NatPolice expresses concern about potential crime increase).
Russian Mine Clearance: Reported ongoing near Guevo (Kotenok, 17:21 UTC).
VI. Critical Infrastructure
Energy Infrastructure Strikes/Moratorium: Ongoing disagreement on start date/violations. RU claims UA attempted strikes on Crimea gas storage, Bryansk/Kursk power lines (Rybar, 18:19 UTC). RU claims UA continued strikes on RU energy despite Zelensky (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:39 UTC). Sudzha GIS reported still burning (Dnevnik Desantnika, 18:39 UTC).
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP): Conflicting reports on diesel reservoir damage. RU MFA previously declared it a "Russian nuclear object" (Mar 25). Lavrov reiterated ZNPP status non-negotiable (Colonelcassad, 19:00 UTC).
Ukrainian Railway Disruption: Ukrzaliznytsia website/app remain non-functional (4th day) due to cyberattack (RBC-Ukraine, 16:07 UTC).
VII. Diplomacy, Policy, Information Warfare
Ceasefire/Negotiations:
Zelensky-Macron Meeting (Paris, Mar 26): Discussions held (Multiple sources).
French Position: Macron welcomed Trump's initiative for peace, stated Ukraine agreed to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire during Jeddah talks (US-UA), and France awaits the same commitment from Russia (RBC-Ukraine 18:44, 18:46 UTC).
Russian Stance: Lavrov stated Crimea, Donbas, Novorossiya are "closed questions" based on referendums/Constitution (TASS 18:34, Colonelcassad 19:00 UTC). Lavrov claims current UA leaders don't represent large part of population (TASS 18:32 UTC).
Previous Reports: UA OP Yermak noted Riyadh talks showed readiness to work with Trump admin; Palisa reiterated no territorial concessions discussed (Tsaplienko, RBC-Ukraine). Podolyak assessed ceasefire by Apr 20 as unrealistic.
European Troop Deployment: Reports indicate reduced likelihood, focus shifting to alternative aid models (Reuters via Tsaplienko, 18:21 UTC).
US-Ukraine Relations / Information Leaks: Pentagon head Hegseth downplayed significance of leaked Signal messages (RBC-Ukraine, 18:02 UTC).
NATO Stance: Sec Gen Rutte stated no normalization with Russia even after war ends (Tsaplienko, Operativnyi ZSU).
Russian Internal Security/Politics: Assassination attempt on MoD officer in Zheleznodorozhny reported; assailant found dead (Colonelcassad, 18:03 UTC; ASTRA, 18:06 UTC). Putin appoints acting governors for Sverdlovsk and Orenburg Oblasts (TASS 18:52, 18:56 UTC). Govt commission to decide on return of Western companies, prioritizing domestic production; law against companies sponsoring UA forces considered (Starshe Eddy, 18:47 UTC).
Russian Info Ops: Continued narratives blaming UA for targeting journalists/civilians. Circulation of POW testimonies. Highlighting advanced weapons. Putin emphasizing veterans/Sudzha. Lavrov claims re: UA leadership representation. Memorials for deceased correspondent Prokofieva circulated (Colonelcassad 18:38 UTC). Update on injured operator Volkov (TASS 18:48 UTC). Moskalkova claims re: returned/missing Kursk residents (ASTRA 18:53 UTC).
Ukrainian Internal: Ombudsman Lubinets raises concerns about illegal detentions/beatings by TCC representatives becoming a "trend" (Tsaplienko, 18:41 UTC). Story highlighting UA soldier "Archeologist" (OTU Kharkiv, 19:01 UTC).
Other Geopolitical: Armenia parliament reportedly passed bill on intention to join EU (Alex Parker 18:13 UTC). EU dissatisfaction with Estonian PM Kallas reported (Operativnyi ZSU, 18:22 UTC). Four US soldiers reported dead in Lithuania during exercises (ASTRA, 17:49 UTC via RBC-Ukr 18:31). US conducted strikes in Yemen (Operativnyi ZSU 18:52 UTC).
