Military Situation Update: March 26, 2025, 23:31 UTC

I. Air, Missile, and Drone Activity (Updates)

• Massive Shahed UAV Attack (ONGOING):
  • Dnipro: Confirmed impacts in residential areas, multiple fires (cars, infrastructure), casualties being ascertained. (No change from 23:01 UTC report).
  • Kharkiv City & Oblast:
    • Total casualties from drone attack updated to 16 citizens injured (including three children) across Kharkiv city and Zolochiv community (National Police via RBC-Ukraine, ~22:43 UTC). Images confirm widespread damage to civilian structures and vehicles.
    • Previous reports confirmed 4 fire locations in Kharkiv city, including civilian infrastructure damage and a large fire (2500 sqm) in a production building (DSNS). Zolochiv: 1 house destroyed, 12+ damaged, admin building, stadium, power lines hit. 8 injured/affected (3 hospitalized, 5 acute stress).
  • Updated UAV Movements/Threats (Ukrainian Air Force / Vanek, ~23:00 - 23:17 UTC):
    • Khmelnytskyi: 1 UAV approaching Starokostiantyniv, air defense engaged (~23:17 UTC). Previous reports indicated movement from Zhytomyr Oblast.
    • Vinnytsia: 1 UAV transitioning from Kyiv Oblast (~23:17 UTC). Previous reports indicated entry from Kirovohrad/Mykolaiv Oblasts.
    • Kirovohrad: 1 UAV near Novyi Buh (Mykolaiv Oblast), moving towards Kirovohrad Oblast (~23:17 UTC). Previous reports indicated UAVs near Kropyvnytskyi.
    • Mykolaiv/Kherson: UAV previously reported on border (~23:00 UTC). New report indicates 1 UAV near Novyi Buh heading towards Kirovohrad Oblast (~23:17 UTC).
    • Poltava: 1 UAV at the intersection of Sumy and Poltava Oblasts (~23:17 UTC). Multiple groups previously reported, moving southwest, constantly changing course (~23:00 UTC).
    • Cherkasy: 2 UAVs east of Cherkasy (~23:17 UTC). Previous reports indicated UAVs north of Cherkasy.
    • Sumy: 1 UAV at the intersection of Sumy and Poltava Oblasts (~23:17 UTC). Previous reports indicated UAV near Konotop.
    • Kyiv Oblast: UAV previously reported in the south, heading west (~23:00 UTC). New report indicates 1 UAV transitioning into Vinnytsia Oblast (~23:17 UTC).
• Alleged Russian Tactical Shift (Ukrainian Source - Hayabusa): Claim persists: Russia prioritizing systematic nightly mass drone strikes on residential areas over energy infrastructure. Requires ongoing verification and target pattern analysis.

II. Ground Combat Intensity and Frontlines (Updates)

• Overall Operational Tempo (Ukrainian Source - DeepState): Russian ground assaults exceeded 200/day for two consecutive days. March intensity 17% higher than February (as of Mar 26). (No change from 22:13 UTC report).
• Primary Russian Focus Areas (DeepState): Kursk Oblast Border, Lyman, Pokrovsk, Vremivka Directions. (No change from 22:13 UTC report).
• Specific Frontline Changes (DeepState Map Update, 22:41 UTC):
  • Kotlyne (Kharkiv Oblast, Kupyansk): Ukrainian Defence Forces repelled Russian forces.
  • Katerynivka (Luhansk Oblast, Svatove): Russian forces advanced near the settlement.
  • Terny (Donetsk Oblast, Lyman): Russian forces advanced.
  • Dniproenerhiya Area (Likely Enerhodar/Zaporizhzhia NPP area): Russian forces advanced. Requires clarification/verification.
  • Pischane (Kharkiv Oblast, Kupyansk): Russian forces advanced.
• Zaporizhzhia Direction (New Claim): Russian sources (Colonelcassad, ~23:03 UTC) claim destruction of a Ukrainian T-72M1 tank using FPV drones. Requires verification.

III. Russian Military Activities & Logistics

• Sanctions Evasion (Ukrainian Source - Operatyvnyi ZSU / BBG): Allegation: Russian explosives makers procure chemicals via fertilizer companies. (No change from 22:03 UTC report).
• Training Activity: Footage showed RU 68th Army Corps (Donetsk Oblast) and 102nd Regt (150th Guards Div) training. (No change from 22:25 UTC report).
• Drone/EW Focus (Russian Source - Colonelcassad): Continued discussion on drones and EW ("Slavyanka" complex). (No change from 22:03 UTC report).
• Propaganda/Morale (Russian Source - RVvoenkor, ~22:37 UTC): Video: Russian soldiers re-erecting damaged Orthodox cross in claimed "liberated Kursk land." Primarily information warfare value.

IV. Ukrainian Strike Confirmation (Recap)

• Successful strike on Russian Command Post (9th MRR/18th MRD) near Viktorivka-Uspenivka (Kursk Oblast, RU), Battalion Commander eliminated. (No change).

V. International/Support Developments (Recap)

• EU Aid Plan Obstruction (Reported - Politico via RU Source): France, Italy, Spain potentially hindering EU defense spending plan. (No new information).

VI. Previous Significant Reports (Archive - March 24-25)

• Energy Moratorium (Mar 18): Formally active, but violations alleged by both sides. Protected infrastructure list published.
• US-Russia Talks (Mar 24, Riyadh): Confirmed. Contradictory reports on Black Sea ceasefire linked to sanctions relief. Zelenskyy rejects linkage.
• Russian Claims (Mar 25): Liberation of Mirnoye (Donetsk), Malye Shcherbaki (Zaporizhzhia). Routing UA forces in Kursk border area. ZNPP declared "Russian nuclear object".
• German Government: Scholz cabinet in caretaker role; Merz (CDU) expected to form new government.
• Intense Russian UAV Attacks (Mar 25): Widespread, including massive multi-wave attack on Kryvyi Rih.
• Heavy Border Fighting (Mar 25): Ongoing clashes reported in Demydovka, Popovka (Belgorod Oblast). Russian sources confirm RU control of Cherkasskoye Porechnoye (Kursk). UA claims successful raid into Demydovka (Belgorod).
• High Intensity Frontline Combat (Mar 25): 183 clashes reported. Pokrovsk direction remained highest intensity (68 attacks). Significant Russian losses claimed by UGS in Pokrovsk. Russian claims of advances in Kupiansk, Orikhiv directions.
• SBU Activity (Mar 25): Detention in Kryvyi Rih (plotting attack on TCC). Zelenskyy praise for SBU successes.
• Sumi Missile Strike Aftermath (Mar 24): Casualty count rose to 106 injured (23 children).
• Other archived items from March 24 summary remain as previously reported.