Kharkiv: Casualty count from mass drone attack rose to 11 injured, including a 14-year-old girl. Damage to civilian vehicles and utility buildings confirmed. (UA Sources: OVA, Operatyvnyi ZSU, ASTRA, RBC-Ukraina, Sever.Realii) Note: Sever.Realii reports 18+ injured in Kharkiv Oblast including Zolochiv.
Nikopol District (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast): Attacked by kamikaze drones and artillery. 1 woman injured. Damage to residential buildings, infrastructure, petrol station, vehicles. (UA Sources: Dnipropetrovsk OVA, Vilkul, Operatyvnyi ZSU, ASTRA)
Ukrainian Air Defence Claim:6 UAVs downed over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast overnight. (UA Sources: Dnipropetrovsk OVA, Vilkul, Operatyvnyi ZSU)
Zaporizhzhia Oblast Strikes (Ukrainian Confirmation): Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces conducted 400 strikes (Air, UAV, MLRS, Artillery) against 12 settlements, causing damage to apartments, homes, and infrastructure. No civilian casualties reported in the specific update. (UA Source: Zaporizka OVA)
Russian Naval Activity (Ukrainian Navy):1 Russian Kalibr missile carrier active in the Black Sea (up to 4 missiles). No Russian warships in the Sea of Azov. (UA Source: RBC-Ukraina)
Claimed Ukrainian Strike on Engels-2 Airbase (March 20) (Ukrainian Claim): General Staff claims the strike destroyed 96 Russian air-launched cruise missiles (intended for 3 strikes in Mar-Apr) and significant aviation fuel reserves. Requires independent verification; likely Information Operation. (UA Sources: General Staff, Operatyvnyi ZSU, RBC-Ukraina, Tsaplienko)
Claimed Ukrainian Strike on Russian Helicopters (March 24) (Ukrainian Claim): Previous claim of destroying 2 Ka-52 and 2 Mi-8 helicopters in Belgorod Oblast via HIMARS remains significant but requires verification. (UA Source: Butusov Plus, from older report)
Claimed Russian Strikes on UA Troop Concentration (Russian Claim): Late March 26 strikes reported against UA forces awaiting rotation near Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia front). MLRS strikes also claimed in the area. (RU Source: Dnevnik Desantnika)
Ground Combat Intensity and Frontlines
Overall Tempo: High, particularly on Kursk/Belgorod borders and Eastern Front sectors (Pokrovsk, Toretsk, South Donetsk).
Kursk Oblast Border:
Intense fighting near Guevo, Sudzha, Basovka (Sumy Oblast).
Russian Claims: Forces entered northern Guevo and are attempting encirclement (TASS, Rybar, WarGonzo, RVvoenkor); advanced west of Melovoy (Rybar); pushed back UA forces in Hoholivka (WarGonzo). RU offensive reported on Volodymyrivka-Veselevka-Zhuravka line (WarGonzo). RU assault on Hoholivka and approach towards Sudzha border crossing continue (RVvoenkor). Heavy use of FPV drones, artillery, MLRS by RU; artillery control claimed over UA supply routes (RVvoenkor). UA forces reportedly using numerous drones; area heavily mined (Dnevnik Desantnika). RU claim UA group hit own minefield near Viktorovka (TASS). Claims require verification.
Belgorod Oblast Border:
Heavy fighting ongoing near Demydovka and Popovka (Krasnoyaruzhsky district). Russian sources claim repelling UA breach attempts, including use of engineering vehicles (claim Abrams-based vehicle destroyed by UAV). (RU Sources: Rybar, WarGonzo)
Russian civilian casualty (journalist Anna Prokofieva killed) reported in Tishanka (Volokonovsky district) from alleged UA UAV drop. (RU Source: Rybar)
Lyman/Kreminna Directions:
Russian Claim: Advance near Krasnyi Lyman after capturing positions. Ukraine reportedly reinforcing. (RU Source: TASS) Requires verification.
Evidence of equipment needs (EW, drones, comms, vehicles) for RU units near Kreminna via crowdfunding appeals. (RU Source: Colonelcassad)
Chasiv Yar Area: No significant LBS changes reported by WarGonzo. Russian storming actions continue within the town and on the flanks; RU claims initiative.
Dzerzhinsk (Toretsk Direction):
Urban fighting ongoing. Russian forces claim expanding presence near Panteleimonivka and pushing south towards Oleksandro-Kalynove (fighting near Oleksandropil). (RU Sources: Rybar, WarGonzo)
Russian claim: Ukrainian Kozak AFV destroyed near Shcherbynivka by artillery guided by Zala drone. (RU Source: Colonelcassad)
Pokrovsk Direction:
Intensity of Russian assaults decreased early March but significantly increased in the latter half, with the trend continuing upwards (approaching Jan levels). (UA Source: DeepState analysis).
Fighting persists, previously reported near Novoooleksandrivka (Rybary). No major LBS changes per WarGonzo. Remains area of highest RU assault concentration.
Vremivka / Novopavlivsk / South Donetsk:
Russian Claims: Incremental advances south of Konstantynopil towards Razliv (claim 1.5km); near Novosilka (claim 500m, height); from Pryvilne towards Vilne Pole. Claim repelled UA counterattack near Konstantynopil. (RU Sources: Rybar, WarGonzo) Require verification.
Claimed destruction of UA bunker by 430th MR Reg (RU Group "Vostok") in Shakhtarsk direction. (RU Source: Voin DV)
Ukrainian forces conducting small group counterattacks. (RU Source: Rybar)
Zaporizhzhia Direction (Orikhiv Sector): Russian attacks reported towards Shcherbaky (from Mali Shcherbaky) and attempted advances near Lobkove. (RU Sources: Rybar, WarGonzo)
Kherson Direction: Positional fighting. Russian shelling of left bank settlements continues. 1 civilian WIA in Oleshky reported by RU sources (Rybar).
Russian Military Activities & Developments
New Tactic: Employing ground-based kamikaze drones (UGVs) against fortifications (reported in Kharkiv Oblast), guided by aerial drones. (RU Source: RVvoenkor)
Continued heavy use of FPV drones, artillery, MLRS, and KABs along multiple fronts.
Rosgvardia confirmed active in border protection, combat support, and occupied territories. (RU Sources: AV Bogomaz, Basurin)
Honorary "Guards" title awarded to 140th and 38th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigades for performance in the "special military operation," emphasizing air defence role. (RU Source: Voin DV)
Promotion of "Nabat" drone detector system for Russian soldiers. (RU Source: Arkhangel Spetsnaza)
Ukrainian Activities / Claims / Infrastructure
Cybersecurity:Ukrzaliznytsia online ticket sales partially restored after major cyberattack; no data compromise reported. (UA Source: Operatyvnyi ZSU)
Successfully defending against numerous Russian assaults; counterattacking in South Donetsk sector.
Suffered civilian casualties and significant infrastructure damage from recent widespread Russian drone/artillery strikes (Kharkiv, Dnipro, Nikopol, Zaporizhzhia Oblast).
International / Diplomatic
US-Russia Negotiations (March 24): Talks in Riyadh concluded. Joint statement expected March 25. Focus reportedly included Black Sea moratorium. (Multiple RU Sources from older report) Outcome and implications remain critical.
Ceasefire/Sanctions Link: US evaluation of potential EU sanctions relief for Russia tied to specific ceasefire components (energy infrastructure, Black Sea) remains pending. (From older report)
Information Operations & Narratives
Russia: Continues narratives emphasizing Ukrainian losses (Kursk/Belgorod border, minefield incident), promoting own advances (Guevo, Krasnyi Lyman, South Donetsk), highlighting new technology (ground drones), justifying strikes, celebrating military units (Rosgvardia, AD Brigades), promoting equipment (Nabat drone detector). Commentary on potential ceasefire implications (Fighterbomber).
Ukraine: Focus on resilience (Ukrzaliznytsia restoration), defense effectiveness (AD claims, claimed RU losses, Engels strike claim), highlighting civilian impact of Russian attacks (Kharkiv, Dnipro, Nikopol, Zaporizhzhia), analyzing RU assault tempo (DeepState).
