Military Situation Update: March 27, 2025, 09:31 UTC
(Updates incorporated based on information received up to 09:31 UTC)
I. Air, Missile, and Drone Activity
Overnight Russian Combined Attack (Mar 26-27):
Involved 1 Iskander-M ballistic missile (Voronezh Oblast, RU) and 86 drones (Shahed-type and imitators) launched from multiple locations (RU mainland & occupied Crimea).
Targets primarily in Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Chernihiv Oblasts.
Ukrainian Air Defence intercepted 42 Shahed-type UAVs. The Iskander-M missile was not intercepted. 26 imitator drones were "locationally lost".
Impacts:
Kharkiv City/Oblast:11 injured (previously 12 reported, includes children); significant damage to residential buildings, infrastructure, warehouses, power lines, gas pipe. (Source: Kharkiv OVA, 09:11 UTC).
Dnipro City: 3 injured; damage to enterprises, educational/cultural facilities (Potemkin Palace/Palace of Students), residential buildings.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Power/communication outages in frontline community due to shelling.
Nikopol District: 1 injured; damage to residential buildings, infrastructure from drone/artillery attacks.
Ongoing Air Threats (Morning Mar 27):
Ballistic missile threat alerts issued and lifted for multiple oblasts (including Sumy, lifted 08:50 UTC).
High-speed target detected in Sumy Oblast (09:11 UTC, UA Air Force).
Russian tactical aviation remains active in the east/northeast, posing an air-launched weapon threat to frontline oblasts.
Claimed Ukrainian Strike (Engels-2 Airbase, Mar 20):
Ukrainian General Staff claims destruction of 96 Russian air-launched cruise missiles and fuel reserves. Partially corroborated by RU sources regarding impact/explosions. Number of missiles requires verification.
RU source claims destruction of hangars, aviation equipment, UAV facilities, and radar elements. Requires verification.
Naval Activity:
1 Russian Kalibr carrier (up to 4 missiles) reported in the Black Sea.
II. Ground Combat and Border Operations
Overall Intensity (Mar 26): High, with 224 combat clashes reported (Source: UA General Staff).
Main Russian Efforts: Pokrovsk, Toretsk, South Donetsk (Vremivka/Novopavlivsk), Kursk/Belgorod borders, Kupyansk, Lyman, Siversk, Kramatorsk, Huliaipole, Zaporizhzhia (Orikhiv).
Kursk & Belgorod Border Operations (Ongoing UA Operations):
Kursk: Intense fighting continues near Guevo, Sudzha, Basovka. High RU air/artillery activity. RU sources claim activity near Veselovka, Vladimirovka, Gordeyevka, Uspenovka. RU sources claim advances near Guevo and pressure on Oleshnya (Colonelcassad, 09:19 UTC). Verification required.
RU sources claim VDV forces (11th ODSHBr) infiltrated via a 16km pipe near Sudzha before engaging in combat. (Source: Arkhangel Spetsnaza, 09:01 UTC). Propaganda claim, requires verification.
Belgorod: Heavy fighting near Demydovka, Popovka. UA strikes reported targeting bridges in Grafovka/Annovka. UA SSO "REQUIEM GROUP" claims drone strikes on multiple targets (see Section I).
Sumy Border Area: RU sources claim expansion of control zone in border areas adjacent to Sumy Oblast (Colonelcassad, 09:19 UTC). Verification required.
UA Counter-Disinformation: Ukrainian sources deny RU claims of destroying a group of young contract soldiers (allegedly 92nd Brigade) in the Kursk region, stating the personnel are still in preparation phases and the brigade is not deployed there. (Source: Operativno ZSU, 09:14 UTC).
Eastern & Southern Frontlines (Mar 26 Data unless specified):
Kharkiv: RU assaults near Vovchansk stopped.
Kupyansk: RU assaults near Holubivka, Zahryzove repelled/ongoing.
Lyman: 14 RU attacks repelled near multiple settlements. RU sources claim forces entered Katerynivka and fighting is ongoing for the settlement (Sources: RVvoenkor 08:32 UTC, Colonelcassad 09:19 UTC). RU claim, requires verification.
Siversk: 11 RU attacks stopped near Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, Ivano-Darivka. Report of UA capturing RU PoWs near Bilohorivka.
Toretsk: 20 RU attacks; urban fighting ongoing. RU claims advances near Krymske, Rozivka, Panteleimonivka. RU sources claim clearing operations in Panteleimonivka and Aleksandropol (Rozivka) area (Sources: Dnevnik Desantnika 08:39 UTC, Colonelcassad 09:19 UTC). RU claims, require verification.
Pokrovsk:Highest intensity (88 clashes). RU attacks repelled near multiple settlements. UA SSO reportedly captured 9 RU soldiers. RU sources detail repelled UA counterattacks near Shevchenko/Peschanoe/Udachne, heavy RU drone/TOS use impacting UA rotations.
Novopavlivsk / South Donetsk / Vremivka: 25 RU attacks. RU claims break into Vesele, advances near Konstantynopil, Novosilka, Vilne Pole, Razliv, Dniproenerhiia, Komar. Intense fighting reported. RU sources claim advances towards Vesele and west of Burlatske (Colonelcassad, 09:19 UTC). RU claims, require verification.
Huliaipole: 16 RU attacks stopped near multiple settlements.
Claimed RU Officer Losses (UA Claim): Ukrainian sources claim the elimination of four Russian officers: Capt/Maj. Aivar Gashimov, Maj. Sergey Savelyev (Regt. Auto Service Chief), Maj. Ivan Gordeev (Spetsnaz), Sr. Lt. Alim Urumov (Bn. Asst. Cmdr. Fire Support). (Source: Shtirlitz, 09:25 UTC). Verification required.
Russian Tactics & Equipment: Continued heavy use of KABs (116+28 on Mar 26), FPV/kamikaze drones (2646 on Mar 26). Reported use of UGVs guided by UAVs (Kharkiv), fiber-optic controlled FPV drones (Kursk, Pokrovsk), Orlan-30 for targeting UA UAV crews (Pokrovsk). Demining operations reported in Krasnohorivka (RU Source). Evidence of ongoing RU field modification/up-armoring of vehicles (e.g., KAMAZ pontoon layer) against drone threats, often relying on crowdfunding/volunteer support. (Source: Dva Mayora, 09:04 UTC).
North Korean Support (Claim): Alleged deployment of ~3000 additional NK soldiers (Jan-Feb), increased weapon shipments (SRBMs, SPGs, MLRS, ammo). Verification required.
Russian Espionage/Recruitment Claims: FSB alleges UA intelligence attempts recruitment/data gathering (targets incl. strategic aviation, unit locations) under guise of US RAND Corporation. (Source: TASS 08:34 UTC, ASTRA 08:46 UTC). Likely propaganda, requires verification.
Ukrainian Recruitment & Training: Expanded list of 10 additional brigades for "Contract 18-24" program. Reports of civilian resistance/legal challenges related to mobilization efforts (Source: Shtirlitz, 09:11 UTC). Claimed introduction of FPV drone training in Kyiv schools (Source: Tsaplienko, 09:13 UTC).
Russian Logistics: Ongoing crowdfunding suggests persistent equipment needs (drones, NVGs, thermals, radios) for multiple units, including artillery regiments (Source: Kotsnews 09:08 UTC) and assault companies (Source: Voenkor Kotenok 09:13 UTC).
Ukrainian Logistics & Support: Zaporizhzhia Oblast received 2 Mercedes-Benz Zetros all-terrain trucks from Germany's THW for the regional water utility company (Oblvodokanal), enhancing capability to transport equipment and materials in difficult terrain. (Source: Zaporizhzhia OVA, 09:06 UTC).
IV. Diplomatic, Political, and Humanitarian
Paris Summit: President Zelenskyy arrived in Paris for the "Coalition of the Willing" summit hosted by President Macron, focusing on support for Ukraine. (Source: RBC-Ukraine 09:16 UTC).
"Coalition of the Willing" Dynamics: NYT reports divergence among member states regarding the willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine post-conflict. (Source: TASS 09:18 UTC).
NATO Membership: NATO Secretary General Rutte stated NATO has not declared Ukraine will become a member but does not exclude the possibility. (Source: Tsaplienko 09:08 UTC).
Negotiations/Peace Process: France expresses belief that China can play a role in persuading Russia to negotiate seriously. (Source: RBC-Ukraine 09:09 UTC). Turkey indicates readiness to assist with Black Sea grain corridor but no decision reached. (Source: TASS 09:06 UTC).
US-Ukraine Relations: Details and criticism emerge regarding a purported US-Ukraine minerals agreement, with a Ukrainian MP (Zhelznyak) claiming it grants the US significant control over all Ukrainian mineral resources indefinitely with limited Ukrainian input and no security guarantees. (Sources: Tsaplienko 09:19 UTC, TASS 09:12, 09:16, 09:20 UTC). Requires verification and context.
Russia-DPRK Relations: Discussions ongoing regarding dates and program for Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia. (Source: TASS 09:27 UTC).
Humanitarian: Russia handed over 5 Ukrainian children via Qatari mediation. (Source: TASS 09:29 UTC).
Russian Internal Measures: Ombudsman proposes enhanced social support for SVO participants and families. (Source: Dnevnik Desantnika, 09:08 UTC). FSB alleges UA recruitment efforts via RAND Corp cover. (Source: TASS 08:34 UTC). SBU denies staff involvement in facilitating illegal border crossing, confirms investigation with NABU. (Source: Tsaplienko, 09:23 UTC).
