Main Russian Ground Efforts (UGS): Pokrovsk (Highest intensity), Lyman, Kupyansk, Toretsk directions remain focal points. Operations persist with intensity along the Kursk/Belgorod border.
Russian Stance & Intentions:
President Putin (Mar 27) stated Russia seeks a peaceful resolution addressing "root causes" and ensuring Russian security, but "not at our expense". He claimed Russia holds the strategic initiative, believes Russian forces will "finish off" Ukrainian forces, and will not repeat mistakes based on trust in the West.
Putin questioned the legitimacy of current Ukrainian civilian authorities due to lack of elections, claimed growing "Nazi" (including Azov) influence complicates negotiations, and proposed discussing a temporary UN-led administration in Ukraine to hold elections.
Putin claimed 99% of Luhansk Oblast and over 70% of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts are controlled by Russian forces, stating troops are advancing daily.
Ongoing Russian preparations for potential offensives towards Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts are indicated. CinC Syrskyi confirmed Russian efforts to extend combat into Sumy Oblast.
Diplomacy & International Support:
UA-US Security Agreement Concerns: Significant concern reported within Ukraine regarding a potential draft agreement linked to Donald Trump, potentially granting the US extensive control over Ukrainian resources/reconstruction funds and requiring aid repayment. Ukrainian officials reportedly view it as undermining sovereignty.
Black Sea Understanding: Clarified by UA MFA Spokesperson to apply only to civil shipping/ports, excluding Russian military warships.
US-Russia Contacts: Reports suggest continued contacts, with a potential second round in Riyadh mid-April.
International Aid Updates:
Czech Initiative: Aiming for 1.5 million artillery shells in 2025.
Netherlands: Accelerated delivery confirmed; €2bn planned for 2025.
France: €2bn package confirmed; 300 troops deploying to Romania.
Ramstein Format: Next meeting scheduled for April 11.
Russian Force Developments:
Naval: Launch of Yasen-M submarine "Perm". Putin announced a new naval development strategy to 2050. Maj. Gen. Mikhail Gudkov appointed Deputy Commander of the Navy.
Marines: Putin announced reorganization of Marine brigades into divisions (two this year, including the 155th, two next year, one the year after).
II. Air, Missile, and Drone Activity
Large-Scale Shahed Attack Ongoing (As of 22:00 UTC):
Multiple groups remain active across Ukraine. Air raid alerts active in Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia Oblasts.
Updated Movement Vectors (UA Air Force 21:30 UTC / Mykolaivskyi Vanek 21:34, 21:44 UTC):
Drones in central/southern Sumy Oblast (SW course).
Drones in eastern Chernihiv Oblast (SW course), west of Nizhyn, north of Pryluky.
Drones in Poltava Oblast moving west; some transitioning to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Drones in northern Vinnytsia Oblast towards Zhytomyr Oblast; 1 on western course.
Drones in southern Kirovohrad Oblast towards Mykolaiv Oblast.
Drones in southern Vinnytsia Oblast towards Cherkasy Oblast; 1 on western course.
Approximately 3 drones circling near Yelanets (Mykolaiv Oblast).
Poltava:Hit confirmed on an industrial zone within city limits. Power outages reported, supply being gradually restored. No casualties reported (as of 21:12 UTC).
Zaporizhzhia City/Oblast (Aftermath): Fires liquidated. One 19-year-old male injured. Damage to houses and multi-story building windows confirmed; repairs underway.
Kursk Direction Claim: Russian sources claim a missile strike targeted a concentration of Ukrainian 80th Air Assault Brigade personnel near Oleshnia (Kursk Oblast border area).
Targeting Claims (RU MoD, Mar 27): Claimed strikes on military airfield infrastructure, arms plants, UAV workshops, depots, and 157 concentration areas. ZALA Z-16 UAV confirmed used for UMPK FAB bomb strike correction.
Ukrainian Air/Drone Activity & Claims:
Crimea Strikes (UA GUR, Mar 27): Successful drone strikes claimed against multiple Russian air defense systems (including 48Ya6-K1 Podlet, 9S32 Imbir, 39N6 Kasta-2E2, Pantsir-S1), command posts (including CP BRLS RM-10M1E, CP RLS ST-68), a tugboat ("Fedor Uryupin"), and a military truck ("Kamaz"). Video evidence released.
Belgorod Bridge Strikes (UA): Video confirmation released of Ukrainian aviation strikes destroying bridges in Grafovka and Nadezhivka (Belgorod Oblast, RU), assessed by Russian sources as disrupting logistics for potential Ukrainian operations.
Counter-Drone: Continued reports of downing RU drones.
Kursk Direction (UGS, 20:00 UTC): 18 clashes reported. Heavy RU artillery/air strikes. Ukrainian forces cited repelling attacks. RU forces secured MAPP Sudzha checkpoint. Claims of clearing Hoholiivka, advancing towards Oleshnia, consolidating in N. Huyevo. Fighting near Basovka, Gogolevka, Huyevo, Sudzha crossing, Oleshnia. Russian claim of missile strike near Oleshnia.
Belgorod Oblast: Higher UA activity claimed vs Kursk. UA presence claimed in Popovka and Demidovka. Intense RU artillery/FPV fire. Confirmed UA airstrikes on bridges in Grafovka and Annovka (Nadezhivka).
Sumy Oblast: CinC Syrskyi confirmed RU efforts to expand combat into the oblast. Evacuations ordered from Krasnopillia community.
Kharkiv Direction (Vovchansk): 5 RU assaults repelled near Vovchansk (UGS).
Lyman Direction:HIGH INTENSITY / CRITICAL. 32 RU attacks reported (UGS). Axes include Kolodiazi, Yampolivka, Novoserhiivka. 3 clashes ongoing. Terny assessed almost fully RU-occupied (DeepState). Russian claims of advances west of Novoliubivka, near Nevske/Novoliubivka, north of Ivanivka, towards Myrne.
Siversk Direction: 3 RU assaults repelled near Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamyanske (UGS).
Kramatorsk Direction (Chasiv Yar/Bakhmut): 4 RU attempts repelled near Chasiv Yar, Predtechyne (UGS).
Pokrovsk Direction:HIGHEST INTENSITY. 57 RU assaults reported (UGS). Multiple axes. 12 clashes ongoing. Significant RU air strikes. High RU losses claimed by UGS (~298 neutralized). Ukrainian forces reportedly pushed back RU forces in lower Kotlyne. Continued RU pressure on Pishchane and unsuccessful attempts on Udachne.
Russian Claims (Kotenok, 21:29 UTC): Advanced in Vilne Pole settlement and northern plantings; advanced north of Burlatske (up to 1 km); fierce fighting for Vesele; advanced towards Komar, Otradne, Bohatyr; fighting on approaches to Razlyv.
Huliaipole Direction: 9 RU assaults repelled near Pryvilne, Novosilka, towards Vilne Pole (UGS). Russian sources claim forces broke through into Vilne Pole.
Orikhiv Direction (Zaporizhzhia): 4 RU attacks repelled towards Shcherbaky, Lobkove, Kam'yanske (UGS).
Russian Claim (Kotenok, 21:24 UTC): "Dnepr" Group units broke through into the center of Shcherbaky and continue advancing north, repelling counterattacks. (Directly contradicts UGS report). Russian advance reported near Enerhodar/ZNPP area.
Prydniprovsky Direction (Left Bank Kherson): No active RU offensive actions reported (UGS). Positional fighting persists.
IV. Other Developments
Cybersecurity: Ukrzaliznytsia website/app remain non-functional (4th day) due to cyberattack. Russian court fined Telegram for refusing to delete channels.
Information Space: Allegations surfaced regarding potential mismanagement of funds raised by Ukrainian figure O. Honcharenko for military units. Russian MoD launched a multimedia project on WWII heroes. Extensive dissemination of Putin's statements on the conflict and negotiations.
Logistics: Continued fundraising appeals from both sides.
Evacuation: Mandatory evacuation expanded in several Hromadas in Donetsk Oblast.
