Military Situation Update: March 28, 2025, 08:56 UTC
I. Strategic Overview & Key Developments
Combat Intensity: High-intensity combat continues across the front, with major efforts focused on the Pokrovsk, Lyman, Kupyansk, and Toretsk directions, as well as the Kursk/Belgorod/Sumy border region. Russian forces are reportedly concentrating assaults near Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk).
Mass Drone Exchange (Overnight Mar 27/28):
Ukraine: Launched a large-scale drone campaign against targets within Russia. The Ukrainian Air Force (UA AFU) reported launching 163 strike (Shahed-type) and imitator UAVs from Russia and occupied Crimea. As of 09:00 UTC Mar 28, 89 strike UAVs were confirmed shot down over southern, northern, and central Ukraine (Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia). 51 imitator drones were reported "locationally lost".
Russia: The Russian Ministry of Defence (RU MoD) claimed interception/destruction of 78 Ukrainian UAVs over eight Russian Oblasts (Voronezh, Saratov, Kursk, Belgorod, Lipetsk, Rostov, Tambov).
Energy Infrastructure Strikes (Contradicting Previous Reports of Agreement):
RU MoD Accusation: Ukraine continued strikes on Russian energy infrastructure using UAVs and HIMARS, calling Kyiv's previous commitments to cease such attacks a "ruse".
Sudzha Gas Station Attack (RU Claim): RU MoD claims a double HIMARS strike by Ukraine around 10:20 UTC, Mar 28, effectively destroyed the Sudzha gas metering station (Kursk Oblast), causing a large fire. (Multiple sources confirm reports/video of fire/damage at Sudzha GIS).
Other RU Claims: RU MoD reports 19 UA UAVs targeting the Saratov oil refinery were intercepted/downed. An artillery strike on Mar 27 hit a "Rosseti" facility in Belgorod Oblast, causing power outages in Shebekinsky district. Russian source (Mash na Donbasse) also claimed UA strikes hit four energy facilities in occupied Kherson Oblast (substations "Bolshaya Lepetikha" and "Vinogradovo", Novokakhovsky RES, power lines in Skadovsk).
Continued Russian Strikes: Russian forces continue extensive air, drone (2911 kamikaze attacks reported previous day by Operatyvnyi ZSU), and artillery (6430 shelling incidents reported previous day) strikes, including Guided Aerial Bombs (KABs - 157 reported previous day), targeting Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure across multiple regions. A large, persistent fire was observed in the Sumy direction (RU source claim, potentially energy infrastructure).
II. Air, Missile, and Drone Activity
Russian Air/Missile/Drone Activity:
Ongoing Threats (as of ~08:35 UTC): UAV activity reported in Kharkiv Oblast, possible air defense engagement (UA AFU). Tactical aviation activity previously noted on eastern/northeastern fronts with KAB threats towards Sumy Oblast (UA AFU).
Claimed Strikes (RU):
Destruction of UA UAV production workshop/warehouse in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv Oblast (RU MoD).
BM-21 Grad strike destroyed UA ammo transport near Dzerzhynsk (Toretsk) (Narodnaya Militsiya DNR).
Destruction of UA Dovbush T-20 UAV carrier in Chernihiv Oblast using fiber-optic FPV drone (Colonelcassad).
Tank strike on UA fortified positions (Colonelcassad).
Destruction of UA HMMWV near Predtechyne (Kostiantynivka direction) by drone (Kotsnews).
Ukrainian Air/Missile/Drone Activity:
Overnight Campaign: (See Section I).
Reported Strikes (RU Claims): Destruction of UA 2S22 Bohdana SPG in South Donetsk direction by RU UAV (Voin DV).
Procurement/Supply: Delivery of 68 DJI Mavic drones to UA National Guard units (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast). Ongoing large-scale public fundraising for FPV drones (Sternenko reports 420 FPVs purchased in last 24h, total 165,519).
III. Border Situation (Kursk/Belgorod/Sumy/Kharkiv)
Overall: Intense positional fighting, heavy artillery/drone exchanges, and claimed cross-border actions persist.
Belgorod Oblast (RU Claims):
Renewed UA ground assaults on Popovka (Krasnoyaruzhsky Dist.) reported overnight/morning Mar 28, claimed repelled (6 attempts in 24h). Small arms fighting reported within Popovka. UA forces allegedly hit by friendly fire UAVs. Attacks on Demidovka also claimed repelled (Voenkor Kotenok). Situation in Krasnoyaruzhsky district remains "difficult" (RU Governor).
Yesterday's fighting near Popovka described as fierce (25 RU border guards vs 150 UA SF), with RU guards allegedly calling fire on themselves (Dnevnik Desantnika).
Kursk Oblast (RU) / Sumy Oblast (UA) Border:
RU Claimed Advances (Voenkor Kotenok):
Hoholivka (Gogolevka?): Claimed fully "liberated"; RU 51st Para Regt allegedly secured positions near Suja border crossing.
Oleshnya Area: UA 95th Brigade forces holding Oleshnya claimed to be in semi-encirclement with heavy losses; reinforcement difficult.
RU Captured Equipment Claim: Alleged captured/damaged US-supplied M1117 ASV reported in Kursk Oblast (Colonelcassad).
UA Repelled Assaults: Ukrainian General Staff reports 18 Russian assaults repelled in Kursk region over the past day.
IV. Frontline Activity
General: High intensity reported by UA General Staff across multiple axes. RU sources claim steady advances (average 7.5 sq km/day, Mar 13-26).
Pokrovsk (RU: Krasnoarmeysk) Direction:
RU Claims (Dnevnik Desantnika): Advancing towards Kotlyarivka (claimed 600m advance from Nadiia/Nadezhdinka?). UA counterattacks ongoing near Oleksiivka, RU claims holding outskirts. Assault groups advancing towards Bohdanivka from Sribne, claim reaching eastern part.
UA Reports (General Staff): Clashes near Panteleymonivka, Oleksandropil, Vodyane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Sukhyy Yar, Kotlyne, Udachne, Uspenivka, Preobrazhenka, Andriyivka and towards Malynivka, Novooleksandrivka. 68 RU assaults repelled.
POWs: UA SSO reportedly captured RU POWs near Pokrovsk (Butusov POW video identifies one from 55th Bde).
Lyman Direction:
UA Reports (General Staff): Clashes near Nadiya, Kolodyazi, Myrne, Yampolivka and towards Novoserhiyivka, Nove, Olhivka, Dronivka, Hryhorivka. 32 RU assaults repelled.
Kupyansk Direction:
UA Reports (General Staff): Clashes near Stepova Novoselivka, Zahryzove and towards Petropavlivka, Pischane, Niv Kruhlyakivka, Bohuslavka. 26 RU assaults repelled.
UA Drone Strikes: Reported strikes on RU infantry positions (OTU Kharkiv, 5th Slobozhanska Bde).
Toretsk Direction:
UA Reports (General Staff): Clashes near Krymske, Ozaryanivka, Kurdumivka, Toretsk and towards Dyliyivka, Leonidivka, Scherbynivka. 24 RU assaults repelled.
POWs: UA 12th Azov Brigade reported capturing 20 RU POWs after failed assaults (Butusov Plus).
RU Claim: BM-21 Grad strike destroyed UA ammo transport near Dzerzhynsk (Toretsk) (Narodnaya Militsiya DNR).
Zaporizhzhia Oblast (Orikhiv/Huliaipole Directions):
UA Assessment (Spokesman Voloshyn): Situation becoming more tense; RU activating assaults with small infantry groups, accumulating forces. Number of assaults increased since early spring.
UA Reports (General Staff): Clashes near Scherbaky, Lobkove, Kamyanske (Orikhiv axis - 9 assaults repelled). Clashes near Pryvilne, Novosilka and towards Vilne Pole (Huliaipole axis - 9 assaults repelled).
Novopavlivka Direction:
UA Reports (General Staff): Clashes near Kostyantynopil, Rozlyv, Skudne, Dniproenerhiya and Burlatske. 14 RU assaults repelled.
Kramatorsk Direction:
UA Reports (General Staff): Clashes near Chasiv Yar and Predtechyne. 4 RU assaults repelled.
RU Claim: Destruction of UA HMMWV near Predtechyne by drone (Kotsnews).
Sieversk Direction:
UA Reports (General Staff): Clashes near Bilohorivka and Verkhnokamyanske. 3 RU assaults repelled.
Kharkiv Direction:
UA Reports (General Staff): Clashes near Vovchansk and Fyholivka. 6 RU assaults repelled.
South Donetsk Direction:
RU Claim: Destruction of UA 2S22 Bohdana SPG with UAV (Voin DV).
V. Other Key Developments
Humanitarian/Casualties:
Child Tracking: US State Dept confirms temporary (6-week) funding extension for Conflict Observatory program tracking deported UA children; data transfer to Europol planned.
Child Casualties (UA OGP): Updated figures: 606 children killed, >1841 injured since invasion start.
POWs/MIAs: UA Coordination Staff held online meeting with families of 24th Mech Bde soldiers.
UA Officer Casualties (Claim): Elimination claimed of RU Maj. Rustem Mulyukov, Capt. Andrey Baev, Capt. Andrey Kalugin (Shtefan).
RU War Correspondent: Funeral held for Alexander Fedorchak in Simferopol, Crimea.
Internal Security (Ukraine):
SBU Arrests: Two alleged RU agents detained in Donetsk Oblast (Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Toretsk areas) suspected of providing targeting info.
Mobilization Issues: Video testimony alleges poor medical care for wounded, forced redeployment of severely injured.
Legislation: Draft laws approved for prison terms for sanctions calls (mercenary motive) and in absentia trials for security crimes.
Propaganda: Reports of civilians crawling through symbolic pipe near Yekaterinburg church related to Sudzha advance. RU MoD claims capture of UA troops (Zapad Group).
Alleged UA Conduct (RU Claims):
Use of psychotropic drugs ("fear suppressants") near Belgorod border (requires verification).
UA PsyOps spreading disinformation about Krasnaya Yaruga capture.
Foreign Involvement:
Identification claimed of US citizen Bradley Karl Jennison as participant in Oct 2024 Bryansk DRG raid (RU Claim).
French arms deals (CAESAR, SAMP/T, Mistral 3) with Croatia highlighted (RU sources).
