Military Situation Update: Ukraine - March 29, 2025, 02:26 UTC
(Incorporating updates received up to 02:26 UTC)
I. Air, Missile, and Drone Activity
Guided Aerial Bomb (KAB) Threat: Russian tactical aviation conducted KAB launches towards Sumy Oblast around 02:01 UTC, Mar 29. (Ukrainian Air Force / RBC-Ukraine - NEW)
UAV Threat Ended: Threat of Shahed strike UAVs cleared across all oblasts as of 01:01 UTC, Mar 29 (Ukrainian Air Force / RBC-Ukraine). This follows a period of diminished activity overnight.
Previous Activity (Recap): Minimal UAVs tracked late Mar 28 over Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Sumy Oblasts. Air alerts ended in Kyiv (00:18 UTC) and Zaporizhzhia (23:53 UTC, Mar 28). Possible Shahed interception reported over Kyiv late Mar 28.
Damage: Extensive damage to multiple residential buildings, homes, vehicles, service stations. Large fire extinguished at Bartolommeo restaurant complex. Search/rescue concluded. Evidence documentation ongoing.
Luhansk Fire Cause (Russian Claim): RU sources attribute large warehouse fire to debris from 2 allegedly intercepted Ukrainian UAVs. No casualties claimed. (RU CLAIM)
Russian Air Strike Claim (Tactical - Mar 29): Video shared by RU sources (Voenkor DV, ~01:05 UTC) purportedly shows a Russian aircraft launching unguided aerial rockets (NAR) using a loft maneuver ("с кабрирования"), resulting in one rocket hitting and detonating a Ukrainian field ammunition depot. Objective control (BDA via drone) claimed. (RU CLAIM - Tactical Event)
Russian Artillery Strike Claim (Toretsk Direction): RU sources claim a BM-21 Grad strike hit a Ukrainian ammunition transport vehicle near Dzerzhinsk (Toretsk), causing secondary explosions. (RU CLAIM)
RU MoD claims forces in Kursk Oblast are "confidently advancing towards the border with Ukraine" (TASS, 02:06 UTC). (RU CLAIM)
RU MoD video/report claims capture of Ukrainian POWs (allegedly recent draftees) and trophies in the Kursk border area. The report also mentions high attrition within the involved Russian assault group (4 survivors). (TASS, 02:13 UTC). (RU CLAIM / VISUAL)
Ukrainian Equipment Loss Claim (NEW): Russian sources (Colonelcassad, 02:05 UTC) published images claiming the destruction of a Ukrainian M109A6 Paladin SPG (attributed to 47th Mech Brigade) in Kursk Oblast. (RU CLAIM / VISUAL)
Ukrainian Advance Confirmed (ISW, Mar 29 Pub): Confirmed UA advances into eastern Popovka (NW Belgorod Oblast).
Russian Advances Confirmed (ISW, Mar 29 Pub): Confirmed RU advances near Guyevo (Kursk Oblast).
Confirmed Ukrainian HIMARS Strike (Kursk, Mar 26-27): Eliminated Russian Rosgvardia Major Marat Tibilov ("Hero of Russia") near Cherkasske-Porechne.
Kupiansk / Kharkiv Direction (Significant Russian Claims & Pressure):
Russian Claim (NEW): Military expert Marochko claims Russian forces have "100% secured positions" near Topoli, Kharkiv Oblast (border area SE of Kupiansk). (TASS, 02:09 UTC). (RU CLAIM)
Russian Claims (Mar 28): Significant advances claimed by "Zapad" Group on Dvurichanskyi bridgehead: entry into Mala Shapkovka, full control of Kondrashivka, advance across Velykyi Burluk road, entry into Tyshchenkivka. Attributed by RU to potential UA redeployments. (RU CLAIM - Verification Required)
ISW Assessment (Mar 29 Pub): Intense fighting, assessed RU advances east of Oskil River (near Synkivka, Kyslivka, Zahryzove). Previous RU claim on Pershotravneve reiterated.
Russian Advance Confirmed (ISW, Mar 29 Pub): Confirmed RU advances near the Tsentralna mine.
Russian Casualty Claim (South Group - NEW): RU MoD claims inflicting significant UA losses (part of up to 260 total) in the area covered by the "South" Group of Forces. (TASS, 02:03 UTC). (RU CLAIM)
Russian Casualty Claim (South Group - NEW): RU MoD claims inflicting significant UA losses (part of up to 260 total) in the area covered by the "South" Group of Forces. (TASS, 02:03 UTC). (RU CLAIM)
Russian Advance Confirmed (ISW, Mar 29 Pub): Confirmed RU advances near Kurakhove and north of Andriivka.
Russian Casualty Claim (South Group - NEW): RU MoD claims inflicting significant UA losses (part of up to 260 total) in the area covered by the "South" Group of Forces. (TASS, 02:03 UTC). (RU CLAIM)
RU sources report ongoing attacks on Vesele (RU CLAIM).
UGS reported 13 RU attacks repelled (Novopavlivsk, Mar 27).
Zaporizhzhia Direction (Orikhiv/Huliaipole):
Russian Advance Confirmed (ISW, Mar 29 Pub): Confirmed RU advances in fields north of Zherebyanky (West Zaporizhzhia Oblast). Previous RU claims placed forces in center of Lobkove.
Huliaipole: Previous RU claims of breaking into Vilne Pole (RU CLAIM).
Russian Casualty Claim (South Group - NEW): RU MoD claims inflicting significant UA losses (part of up to 260 total) in the area covered by the "South" Group of Forces (likely includes Huliaipole axis). (TASS, 02:03 UTC). (RU CLAIM)
Civilian evacuation ongoing from frontline communities.
Prydniprovsky Direction (Left Bank Kherson): Positional fighting. Contested areas and claimed UA counteroffensives (ISW Map, Mar 29 Pub).
III. Other Military-Relevant Developments
Enemy Tactics/Capabilities & Claims:
Kursk Operations Claims (NEW): RU MoD / sources claim advances towards border, destruction of UA M109 Paladin, capture of POWs. (RU CLAIM)
"South" Group Casualty Claims (NEW): RU MoD claims inflicting up to 260 UA KIA/WIA and destroying 1 tank across Pokrovsk, Toretsk, Huliaipole directions in 24hrs. (RU CLAIM)
Unguided Rocket Air Strikes: RU sources claim successful use of NAR from aircraft against ground targets (ammunition depot), utilizing loft tactics and drone BDA (Mar 29). (RU CLAIM)
UR-77 Use: RU MoD confirmed use against UA stronghold (Pokrovsk direction, Mar 28).
Battlefield Observation: Recent RU drone footage (Mar 29) shows aftermath of combat in an unspecified rural area, documenting destroyed military equipment and damaged buildings.
Command & Control / Strategic Developments:
Ukrainian Command: Andriy Hnatov appointed Chief of General Staff / Stavka member (Mar 28).
Russian Offensive Preparations (UA Assessment): Previous intel indicated RU preparations for new offensives targeting Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblasts (Zelenskyy, Mar 27).
Logistics & Personnel:
Ukrainian Personnel (RU Claim - NEW): Anecdotal RU report claims captured UA POWs in Kursk border area were recently drafted. (RU CLAIM)
Russian Engineering: Road construction continues in occupied Donetsk Oblast for logistics.
Russian Recruitment/Losses/Internal:
Kursk Assault Group Losses (RU Anecdotal - NEW): RU soldier in MoD report claims high attrition (4 survivors) in own assault group during Kursk border operation. (RU CLAIM / SOURCE REPORT)
Reports highlight rapid deployment, use of penal recruits.
Appeals from relatives indicate significant MIA personnel/ID backlogs.
Defense Industry Figure Incident: Former deputy founder of "Telta" plant (defense-related) reportedly escaped house arrest by signing MoD contract, then recaptured (TASS, Mar 29). Suggests potential recruitment pathways and internal control issues.
FSB Counter-Intelligence Operation (St. Petersburg - UPDATE): Russian FSB detained a Russian citizen accused of treason (Art. 275). Allegations include administering pro-Ukrainian/opposition resources, contacting Ukrainian GUR, and providing financial assistance to AFU. Subject reportedly acted voluntarily. (RVvoenkor, Mar 29). This highlights Russian internal security efforts targeting perceived domestic support for Ukraine.
Russian Crowdfunding: Ongoing public appeals (e.g., VDV request for Mavic 3 batteries, Mar 29) suggest reliance on non-standard channels for tactical equipment.
Intelligence/Production: Ukraine secured expanded access to partner intel/ammo. Agreements for domestic AD system production; artillery production licenses sought.
US Aid Terms: Refusal of debt-based aid reiterated; US indicated future aid may not be free (Zelenskyy).
Information Operations & Propaganda:
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Narrative (RU Source): Russian sources (RVvoenkor, Mar 29) amplify claims of planned "desecration" by Ukrainian authorities during Lent, framing it as anti-Orthodox action encouraged by the West. Analysis of related images notes police presence near a church, potentially exploitable for propaganda.
POW Abuse Claims (RU Source): Russian sources (Colonelcassad, Mar 29) disseminated alleged testimony from a returned POW ("Pianist") detailing severe mistreatment (beatings, dog attacks) in Ukrainian captivity, including specific targeting of an Odesa native. Presented as evidence for a Russian-affiliated "tribunal". This narrative aims to demoralize UA forces, justify RU actions, and potentially influence international opinion.
IV. Recent Historical Context (Relevant Confirmed Strikes/Events - Previous Updates)
Confirmed Ukrainian Strikes (Past Week):
HIMARS strike eliminating RU Major Tibilov (Mar 26-27, Kursk Oblast).
Strike on RU Command Post (9th MRR/18th MRD) near Viktorivka-Uspenivka (Kursk Oblast), eliminating Battalion Commander (reported Mar 26).
Claimed strike on Engels-2 Airbase destroying 96 ALCMs/fuel (Mar 20, details emerged Mar 27).
Sudzha GIS Strike (Mar 28): Significant damage confirmed at Sudzha Gas Metering Station (Kursk Oblast). Russia attributes to UA HIMARS; Ukraine denies/attributes to Russia.
