Russian MoD video claims Geran-2 drone strike targeted a Ukrainian troop deployment point in Sumy Oblast.
Russian source provides details on alleged strikes in Sumy Oblast (night Mar 28/29):
Chernechchyna: Claimed strike on "Slavna" park complex (alleged UA command base), destroying structures and causing casualties (5 KIA, 8 WIA claimed).
Bilopillia: Claimed strike on engineering unit base, destroying hangars and equipment.
Kharkiv Direction:
Ukrainian unit "Pryvid Hortytsi" released video claiming drone strikes (standard and thermal) targeting Russian soldiers near Kharkiv.
Kramatorsk Direction (inc. Chasiv Yar):
Russian sources claim a Ukrainian armored and infantry attack towards the center of Chasiv Yar was repelled, with destruction of Ukrainian equipment (T-80, MTLB, etc.) shown in video/map with coordinates provided.
Ukrainian 5th Assault Brigade released video claiming destruction of Russian positions and personnel sheltering within the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal infrastructure using FPV drones.
Dnipro Strikes (Mar 28 Night):
Russian source (@don_partizan) claims 5 Geran-2 drones targeted the HQ of National Police unit "Dnipro-1" and the 356th Territorial Defense Battalion Command Post. Claims destruction of administrative buildings, mobile command post, server rooms, 17 vehicles (Ford Transit, Toyota Hilux, Renault Midlum, IVECO Daily), and casualties (6 KIA, 12 WIA). This source alleges the Bartolomeo restaurant complex was hit due to EW interference, not direct targeting.
Ukrainian sources released video showing extensive damage to the Bartolomeo complex.
Air Activity:
Ukrainian Air Force reported activity of Russian reconnaissance UAVs in Sumy and Kharkiv Oblasts (approx. 12:04 UTC).
Air raid alert was active in Zaporizhzhia Oblast between approx. 12:05 UTC and 12:22 UTC.
Information Operations:
Russian sources continue highlighting the Amsterdam stabbing incident involving a Ukrainian national.
Russian sources circulate video claiming Ukrainian forces stage photoshoots for propaganda purposes.
Russian sources circulate video of attempted illegal border crossings from Ukraine.
Russian sources circulate video showing destroyed vehicles on a road near Sudzha (Kursk Oblast), claiming they belonged to civilians fleeing Ukrainian forces targeted by Ukrainian drones.
Discrepancies highlighted by Russian sources regarding the specific terms of a potential "energy truce" agreed between Ukraine/US versus Russia/US, alleging the UA/US version covers more facility types (incl. oil/gas production) than the RU/US version.
II. Consolidated Situation Assessment (As of 12:26 UTC)
A. Overall Situation
The operational tempo remains high across multiple fronts, particularly in the East and along the northern border regions. Russian forces continue offensive operations aiming for territorial gains, while Ukrainian forces conduct defensive operations, counter-attacks, and deep strikes using drones and missiles. Air and missile threats persist against both military targets and civilian infrastructure. The information space remains highly contested.
B. Ground Operations by Axis
Eastern Front (Donetsk & Luhansk Oblasts):
Pokrovsk Direction: Remains the primary focus of Russian offensive efforts. Continuous heavy fighting reported with RU forces employing small infantry group tactics. RU MoD ("Center" Grouping) claims tactical improvements and infliction of heavy losses (>480 personnel claimed in 24h).
Kramatorsk Direction (inc. Bakhmut, Toretsk, Chasiv Yar): Intense fighting continues.
Chasiv Yar: Russian sources claim repelling a Ukrainian armored attack near the city center. Ukrainian forces report destroying Russian assault groups with FPV drones.
Toretsk: Russian MoD ("South" Grouping) claims capture of Panteleimonivka. Significant Russian pressure persists with multiple daily attacks reported. RU artillery claimed successful strike near Dzerzhinsk (Toretsk).
Kramatorsk Sector: Ukrainian 5th Assault Brigade reports successful drone strikes against Russian positions within canal infrastructure.
Kupyansk-Lyman Direction: Positional fighting and Russian attempts to advance continue. RU MoD ("West" Grouping) claims occupying more advantageous positions and inflicting losses (210 personnel claimed in 24h). Earlier RU claims (Mar 28) asserted significant advances on the Dvurichanskyi bridgehead (Mala Shapkovka, Kondrashivka, Tyshchenkivka), requiring verification.
Siversk Direction: Persistent Russian attacks repelled near Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, Ivano-Darivka.
Novopavlivsk/Vremivka Directions: Continued Russian attacks reported near Kostiantynopil, Rozlyv, Skudne, Vesele. RU MoD ("East" Grouping) claims continued forward movement and inflicting losses (150 personnel claimed in 24h).
Southern Front (Zaporizhzhia & Kherson Oblasts):
Orikhiv/Huliaipole Direction: Russian MoD ("Dnepr" Grouping) claims capture of Shcherbaky. Persistent fighting reported near Mali Shcherbaky, Stepove, Lobkove. RU MoD claims inflicting losses (>70 personnel claimed in 24h). Air alert recently active in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Local authorities focus on enhancing energy resilience with UN support.
Kherson Direction (Left Bank): Situation described by RU sources as primarily positional with long-range engagements. Ukrainian presence near the Antonivsky bridge persists, though RU sources claim attempts at reinforcement/expansion are interdicted. Ukrainian forces report drone strikes preventing Russian river crossing attempts. Nikopol district (Right Bank) continues to suffer from Russian artillery and drone attacks (4 civilians WIA reported Mar 26).
Northern Front & Border Regions:
Sumy/Kursk Border: Highly volatile situation with ongoing clashes and conflicting claims.
RU MoD reiterates claim of capturing Veselovka, now visually claimed by RU sources. Ongoing RU assaults reported on Basovka and Vladimirovka.
Ukrainian forces conduct cross-border FPV drone attacks targeting Russian equipment and personnel in Kursk Oblast.
RU strikes reported targeting troop locations and alleged command/engineering bases in Sumy Oblast.
Kharkiv/Belgorod Border: Continued high operational tempo. Ukrainian forces report repelling attacks and destroying RU equipment. Confirmed UA FPV strike destroyed a Russian tank in this sector. RU MoD ("North" Grouping) claims inflicting losses (185 personnel claimed in 24h). Ukrainian unit reports drone operations targeting RU soldiers near Kharkiv.
C. Air, Missile, and Drone Activity
Russian Strikes:
Continued massed Shahed UAV attacks targeting infrastructure and civilian areas (e.g., Dnipro Mar 28 night; >100 launched Mar 28/29).
Ballistic missile threat remains (demonstrated by Kryvyi Rih strike, hitting former factory site according to RU claims, causing 7 civilian WIA).
Persistent use of tactical aviation deploying KABs against frontline positions (Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kharkiv).
RU MoD claims widespread strikes over 24h targeting airfield infrastructure, UAV facilities, depots, and personnel concentrations (148 areas). Specific claims include Geran-2 strikes in Sumy Oblast (troop location, command base, engineering base) and Dnipro (HQ/CP).
Air defense actively engages Shahed drones and missiles. RU MoD claims interception of 73 UA UAVs, 1 JDAM, 1 HIMARS rocket in 24h.
Ukrainian F-16s are operational, reportedly achieving high intercept rates against drones/missiles.
Extensive use of FPV drones for tactical strikes against RU personnel, equipment (tanks, BTRs, vehicles), and positions across multiple fronts (Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Pokrovsk, Kursk Oblast).
Successful HIMARS strike confirmed eliminating RU Major Tibilov (Kursk Oblast, Mar 26-27).
D. Naval Activity
Russian Kalibr missile carriers remain deployed:
Black Sea: 2 carriers (up to 8 missiles).
Mediterranean Sea: 3 carriers (up to 26 missiles).
E. Logistics & Technology
Russian forces continue efforts to improve logistics (e.g., constructing new roads in occupied Donetsk).
High FPV drone expenditure and attrition noted, particularly on the Belgorod border (indicated by RU crowdfunding).
Ongoing Ukrainian drone development and adaptation efforts reported.
Ukrzaliznytsia website/app cyberattack disruption continues (reported ongoing as of Mar 26), impacting civilian ticketing.
Zaporizhzhia authorities planning alternative energy generation (cogeneration, solar) for critical infrastructure resilience.
F. Information Environment & Diplomacy
Ukrainian Foreign Minister framed recent Russian strikes as Putin's rejection of US ceasefire proposals and continued targeting of civilians.
Conflicting statements persist regarding a potential "energy ceasefire"; US VP Vance asserts it is active, while Ukraine reports ongoing Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. Russian sources claim differing term definitions between UA/US and RU/US agreements.
Reports of potential USAID closure/restructuring by the US administration raise concerns about future aid mechanisms and "soft power" efforts.
Russian information operations actively leverage incidents like the Amsterdam stabbing and alleged Ukrainian budget mismanagement for occupied territories. Narrative continues about alleged UA war crimes/atrocities in border areas and alleged use of psychotropic drugs by UA soldiers. Claims Luhansk warehouse fire caused by intercepted UA UAV debris.
Ukrainian Ombudsman previously highlighted "massive and systemic" human rights violations by TCCs (military recruitment centers).
G. Civilian Impact
Significant civilian casualties (KIA/WIA) and widespread damage resulted from recent Russian air/missile strikes, particularly in Dnipro (4 KIA, 19 WIA from Mar 28 drone strikes) and Kryvyi Rih (7 WIA from Mar 29 missile strike). Damage to residential buildings confirmed in both cities.
Ongoing power outages reported, particularly impacting Kharkiv Oblast.
Continued Russian shelling and drone attacks on frontline communities like Nikopol district cause civilian injuries and damage.
