Military Situation Update: Ukraine - March 30, 2025, 11:26 UTC
I. Key Developments (Since Mar 30, 10:56 UTC)
Ground Combat Updates (Kursk Border Area - Huyevo):
Russian sources (Starshie Eddy, Colonelcassad) continue to report ongoing fighting within the settlement of Huyevo (Kursk Oblast, RU).
Claims indicate Russian forces (specifically identified as the 22nd Regiment by Starshie Eddy) entered Huyevo from the east after clearing surrounding positions.
Aerial reconnaissance data cited by Russian sources suggests civilians remain within Huyevo.
Russian stated objectives in the area remain clearing Huyevo, followed by Hornal and Oleshnia, before potential further advances into Sumy Oblast (Colonelcassad, Starshie Eddy).
(Note: Previous UGS report cited 31 Russian assaults repelled in the Kursk direction in the preceding 24 hours).
Russian MoD Claims (Kursk Direction - Specific Report):
The Russian MoD released a dedicated report on operations in the Kursk region (Mar 30).
Claims defeating elements of one Ukrainian Mechanized Brigade, two Air Assault Brigades, and one Territorial Defence Brigade near Gornal, Guyevo, and Oleshnya (Kursk Oblast).
Claims conducting air and artillery strikes against Ukrainian forces in numerous settlements within Sumy Oblast adjacent to the border (including Basovka, Miropolye, Yunakovka, etc.).
Alleges inflicting over 160 Ukrainian personnel losses in the Kursk direction within the past 24 hours. (RU CLAIM)
Publishes extremely high cumulative figures for alleged Ukrainian losses in the Kursk direction "since the beginning of hostilities": >71,050 troops, 402 tanks, 329 IFVs, 53 MLRS (incl. HIMARS/MLRS), etc. (RU CLAIM - Likely significantly inflated for propaganda purposes, but represents official Russian assertion).
States the operation to "neutralise AFU units is in progress."
Russian Claim (Territorial - Pokrovsk Direction): Remains unchanged from the previous report. The Russian MoD continues to claim the capture of Zaporizhzhia village (Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast). Assessment of tactical/strategic impact pending verification.
Russian Claim (Strike Casualties): Remains unchanged. The Russian MoD continues to claim a missile strike eliminated up to 170 personnel (SBU, SOF, foreign mercenaries). (High casualty claim requiring independent verification.)
Air & Missile Threat Activity:
Air raid alerts ended across Zaporizhzhia Oblast (10:34 UTC). General air threat subsided (10:34 UTC). Ballistic missile threat ended earlier (10:01 UTC).
Persistent threat from Russian Guided Aerial Bombs (KABs) continues towards border areas. President Zelenskyy cited 1,310 KABs used by Russia against Ukraine in the past week.
Kharkiv Situation (Aftermath Update):
Following the previous day's Shahed and KAB attacks: 7 civilians remain hospitalized, including one teenager reported in serious condition (Kharkiv OVA Head Syniehubov). (Previous totals: 2 KIA, ~30 WIA).
Syniehubov re-confirmed the deliberate strike on the Military Medical Clinical Center (hospital), damage to residential buildings/infrastructure, and presence of military casualties at the hospital.
Confirmed 4 civilians injured in Kupyansk due to KAB strikes on the previous day.
Syniehubov stated Ukrainian forces continue to hold defensive lines in Kharkiv Oblast despite ongoing Russian pressure.
Cross-Border Strikes (Bryansk Oblast): Russian Governor and milbloggers maintain claim of a Ukrainian FPV drone attack on an electrical substation in Podyvotye, causing power disruption. Framed by RU sources as a violation of alleged cessation of energy infrastructure attacks. (Requires verification.)
Ground Combat Updates (Other Axes - Based on Last DeepState Update):
Pokrovsk Direction: Russian advances indicated near Oleksandropil.
Lyman Direction: Russian advances indicated near Novoho.
Orikhiv Direction (Zaporizhzhia): Russian advances indicated near Preobrazhenka.
II. Overall Situation Assessment
Combat Intensity: Remains HIGH, particularly concentrated in the Pokrovsk Direction (Donetsk Oblast) and along the Kursk/Sumy border.
Russian Offensive Focus: Pokrovsk remains the primary axis of effort based on reported attack volume. Operations in the Kursk border area appear aimed at fixing Ukrainian forces and potentially creating conditions for advances into Sumy Oblast, with intense fighting reported within Russian border settlements like Huyevo. The RU MoD is amplifying claims of success and heavy Ukrainian losses in this sector.
Russian Strike Campaign: Continues at a high tempo, characterized by extensive use of KABs, Shahed drones, and artillery. President Zelenskyy's statement (1,310 KABs, >1000 drones, 9 missiles in past week) highlights the scale. Civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities (Kharkiv military hospital), remains vulnerable and impacted.
Ukrainian Defensive Operations: Ukrainian forces maintain defensive postures across the front, engaging in positional battles and repelling numerous daily assaults. Counter-battery, FPV drone strikes, and EW activities continue. The situation along the northern border (Kursk/Sumy) remains dynamic with both offensive (reported RU advances into Huyevo) and defensive (reported repelled assaults) actions occurring.
Humanitarian Impact: Civilian casualties and infrastructure damage persist, with recent focus on Kharkiv and border communities in Sumy requiring evacuation due to shelling intensity. The presence of civilians within active combat zones like Huyevo (as reported by RU sources) poses significant risk.
Information Environment: Russian sources heavily emphasize the alleged capture of Zaporizhzhia (Donetsk) and are now releasing exceptionally high (likely inflated) casualty figures for Ukrainian forces specifically in the Kursk direction, likely aimed at demoralization and portraying operational success.
