Ukraine Daily Brief

Executive Summary
Over the past 24 hours, Ukraine has faced intensified Russian drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, resulting in casualties and significant damage. In response, Ukrainian forces have conducted strategic strikes on Russian military assets, including an attack on the Engels airbase. Combat continues along all fronts, without any notable gains by either side.

Battlefield Updates

Northern Front (Kursk/Sumy regions)

• Russian drone attacks damaged two civilian hospitals in Sumy region, causing one fatality and numerous injuries. A separate Russian attack on a residential building in Sumy resulted in one fatality and injuries to three others.
• Ukrainian forces continue to press in to Russia's Belgorod Oblast. Russian milbloggers contradict the Russian MOD (which claims the attacks were fully repelled), stating that fighting in the region is ongoing and intense.
• Russian forces continued operations to push Ukrainian forces from remaining positions in Kursk Oblast, attacking near Gogolevka, Oleshnya, Guyevo, Gornal, and near the Sumy border at Basivka.
• Ukrainian forces recently destroyed three North Korean-provided Koksan self-propelled artillery systems in Kursk Oblast.

Eastern Front (Donetsk/Luhansk regions)

• Russian forces continued offensive operations in Kupyansk direction but made no confirmed advances.
• In the Borova direction, Russian forces attacked near Zahryzove and Nadiya without confirmed advances.
• In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian forces reported that Russian troop movements from rear areas to the front are taking several days to weeks due to Ukrainian strikes.
• Russian forces recently advanced in the Chasiv Yar direction, with confirmed progress along Marii Ulianovoi Street in western Chasiv Yar.
• Russian forces advanced in the Toretsk direction, with confirmed progress northeast of Druzhba, north of Toretsk, and along Komarova Street in southwestern Toretsk.
• Both Ukrainian and Russian forces made advances in the Pokrovsk direction, with Ukrainian forces reportedly seizing central Lysivka and advancing to the outskirts of Dachenske, while Russian forces advanced to southeastern Lysivka and southern Pishchane.

Southern Front (Zaporizhzhia/Kherson regions)

• Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike on the Engels airbase in Russia's Saratov region, causing a fire and prompting evacuations.
• Russian forces continued ground attacks in western Zaporizhia Oblast without confirmed advances.
• Ukraine's GUR (military intelligence) reported successful strikes against multiple Russian air defense systems, radars, and helicopters in occupied Crimea, including two Podlet mobile long-range radar systems, two Niobiy-SV radar systems, three Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, and one Mi-8 helicopter. Russian forces attacked in the Kherson direction but made no advances.

Political Updates

• No significant political developments have occurred in the past 24 hours.

New Aid Packages

• No new aid packages have been announced in the past 24 hours.

Executive Summary
On the battlefield, Russian forces continued offensive operations on multiple fronts but made only marginal gains at significant cost. Moscow’s troops pressed attacks on the Eastern Front, with minor advances near Lyman and Bakhmut’s outskirts, while Ukrainian defenders largely held firm (understandingwar.org). In the south, Russian units stepped up assaults in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast and claim the capture of a small village, yet no major breakthrough was achieved (​understandingwar.org). Kyiv reported that over 1,500 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in the last day alone​(aljazeera.com). Overnight, Russia launched a massive wave of attack drones at Ukrainian cities (despite agreeing to a cessation of targeting civilian infrastrucure), causing power outages in some areas. Thankfully, Ukrainian air defenses shot down the majority of the drones (​aljazeera.com). Ukraine also struck back beyond its borders – a suspected Ukrainian drone hit a Russian oil refinery in Astrakhan, causing a fire​ (aljazeera.com), and a HIMARS strike targeted a Russian military facility in Kursk Oblast​(understandingwar.org).

Diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting showed some movement but no definitive resolution. A phone call on March 18 between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin produced an agreement for a 30-day moratorium on long-range strikes against energy infrastructure (which Russia broke within hours), but Putin pointedly refused a broader frontline ceasefire without preconditions amounting to Ukrainian capitulation​ (aljazeera.com​) (understandingwar.org). A mutual prisoner exchange was also arranged, with 175 Ukrainian and 175 Russian POWs being swapped (​aljazeera.com).

Battlefield Updates
Northern Front (Kursk/Sumy regions) - A Ukrainian brigade operating in the Kursk direction released footage of a HIMARS rocket strike on a Russian military repair facility in Kursk Oblast (​understandingwar.org). There were also reports of fighting spilling into Russia – Moscow’s defense ministry claimed that a Ukrainian force of about 200 soldiers with several tanks attempted an assault across the border into Russia’s Belgorod region, but that this attack was repelled (​aljazeera.com). Russian milbloggers likewise reported a thwarted Ukrainian armored thrust toward villages near Belgorod, indicating ongoing cross-border raids from the Ukrainian side​ (understandingwar.org).

Eastern Front (Donetsk/Luhansk regions) - Heavy fighting continues along the eastern front in Donetsk and Luhansk, where Russian forces have been pursuing offensive operations but with limited success. In the northern part of this sector (Luhansk Oblast and northeastern Kharkiv region), Russian troops pressed attacks toward Kupyansk and Lyman. Ukrainian officials report that the invaders have not made any confirmed advances in the Kupyansk direction despite constant assaults (​understandingwar.org). However, geolocated combat footage indicates Russian units achieved a minor advance in a forested area west of Nevske (near Lyman)​(understandingwar.org), and Russian sources claimed some small gains north of Kupyansk (these remain unverified) (​understandingwar.org​). Ukraine’s Khortytsia Operational Group has repelled numerous assaults in Donetsk, including a company-sized Russian mechanized attack near Velyka Novosilka that was defeated on March 18​ (understandingwar.org). In the Kurakhove area (southwest of Donetsk city), both sides traded attacks and each notched minor successes – Ukrainian troops advanced inside one village (Kostyantynopil), while Russian troops managed a small advance on the outskirts of that same village in a separate thrust​(understandingwar.org).

Southern Front (Zaporizhzhia/Kherson regions) - Small Russian assault groups (5–7 soldiers each) supported by a surge in drone use are probing Ukrainian lines around settlements like Shcherbaky, Lobkove, and Pyatykhatky on the Orikhiv axis (​understandingwar.org). So far, these attacks have not had any notable results. In Odesa, a kindergarten, a shop, and other civilian buildings suffered damage from the overnight air attacks (aljazeera.com). This drone onslaught occurred despite Russia’s agreement to refrain from targeting Ukraine’s energy grid for 30 days. Air attacks are still ongoing and the threat from the skies remains very real. The Southern Front thus remains active but without significant strategic shifts in the last 24 hours.

Political Updates
Preparations are under way for delegations from Ukraine and Russia to attend these talks mediated by international partners. As a confidence-building measure, Russia and Ukraine have coordinated a sizable prisoner exchange: each side handed over 175 prisoners of war (​aljazeera.com), one of the largest such swaps in recent years.

New Aid Packages
No new aid packages have been announced today. However, in a noteworthy deal reported on March 19, Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz secured 100 million cubic meters of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) via Poland’s energy firm ORLEN​ (aljazeera.com). This arrangement will bolster Ukraine’s natural gas reserves and help stabilize energy supply for civilians, especially critical after months of Russian strikes on Ukrainian power facilities. While the LNG purchase is a commercial agreement, it was facilitated by allied cooperation (Poland acting as an intermediary).

Executive Summary
Over the past 24 hours, Ukraine has faced intense combat on multiple fronts while diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire accelerated. On the battlefield, Russian forces launched a major drone barrage and claimed minor advances in the southern Zaporizhzhia sector, but Ukrainian defenders have largely held their ground​ (reuters.com). Heavy fighting continues in key hotspots like Toretsk (Donetsk Oblast) and along the southern front, with neither side making significant breakthroughs. Ukrainian forces notched small gains in places, while Russia’s assaults have come at a high cost in personnel and equipment ​(newsukraine.rbc.ua).

Diplomatically, a high-level push for a ceasefire is underway. U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a bid to halt the fighting. As a result of these talks, Putin agreed to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days (themoscowtimes.com), and confirmed that the order had been sent by the end of the phone call. Of course, within hours Russia broke this agreement by attacking a Sloviansk substation, leaving half the city without power.

Battlefield Updates

• Northern Front (Kursk/Sumy) – No significant changes were reported on this front.
• Southern Front (Zaporizhzhia) – The Zaporizhzhia region saw some of the heaviest combat. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its troops breached Ukrainian lines and captured the village of Stepove, about 50 km southeast of Zaporizhzhia city​ (reuters.com​) (reuters.com). Pro-Russian sources boasted that Russian units pushed into Maly Shcherbaky and “broke through the first line of defense” in this area (​reuters.com). Ukraine’s military flatly denied any such breakthrough – a Ukrainian official labeled the Russian claims as information warfare – and reported that Ukrainian forces repelled attacks near Stepove and the nearby village of Lobkove, with battles still ongoing in the vicinity (​reuters.com)​(kyivindependent.com). Independent Ukrainian mapping outlet DeepState noted Russian troops were observed near Stepove and made some limited advances toward a key road, but fierce resistance continues​(reuters.com). In short, fighting is intense on the Robotyne-Verbove axis, but Russian gains remain marginal and costly. No major shifts were reported along the Dnipro River in Kherson, where the front stayed relatively quiet on March 17 (​understandingwar.org).
• Eastern Front (Donetsk Oblast) – Ukrainian and Russian forces clashed heavily around the town of Toretsk, west of Bakhmut. Geolocated combat footage confirms that Ukrainian troops advanced slightly in northern Toretsk, even as Russian forces inched forward on the town’s outskirts​ (understandingwar.org) (​understandingwar.org). Street-by-street fighting is raging – a Russian milblogger described close-quarters battles with only a few houses separating the two sides in parts of Toretsk (​understandingwar.org). Russian units attacked from multiple directions (nearby villages like Dachne, Druzhba, Sukha Balka) but have not managed to dislodge the Ukrainian garrison (​understandingwar.org). Further south in western Donetsk Oblast, Russian troops pressed an offensive in the Velyka Novosilka sector. They reportedly made small gains around Pryvilne (west of Velyka Novosilka) and towards Vilne Pole (​understandingwar.org). Russian assaults hit several villages on March 16–17 along that front – Skudne, Novosilka, and Novopil among others – but these attacks have been met by Ukrainian counterattacks, which blunted the advances near Pryvilne and Burlatske (​understandingwar.org). Attrition remains heavy – Kyiv’s General Staff claims over 1,200 Russian soldiers were put out of action in the last 24 hours alone​ (newsukraine.rbc.ua).

Executive Summary
Over the last 24 hours, peace negotiations have accelerated even as intense fighting persists. U.S. President Donald Trump announced he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss ending the war (reuters.com). Ukrainian leaders, however, insist that any ceasefire must not compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty – Kyiv will not recognize any Russian-occupied territory as part of Russia​ (kyivindependent.com). Meanwhile, Russia’s campaign of aerial strikes and Ukraine’s counterattacks continued unabated (reuters.com). Both sides exchanged drone and missile attacks overnight, and Russian forces pressed their offensive in certain sectors, but without major breakthroughs.

Despite the active hostilities, Ukraine’s allies moved to bolster its defense and morale. Western nations unveiled new military aid: Germany delivered additional anti-aircraft systems, armored vehicles, artillery ammunition and drones to Ukraine on March 17​ (kyivindependent.com​) (kyivindependent.com), and the European Union debated a massive €40 billion support package for this year (​reuters.com). Ukraine also enacted internal reforms – including a change in its military high command – aimed at strengthening its resilience and combat effectiveness in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.

Battlefield Updates

• Northern Front (Kursk/Sumy) – Moscow claims its troops are now clearing the last Ukrainian “pockets” on Russian territory, though Kyiv denies that any of its units were encircled during the retreat​(kyivindependent.com) (​reuters.com). Ukraine continues to bolster its defenses in the Sumy region, in anticipation of a potential attack from the Russian forces in the Kursk region.
• Eastern Front (Donbas) – Intense fighting continues along the Donetsk and Luhansk front lines, but no significant territorial changes were recorded in the past day. Zelensky reported that the situation around Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast has “stabilized” after months of Russian assaults and encirclement attempts​ (kyivindependent.com). Ukrainian forces in this sector have blunted Russian advances, aided in part by the diversion of some Russian troops northward to the Kursk area. Daily skirmishes and artillery duels persist around key hotspots in Donbas, but Ukrainian commanders indicate that Russian offensives here have largely stalled for now. (Notably, Ukraine’s General Staff estimated an additional 1,210 Russian casualties in the last 24 hours)​(kyivindependent.com).
• Southern Front (Zaporizhzhia & Kherson) – In the southern theater, Russia claimed to have captured the village of Stepove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast (​kyivindependent.com). Ukraine swiftly denied the claim, with a Southern Defense Forces spokesman asserting that Stepove remains contested and under Ukrainian fire control (kyivindependent.com). There is ongoing fighting on the Orikhiv-Tokmak axis, but no confirmed Russian breakthroughs. Along the lower Dnipro river in Kherson region, exchanges of shelling and sabotage raids continue on both banks. Ukrainian officials did report continued Russian artillery and mortar attacks on the right-bank (free) Kherson communities, causing additional civilian casualties and property damage (detailed below). However, no changes in territorial control have been observed in southern Ukraine over the last day.
• Russian Air and Missile Strikes – Russia launched another large-scale drone assault targeting Ukrainian cities overnight. 174 Iranian-made Shahed attack drones and decoys were launched, according to Ukraine’s Air Force (​kyivindependent.com). Ukrainian air defenses shot down 90 of these drones, and the remaining unmanned aircraft – mostly decoys – either fell harmlessly or “disappeared from radars without causing damage,” per official reports (​kyivindependent.com). Nevertheless, some strikes got through. In the northern city of Chernihiv, a Russian suicide drone ignited a fire in a residential high-rise building (​reuters.com), and in Kryvyi Rih (central Ukraine) a missile strike injured 11 people including several children. Across Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa, Sumy, and Poltava regions, Russian attacks over the past day killed at least 3 civilians and injured 12, damaging homes, an apartment block, a kindergarten, and power infrastructure​ (kyivindependent.com) (kyivindependent.com). Ukrainian officials emphasize that the wave of overnight attacks was aimed largely at civilian targets and critical infrastructure, as usual.
• Ukrainian Strikes – Ukraine is striking back with long-range drones and special operations of its own. Overnight, Ukrainian drones attacked a fuel and energy complex in Russia’s Astrakhan Oblast, nearly 800 km from the front lines (​kyivindependent.com). Russia’s regional governor reported a massive drone raid and posted that debris from intercepted drones caused a fire at a fuel facility, injuring one person before the blaze was contained​ (kyivindependent.com). The Russian Defense Ministry said it shot down 13 drones over Astrakhan during that attack (kyivindependent.com). Russia also claimed its air defenses downed additional Ukrainian UAVs over Voronezh, Rostov, and Kursk regions (​reuters.com).

Political Updates
Nothing of note in the last 24 hours. Russia continues to demand what amounts to a complete Ukrainian capitulation in order to proceed with peace talks. Ukraine continues to insist that kidnapped Ukrainian children and civilians be returned, and that they will never recognize the occupied territory as Russian.

New Aid Packages
Germany announced its latest package of arms and equipment delivered to Ukraine​. This batch includes: 3 additional Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (along with 10,000 rounds of 35mm ammunition); 24 armored mine-protected vehicles for troop mobility; 5,000 rounds of 155mm artillery shells, 2,000 rounds of 122mm shells, and 8,000 of 120mm mortar rounds. Germany also supplied 50 Vector reconnaissance drones, 30 tracked “Gereon” surveillance drones, and 30 anti-drone electronic detection systems. Additional items in this tranche included small arms, first aid kits, demining equipment, and border protection gear​ (kyivindependent.com).

Executive Summary
Ukraine’s forces conducted a tactical withdrawal from a salient in Russia’s Kursk Oblast over the past 24 hours, avoiding encirclement amid intense Russian attacks​ (kyivpost.com)​. Russian troops have pressed their offensive in the area, regaining several villages west of Sudzha and pushing Ukrainian units back toward the border​ (kyivpost.com​). Despite these Russian gains, Ukrainian officials affirm that their troops are not surrounded and continue to carry out missions on Russian territory​ (kyivpost.com). Elsewhere on the front, heavy fighting persists in eastern Ukraine, with Ukrainian counterattacks making minor advances near Toretsk and Russian forces attempting assaults near Chasiv Yar and Pokrovsk​ (kyivpost.com). Russia also launched a wave of missile and drone strikes overnight against Ukrainian cities, targeting civilian infrastructure in multiple regions​(understandingwar.org​).

Diplomatic activity accelerated alongside the battlefield developments. Kyiv appointed an official delegation to engage in negotiations aimed at ending the war​ (understandingwar.org), as international efforts toward a ceasefire gained momentum. A British-led summit of 29 nations discussed security guarantees for Ukraine and pressured Moscow to accept a fair truce (reuters.com​). While Russia’s leadership signaled in principle openness to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, it simultaneously set harsh preconditions echoing its maximalist demands (​reuters.com). Western allies, skeptical of Moscow’s intentions, reaffirmed their support for Ukraine with ongoing military aid and plans for a potential peacekeeping mission, ensuring Ukraine is bolstered both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table​(reuters.com) (​kyivindependent.com).

Battlefield Updates

• Kursk Front (Russia) – Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the town of Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk region, according to Ukraine’s General Staff​ (kyivpost.com). A battlefield map released on March 16 showed Sudzha no longer under Ukrainian control​ (kyivpost.com). Moscow’s Defense Ministry claimed on March 13 to have seized Sudzha​(kyivpost.com), and by March 15–16 Russian forces reasserted control over nearby settlements (Honcharivka, Zaoleshenka, Rubanshchina) west of the town (​kyivpost.com). Ukrainian units have regrouped in two pockets near the border and maintain open routes of retreat into Sumy Oblast​ (understandingwar.org​) (reuters.com). President Zelensky stressed there is “no encirclement” of Ukrainian troops, who continue to resist while executing an organized pullback (​kyivpost.com) (reuters.com). He credited the risky operation in Kursk with tying down significant Russian (and even North Korean) forces that might otherwise assault other fronts​ (kyivpost.com). Russian milblogger channels – including “Two Majors” – confirm Russian advances but also note Ukraine had long fortified the Sumy border, cautioning that an attack into Ukraine’s Sumy region will be difficult (​reuters.com). Even some pro-Russian bloggers have refuted President Putin’s unsubstantiated claim that a mass Ukrainian force was encircled in Kursk, calling it a propaganda narrative aimed at influencing negotiations​(understandingwar.org).
• Sumy Oblast (northeastern Ukraine) – is on high alert for a possible Russian push south from Kursk. Ukrainian intelligence observed Russian units massing across the border and attempting probing attacks in border districts (​understandingwar.org) (​kyivpost.com). So far, Ukrainian defenders have repelled these small assault and sabotage groups near the frontier (​understandingwar.org). Kyiv has reinforced Sumy’s defenses over recent months in anticipation of such moves​ (reuters.com). Local governors reported Russian shelling and drone strikes in Sumy region overnight, but no major ground breakthroughs (​understandingwar.org).
• Northern Kharkiv – region similarly saw border skirmishes; Ukraine’s 92nd Brigade reportedly beat back a Russian mechanized assault on that front, destroying several armored vehicles in the process (​Noel Reports). Ukrainian officials express confidence that Russia lacks the strength for a deep offensive toward Sumy City, though they remain vigilant​(understandingwar.org).
• Eastern Donbas – Intense fighting continues along the Donetsk Oblast front lines. In the Toretsk sector (south of Bakhmut), Ukrainian counterattacks forced Russian troops back on the northern outskirts of the town. Geolocated footage from March 14 confirmed Ukrainian infantry advancing block-by-block in northern Toretsk (ukrainetoday.org). At the same time, Russian forces carried out repeated assaults on the city’s periphery – attacking from the northeast (near Dachne and Druzhba villages) and the southwest (around Sukhoy Balka)​ (ukrainetoday.org). Ukrainian defenders held these attacks, and the limited Russian gains in this area have been rapidly countered. Farther west, however, in the Pokrovsk direction, Russian units made incremental advances. Russian sources claim their troops pushed a few kilometers near Pishchane and Shevchenko, southwest of Pokrovsk, before meeting fierce Ukrainian counterattacks (​ukrainetoday.org). Fighting around Chasiv Yar (west of Bakhmut) also flared up; Russian assault units probed Ukrainian lines but failed to secure new ground​(kyivpost.com). In the Vuhledar area further south, Ukrainian and Russian reports offer conflicting accounts over the village of Vodyane. As of today, Russian fighters appear to occupy the northern part of Vodyane and an adjacent coal mine, but Ukrainian officials insist the situation remains contested (​Noel Reports). Across the Donbas front, Ukrainian forces are absorbing Russian attacks and sometimes regaining lost positions through swift localized counterstrikes.
• Southern Front – There were no major territorial changes reported in Zaporizhzhia or Kherson regions in the last day. Artillery duels and drone skirmishes persist along the Dnieper River in Kherson. In the Melitopol and Berdiansk sectors (southern Zaporizhzhia), Ukrainian partisans and long-range strikes continue to target Russian logistics. Meanwhile, Russian occupation authorities in Crimea remain on alert after recent Ukrainian drone activity, but no new strikes were confirmed in the past 24 hours.
• Casualties – Precise casualty figures for the last day are difficult to verify. Ukraine’s General Staff claims Russian forces suffered over 1,000 personnel losses in the past 24 hours, along with numerous armored vehicles destroyed (figures that align with the daily tallies released in Kyiv)​ (english.nv.ua). While such claims cannot be independently confirmed, heavy Russian assaults, particularly in Kursk and Donbas, are believed to be exacting a high toll on attacking units. Both Ukraine and Russia are rotating their frontline brigades to manage fatigue.

Political Updates

• International Summit in London – In the past 24 hours, a high-level virtual summit organized by Britain brought together Western and allied leaders to coordinate their approach to the potential ceasefire. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted the meeting on March 15 with representatives from about two dozen countries – including France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, and Ukraine – to form a “coalition of the willing” in support of Ukraine​ (reuters.com​) (reuters.com). Notably, U.S. officials did not attend. Coming out of the talks, Starmer stated that all participants reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s defense and agreed to “keep the military aid flowing… and keep tightening restrictions on Russia’s economy” to force the Kremlin towards a just peace (reuters.com). Western leaders also discussed concrete post-ceasefire security measures: Starmer and France’s President have signaled readiness to contribute troops for a peacekeeping mission if a ceasefire takes hold​ (reuters.com). In fact, Starmer formally proposed a 10,000-strong multinational peacekeeping force for Ukraine, with the U.K. and France providing the bulk of troops (​kyivindependent.com)​ (kyivindependent.com). Thirty-five countries have agreed in principle to support this mission with personnel, weapons, logistics, or intelligence​. This force would deploy only if a peace agreement is reached, to help secure Ukrainian territory and deter further Russian aggression. Discussions on rules of engagement and a mandate (likely under a UN or joint coalition framework) are ongoing.
• Ukraine’s government reports that electricity output has stabilized after winter repairs, and it is even cautiously resuming power exports to EU neighbors thanks to successful repairs of the power grid after repeated Russian missile strikes. Still, in the past day Russia’s renewed attacks caused blackouts in parts of Chernihiv and Poltava; repair crews are working around the clock to fix grid damage (​understandingwar.org).

New Aid Packages

• Continued Military Aid Flows – No major new aid package was publicly announced in the last 24 hours, but allies made clear that support for Ukraine remains unwavering. During the London summit, multiple countries pledged to sustain or increase military assistance. Britain’s PM Starmer emphasized that European nations will “keep the military aid flowing to Ukraine” despite any U.S. shifts (​reuters.com).

Executive Summary
On the ground, intense fighting continues across northeastern and eastern Ukraine. Russian forces claim to have pushed Ukrainian troops out of most of the Kursk Oblast border salient, recapturing several villages and heavily damaging the town of Sudzha in the process​ (kyivindependent.com). Ukraine’s military acknowledges a “difficult situation” in that border area but vows to hold defensive lines as long as necessary (​kyivindependent.com). Meanwhile, Ukrainian units achieved limited gains in Donetsk Oblast and even struck targets inside Russia, bolstering morale. Kyiv’s defenders also withstood a massive Russian drone barrage overnight, shooting down the majority of incoming Shahed drones and preventing serious damage​(understandingwar.org). Overall, Ukraine’s armed forces report inflicting extremely heavy losses on the invaders (over 1,400 Russian casualties in the past day alone)​ (censor.net). Allies have responded to the ongoing conflict with renewed pledges of military and economic aid, underscoring unwavering international support for Ukraine’s resistance.

Russia and the United States remain at odds over a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled he “agrees” with the idea in principle but attached preconditions – demanding that Ukraine halt mobilization, training, and the receipt of foreign military aid during the truce​ (kyivindependent.com). Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply rejected these demands as “very manipulative,” arguing that Moscow is using them to delay or derail peace efforts and showing that “Russia needs war” rather than a genuine ceasefire (​kyivindependent.com). Diplomatic talks in Jeddah saw Ukraine agree to the U.S.-proposed temporary truce (contingent on reciprocal Russian consent), but Putin’s stance now threatens a diplomatic standoff. Western leaders have urged Moscow to accept the ceasefire without caveats, warning of consequences if the Kremlin prolongs its aggression (​reuters.com).

Battlefield Updates

• Kursk/Sumy Border: In Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Moscow claims its troops have retaken the town of Sudzha, which had been held by Ukrainian forces since a cross-border incursion last year​(kyivindependent.com​). The Russian Defense Ministry released footage of a ruined Sudzha and reported capturing nearby villages (Melovoi and Podol) as of March 13 (​kyivindependent.com​). Ukraine has not officially confirmed the loss of Sudzha, but independent analysts (DeepState and ISW) indicate Ukrainian units have largely withdrawn after intense Russian bombardment​ (kyivindependent.com​). Ukrainian Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged the “difficult situation” in this border sector while affirming that Ukrainian defenders will hold as long as “reasonable and necessary”​ (kyivindependent.com).
  In northern Sumy Oblast (on the Ukrainian side of the border), Russian airborne and special forces have been probing across the frontier. Geolocated footage and Ukrainian officials confirm Russian units made minor advances north of Sumy city in recent days​(understandingwar.org). Russian milbloggers speculate that the Kremlin may launch a larger offensive into Sumy (and possibly Chernihiv) in coming weeks (​understandingwar.org), though Ukrainian border troops report successfully counterattacking and disrupting some Russian thrusts near the villages of Zhuravka and Basivka (​understandingwar.org). So far, Russia’s push in this region appears limited and comes at a high cost in personnel.
• Eastern Front (Donbas): Heavy fighting persists along the Donetsk and Luhansk front lines. Russian forces have conducted assaults near Lyman, Siversk, and Toretsk, reportedly achieving incremental gains on some approaches (​understandingwar.org). Ukraine’s General Staff noted intensified Russian attacks in these areas, but no major territorial changes were confirmed in the past day. Further south in Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian troops have counterattacked near Pokrovsk, managing to advance their positions. Ukrainian units seized most of the village of Shevchenko (south of Pokrovsk) from Russian control​(understandingwar.org), a local tactical success that Ukrainian commanders say has improved their defensive depth in the sector. Russian sources corroborated that Ukrainian forces made marginal advances around Shevchenko and nearby locales, even as Russian troops continued piecemeal attacks on the outskirts of Pokrovsk​(understandingwar.org​). Bakhmut and Avdiivka, longtime hotspots, saw routine exchanges of fire but no significant movement over the last 24 hours (according to field reports). Across the eastern front, Russian assaults are increasingly relying on small infantry groups with fewer armored vehicles, indicating potential manpower strains​(understandingwar.org).
• Ukrainian officials also report that Russian forces continue to commit atrocities – including the unlawful execution of Ukrainian POWs – in occupied areas (​understandingwar.org), further stiffening Ukrainian resolve to resist. Notably, Ukraine’s military estimates roughly 1,410 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in the past day of fighting (censor.net​).
• Air and Drone Warfare: The past day saw large-scale air attacks and counterattacks. Overnight, March 12–13, Russian forces launched a massive swarm of Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones (and at least one Iskander ballistic missile) at Ukrainian cities​(understandingwar.org). The Ukrainian Air Force reported 117 drones (including decoys) were fired from multiple directions, but Ukraine’s air defenses shot down 74 of them, and dozens more were neutralized by electronic jamming​ (understandingwar.org). Nevertheless, several drones got through: explosions were recorded in regions including Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Zaporizhia​(understandingwar.org). These strikes damaged some civilian infrastructure (power lines, industrial facilities) and injured at least one civilian, though no major casualties were reported.
• In response, Ukraine took the fight to the enemy’s skies. Late on March 12, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) drones attacked a covert Russian UAV production facility in Kaluga Oblast (western Russia) (​kyivindependent.com). The target was a camouflaged drone factory hidden at an industrial plant in the village of Obukhovo. Ukrainian sources claim the strike ignited a fire that disabled parts of the drone production line (​kyivindependent.com). The governor of Kaluga reported that Russian air defenses shot down 25 Ukrainian drones over the region, but "falling debris" still set an industrial site ablaze and lightly injured one plant worker (​kyivindependent.com). In total, Russian authorities claim downing 77 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple oblasts (30 over Bryansk, 6 each over Kursk and Voronezh, etc.) (​kyivindependent.com).

New Aid Packages
Multiple new aid packages and support measures for Ukraine were announced in the last 24 hours:

• Finland – Military Aid: Finland unveiled its 28th military aid package to Ukraine, worth about €200 million, which includes a significant batch of artillery shells and munitions (​szru.gov.ua). This sizable package bolsters Ukraine’s artillery capabilities, directly addressing one of Kyiv’s most critical needs on the front.
• Sweden – Humanitarian & Reconstruction Aid: Sweden’s government announced SEK 1.4 billion (approximately $138 million USD) in new assistance for Ukraine​ (szru.gov.ua). These funds are earmarked for Ukraine’s recovery and development, as well as urgent humanitarian needs, helping rebuild infrastructure and support civilians affected by the war.
• Canada – Financial Support: The Canadian government transferred 2.5 billion Canadian dollars (about $1.7 billion USD) to Ukraine as part of the G7’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative​(szru.gov.ua). This innovative program uses proceeds from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s budget. The infusion of Canadian funds will shore up Ukraine’s finances, ensuring the government can continue essential services and defense procurement.
• Denmark – Energy Security Aid: Denmark allocated €98 million to strengthen Ukraine’s energy sector, particularly to purchase equipment that will fortify Ukraine’s energy infrastructure​ (szru.gov.ua). This aid, under the Ukraine-Denmark Energy Partnership, aims to help Ukraine repair and protect its power grid from Russian attacks and keep the lights on through the next winter.
• European Union & Others – Ongoing Support: The European Union is preparing to expand its military aid fund for Ukraine, with discussions of including more air defense systems and ammunition in the next package (​szru.gov.ua). In addition, a coalition of European leaders signaled increasing assistance: Germany’s Chancellor vowed to boost support, and France’s National Assembly approved a resolution to confiscate frozen Russian assets to finance aid to Ukraine​(szru.gov.ua). These moves, while not single packages, demonstrate a broader ramp-up in aid.

Political Updates
Intense diplomatic efforts continued alongside the fighting. Ceasefire negotiations remain the focal point: During U.S.-mediated talks in Jeddah on March 11, Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal on the condition that Russia also abides by it​ (kyivindependent.com). However, Putin’s March 13 response has cast doubt on the truce. The Kremlin leader said he in principle supports a temporary ceasefire “idea” but then demanded sweeping concessions – insisting that Ukraine must stop mobilizing troops, halt all training, and refuse any Western military aid during the ceasefire period (​kyivindependent.com). These conditions would effectively freeze Ukrainian capabilities while allowing Russia to regroup, and they directly undermine the U.S. and Ukrainian position. President Zelensky reacted with skepticism and outrage in his nightly address, stating that Putin is “afraid to say directly” that he wants to continue the war, so instead he sets conditions that make any truce impossible​(kyivindependent.com). Zelensky emphasized that such preconditions are unacceptable and accused Moscow of bad faith, saying Russia’s actions prove it “needs war” and intends to keep trying to kill Ukrainians rather than genuinely seek peace​ (kyivindependent.com). Ukraine’s stance, backed by its allies, is that a ceasefire should not come with strings attached that handicap Ukraine’s self-defense. Kyiv and Washington both oppose any “frozen conflict” scenario that would merely give Russia time to rearm for a later attack (​kyivindependent.com​).

Meanwhile in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump struck a cautiously optimistic tone despite Putin’s equivocation. On March 13, Trump called Putin’s initial remarks “very promising” but acknowledged the proposal was “not complete.” He indicated willingness to meet with Putin directly to push the ceasefire forward​ (kyivindependent.com). Trump revealed that U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have already been discussing details of a potential peace deal, including sensitive questions of territorial control​(kyivindependent.com). In an Oval Office press briefing, Trump noted that issues like “who gets the [Zaporizhzhia] power plant” and what “pieces of land” each side would keep or relinquish have been on the table​(kyivindependent.com​). He stressed that reaching a ceasefire is “phase one,” to be followed by complex negotiations on a final settlement. Thus far, Moscow’s public position remains maximalist, but pressure is mounting: Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan added his voice on March 14, endorsing the U.S.-Ukraine ceasefire plan and urging Russia to accept it without delay (​szru.gov.ua). Erdoğan, often a go-between, called for good faith from Putin, aligning with Western leaders on this issue.

International support for Ukraine’s cause remains robust. The European Parliament weighed in, passing a resolution condemning any attempts to blackmail Kyiv into an unjust peace and urging continued support (szru.gov.ua). Poland’s Foreign Minister confirmed that the U.S. has resumed full arms shipments and intelligence sharing with Ukraine via Poland’s supply hubs, following the recent talks (​reuters.com​).