The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/atom.xml2024-03-28T11:34:16.605009+00:00<![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Thursday, March 28]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Thursday,%20March%2028/2024-03-28T11:34:16.605009+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-28T11:34:16.605009+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Thursday, March 28</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-march-26/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/fd5cc1c2-459f-d370-3ad0-bb0697d7a042.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>A local woman, holding a dog in her arms, stands near the site of a Russian aerial bombardment of a high-rise residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district on March 27, 2024 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Oleksandra Novosel/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC “UA:PBC”/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Air Force: Ukraine can down</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/air-force-ukraine-can-down-zircon-hypersonic-missile-with-patriot-samp-t/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Zircon hypersonic missile</strong></a> <strong>with Patriot, SAMP/T.</strong> Air Force spokesperson Ilia Yevlash’s statement came after reports that Russian troops had used Zircon ballistic missiles in a March 25 attack on Kyiv. The researchers continue to examine the debris to determine what type of missile was launched.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attacks on Dnipro hydroelectric plant caused</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-on-dnipro-hydroelectric-plant-caused-3-5-million-in-environmental-damage/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>$3.5 million</strong></a> <strong>in environmental damage.</strong> Russia’s attack on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant on March 22 caused at least $3.5 million in environmental damage, although that figure is expected to rise, Ukraine’s Environment and Natural Resources Minister Ruslan Strilets said on March 27.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>SBU: 2 alleged</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-2-alleged-russian-agents-caught-helping-fsb-plan-missile-strikes-in-kyiv-and-odesa/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Russian agents</strong></a> <strong>caught helping FSB plan missile strikes in Kyiv and Odesa.</strong> The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained two Ukrainian men accused of helping Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) plan missile strikes on military installations and communications infrastructure including the Kyiv TV tower, the service said on March 27.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky visits Sumy Oblast,</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-visits-sumy-oblast-inspects-fortifications/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>inspects fortifications</strong></a><strong>.</strong> President Volodymyr Zelensky was briefed on the project for the construction of a platoon stronghold near Sumy, which includes reinforced concrete structures, firing positions for tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, and corrugated steel shelters.</p>
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<p dir="auto"><strong>Defense Ministry list key points in updated</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/defense-ministry-names-key-proposals-to-updated-mobilization-bill/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>mobilization bill</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The draft law on mobilization, which is being amended by lawmakers, proposes to lower the enlistment age and introduce basic military training for adults, according to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Partisans: Russia constructing barriers to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/partisans-russia-constructing-barriers-to-prevent-further-strikes-on-black-sea-fleet/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>prevent further strikes</strong></a> <strong>on Black Sea fleet.</strong> Russian forces in occupied Crimea are constructing barriers at the entrance to Sevastopol Bay to prevent further Ukrainian strikes on the Black Sea fleet, the partisan group Atesh reported on March 27.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Reuters: Russia turns to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-russia-turns-to-belarusian-gasoline-amid-decreasing-domestic-supplies/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Belarusian gasoline</strong></a> <strong>amid decreasing domestic supplies.</strong> Russia is increasing imports of gasoline from Belarus to avert possible shortages connected to recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, Reuters reported on March 27, citing four undisclosed trade and industry sources.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-march-27-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/e301ad7c-7564-09fd-6611-94508562d8fb.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: Russia attacks civilians in Kharkiv; Zelensky inspects fortifications</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Russian troops attacked a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv on March 27, killing one civilian man and injuring at least 19 other people, including four children, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Oleh Syniehubov/Telegram</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/how-thousands-of-ukrainian-children-cope-with-losing-parents-to-war/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/3d3942d5-5333-7f89-024d-27ad0ade234d.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>How thousands of Ukrainian children cope with losing parents to war</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Almost 1,800 Ukrainian children have been made orphans by the war, the National Social Service of Ukraine said in a comment to the Kyiv Independent. At a young age, these children have to learn to cope with the loss and live without their parents’ support.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Viacheslav Ratynskyi / The Kyiv Independent</em></p>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/in-putins-russia-state-violence-is-on-full-display/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/dcd59a0f-741d-b1b2-cb97-7834d7dad16d.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>In Putin’s Russia, state violence is on full display</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">When the men accused of committing last week’s terrorist attack in Moscow appeared in front of a Russian court, their battered faces told a story of physical torture.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Tatyana Makeyeva/AFP via Getty Images</em></p>
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<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast town kills</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-kharkiv-oblast-village-kills-12-year-old-child/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>12-year-old child</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Russia attacked the town of Borova in Kharkiv Oblast on the evening of March 27, killing a 12-year-old boy, the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian drone attack in</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-drone-attack-in-kherson-oblast-kills-woman/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Kherson Oblast</strong></a> <strong>kills woman.</strong> Mykhailivka, a small village on the western bank of the Dnipro River, has been hit by Russian attacks numerous times since it was liberated from Russian occupation in the fall of 2022.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attack on Kharkiv residential area kills 1,</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-kharkiv-residential-area-results-into-casulaties-mayor-says/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injures at least 19</strong></a><strong>, including children.</strong> Russian troops attacked a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv on March 27, killing one civilian man and injuring at least 16 other people, including four children, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attacks on Nikopol,</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-on-nikopol-donetsk-oblast-kills-a-man-wounds-3/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Donetsk Oblast</strong></a> <strong>kill man, injure 3 civilians.</strong> Russian troops attacked Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and Ukrainsk in Donetsk Oblast, killing a man and injuring three other people, including a 49-year-old woman, according to the authorities.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">Opinions and insights</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-ukraine-may-have-no-choice-but-to-lower-its-fighting-age/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/fec02149-a443-35f9-8b58-c803bc4b61c4.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Opinion: Ukraine may have no choice but to lower its fighting age</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“Ukraine’s politicians have been reluctant to lower the fighting age because it would be unpopular. Many defend the relatively high combat age as a social virtue to protect Ukraine’s young adults from the battlefield unless they volunteer,” writes Brian Bonner, former chief editor of the Kyiv Post.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images</em></p>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-russias-policy-of-torture-on-show-in-moscow-terror-trial/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/74783f44-ed19-edbf-49ab-7dfca0c7c569.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Opinion: Russia’s policy of torture on show in Moscow terror ‘trial’</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“When Russian security forces apprehended one of the terror suspects, they cut off his ear and reportedly forced him to eat it. The suspect’s mutilation was celebrated on Russian social media,” writes Daniil Ukhorskiy,</p>
<p dir="auto">litigation officer at Legal Action Worldwide.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Olga Maltseva/AFP via Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
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<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>UK general admits military ‘</strong><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/uk-general-admits-that-military-couldnt-fight-russia-for-more-than-a-couple-of-months/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>couldn’t fight Russia</strong></a> <strong>for more than a couple of months.’</strong> The striking admission was the latest warning from U.K. defense and military officials cautioning that the country is unprepared for armed conflict.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Bloomberg: US in talks with Turkey for</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-4/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>more explosives</strong></a> <strong>to boost shell production.</strong> The U.S. is negotiating to increase purchases of explosives from Turkey to boost the production of artillery shells amid allies’ efforts to provide Ukraine with ammunition, Bloomberg reported on March 27, citing unnamed officials familiar with the matter.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>General: Germany to hand over</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/german-general-germany-to-send-10-000-artillery-shells-to-ukraine-in-coming-days/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>10,000 artillery shells</strong></a> <strong>to Ukraine in coming days.</strong> Germany will hand over 10,000 artillery rounds from its own military stocks to Ukraine in the next coming days, German General Christian Freuding said in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW) published on March 27.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Poland doubles its contribution to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/poland-doubles-its-contribution-to-czech-ammunition-initiative-for-kyiv/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Czech ammunition initiative</strong></a> <strong>for Kyiv.</strong> Poland has decided to double its donation to the Czech-led initiative to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in Riga on March 27, without providing a specific figure.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Council of Europe Development Bank to lend almost</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/council-of-europe-development-bank-allocates-110-million-to-housing-for-ukrainians/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>$110 million</strong></a> <strong>to Ukraine for housing.</strong> Council of Europe Development Bank has allocated a loan of 100 million euros ($108 million) to restore housing for Ukrainians, Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on March 27.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>UK defense secretary calls on Europe not to curb</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/uk-defense-secretary-calls-europe-not-to-curb-ukrainian-imports/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Ukrainian imports</strong></a><strong>.</strong> U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps urged Europe not to restrict imports from Ukraine, pointing out London’s decision to extend tariff-free and quota-free imports from Ukraine for most goods for another five years.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>EU ambassadors agree on ‘</strong><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/eu-ambassadors-agree-on-new-compromise-to-extend-ukraine-trade-agreement/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>new compromise</strong></a><strong>’ regarding extension of Ukraine trade deal.</strong> EU ambassadors “agreed on a new compromise” regarding the extension of the trade agreement with Ukraine, ensuring a “balanced approach between support for Ukraine and protection of EU agricultural markets,” the Belgian presidency of the EU Council announced on March 27.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Budanov: Russia knew about</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/budanov-russia-knew-about-terror-attack-preparations-at-least-since-feb-15/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>terror attack preparations</strong></a> <strong>at least since Feb. 15.</strong> According to Kyrylo Budanov, Russia knew from where the attackers would come and through which two countries they would enter Russian territory. “Don’t let them tell you stories on how this (attack) appeared out of nowhere,” the intelligence chief commented.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Top judicial official, previously accused of holding</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/top-judicial-official-accused-of-holding-russian-citizenship-resigns/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Russian citizenship</strong></a><strong>, resigns.</strong> The High Qualification Commission, one of Ukraine’s key judicial bodies, approved on March 27 the request of its chair Roman Ihnatov to be dismissed from the commission.</p>
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<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Lili Bivings, Chris York, Nate Ostiller, Martin Fornusek, Kateryna Denisova, Kateryna Hodunova, Sonya Bandouil, Dmytro Basmat, and Olena Goncharova.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Wednesday, March 27]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Wednesday,%20March%2027/2024-03-27T12:49:44.190680+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-27T12:49:44.190680+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Wednesday, March 27</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-march-26/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/cd21ddbf-1356-8c6f-1208-c5d2f277968e.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>A view of destruction in the area as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-meets-estonian-parliament-speaker-in-kyiv/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>meets</strong></a> <strong>Estonian parliament speaker in Kyiv.</strong> “We discussed further assistance for Ukraine from Estonia and other partners and the progress in the preparation of a bilateral security agreement,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said, according to his Telegram channel.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Bloomberg: Prague’s ammunition initiative may</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/czech-fm-pragues-ammunition-initiative-may-supply-1-5-million-shells-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>supply</strong></a> <strong>1.5 million shells to Ukraine, Czech FM says.</strong> “We can do much more than the initially announced number,” Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told Bloomberg, saying that the number may be as high as 1.5 million.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>French minister: Paris to soon</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/french-minister-paris-to-soon-deliver-78-caesar-howitzers-increase-shell-supplies-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>deliver</strong></a> <strong>78 Caesar howitzers, increase shell supplies to Ukraine.</strong> France will soon be able to supply Ukraine with 78 Caesar howitzers and has boosted its production of artillery rounds to meet Kyiv’s most urgent needs, the Associated Press (AP) reported on March 26, citing French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Politico: Kuleba calls for more Patriots to protect cities,</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/politico-kuleba-calls-for-more-patriots-to-protect-cities-counter-russian-warplanes/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>counter</strong></a> <strong>Russian warplanes.</strong> Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged Kyiv’s partners to supply Ukraine with more Patriot air defenses to help protect Ukrainian cities in an interview with Politico on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Bloomberg: Putin’s close allies see</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-3/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>no link</strong></a> <strong>between Ukraine, Moscow shooting.</strong> Some people from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s own inner circle think that there is no evidence of Ukraine’s involvement in the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in a Moscow suburb, Bloomberg reported on March 26, citing unnamed sources with ties to the Kremlin.</p>
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<p dir="auto"><strong>Polish official says NATO considering</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/polish-official-says-nato-considering-shooting-down-russian-missiles-that-approach-its-borders/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>shooting down</strong></a> <strong>Russian missiles that approach its borders.</strong> Poland was forced to scramble its fighter jets to protect its airspace during Russia’s drone and missile attack against Ukraine on March 24, when a Russian cruise missile entered Poland’s airspace for 39 seconds.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian landing ship Konstantin Olshansky</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-landing-ship-konstantin-olshansky-hit-with-neptune-missile-says-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>hit</strong></a> <strong>with Neptune missile, says Ukraine.</strong> Ukraine has claimed yet another successful strike on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, announcing on March 26 that the landing ship Konstantin Olshansky had been hit by a Neptune missile.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>SBU says it</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-says-it-caught-fsb-saboteurs-trying-to-blow-up-a-railroad-in-ukraines-poltava-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>caught</strong></a> <strong>FSB saboteurs trying to blow up railroad in Ukraine’s Poltava Oblast.</strong> The Prosecutor General’s Office added that the two suspects were Ukrainian citizens.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian court</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-court-again-extends-pretrial-detention-of-jailed-us-reporter-gershkovich/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>extends</strong></a> <strong>pre-trial detention of jailed US reporter Gershkovich for 5th time.</strong> Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg in late March 2023 while working on a story about the Wagner mercenary group’s recruiting methods, as well as Russian citizens’ views on the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-dismisses-security-council-secretary-danilov/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>dismisses</strong></a> <strong>security council secretary Danilov.</strong> President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>UN: At least 32 Ukrainian POWs</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/at-least-32-ukrainian-pows-executed-in-russian-captivity-during-winter-un-commission-says/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>executed</strong></a> <strong>in Russian captivity during winter.</strong> At least 32 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW), recently captured by Russia, have been executed between Dec. 1, 2023, and Feb. 29, a report by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-march-26/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/6feb0418-f9c0-7107-753f-aa52164ea810.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: At least 32 Ukrainian POWs executed in Russian captivity during winter, UN says.</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">At least 32 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs), recently captured by Russia, have been executed between Dec. 1, 2023, and Feb. 29, a report by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Stanislav Ivanov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images</em></p>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-aims-to-knock-out-ukraines-power-grid-in-new-wave-of-attacks/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/b5a0c964-b720-11c5-07ca-058ed4de574b.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia aims to knock out Ukraine’s power grid in new wave of attacks</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Russia launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks against Ukraine between March 21-25, hitting the country’s critical infrastructure heavier than ever before.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images</em></p>
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<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia claims at least 3</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-3-injured-in-attack-on-belgorod/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injured</strong></a> <strong>in attack on Belgorod.</strong> The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims of Russian authorities, and Ukraine does not usually comment on alleged attacks on Russian soil.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-dnipropetrovsk-oblast-injures-woman/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attack</strong></a> <strong>on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast injures 91-year-old woman.</strong> A Russian attack on the evening of March 25 on Dnipropetrovsk injured a 91-year-old woman, Governor Serhii Lysak reported on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Update: Number of</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/update-number-of-injured-in-russias-march-25-attack-on-odesa-rises-to-9/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injured</strong></a> <strong>in Russia’s March 25 attack on Odesa rises to 10.</strong> The Southern Defense Forces reported the day before that four people had been injured by a Russian ballistic missile attack on the city.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Drone-dropped bomb</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/drone-dropped-bomb-injures-civilian-in-beryslav/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injures</strong></a> <strong>civilian in Beryslav.</strong> A bomb dropped from a Russian drone has injured a 50-year-old man in Beryslav, the Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Kupiansk</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kharkiv/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injure</strong></a> <strong>man, target dormitory.</strong> A Russian Kh-35 anti-ship missile hit the dormitory of Kharkiv’s sports college in the morning, Serhii Bolvinov, the head of the investigative department of the regional police, said. A 64-year-old man reportedly suffered from shock.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">Opinions and insights</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-state-owned-enterprises-weekly-issue-124/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/c7e6afa1-93f6-1aa4-3c1c-6952381f021c.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine state-owned enterprises weekly — Issue 124</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">This is issue 124 of Ukrainian State-Owned Enterprises Weekly, covering events from March 16-22, 2024. The Kyiv Independent is reposting it with permission.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal/Telegram</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
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</tbody></table>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/mp-yaroslav-zhelezniak-developments-in-ukraines-parliament-on-economic-reforms-international-obligations-issue-48/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/12a2e165-8e3e-ff1e-24c4-a4d8ad5db4fe.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak: Developments in Ukraine’s parliament on economic reforms, international obligations — Issue 48</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">This is issue 48 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukrainian Economy in Brief” newsletter, covering events from March 18- 24, 2024. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Andrii Nesterenko/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images</em></p>
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<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/mp-yaroslav-zhelezniak-developments-in-ukraines-parliament-on-economic-reforms-international-obligations-issue-48/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>FSB chief claims US</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/fsb-chief-claims-us-warning-about-terrorist-attack-in-russia-was-general/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>warnings</strong></a> <strong>about terrorist attack in Russia were only ‘general’.</strong> U.S. special services warned Moscow about the preparation and threat of a terrorist attack in Russia, but this information was “general,” claimed Alexander Bortnikov, the head of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Slovenia to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/slovenia-joins-czech-ammunition-initiative-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>join</strong></a> <strong>Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine.</strong> Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told journalists that Slovenia will join Czechia’s initiative to supply artillery shells for Ukraine, Radio Prague International reported on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Armored vehicles coalition for Ukraine</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/armored-vehicles-coalition-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>launched</strong></a> <strong>in Warsaw</strong>. Countries participating in the armored vehicles coalition for Ukraine, an initiative of Poland and Germany, met in Warsaw for the first time on March 26, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Bloomberg: Macron seeking to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-macron-seeking-to-convince-lula/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>convince</strong></a> <strong>Lula on Ukraine during Brazil trip.</strong> French President Emmanuel Macron is seeking to convince his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Lula to support Ukraine during his trip to Brazil, Bloomberg reported on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ruling party in Georgia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ruling-party-in-georgia-proposes-anti-lgbt-law-mirrors-similar-legislation-passed-in-russia/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>proposes</strong></a> <strong>anti-LGBTQ+ law, mirroring similar legislation passed in Russia.</strong> The proposal, which was put forth by Mamuka Mdinaradze, the leader of Georgian Dream’s faction in parliament, is the latest in a series of government measures that aim to restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Georgia.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Shmyhal: Ukraine</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/shmyhal-ukraine-receives-880-million-from-imf/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>receives</strong></a> <strong>$880 million from IMF.</strong> The disbursal was the third such tranche of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), bringing the total distributed so far to $5.4 billion.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>UK Defense Ministry: War may</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/uk-defense-ministry-war-may-hamper-expansion-of-russian-army-in-other-parts-of-the-country/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>hamper</strong></a> <strong>expansion of Russian army in other parts of the country.</strong> Russia is recruiting for its new 44th Army Corps in an attempt to expand its armed forces but may have to send it to Ukraine to sustain operations, the U.K. Defense Ministry said on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>FT: Russia begins ‘arms-for-oil’</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ft-russia-begins-arms-for-oil-trade-with-north-korea-defies-sanctions/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>trade</strong></a> <strong>with North Korea, defies sanctions.</strong> Russia is defying U.N. sanctions by supplying North Korea with oil, likely in exchange for weapons, the Financial Times (FT) reported on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Lukashenko claims Moscow attackers tried to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/lukashenko-claims-moscow-attackers-tried-to-flee-to-belarus/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>flee</strong></a> <strong>to Belarus, undermines Putin’s narrative.</strong> Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said that the suspects who carried out the terrorist attack in Moscow on March 22 initially tried to flee to Belarus, state-run news outlet Belta reported on March 26. s</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>MP Bezuhla</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/mp-bezuhla-backtracks-on-controversial-bill-criminalizing-appropriation-of-state-functions/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>backtracks</strong></a> <strong>on controversial bill criminalizing ‘representing Ukraine’ internationally without authorization.</strong> Lawmaker Mariana Bezuhla, formerly a member of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, backtracked on her bill proposing strict prison sentences for “representing Ukraine abroad” without “being officially authorized to do so.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Air Baltic planning to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/air-baltic-flights-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>resume</strong></a> <strong>flights to Ukraine as soon as airspace reopens.</strong> Latvian airline Air Baltic plans to resume flights to Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa as soon as Ukraine’s airspace reopens, the airline announced on March 26 after a visit to Kyiv’s Boryspil airport.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine beats Iceland,</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-beats-iceland-qualifies-for-euro-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>qualifies</strong></a> <strong>for Euro 2024.</strong> Ukraine’s national football team has qualified for the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship after beating Iceland 2:1. It will be Ukraine’s 4th straight European Championship, with the 2024 edition taking place in Germany in June and July.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>SBU chief</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-chief-charged-in-absentia-with-terrorism-by-moscow-court/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>charged</strong></a> <strong>in absentia with ‘terrorism’ by Moscow court.</strong> Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) chief Vasyl Maliuk was charged in absentia with “terrorism” by a Moscow court on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>FSB claims it</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/fsb-claims-it-foiled-terrorist-attack-by-anti-kremlin-militia-member/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>foiled</strong></a> <strong>‘terrorist attack’ by anti-Kremlin militia member.</strong> The Russian Federal Security Bureau (FSB) claimed it prevented a so-called “terrorist attack” by a Russian anti-Kremlin militia member in Russia’s Samara Oblast on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Oleh Ivashchenko</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/foreign-intel/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>appointed</strong></a> <strong>as new head of Foreign Intelligence Service.</strong> President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed on March 26 Oleh Ivashchenko as the new head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service after its current chief, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, was picked to replace Oleksii Danilov as the National Security and Defense Council’s secretary.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Sumy Oblast council members</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/deputies-detained-over-allegedly-attempting-to-bribe-sumy-officials-with-100-000/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>detained</strong></a> <strong>over suspicion of attempted bribery.</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Law enforcement officers detained two members of the Sumy Oblast council for allegedly offering a bribe to Sumy city officials in the amount of $100,000, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) reported on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Katya Denisova, Oleksiy Sorokin, Teah Pelechaty, Nate Ostiller, Chris York, Martin Fornusek, Elsa Court, Sonya Bandouil, Dmytro Basmat, and Rachel Amran.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Tuesday, March 26]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Tuesday,%20March%2026/2024-03-26T12:13:44.794251+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-26T12:13:44.794251+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Tuesday, March 26</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/putin-seeking-to-blame-ukraine-for-moscow-shooting-despite-isis-taking-responsibility/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/249c359b-7572-68ba-c9c2-5917fd90db7d.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Rescuers are working at the site of an art academy building damaged by a Russian missile strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 25, 2024. (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-in-kyiv-as-russia-launches-another-missile-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>launches</strong></a> <strong>another missile attack on Kyiv, civilians injured.</strong> Russia launched yet another missile attack on Ukraine’s capital, injuring at least seven people as well as damaging an educational facility and a residential building, Ukrainian authorities reported on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine’s DTEK</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-dtek-loses-50-of-generating-capacity-recovery-will-take-months/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>loses</strong></a> <strong>50% of generating capacity, recovery will take ‘months.’</strong> Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, lost 50% of its generating capacity due to Russia’s March 22 mass attack on the country’s energy system, the CEO of one of its subsidiaries said on March 24.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukhydroenergo: ‘Years’ needed to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukhydroenergo-years-needed-to-restore-dnipro-hydroelectric-power-plant/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>restore</strong></a> <strong>Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant after Russian attack.</strong> It will take “years” to restore Zaporizhzhia’s Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, which was damaged following Russian missile attack, the head of Ukrainian state-owned energy company Ukrhydroenergo Ihor Syrota said on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attacks force Kharkiv to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kharkiv-ends-city-heating-season/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>end city heating</strong></a> <strong>season early.</strong> Kharkiv will switch off the city’s central heating early to reduce the load on the power system, which has been severely damaged in recent Russian attacks, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov announced on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky, Kuleba</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-kuleba-urged-allies-to-send-more-air-defense-systems-after-russian-attack-on-kyiv/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>urge</strong></a> <strong>allies to send more air defenses after Russian strike on Kyiv.</strong> “This (air defense systems) provide safety for our cities and save lives. All of us who respect and protect life must put an end to this terror,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Defense Ministry: More than 2,000 Russian missiles</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/defense-ministry-over-2-000-russian-missiles-downed-over-ukraine-since-start-of-all-out-war/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>downed</strong></a> <strong>over Ukraine since start of all-out war.</strong> Ukraine’s Armed Forces shot down more than 2,000 cruise and ballistic Russian missiles since the beginning of full-scale invasion, the Defense Ministry reported on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>SBU head: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-head-russia-stops-weapons-supplies-via-crimean-bridge-after-repeated-strikes/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>no longer using</strong></a> <strong>Crimean bridge for weapons supplies after repeated strikes.</strong> Russia no longer uses the Crimean bridge to supply weapons to the front after Ukrainian strikes damaged the crossing, Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on air on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian landing ship</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-landing-ship-critically-damaged-by-ukrainian-missile-strike-says-military-intelligence/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>‘critically damaged’</strong></a> <strong>by Ukrainian missile strike, says military intelligence.</strong> In a post on Telegram, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) said the “Yamal” suffered a “hole in the upper deck that caused it to roll to the starboard side.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Navy: Russian warship Ivan Khurs might be</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/navy-russian-warship-ivan-khurs-might-be-damaged-in-ukraines-march-23-missile-attack-on-crimea/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>damaged</strong></a> <strong>in Ukraine’s March 23 missile attack on Crimea.</strong> In addition to the Yamal and Azov landing ships, Ukraine’s March 23 missile attack on Russian-occupied Crimea could have damaged the Russian military’s Ivan Khurs ship, Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Reuters: Russia’s Kuibyshev oil refinery</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-9/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>stops</strong></a> <strong>one of primary units after drone attack.</strong> The Kuibyshev oil refinery in Russia’s Samara Oblast halted one of two primary refining units, taking half of its capacity offline, after a drone attack overnight on March 23, Reuters reported, citing two unnamed industry sources.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian governor</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-governor-claims-fire-at-power-plant-in-rostov-oblast-took-disabled-2-units/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>claims fire</strong></a> <strong>at power plant in Rostov Oblast disabled 2 units.</strong> Russian Telegram channels wrote about multiple explosions in the region amid an alleged drone attack, citing local residents. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 11 drones over Rostov Oblast.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Putin</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/putin-recognizes-radical-islamists/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>recognizes</strong></a> <strong>‘radical Islamists’ carried out terrorist attack, claims Ukraine still involved.</strong> “It is necessary to get answers to a number of questions whether radical Islamists really decided to strike Russia,” Putin alleged, insinuating that the attack was carried out on behalf of another “client.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-6/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/f3be1045-9581-6b21-3eb6-bca407043e8e.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: Russia hits Kyiv, Odesa with ballistic missiles</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that two pregnant women and a 16-year-old girl were among the victims of the attack on the capital on March 25. A Russian ballistic missile attack on Odesa injured four people.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Kateryna Hodunova/Kyiv Independent</em></p>
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<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-6/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-6/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/c0e5aee0-1ea5-c76c-dc4b-ae9d754567d3.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Missiles hit Kyiv seconds after air raid alert, leaving people no time to shelter</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv on March 25, using its brand-new Zircon hypersonic cruise missile, among other weaponry. A series of explosions rocked the city just a few seconds after the air raid sirens sounded.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images</em></p>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russias-response-to-terrorist-attack-alleged-torture-of-suspects-follows-pattern-of-abuse-in-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/37ce9233-9354-69e4-9c5b-bcea3c77f931.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia’s response to terrorist attack, alleged torture of suspects, follows pattern of abuse in Ukraine</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">For a country with such an overwhelming focus on security and steadily increasing militarization of society, the inability to prevent such a deadly incident was a stunning failure of Moscow’s law enforcement capabilities.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Tatyana Makeyeva/AFP via Getty Images</em></p>
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<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russias-response-to-terrorist-attack-alleged-torture-of-suspects-follows-pattern-of-abuse-in-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-equipment-losses-in-ukraine-surpass-15-000-says-oryx-osint-group/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/4aa540f2-ab7e-a836-7682-932cca6d8aa7.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian equipment losses in Ukraine surpass 15,000, says Oryx OSINT group</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">The number of vehicles, aircraft, naval vessels, and weapons systems lost by Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine has surpassed 15,000, the open-source investigative project Oryx announced on March 24.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Maximilian Clarke/SOPA Images/LightRocket</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
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<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Governor: Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast’s Vovchansk</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/governor-russian-attack-on-kharkiv-oblasts-vovchansk-kills-elderly-man/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kills</strong></a> <strong>elderly man.</strong> A 65-year-old man was killed after Russian forces attacked Vovchansk at around 1 p.m. local time, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Official:</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/death-toll-in-russian-12-march-attack-on-residential-building-in-kryvyi-rih-rises-to-6/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Death toll</strong></a> <strong>of Russian March 12 attack on Kryvyi Rih rises to 6.</strong> The death toll of Russia’s March 12 missile attack on Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast has risen to six as a 59-year-old man died in the hospital of his injuries, Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the city’s military administration, reported on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>11</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/11-injured-in-mykolaiv-partial-blackouts-in-odesa-after-overnight-russian-drone-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injured</strong></a> <strong>in Mykolaiv, partial blackouts in Odesa after overnight Russian drone attack.</strong> A Russian overnight drone attack on southern Ukraine injured 11 people and left parts of Odesa without electricity, Ukrainian authorities said on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>General Staff: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-russia-has-lost-437-390-troops-in-ukraine-since-feb-24-2022/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>has lost</strong></a> <strong>437,390 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.</strong> Russia has also reportedly lost 6,887 tanks, 13,183 armored fighting vehicles, 14,454 vehicles and fuel tanks, 10,877 artillery systems, 1,018 multiple launch rocket systems, 726 air defense systems, 347 airplanes, 325 helicopters, 8,539 drones, 26 ships and boats, and one submarine.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">Opinions and insights</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-why-isis-attacked-russia-and-why-russia-blames-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/0ce1217b-dec1-4104-bee1-7179f2328b64.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Opinion: Why ISIS attacked Russia and why Russia blames Ukraine</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“The terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue in a Moscow suburb was no bolt from the blue. The Kremlin dismissed U.S. intelligence warnings of an imminent attack by “extremists,”possibly to shift the blame to a convenient scapegoat when the attack came,” writes Omar Ashour, a professor of security and military studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Stringer/AFP via Getty Image</em></p>
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<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-why-isis-attacked-russia-and-why-russia-blames-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-troops-in-ukraine-france-germany-spat-plays-into-putins-hands/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/2e3055a4-6757-dd71-dc76-b7b35fba7126.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Opinion: Troops in Ukraine? France-Germany spat plays into Putin’s hands</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“Whoever doubts that Europe is in danger of an ominous divergence on Russia and Ukraine should take a look at the forced smiles of the “triple handshake” between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk,” writes Roland Freudenstein, director of the Free Russia Foundation’s Brussels Office.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Daniel Mihailescu/AFP via Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-troops-in-ukraine-france-germany-spat-plays-into-putins-hands/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian ambassador</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-ambassador-rejects-polands-summons-over-missile/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>rejects</strong></a> <strong>Poland’s summons over missile in Polish airspace.</strong> Russia’s ambassador to Poland, Sergei Andreyev, has rejected Poland’s summons to the Foreign Ministry in connection with the Russian missile that entered Polish airspace on March 24, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Polish minister: Talks on licensing system for Ukrainian goods</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/polish-minister-talks-on-licensing-ukrainian-goods-may-conclude-this-week/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>may finish</strong></a> <strong>this week.</strong> The talks on creating a licensing system for trading Ukrainian goods have progressed and may be completed already this week, Poland’s Economic Development and Technology Minister Krzysztof Hetman said in a comment for Radio Lublin published on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Borrell</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/borrell-eu-has-delivered-500-000-shells-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>confirms</strong></a> <strong>EU delivery of 500,000 shells to Ukraine by end of March.</strong> The EU has delivered 500,000 of the promised 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine and aims to deliver the total amount by the end of the year, the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said in his blog on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Iceland</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/iceland-backs-czech-plan-to-ammunition-for-ukraine-commits-two-million-euros/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>joins</strong></a> <strong>Czech ammunition initiative, commits 2 million euros.</strong> The Icelandic government announced on March 25 that they will spend two million euros on the project. Iceland also said they will support the purchase of equipment for servicewomen in the Ukrainian army.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Macron: IS group behind Moscow attack</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/macron-is-group-behind-moscow-attack-made-several-attempts-to-strike-france/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>‘made several attempts’</strong></a> <strong>to strike France.</strong> The Islamic State (IS) group, which claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall in a Moscow suburb last week, had recently made “several attempts” at attacks on French soil, French President Emmanuel Macron said on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>3 more suspects</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/3-more-suspects-detained-in-connection-with-moscow-terrorist-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>detained</strong></a> <strong>in connection with Moscow terrorist attack.</strong> The suspects remanded on March 25 include the brothers Aminchon and Dilovar Islomov, and their father, Isroil Islomov. The three men live and work in Russia’s northwest Tver Oblast.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Kuleba</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kuleba-confirms-his-first-ever-visit-to-india-this-week/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>confirms</strong></a> <strong>his first ever visit to India this week.</strong> Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is planning to visit India later this week, marking his first “first ever” trip to the country, he said on March 25.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>RFE/RL: Anti-Monopoly Committee’s head</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/anti-monopoly-committees-investigated-over-allegedly-illicit-enrichment/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>investigated</strong></a> <strong>over suspected illicit enrichment.</strong> The proceedings were reportedly launched on March 22 following a media investigation by Schemes, RFE/RL’s investigative project, according to which Pavlo Kyrylenko’s family acquired real estate and cars worth over Hr 70 million ($1.8 million) between 2020 and 2023.</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Katya Denisova, Oleksiy Sorokin, Lili Bivings, Nate Ostiller, Dinara Khalilova, Chris York, Martin Fornusek, Elsa Court, Sonya Bandouil, Abbey Fenbert, and Olena Goncharova.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Monday, March 25]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Monday,%20March%2025/2024-03-25T12:18:22.610529+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-25T12:18:22.610529+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Monday, March 25</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/putin-seeking-to-blame-ukraine-for-moscow-shooting-despite-isis-taking-responsibility/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/5ef13625-0bd0-4566-5d48-e0ae4d12c904.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>A woman holds a poster during a protest by families of Ukrainian prisoners of war on March 24, 2024 in Kyiv. Relatives and friends of the soldiers came to draw attention to the military who are still in Russian captivity. (Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine confirms striking 2 large</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-confirms-striking-2-large-russian-landing-ships-and-military-targets-in-occupied-crimea/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Russian landing ships</strong></a> <strong>in occupied Crimea.</strong> Ukraine struck two Russian Ropucha-class landing ships, “Yamal” and “Azov,” in occupied Crimea in the late hours of March 23, Ukraine’s Armed Forces confirmed on March 24.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky: Russia launched nearly</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-russia-launched-nearly-190-missiles-140-drones-at-ukraine-in-the-last-week/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>190 missiles</strong></a><strong>, 140 drones at Ukraine in last week.</strong> Russia launched close to 190 missiles, 140 Shahed drones, and 700 aerial bombs at Ukraine over the last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on March 24.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Southern Command: Russia almost doubled</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/southern-command-reports-russia-almost-doubled-fpv-drone-attacks/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>FPV drone attacks</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Russian forces deployed 234 FPV drones in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts over the past day.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Naftogaz: Ukraine’s gas supply</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/naftogaz-ukraines-gas-supply-not-impacted-by-russian-strike/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>not impacted</strong></a> <strong>by Russian strike.</strong> The facility, operated by Naftogaz’s subsidiary Ukrtransgaz, will require repairs to its surface infrastructure, but the attack did not impede its operations due to the gas being stored deep underground, Naftogaz CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov noted.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Mayor: Russian attacks</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/mayor-russian-attacks-destroy-thermal-power-plant-all-substations-in-kharkiv/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>destroy thermal power plant</strong></a><strong>, all substations in Kharkiv.</strong> He also said that the electricity supply has been restored for approximately 40% of Kharkiv residents. Meanwhile, heating has been restored in 60% of the buildings, and almost all of them have water supply.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Polish Operational Command: Shooting down Russian missile over Poland posed</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/polish-operational-command-shooting-down-russian-missile-over-poland-posed-a-risk-to-civilians/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>risk to civilians</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The Polish Operational Command of the Armed Forces knew that the missile would circle back to Ukraine and decided not to down the it.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Border Guard: Polish farmers completely</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/border-guard-about-500-trucks-stuck-as-polish-farmers-completely-block-ukrainian-trucks-at-2-border-crossings/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>block Ukrainian trucks</strong></a> <strong>at 2 border crossings.</strong> About 500 trucks are stuck in line at three border checkpoints amid Polish farmers’ ongoing blockade to protest against EU’s cheap Ukrainain food imports that they say prompt unfair competition, State Border Guard spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on March 24.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Naftogaz: Energy facilities in western Ukraine</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/naftogaz-energy-facilities-in-western-ukraine-suffer-damage-during-russias-major-overnight-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>suffer damage</strong></a> <strong>during Russia’s overnight attack.</strong> A number of energy facilities in western Ukraine had suffered damage during Russia’s major overnight strike targeting critical infrastructure, state oil and gas monopoly’s CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov said on March 24.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-ukraine-confirms-striking-2-large-russian-landing-ships-russia-launches-major-attack-targeting-energy-infrastructure/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/a8dc573f-28d6-92d1-4a46-771d283aa588.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: Ukraine confirms striking 2 large Russian landing ships; Russia launches major attack on energy system</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Ukraine struck two Russian Ropucha-class landing ships, “Yamal” and “Azov,” in occupied Crimea in the late hours of March 23, Ukraine’s Armed Forces confirmed on March 24. The attack also hit some Black Sea Fleet infrastructure in Crimea and a Russian military communication center, the Ukrainian military said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Russia’s Black Sea Fleet</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-ukraine-confirms-striking-2-large-russian-landing-ships-russia-launches-major-attack-targeting-energy-infrastructure/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>3 injured in attack on</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/three-injured-in-attack-on-donetsk-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Donetsk Oblast</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Russian forces fired at a residential building at 9.30 a.m. injuring two women. The attack was followed by an airstrike in the same district an hour later which injured a 70-year-old man.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>General Staff: Russia has lost</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-russia-has-lost-436-750-troops-in-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>436,750 troops</strong></a> <strong>in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.</strong> This number includes 990 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on March 24.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">Crime of crimes: Is Russia trying to destroy the Ukrainian nation?</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKcy8aSntfA" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/video_thumbnails_new/4f270e0690982799c4bdd70211209b75.png" alt="Crime of crimes: Is Russia trying to destroy the Ukrainian nation?"></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Senior US lawmaker anticipates</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/senior-us-lawmaker-anticipates-ukraine-aid-bill-to-be-brought-to-the-floor-after-easter/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Ukraine aid bill</strong></a> <strong>to be brought to the floor after Easter.</strong> The Republican who leads the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Michael McCaul, said on March 24 that he anticipates Speaker Mike Johnson to introduce a Ukraine aid bill after Easter, even though it may pose a risk of losing support for a leadership vote against him.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Warsaw to ‘</strong><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/poland-to-demand-explanations-from-russia-after-missile-aimed-at-ukraine-violated-polish-airspace/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>demand explanations</strong></a><strong>’ from Moscow after Russian missile entered Polish airspace.</strong> The Russian cruise missile entered Poland’s airspace for 39 seconds, Jacek Siewiera, chief of Poland’s National Security Bureau, said on X on March 24. He also said the NATO allies had been briefed about yet another violation of the NATO border by a Russian cruise missile.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: Hungarian FM says ending Russia-Ukraine war in Hungary’s</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/hungarian-fm-ending-russia-ukraine-war-in-hungarys-fundamental-interest/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>fundamental interest</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Ending the Russia-Ukraine war as soon as possible and initiating peace talks is in Hungary’s fundamental interest because the war “brings the nightmare of a third world war closer” each day, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on March 24.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>ISIS releases</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/isis-releases-bodycam-footage-of-moscow-shooting/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>bodycam footage</strong></a> <strong>of Moscow terrorist attack.</strong> The ISIS footage shows the gunmen recording themselves as they pursue people through the lobby of the Crocus City Hall, firing at them from close range with assault weapons.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>ISW: Russian officials propose more</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/isw-russian-officials-propose-more-anti-migrant-policies-in-response-to-moscow-shooting/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>anti-migrant policies</strong></a> <strong>in response to Moscow shooting.</strong> Russian State Duma lawmaker Mikhail Sheremet suggested implementing restrictions on migrant entry into Russia in response to the March 22 Crocus City Hall attack. Sheremet claimed that Western intelligence agencies were potentially exploiting migrants to orchestrate terrorist activities within Russia, the Institute for the Study of War said in its latest assessment.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-charges-4-people-over-moscow-terrorist-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>charges 4 people</strong></a> <strong>over Moscow terrorist attack.</strong> Russia has indicted four men in relation to the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in a Moscow suburb on March 22 that left at least 137 people dead.</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Toma Istomina, Asami Terajima, Oleg Sukhov, Alexander Khrebet, Lili Bivings, Dominic Culverwell, and Olena Goncharova.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Sunday, March 24]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Sunday,%20March%2024/2024-03-24T13:28:28.201404+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-24T13:28:28.201404+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Sunday, March 24</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/putin-seeking-to-blame-ukraine-for-moscow-shooting-despite-isis-taking-responsibility/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/da1e7fe7-ba81-a8cf-fc25-5281fb7535e8.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Ukrainian soldiers conduct combat drills in woodland as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on March 23, 2024. Photo by Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Putin seeking to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/putin-seeking-to-blame-ukraine-for-moscow-shooting-despite-isis-taking-responsibility/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>blame</strong></a> <strong>Ukraine for Moscow shooting, despite ISIS taking responsibility.</strong> Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the detained suspected perpetrators of the Moscow shooting allegedly planned to flee to Ukraine without providing any evidence. In his address, the Russian president did not mention the fact that the terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the shooting, nor the warnings of Western countries about a possible terrorist attack in Moscow.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Kyiv</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-dismisses-putins-allegations-of-ukraines-involvement-in-moscow-shooting/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>dismisses</strong></a> <strong>Putin’s allegations of Ukraine’s involvement in Moscow shooting.</strong> Andriy Yusov, spokesperson of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, denied Russia’s claims that seek to accuse Ukraine of involvement in the shooting. “The version that the perpetrators of the terrorist attack were fleeing toward Ukraine does not withstand any criticism,” he said on national television.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia claims it</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-security-services-claim-they-detained-suspected-perpetrators-of-moscow-shooting/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>detained</strong></a> <strong>suspected perpetrators of Moscow shooting that killed over 100 people.</strong> Russia’s security services detained 11 people allegedly involved in the March 22 mass shooting at a concert venue near Moscow, including four perpetrators, the Kremlin’s press service reported on March 23.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky on Moscow shooting: Putin’s</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-on-moscow-shooting-putin-always-seeks-to-blame-others/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attempts</strong></a> <strong>to link it to Ukraine ‘absolutely predictable’.</strong> “Putin and his thugs are just trying to blame somebody else… It has happened before. There were blown-up houses, shootings, explosions, and they always blame others,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his address.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukrhydroenergo: Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukrhydroenergo-zaporizhzhias-dnipro-hydroelectric-power-plant-lost-about-3rd-of-generation-capacity/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>lost</strong></a> <strong>a third of generation capacity after Russian strike.</strong> Zaporizhzhia’s Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant lost about a third of its generation capacity after a Russian missile strike, the head of Ukrainian state-owned energy company Ukrhydroenergo Ihor Syrota told the Associated Press.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Minister: If Russia seeks to destroy Zaporizhzhia’s Dnipro Dam,</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/minister-if-russia-seeks-to-destroy-zaporizhzhias-dam-attacks-will-continue/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attacks</strong></a> <strong>will continue.</strong> “It is necessary to understand whether it was a deliberate strike against the dam or whether it simply… (aimed at) the hydroelectric station,” Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ministry: Situation at Zaporizhzhia’s Dnipro Dam under control,</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ministry-situation-at-zaporizhzhias-dnipro-dam-under-control-do-danger-of-breach/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>no danger</strong></a> <strong>of breach.</strong> The situation at Zaporizhzhia’s Dnipro Dam is under control, and there is no danger of a breach following a Russian missile attack, the Environment Ministry said on March 23.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Deputy Minister: Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid have led to $11.5 billion in</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/deputy-minister-russian-attacks-on-ukrainian-energy-grids-have-led-to-11-5-billion-in-losses/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>losses</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have amounted to at least $11.5 billion in losses for Ukraine, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk said on air on March 23.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Military intelligence: Partisans</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-partisans-attack-russian-soldiers-equipment-in-occupied-melitopol/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attack</strong></a> <strong>Russian soldiers, equipment in occupied Melitopol.</strong> “According to preliminary data, about 20 Russian soldiers, two Kamaz trucks, and a UAZ Patriot pickup truck were at the epicenter of the explosions,” Ukraine’s military intelligence agency wrote on Telegram.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia claims</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-attack-on-occupied-crimea-explosions-reported-in-sevastopol/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>missile attack</strong></a> <strong>on Sevastopol in occupied Crimea.</strong> The Russian proxy leader in Sevastopol in occupied Crimea, Mikhail Razvozhayev, claimed on March 23 that “several air targets were shot down” over the city in the evening.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/despite-no-opposition-and-predetermined-result-russias-presidential-election-was-heavily-rigged/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/fb0d1e02-4a64-0f3b-1f18-168582023f15.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Evidence shows recent presidential elections most rigged in Russia’s modern history.</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">The March 15-17 presidential election was the most rigged in Russia’s modern history, according to evidence published by election experts, observers, and media.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP via Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/despite-no-opposition-and-predetermined-result-russias-presidential-election-was-heavily-rigged/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Authorities: 3</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/authorities-3-injured-in-russian-attack-on-relief-center-in-kherson-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injured</strong></a> <strong>in Russian attack on relief center in Kherson Oblast</strong>. Russian troops struck a relief center in a village in Kherson Oblast on the morning of March 23, wounding three people, the regional administration reported.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian drone attack on Beryslav in Kherson Oblast</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-drone-attack-on-beryslav-in-kherson-oblast-injures-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injures</strong></a> <strong>2.</strong> One of the victims suffered a blast injury and shrapnel wounds to his legs. The other suffered a contusion and multiple injuries to the head, face, and legs, officials said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-attacks-8-communities-in-sumy-oblast-3/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attacks</strong></a> <strong>8 communities in Sumy Oblast.</strong> Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast 115 times in 31 separate attacks throughout the day, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on March 23.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">Crime of crimes: Is Russia trying to destroy the Ukrainian nation?</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKcy8aSntfA" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/video_thumbnails_new/4f270e0690982799c4bdd70211209b75.png" alt="Crime of crimes: Is Russia trying to destroy the Ukrainian nation?"></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Bloomberg: Russian oil trade feels</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-russian-oil-trade/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>pressure</strong></a> <strong>of Western sanctions in India.</strong> Russia’s oil industry is starting to feel the pressure of Western sanctions as Indian refineries no longer accept tankers of Moscow’s state-owned state-run Sovcomflot shipping company, Bloomberg reported on March 23.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>US Congress</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/us-congress-approves-228-million-in-military-aid-for-baltic-countries/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>approves</strong></a> <strong>$228 million in military aid for Baltic countries.</strong> “Support from the U.S. has significantly helped Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania fast-track several military infrastructure and capability development projects,” Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said in a statement.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Biden signs $1.2 trillion US spending bill,</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/biden-signs-1-2-trillion-us-spending-bill-urges-action-on-ukraine-aid/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>urges action</strong></a> <strong>on Ukraine aid.</strong> U.S. President Joe Biden signed on March 23 a $1.2 trillion spending package that keeps the government funded until the autumn after it cleared Congress hours earlier.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Military: Energy facilities</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/military-energy-facilities-damaged-in-russias-overnight-drone-attack-against-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>damaged</strong></a> <strong>in Russia’s overnight drone attack against Ukraine.</strong> Russia’s overnight drone attack against Ukraine damaged energy facilities in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, the Southern Defense Forces reported on March 23.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian governor confirms</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-governor-confirms-fire-at-kuibyshev-oil-refinery-claims-drone-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>fire</strong></a> <strong>at Kuibyshev oil refinery, claims drone attack.</strong> A fire that broke out at the Kuibyshev oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region overnight on March 23 had been caused by a drone attack, the regional government told Russian state-controlled news agency Interfax, citing Governor Dmitry Azarov.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>UK Defense Ministry: Russia might</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/uk-defense-ministry-attacks-on-oil-refineries-might-disrupt-at-least-10-of-russias-refinery-capacity/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>lose</strong></a> <strong>at least 10% of its refinery capacity after drone attacks.</strong> Drone attacks on Russia’s oil refineries are likely to have disrupted at least 10% of the country’s refinery capacity, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its latest report. In the past weeks, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia’s oil industry.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Poland</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/poland-scrambles-fighter-jets-amid-drone-missile-attacks-on-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>scrambles</strong></a> <strong>fighter jets amid drone, missile attacks on Ukraine.</strong> Poland scrambled fighter jets to protect Polish airspace during Russia’s drone and missile attack against Ukraine on March 24, the Polish army’s Operational Command reported on X.</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Oleg Sukhov, Martin Fornusek, Dinara Khalilova, Kateryna Denisova, Oleksiy Sorokin, and Dmytro Basmat.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Saturday, March 23]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Saturday,%20March%2023/2024-03-23T12:35:57.680219+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-23T12:35:57.680219+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Saturday, March 23</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-russia-hits-zaporizhzhias-dnipro-hydroelectric-power-plant-amid-massive-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/e475ac5d-1897-a3ea-32eb-8b694eca6c00.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>The aftermath of a Russian strike on the Dnipro Dam in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on March 22, 2024. Russia overnight launched its largest attack against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since the beginning of the full-scale war. (Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal/Telegram)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Almost 1.5 million people</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/over-1-million-without-power-after-russias-largest-attack-on-ukraines-energy-infrastructure/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>suffer outages</strong></a> <strong>following Russia’s ‘largest attack’ on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.</strong> Russia launched over 150 drones and missiles against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure in what has been called “the largest mass attack on Ukraine’s energy grid” throughout the full-scale war.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukrhydroenergo: One station of Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant in</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukrhydroenergo-zaporizhzhias-dnipro-hydroelectric-station-is-in-critical-state-as-it-was-hit-twice-during-russian-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>critical</strong></a> <strong>state.</strong> “We do not know to what extent the HPS-2 would operate (after the attack),” Syrota said, adding that HPS-1 also does not work as of around 10:00 a.m. local time on March 22.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>White House</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/white-house-condemns-brutal-strikes-against-ukraine-calls-for-more-air-defense/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>condemns</strong></a> <strong>‘brutal strikes’ against Ukraine, calls for more air defense.</strong> The White House on March 22 condemned Russia’s “brutal strikes overnight against Ukraine’s cities and civilian infrastructure,” after a series of attacks killed at least five people and left almost 1.5 million people without electricity.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>ISW: Russia hopes to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/isw-russia-hopes-to-collapse-ukraines-energy-grid-amid-air-defense-shortage/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>collapse Ukraine’s energy grid</strong></a> <strong>amid air defense shortage.</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“Russian strikes on energy infrastructure in early Spring 2024 likely aim to collapse the energy grid in part to stall Ukrainian efforts to rapidly expand its (defense-industrial base),” the ISW said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Commander: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/military-russia-gathers-100-000-soldiers-unit-for-alleged-offensive-effort-in-summer-of-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>gathers 100,000-strong force</strong></a><strong>, possibly for summer offensive.</strong> Russian troops are creating a force of 100,000 soldiers, possibly to conduct an offensive in early summer, Ukraine’s Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Pavliuk said on national television on March 22.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Deputy PM says Russian oil refineries are</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/deputy-pm-says-russian-oil-refineries-are-legitimate-targets-after-alleged-us-alarm/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>‘legitimate targets’</strong></a> <strong>after alleged US warning.</strong> The oil refineries in Russia that have been attacked by Ukraine are “absolutely legitimate targets” from a military point of view, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said at the Kyiv Security Forum on March 22.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Fire</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/fire-breaks-out-at-russias-kuibyshev-oil-refinery/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>breaks out</strong></a> <strong>at Russia’s Kuibyshev oil refinery.</strong> A fire broke out at the Kiubyshev oil refinery in Russia’s Samara Oblast overnight on March 23, Russian media outlets claimed.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Military Intelligence: Anti-Kremlin militias’ raid</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-anti-kremlin-militias-raid-thwarts-russias-plans-for-potential-new-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>thwarts</strong></a> <strong>Russia’s plans for potential new attack.</strong> The recent incursion into Russia by Russian anti-Kremlin militias made Moscow “change plans” on a possible new attack in Ukraine’s northern sector, Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson of Ukraine’s military Intelligence told the Kyiv Independent on March 22.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Kremlin</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kremlin-admits-russia-de-facto-at-war-calls-ukraine-occupying-force/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>admits</strong></a> <strong>Russia ‘de facto’ at war, calls Ukraine ‘occupying force.’</strong> Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later clarified his words, saying that “de jure” it remained a “military operation,” but “de facto” had become a war.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>UK Defense Ministry: First 10 Ukrainian pilots</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/uk-defense-ministry-first-ten-ukrainian-pilots-complete-royal-air-force-flight-training/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>complete</strong></a> <strong>RAF flight training.</strong> According to the U.K. Defense Ministry’s report, the cohort completed basic training and will move to advanced flying training provided by the French Air Force before learning to fly F-16 fighter jets.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-21-march/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/e475ac5d-1897-a3ea-32eb-8b694eca6c00.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: Russia hits Ukraine’s largest Hydroelectric Power Plant, kills civilians</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“The enemy launched one of the largest attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent weeks,” Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko wrote on Facebook. “The goal is not just to damage it, but, just like last year, to cause a large-scale disruption in the country’s energy system.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Denys Shmyhal / Telegram</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/destroy-in-whole-or-in-part-is-russia-committing-genocide-in-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/b24e32ca-304c-4369-c63c-d06eb357901d.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>War Crimes Investigations Unit: Is Russia committing genocide in Ukraine?</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">A regular theme of Russian propaganda is the need to “erase the Ukrainian nation,” and murdering those who don’t agree to become Russian.The Kyiv Independent’s new documentary “Destroy, in Whole or in Part,” tries to answer the question – do Russian actions in Ukraine constitute genocide?</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Dmytro Koval / Facebook</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/destroy-in-whole-or-in-part-is-russia-committing-genocide-in-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/the-white-angels-inside-evacuation-aid-missions-in-front-line-villages-in-donbas-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/019b9c55-bf57-3fb5-9337-3abf196b571c.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine’s ‘angels’ who look after, evacuate civilians in front-line Donbas</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">The White Angels frequently return to Torske, now directly in the line of Russia’s offensives following its capture of Avdiivka, to see if anyone left behind has changed their mind about staying.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Alexander Khrebet / The Kyiv Independent</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/the-white-angels-inside-evacuation-aid-missions-in-front-line-villages-in-donbas-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russias-formidable-war-effort-has-shaky-foundations/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/3d7fdd08-4750-5a34-3a44-15454b5f473c.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia’s war effort may not be as formidable as it looks</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Russia’s war machine has shown remarkable stamina despite the hundreds of thousands of troops it is estimated to have lost in Ukraine. But under the hood, it may be less resilient than it looks.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Alexander Manzyuk/Anadolu Agency</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
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<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>3</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/rescue-operations-end-in-zaporizhzhia-with-3-killed-25-injured-after-russian-missile-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>killed</strong></a><strong>, 29 injured in Zaporizhzhia as rescue operations conclude.</strong> Search and rescue operations at the sites of a Russian missile attack on Zaporizhzhia on March 22 have ended, the State Emergency Service reported. The attack killed three people and injured 29.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attacks on Chernihiv, Kherson oblasts</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-on-chernihiv-and-kherson-oblasts-kill-1-injure-3/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kill</strong></a> <strong>1, injure 3.</strong> Russian troops struck Chernihiv and Kherson oblasts, killing one person and injuring at least three, local authorities reported on March 22.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia claims 1</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-authorities-media-claim-belgorod-struck-again-1-reportedly-killed/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>killed</strong></a><strong>, 2 injured in Ukrainian rocket attack on Belgorod.</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces downed eight projectiles launched from the RM-70 Vampire rocket launcher against Belgorod Oblast at around 7:30 a.m. local time.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>General Staff: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-russia-has-lost-434-710-troops-in-ukraine-since-feb-24-2022/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>has lost</strong></a> <strong>434,710 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.</strong> This number includes 870 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">Opinions and insights</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/danylo-mokryk-say-the-word-genocide/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/149a53ab-1b8a-59ca-edf6-595db26437d3.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Danylo Mokryk: Say the word ‘genocide’</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“It’s not surprising that some Western politicians and officials not only avoid using the term to describe Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine today but also outright deny that it is taking place. The term is often extremely undesirable for politicians as it imposes a certain pressure to act,” writes Danylo Mokryk, a Kyiv Independent investigative reporter.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Pierre Crom/Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/danylo-mokryk-say-the-word-genocide/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/the-counteroffensive/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/4b953633-22ef-9e6f-bda1-7d37b3b1dd97.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>The Counteroffensive: Russia’s rising chemical weapons use in Ukraine</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“Earlier this month, the Ukrainian military claimed that Russia has used chemical weapons 1,068 times since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began two years ago. This includes allegations that Russia used chloroacetophenone, a chemical comparable to tear gas but with higher toxicity,” writes The Counteroffensive’s Tim Mak.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Pavlo Kyrylenko/Telegram</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/the-counteroffensive/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>EU</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/eu-moves-toward-plan-to-use-profits-from-frozen-russian-assets-for-arms-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>moves toward</strong></a> <strong>plan to use profits from frozen Russian assets for arms for Ukraine.</strong> “I am confident that we can act very quickly,” said European Council President Charles Michel.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Reuters: France, Germany reportedly</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-france-germany-reportedly-oppose-using-bonds-to-maximize-profits-from-frozen-russian-assets/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>oppose</strong></a> <strong>using bonds to maximize profits from frozen Russian assets.</strong> At the same time, the EU moved closer on March 21 to finalizing a plan to use 90% of the profits generated from the frozen funds to purchase weapons for Kyiv and allocate the remaining 10% to the EU budget to support Ukraine’s defense industry.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>European Council</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/european-council-calls-for-ukraines-and-moldovas-negotiating-frameworks-to-be-approved-swiftly/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>urges</strong></a> <strong>swift adoption of Ukraine’s negotiation framework.</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">The European Council urged EU leaders to “swiftly adopt” the negotiating frameworks for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova after the first day of the Euro Summit on March 21.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>European Commission</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/european-commission-proposes-increased-tariffs-on-russian-belarusian-grain/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>proposes tariffs</strong></a> <strong>on Russian, Belarusian grain.</strong> The measure would impose a 95 euro ($103) per ton on corn and wheat, as opposed to zero tariffs imposed today, Business Insider reported. Other products, namely oilseeds, would be subject to an “ad valorem duty” of 50%.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>UK</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/uk-announces-more-air-defense-systems-surveillance-drones-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>announces</strong></a> <strong>more air defense systems, surveillance drones for Ukraine.</strong> The U.K. has announced a further 60 million pounds ($75.5 million) in military aid for Ukraine that will provide new surveillance drones and air defense systems, the U.K. Defense Ministry said on March 22.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Bloomberg: Germany</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-germany-allocates-325-million-to-czech-led-initiative-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>allocates $325 million</strong></a> <strong>to Czech-led initiative for Ukraine.</strong> Berlin has pledged 300 million euros ($325 million) to a Czech-led initiative to provide Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, Bloomberg reported on March 21, citing people familiar with the decision.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Dutch PM: Ukraine to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/dutch-pm-ukraine-to-get-a-large-amount-of-shells-in-the-near-future/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>get large amount of shells</strong></a> <strong>‘in the near future.’</strong> A large amount of ammunition will be sent to Ukraine “in the near future” within the Czech-led initiative to provide Kyiv with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on March 22.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: Czechia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/media-czechia-sent-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>sends</strong></a> <strong>Ukraine its last Soviet Mi-24 helicopters.</strong> This is the third time Czechia has supplied Ukraine with helicopters. Prague sent four Mi-24 helicopters in July 2022 and then sent more in July 2023 without specifying the numbers and models.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>FT: US reportedly tells Ukraine to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ft-us-reportedly-tells-ukraine-to-stop-striking-russian-oil-refineries/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>stop striking</strong></a> <strong>Russian oil refineries.</strong> The sources told the Financial Times that the U.S. is concerned Russia could potentially retaliate by striking energy infrastructure used by the West, which could result in higher energy prices globally.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Over 60 killed in</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/gunmen-reportedly-fire-into-crowd-at-moscow-concert-hall/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>mass shooting</strong></a> <strong>at Moscow concert hall.</strong> According to the most recent reports, 60 people were killed and more than 140 wounded after gunmen opened fire at a concert venue in Moscow on March 22.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Islamic State</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-moscow-terrorist-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>claims responsibility</strong></a> <strong>for Moscow terrorist attack.</strong> The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the mass shooting at a concert hall in Moscow on March 22 that has left at least 60 people dead.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>European Council</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/european-council-sanctions-33-people-over-slow-killing-of-alexei-navalny/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>sanctions</strong></a> <strong>33 people over ‘slow killing’ of Alexei Navalny.</strong> The European Council has sanctioned 33 people and two entities over the death of former Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny last month, it was announced on March 22.</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Friday, March 22]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Friday,%20March%2022/2024-03-22T13:48:37.089274+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-22T13:48:37.089274+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Friday, March 22</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kharkiv-mayor-5-still-missing/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/a2cb052b-1c7a-e091-33ca-d09c99fd5800.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>A man hugs a woman on the site of Russia’s morning missile attack on March 21, 2024, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Tanya Dzafarowa/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC “UA: PBC”/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky: Russian missiles used in recent attack on Kyiv have estimated 1,500</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-russian-missiles-used-for-new-on-kyiv-had-at-least-1-500-foreign-made-parts/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>foreign-made parts</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The missiles that Russia launched in a mass attack against Kyiv on March 21 had an estimated total of 1,500 foreign components, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Syrskyi: Ukraine’s forces ‘</strong><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/syrskyi-ukraines-forces-stabilizes-situation-in-east/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>stabilize situation</strong></a><strong>’ in the east.</strong> The Ukrainian forces managed to “stabilize the situation” in the country’s east, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on March 21.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia targets</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-targets-energy-infrastructure-in-kharkiv/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>energy infrastructure</strong></a> <strong>in Kharkiv.</strong> Russian forces attacked energy infrastructure in the city of Kharkiv overnight on March 22, causing at least 15 explosions and multiple power outages across the city.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Military intelligence: Russia’s railway to Crimea is ‘</strong><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-russias-railway-to-crimea-is-ukraines-significant-target/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>important target</strong></a><strong>’ for Ukraine.</strong> The railway Russia is constructing in the occupied territories of Ukraine, which leads to Crimea, is “a serious challenge” and “an important target” for Kyiv, Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson of Ukraine’s military intelligence, said on March 21.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky urges EU leaders to give Ukraine shells,</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-addresses-eu-leaders-urges-sending-shells-air-defense-systems/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>air defense systems</strong></a> <strong>in address to European Council.</strong> President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an address to the European Council summit on March 21, urging EU leaders to provide Ukraine with more weapons, namely ammunition and air defense systems.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukrhydroenergo’s losses due to Russian attacks amount to over</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukrhydroenergo-russian-attacks-result-in-more-than-3-3-billion-in-damages-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>$3 billion</strong></a><strong>.</strong> According to Ukrhydroenergo, Russia’s destruction of the Kakhovka dam has caused over 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion) in damages to Ukraine. Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrhydroenergo’s stations cost around 500 million euros ($545.5 million).</p>
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<p dir="auto"><strong>Official: Russia fires at occupied</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kakhovka-suffers-power-outages-after-russian-attack-on-energy-infrastructure-in-kherson-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Kherson Oblast</strong></a> <strong>infrastructure in ‘provocation’ act, causes outages.</strong> Russian troops struck energy infrastructure in Kherson Oblast, leaving the city of Kakhovka without gas, electricity, and water supply, said Yurii Sobolevskyi, the first deputy head of the Kherson Oblast Council, on March 21.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia continues to redeploy</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-continues-to-redeploy-black-sea-fleet/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Black Sea Fleet</strong></a> <strong>from Crimea, Ukraine promises ‘new steps’ to target it.</strong> Russia is continuing the redeployment of its Black Sea Fleet from occupied Crimea to the relative safety of Novorossiysk after yet more successful strikes on its ships, Ukraine’s military intelligence reported on March 21.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: Russian Navy accidentally hits</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/media-russian-navy-accidentally-hits-fishing-boat-authorities-try-to-cover-it-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>fishing boat</strong></a><strong>, authorities try to cover it up.</strong> A Russian fishing trawler was hit by a missile during Russia’s Baltic Fleet military exercises, killing three and injuring four others, a relative of one of the dead men claimed to the Russian TV Rain on March 21.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian media: Krasnodar Krai to close</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-region-to-close-prisons/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>2 prisons</strong></a> <strong>after inmates leave to fight in Ukraine.</strong> The number of inmates joining the Russian army has led the authorities in Krasnodar Krai to decide to close two prison colonies, Russian state media outlet Kommersant reported on March 21, citing Mark Denisov, the regional commissioner for human rights.</p>
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<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
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<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: Mass attack on Kyiv injures at least 13, including child</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Russian forces launched dozens of missiles towards Kyiv early in the morning of March 21, injuring at least 13 people and causing damage to homes and infrastructure throughout the city.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: State Emergency Service/Telegram</em></p>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-residents-shook-mass-missile-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/69e48461-2ac7-bde7-8b90-5da58853e820.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>‘Lives are falling apart:’ Kyiv residents shook by another mass missile attack</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Hours after the attack, in the early afternoon, local residents and business owners rushed in and out, taking out the glass and other litter from their properties. </p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images</em></p>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/anti-kremlin-militias-hold-press-conference-in-downtown-kyiv-say-incursions-into-russia-thwart-kremlins-ability-to-launch-new-attacks/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/3e2d0f1d-f357-ecdb-16f5-1e9076165276.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Anti-Kremlin militias say incursions into Russia thwart Kremlin’s ability to launch new attacks</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Following over a week of cross-border raids, the Ukrainian-equipped anti-Kremlin militias held a joint press conference in downtown Kyiv to have their voices heard.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images</em></p>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/dutch-defense-minister/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/bd8eaa74-5d77-cf86-9d7a-fcfc16838922.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Dutch defense minister: You don’t start negotiations with gun pointed at your head</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Europe needs to make great strides in increasing the capacity of its defense industry, and can only do this by working together within the EU and with Ukraine, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren told the Kyiv Independent on March 20.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Oleh Tymoshenko / The Kyiv Independent</em></p>
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<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attack on Mykolaiv</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-mykolaiv-kills-1-injures-4/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kills 1, injures 6</strong></a><strong>.</strong> A Russian attack against the southern city of Mykolaiv killed one woman and injured four other civilians, Mykolaiv Oblast Governor Vitalii Kim reported on March 21.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian missile</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-heard-in-kyiv-amid-threat-of-massive-russian-missile-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attack on Kyiv</strong></a> <strong>injures at least 13, including child.</strong> Russian forces launched a missile attack on Kyiv early in the morning of March 21, injuring at least 13 people and causing damage to homes and infrastructure throughout the city.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attacks against Ukraine</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-against-ukraine-kill-9-injure-37-over-past-day/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kill 9, injure 37</strong></a> <strong>over past day.</strong> Civilian casualties were reported in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kherson Oblasts.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>NATO</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/nato-military-delegation-visits-kyiv-for-first-time-since-start-of-full-scale-invasion/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>military delegation</strong></a> <strong>visits Kyiv for first time since start of full-scale invasion.</strong> Admiral Rob Bauer gave a speech at the Kyiv Security Forum, in which he said that his visit “is testament to the fact that NATO and Ukraine are closer than they have ever been.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>IMF approves $880 million</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/imf-approves-880-million-loan-payment-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>loan payment</strong></a> <strong>for Ukraine.</strong> The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a third review of Ukraine’s $15.6 billion loan program. This decision enables the release of $880 million designated for budget support.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>French army chief: Putin needs to know West</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/french-army-chief-putin-needs-to-know-west-could-send-troops-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>could send troops</strong></a> <strong>to Ukraine.</strong> Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to understand that Western support for Ukraine could extend to troops on the ground, the chief of France’s Armed Forces, General Thierry Burkhard, said on March 21, as reported by AFP.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Estonian minister unveils</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/estonian-minister-unveils-22-million-package-for-ukraine-during-kyiv-visit/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>$22 million defense package</strong></a> <strong>during Kyiv visit.</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“The package includes recoilless anti-tank guns, explosives, various types of artillery ammunition, gas masks, sniper equipment, smaller caliber ammunition, and more,” Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Estonian PM: Russian defeat will help</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/estonian-pm-russian-defeat-will-help-prevent-wwiii/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>prevent WWIII</strong></a><strong>.</strong> “We want to have peace, but we want to have sustainable peace and peace on Russia’s terms is not sustainable,” Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Austrian chancellor opposes profits from</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/austrian-chancellor-opposes-profits-from-frozen-russian-assets-being-used-to-buy-weapons-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>frozen Russian assets</strong></a> <strong>being used to buy weapons for Ukraine.</strong> While some leaders, such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo backed the idea, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer publicly voiced opposition to the proposal.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Hungary’s Orban congratulates Putin on election ‘</strong><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/hungarys-orban-congratulates-putin-on-election-win/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>win</strong></a><strong>.’</strong> Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated Vladimir Putin on his presidential election win in a letter lauding their countries’ cooperation “based on mutual respect.”</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Kyiv Independent editor-in-chief on Ukrainska Pravda’s</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-independents-editor-in-chief-up-100-power-women/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Power of Women list</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Kyiv Independent Editor-in-Chief Olga Rudenko has been selected for the list of Ukrainska Pravda’s Power of Women, a list of 100 Ukrainian women who are bringing “victory closer with daily work, self-sacrifice, and care for the next generations of Ukrainians.”</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Martin Fornusek, Nate Ostiller, Kateryna Hodunova, Elsa Court, Toma Istomina, Kateryna Denisova, Chris York, Olena Goncharova, and Rachel Amran.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Thursday, March 21]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Thursday,%20March%2021/2024-03-21T11:27:26.292373+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-21T11:27:26.292373+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Thursday, March 21</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kharkiv-mayor-5-still-missing/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/17aba764-0721-935a-a47b-bbe8970df1db.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Fire extinguishing efforts continue as fire breaks out after a Russian shelling on an industrial building in Kharkiv on March 20, 2024. At least 5 people were killed and 13 injured. (Yevhen Titov/Anadolu via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian missile attack on Kyiv</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-heard-in-kyiv-amid-threat-of-massive-russian-missile-attack/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injures</strong></a> <strong>at least 10, including child.</strong> At least 10 residents were injured in a Russian missile attack on Kyiv the morning of March 21. Two of the victims were hospitalized, and one of the victims was a child.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Police: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/police-russia-attacked-kharkiv-with-kh-35-anti-ship-missile/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attacked</strong></a> <strong>Kharkiv with Kh-35 anti-ship missile.</strong> Russia used a Kh-35 anti-ship missile in an attack on Kharkiv on March 20 that killed five civilians, Volodymyr Tymoshko, the head of the National Police in Kharkiv Oblast, reported on social media.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>US: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/korean-missiles/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attacked</strong></a> <strong>Ukraine with North Korean missiles at least 10 times.</strong> North Korea has been shaping up as Russia’s leading weapons supplier, reportedly providing Moscow with extensive military packages, including ballistic missiles and over 3 million artillery shells.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>UN: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/un-russia-creating-stifling-climate-of-fear-in-occupied-territories/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>creating</strong></a> <strong>‘stifling climate of fear’ in occupied territories.</strong> Russia is committing widespread violations of international law, including unlawful detention and torture, to create a “stifling climate of fear” in occupied areas of Ukraine, the UN said on March 20.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Putin orders FSB to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/putin-orders-fsb-to-hunt-russians-who-fight-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>hunt</strong></a> <strong>Russians who fight for Ukraine.</strong> Russian President Vladimir Putin said that all Russians who fight for Ukraine must be tracked down and “punished…without any statute of limitations, wherever they may be located.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>ISW: Economic, military indicators</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/isw-economic-military-indicators-suggest-russia-is-preparing-for-large-scale-war-with-nato/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>suggest</strong></a> <strong>Russia is preparing for large-scale war with NATO.</strong> Although not an imminent threat, the ISW assesses that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s emphasis on growing Russia’s economic and military capabilities is an indication that Russia is gearing up for conflict beyond “a protracted war in Ukraine.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Parliamentary committee proposes</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/parliamentary-committee-proposes-renaming/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>renaming</strong></a> <strong>of 5 cities, 104 villages.</strong> Ukraine’s Parliamentary Committee on Regional Development adopted a decision to rename five cities and 104 villages that were given Russian or Soviet names, lawmaker Roman Lozynskyi announced on social media on March 20.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-threatens-to-target-us-spy-satellites-made-by-spacex/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>threatens</strong></a> <strong>to target US spy satellites made by SpaceX.</strong> Russia said on March 20 that U.S. spy satellites launched in collaboration with private companies such as SpaceX would be a “legitimate target for retaliatory measures, including military ones.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia’s ‘exit tax’</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russias-exit-tax-nets-kremlin-385-million-from-foreign-firms-in-2024-alone/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>nets</strong></a> <strong>Kremlin $385 million from foreign firms in 2024 alone.</strong> A Russian ‘exit tax’ on foreign companies leaving the country has netted the Kremlin $385 million since the start of 2024, already surpassing predictions for the full year, Reuters reported on March 20.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Reuters: Posterchild of Russia’s Ukrainian children deportation program says he was</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-posterchild-of-russias-ukrainian-children-deportation-program-says-he-was-threatened/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>threatened</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Denys Kostev, a teenage orphan, was taken from Kherson to occupied Crimea by Russian authorities in fall 2022.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Shmyhal</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/shmyhal-submits-ukraine-reform-plan-to-european-commission/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>submits</strong></a> <strong>Ukraine reform plan to European Commission.</strong> “This is an important step for the implementation of reforms and financial stability on Ukraine’s path to the EU,” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on X.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Defense Ministry: Ukraine plans to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/recruit/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>open</strong></a> <strong>27 new recruitment centers in first half of 2024.</strong> Ministry of Defense advisor on recruiting issues Oleksiy Bezhevets announced on March 19 that 27 new-type recruitment centers are planned to be opened in big cities and regional centers in the first half of 2024, the Defense Ministry’s press service reported.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-5/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/99d67c9a-9a0e-b787-0842-95ef73a20306.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: Situation near Robotyne ‘in flux’ but not critical, military says</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">The line of contact near the village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast is “in flux,” but the situation is “not critical” despite Russian assaults in the area, Nataliia Humeniuk, spokesperson of Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command said on March 20.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images</em></p>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/5-things-to-know-about-the-latest-weapons-being-sent-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/348bf738-fb1f-cc3d-8795-c6fc78f4f106.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>5 things to know about the latest weapons being sent to Ukraine</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">While the latest assistance pledged is unlikely to make a significant difference to the front lines on its own, there are some badly needed weapons making their way to Kyiv.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images</em></p>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kursk-belgorod-raids/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/4a122a5c-7d07-1032-a7a0-f5afc921e53b.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>What we know about anti-Kremlin militias’ raids into Russia</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">In the early hours of March 12, three anti-Kremlin Russian groups announced they had crossed the border into Russia, promising “to fight the criminal Russian regime” with “weapons in hand.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Andrew Kravchenko/Bloomberg via Getty Images</em></p>
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</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">Opinions and Insights</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-voting-at-gunpoint-in-occupied-ukraine-violates-international-law/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/f7e04d17-e00f-0719-9b62-e80fbec5d6b6.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Opinion: Another election at gunpoint in occupied Ukraine</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“This year, the Russian presidential election was held in two countries: Russia and the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine’s Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts, as well as Crimea. That the election of Russia’s president was held within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders should be condemned loudly and clearly, with sanctions to follow,” writes Anna Mykytenko, a senior legal advisor and the Ukraine Country Manager at Global Rights Compliance</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Stringer/AFP via Getty Images</em></p>
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<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-voting-at-gunpoint-in-occupied-ukraine-violates-international-law/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>5</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kharkiv-mayor-5-still-missing/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>dead</strong></a><strong>, 5 missing after Russian missile attack on Kharkiv.</strong> Five people are still missing after the afternoon attack on Kharkiv, the city’s mayor Ihor Terekhov reported at 10:15 p.m. local time on March 20. Five people were killed in the strike.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian troops attack civilian car in Kherson Oblast,</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-troops-attack-civilian-car-in-kherson-oblast-2-killed/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kill</strong></a> <strong>2.</strong> This is the second case of Russia attacking a civilian car on the road between these villages over the past day.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian authorities</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-authorities-claim-air-strike-on-belgorod-oblast-kills-1-injures-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>claim</strong></a> <strong>airstrike on Belgorod Oblast kills 1, injures 2.</strong> Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, claimed at around 12:20 p.m. local time on March 20 that the Belgorod district, including the city of Belgorod, was under attack and the air defense system was operating.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>General Staff: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-russia-has-lost-433-090-troops-in-ukraine-since-feb-24-2022/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>has lost</strong></a> <strong>433,090 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.</strong> This number includes 700 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Pentagon: Recent $300 million in US aid was</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/pentagon-recent-300-million-in-us-aid-was-onetime-deal-congress-must-approve-further-funding/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>‘onetime’</strong></a> <strong>deal, Congress must approve further funding.</strong> The $300 million was the first tranche of U.S. aid since December 2023 and was only something that the Pentagon was “able to find” based on savings from already completed contracts, General Pat Ryder said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Sullivan</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/sullivan-in-kyiv-we-will-get-this-aid-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>vows</strong></a> <strong>US will deliver $60 billion aid package during visit to Kyiv.</strong> During his surprise visit to Kyiv on March 20, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan vowed that the United States would deliver a $60 billion aid package to Ukraine despite its current impasse in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>US Senator: Failure to pass Ukraine aid could</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/us-senator-failure-to-pass-ukraine-aid-could-cause-worst-atrocity-in-history/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>cause</strong></a> <strong>‘worst atrocity in history.’</strong> “We can’t let Ukraine go through this, if it comes through the spring and we haven’t helped Ukraine, God help us,” Senator Joe Manchin said onstage during Axios’ annual What’s Next Summit.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>European Commission</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/european-commission-delivers-4-8-billion-to-ukraine-in-first-tranche-of-macro-financial-assistance/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>delivers</strong></a> <strong>$4.8 billion to Ukraine in first tranche of macro-financial assistance.</strong> “Today we also made the first payment of 4.5 billion euros under the Ukraine Facility, our 50 billion euro ($54 billion) package to support the recovery, reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine,” said Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Lithuania</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/lithuania-allocates-38-million-to-buy-shells-for-ukraine-via-czech-initiative/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>allocates</strong></a> <strong>$38 million to buy shells for Ukraine via Czech initiative.</strong> Lithuania had pledged 35 million euros (around $38 million) for the Czech initiative to buy 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said on March 20.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Netherlands to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/netherlands-f16-munitions-164-million/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>procure</strong></a> <strong>$164 million in F-16 munitions for Ukraine.</strong> The Netherlands will procure 150 million euros ($164 million) worth of munitions for Ukraine’s F-16 jets, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren announced on March 20.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>New ICC chief on Putin: ‘Heaven’s</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/new-icc-chief-on-putin-heavens-vengeance-is-slow-but-sure/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>vengeance</strong></a> <strong>is slow but sure.’</strong> The new Head of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Tomoko Akane told Kyodo News on March 20 that “Heaven’s vengeance is slow but sure” when asked what fate awaits Russian President Vladimir Putin.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-accuses-olympic-committee-of-racism-and-neo-nazism-over-opening-ceremony-decision/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>accuses</strong></a> <strong>Olympic Committee of ‘racism and neo-Nazism’ over opening ceremony decision.</strong> The Kremlin has accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of “racism and neo-Nazism” over its decision to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from participating in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics this summer.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-closes-international-war-sponsors-list/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>closing</strong></a> <strong>public access to ‘International War Sponsors’ list.</strong> Ukraine is removing its ‘International War Sponsors’ list from the website of the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption after representatives from several countries raised concerns, the Cabinet of Ministers announced on March 20.</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Kateryna Hodunova, Martin Fornusek, Nate Ostiller, Elsa Court, Chris York, Lili Bivings, Dmytro Basmat, Abbey Fenbert, and Olena Goncharova.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Wednesday, March 20]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Wednesday,%20March%2020/2024-03-20T12:40:01.257688+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-20T12:40:01.257688+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Wednesday, March 20</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/umerov-after-ramstein-ukraine-presents-its-plan-for-2024-to-get-more-shells-missiles/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9947f426-08f8-dba6-e7c0-6cb265a8fc3e.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov during the 20th Ramstein-format meeting in Germany on March 19, 2024. (Rustem Umerov/Facebook)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-russia-fires-1000/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>fires</strong></a> <strong>over 1,000 missiles, bombs, drones at civilians so far in March.</strong> Russia has launched 130 missiles, over 320 attack drones, and almost 900 guided aerial bombs against Ukrainian civilians since the beginning of March, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Belgorod Oblast governor</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/belgorod-oblast-governor-orders-evacuation-of-children/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>claims</strong></a> <strong>9,000 children to be evacuated from region.</strong> Thousands of children from Russia’s Belgorod Oblast are to be evacuated to regions further away from the border with Ukraine, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced on March 18.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Umerov: Ukraine</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/umerov-after-ramstein-ukraine-presents-its-plan-for-2024-to-get-more-shells-missiles/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>presents</strong></a> <strong>its plan for 2024 at Ramstein.</strong> Kyiv presented its key allies a war plan for 2024 as more military assistance have been announced during the 20th Ramstein-format meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Reuters: Putin to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-putin-to-visit-china-in-may/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>visit</strong></a> <strong>China in May.</strong> This might be Putin’s first trip abroad after he secured his fifth term in office in the recent presidential election, broadly regarded as rigged and unfair.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>UPDATED: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-rocket-attack-on-belgorod-3/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>claims</strong></a> <strong>rocket attack on Belgorod Oblast.</strong> The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on March 19 that Belgorod Oblast came under a rocket attack, marking the fourth consecutive day of reports of attacks against the city.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: Kuleba</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/media-kuleba-expected-to-visit-india-in-march/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>expected</strong></a> <strong>to visit India later in March.</strong> Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is expected to visit India later this month, marking the first trip by a Ukrainian high-level official to the country since the outbreak of the full-scale war, The Hindu reported on March 19, citing an undisclosed diplomatic source.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Politico: France</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/politico-france-calls-for-curb-on-ukrainian-imports/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>calls</strong></a> <strong>for curb on Ukrainian imports.</strong> France is calling for a curb on Ukrainian agricultural imports, joining Poland in a push that could cost Kyiv 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) in trade revenue, Politico reported on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Shmyhal: Ukraine</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/shmyhal-ukraine-hopes-to-get-enough-shells-by-april/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>hopes</strong></a> <strong>to get enough shells by April.</strong> “We hope that this Czech initiative, which Luxembourg joined, will help us, and beginning since (from) April we will have enough ammunition to deter our frontline,” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/media-russia-appoints-new-navy-commander/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>appoints</strong></a> <strong>new acting navy commander.</strong> Admiral Aleksandr Moiseev was appointed as an acting commander of the Russian Navy on March 19, Russian state-controlled news agency RIA Novosti reported.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Anti-Kremlin militia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/anti-kremlin-militia-claims-fighting-ongoing-in-belgorod-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>claims</strong></a> <strong>fighting ongoing in Belgorod Oblast.</strong> One of the anti-Kremlin militias fighting in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast claimed that fighting is ongoing in the region and that it is continuing to take prisoners.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Estonia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/estonia-expels-russian-embassy-employee/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>expels</strong></a> <strong>Russian Embassy employee.</strong> Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhna said, “With its actions, the Russian Embassy has interfered in the internal matters of Estonia in an unacceptable way.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Moldova expels Russian</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/moldova-expels-russian-diplomat-after-elections-held-in-transnistria/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>diplomat</strong></a> <strong>after Russian election held in Transnistria.</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi announced on March 19 that a Russian diplomat had been expelled from the country after Russian presidential elections were held in Transnistria, a region internationally recognized as part of Moldova.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Gunvor: Russia has</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/gunvor-russia-has-lost-600-000-barrels-of-daily-oil-refining-capacity-due-to-drone-attacks/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>lost</strong></a> <strong>600,000 barrels of daily oil-refining capacity due to drone attacks.</strong> Ukraine’s recent drone attacks have knocked out about 600,000 barrels of Russia’s daily oil-refining capacity, as estimated by Torbjorn Tornqvist, the director of the international energy commodities trading company Gunvor Group, Bloomberg reported on March 18.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Military reports</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/military-reports-strengthening-fortifications-in-sumy-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>strengthening</strong></a> <strong>fortifications in Sumy Oblast.</strong> Ukrainian forces are strengthening the fortifications of the first, second, and third lines of defense in Sumy Oblast bordering Russia amid intensified attacks, Vadym Mysnyk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military’s Northern Operational Command, told Ukrinform on March 18.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Serbian court opens</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/serbian-court-opens-retrial-of-ex-sbu-official/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>retrial</strong></a> <strong>of fugitive ex-SBU official.</strong> Andrii Naumov pleaded not guilty to the charges raised against him, but his lawyers confirmed that at the time of his detention, the ex-SBU official was carrying cash in a larger amount than permitted while crossing the border.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/towns-villages-in-ruin-as-russia-intensifies-attacks-on-bordering-sumy-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/e41ea83d-96fc-4e48-2785-99f650513432.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Why is Russia intensifying attacks on Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast?</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Russian attacks on Ukraine’s northern Sumy Oblast have left some villages resembling the ruins of Bakhmut and Marinka, officials have said, as Moscow’s forces continue to escalate aerial bombardments against homes and civilian infrastructure in the area.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Ukrinform/NurPhoto</em></p>
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<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/towns-villages-in-ruin-as-russia-intensifies-attacks-on-bordering-sumy-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-is-still-eating-american-burgers-and-sandwiches/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/8b215c61-c0fe-de16-1e87-e2f58e0ac61c.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russians still enjoying American burgers and sandwiches as companies refuse to leave</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, most major Western fast-food chains closed up shop, sold off assets, and exited the Russian market. A small cohort of six American fast-food chains decided otherwise. The franchises of Carl’s Jr., Papa John’s, Costa Coffee, Burger King, and TGI Fridays have continued to operate, business as usual.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Kirill Kudryatsev/AFP</em></p>
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<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-is-still-eating-american-burgers-and-sandwiches/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/western-leaders-decline-to-congratulate-putin-on-his-electoral-victory-but-fall-short-of-refusing-to-recognize-results/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/008d59f5-84ca-5180-be37-13c998d9140e.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Western leaders denounce Putin’s election ‘victory,’ fall short of refusing to recognize results</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Russia’s Central Election Commission awarded Putin with 87.2% of the vote in an election that was widely seen as tightly controlled and without the participation of any meaningful opposition.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Contributor/Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/western-leaders-decline-to-congratulate-putin-on-his-electoral-victory-but-fall-short-of-refusing-to-recognize-results/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-march-19/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/6a723d66-feb6-f733-33e9-024a765b0b5f.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Ukraine war latest: Germany announces $540 million aid package for Kyiv; reports of fighting ongoing in Belgorod Oblast</h2>
<p dir="auto">German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth $540 million at a Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in Ramstein, Germany, on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-march-19/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">Opinions and Insights</h2>
<h2 dir="auto">Asami Terajima: A toast to my fallen friends in Donbas</h2>
<p dir="auto">“Little did I know that the pain would be so deep that it becomes irreversible. Who knew that we’d live in a world where death is so common around us, losing friends one after another,” writes Kyiv Independent reporter Asami Terajima in her recent op-ed dedicated to her fallen friends.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: John Moore/Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/asami-terajima-a-toast-to-my-fallen-friends-in-donbas/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/asami-terajima-a-toast-to-my-fallen-friends-in-donbas/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/ee027b18-2dd6-5332-a283-9538e3d9f4ae.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-sumy-oblast-kills-1-3/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attack</strong></a> <strong>on Sumy Oblast kills 1.</strong> Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast 30 times in 90 separate attacks throughout the day, killing one person, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Prosecutor’s Office: Russian</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/prosecutors-office-russian-attack-on-kupiansk-wounded-policeman/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attack</strong></a> <strong>on Kupiansk wounds policeman.</strong> The city was attached at about 5:30 p.m. local time with Uragan rocket launchers, according to preliminary information. Residential buildings were reportedly damaged as a result.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-civilian-car-kherson-oblast-injures-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attack</strong></a> <strong>on civilian car in Kherson Oblast injures 2.</strong> Russian troops dropped an explosive from a drone onto a car in Kherson Oblast, injuring a 57-year-old woman and a 58-year-old man, Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Mine explosions</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/mine-explosions-kill-farmer-injure-another-in-kherson-kharkiv-oblasts/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kill</strong></a> <strong>farmer, injure another in Kherson, Kharkiv oblasts.</strong> Explosions caused by mines killed a farmer in Kherson Oblast and wounded another farmer in Kharkiv Oblast, regional officials reported on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Authorities: 3 civilians</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/authorities-3-civilians-injured-in-russian-attack-on-kherson-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injured</strong></a> <strong>in Russian attack on Kherson Oblast.</strong> Russian forces struck the road between Antonivka and Sadove in the Kherson district on the morning of March 19, wounding three civilians, the Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attacks</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-against-ukraine-kill-4-injure-6-over-past-day/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>against</strong></a> <strong>Ukraine kill 4, injure 6 over past day.</strong> Russian attacks against Ukraine killed four people and wounded six more over the past day, damaging homes and civilian infrastructure, regional officials reported early on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>General Staff: Russia has</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-russia-has-lost-432-390-troops-in-ukraine-since-feb-24-2022/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>lost</strong></a> <strong>432,390 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.</strong> Russia has also reportedly lost 6,819 tanks, 13,049 armored fighting vehicles, 14,191 vehicles and fuel tanks, 10,698 artillery systems, 1,017 multiple launch rocket systems, 721 air defense systems, 347 airplanes, 325 helicopters, 8318 drones, 26 ships and boats, and one submarine.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Canada</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/canada-commits-40-million-to-czech-led-initiative-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>commits</strong></a> <strong>$40 million to Czech-led initiative for Ukraine.</strong> Canada will commit over $40 million to the Czech Republic’s initiative to provide Ukraine with ammunition, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair announced on March 19 at a press conference in Ottawa.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Charles Michel: ‘High time to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/charles-michel-high-time-to-put-eus-economy-on-war-footing/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>put</strong></a> <strong>EU’s economy on war footing‘.</strong> “Now that we are facing the biggest security threat since the Second World War, it is high time we take radical and concrete steps to be defense-ready and put the EU’s economy on a “war footing”,” European Council President Charles Michel said</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian, Belarusian</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-belarusian-athletes-barred-from-paris-olympics-opening-ceremony/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>athletes</strong></a> <strong>barred from Paris Olympics opening ceremony.</strong> Athletes from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to take part in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics this summer, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Lloyd Austin: ’Ukraine’s</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/lloyd-austin-ukraines-survival-is-in-danger/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>survival</strong></a> <strong>is in danger.’</strong> Ukraine’s survival in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion is “in danger” which poses a risk to America, the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Pentagon</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/pentagon-launches-website-to-oversee-us-military-aid-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>launches</strong></a> <strong>website to oversee US military aid to Ukraine.</strong> The U.S. Defense Department’s Office of the Inspector General on March 19 announced that it had launched a website to track U.S. military and other assistance to Ukraine.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Trump says US won’t</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/trump-says-us-wont-leave-nato-if-member-states-play-fair/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>leave</strong></a> <strong>NATO if member states ‘play fair.’</strong> Former U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will remain in NATO and come to the aid of a bloc member if they are attacked so long as other countries “play fair” and pay their share of maintaining the alliance.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine, Estonia begin</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-estonia-begin-drafting-bilateral-security-agreement/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>drafting</strong></a> <strong>bilateral security agreement.</strong> Ukraine and Estonia have started work on a draft bilateral security agreement, the Presidential Office said on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukrainian embassy</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-embassy-condemns-documentary-broadcast-in-australia-as/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>condemns</strong></a> <strong>Australian broadcast of documentary filmed on Russian side of front line.</strong> The program “was the journalistic equivalent of a bowl of vomit,” and ABC “should be ashamed that it put such total garbage to air,” the embassy said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Finland</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/finland-pledges-36-million-to-czech-led-shell-initiative-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>pledges</strong></a> <strong>$36 million to Czech-led shell initiative for Ukraine.</strong> Finland joined a Czech-led initiative to provide Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, pledging 30 million euros ($35.6 million) to the effort, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen announced on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Borrell wants to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/borrell-wants-to-use-90-of-russian-asset-profits-to-buy-arms-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>use</strong></a> <strong>90% of Russian assets profits to buy arms for Ukraine.</strong> The remaining 10% would be allocated to the EU’s budget to boost Ukraine’s defense industry, Josep Borrell told reporters in Brussels. The official said he would submit the proposal to member states on March 20.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>NATO chief</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/nato-chief-visits-armenia-amid-growing-tensions-with-russia/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>visits</strong></a> <strong>Armenia amid growing tensions with Russia.</strong> NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Armenia for the first time during his 10 years in office and discussed the situation in the South Caucasus with the country’s leadership, NATO’s press service announced on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>German defense minister</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/german-defense-minister-announces-aid-package-for-ukraine-worth-540-million/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>announces</strong></a> <strong>aid package for Ukraine worth $540 million.</strong> German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth 500 million euros (roughly $540 million) at a Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in Ramstein, Germany, on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>PM Shmyhal</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/pm-shmyhal-arrives-in-luxembourg-meets-with-counterpart/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>arrives</strong></a> <strong>in Luxembourg, meets with Luxembourgish counterpart.</strong> Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that he and his Luxembourgish counterpart Luc Frieden would discuss Luxembourg’s support for Ukraine and the potential future confiscation of Russian assets.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Austin in Ramstein: ‘Russia has</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/austin-in-ramstein/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>paid</strong></a> <strong>a staggering cost for Putin’s imperial dreams’.</strong> U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin opened the 20th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) held in Ramstein, Germany, on March 19.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Belgium</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/belgium-pledges-445-million-defense-aid-package-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>unveils</strong></a> <strong>$445 million defense aid packages for Ukraine.</strong> Belgium has announced defense aid packages for Ukraine worth 412 million euros ($445 million), including 300 Iveco Lynx light tactical vehicles, the Shephard News reported on March 18.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Germany, Poland to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/germany-poland-to-launch-armored-vehicles-coalition-for-ukraine-next-week/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>launch</strong></a> <strong>armored vehicles coalition for Ukraine next week.</strong> The initiative, announced by Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz following talks in Warsaw with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, will officially begin operations on March 26.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Financial Times: EU to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/financial-times-eu-to-impose-tariffs-on-grain-from-russia-belarus/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>impose</strong></a> <strong>tariffs on grain from Russia, Belarus.</strong> The European Union is planning to impose tariffs on grain imports from Russia and Belarus to appease farmers and some member states, the Financial Times (FT) reported on March 19, citing people familiar with the plans.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian media: Most Armenian</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-media-most-armenian-banks-to-stop-accepting-russian-mir-cards/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>banks</strong></a> <strong>to stop accepting Russian Mir cards.</strong> Representatives from the partially Russian-state owned bank VTB told RBC that most banks in Armenia, barring VTB, would stop accepting cards that worked through the Mir payment system by March 30.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Bloomberg: EU drafts</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-eu-drafts-proposal-on-funneling-profits-from-russian-assets-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>proposal</strong></a> <strong>on funneling profits from Russian assets to Ukraine.</strong> Kyiv would get an estimated 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) a year to boost its defense industry and purchase weapons, according to Bloomberg.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>EU set to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/eu-set-to-approve-fresh-sanctions-against-russia-over-navalnys-death/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>approve</strong></a> <strong>fresh sanctions against Russia over Navalny’s death.</strong> Bloomberg reported earlier in March that the EU was readying a new package targeting around 30 individuals in response to Alexei Navalny’s death in February.</p>
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<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Dinara Khalilova, Martin Fornusek, Nate Ostiller, Oleksiy Sorokin, Elsa Court, Chris York, Katya Denisova, Teah Pelechaty, Lili Bivings, and Rachel Amran.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Tuesday, March 19]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Tuesday,%20March%2019/2024-03-19T11:33:55.511352+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-19T11:33:55.511352+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Tuesday, March 19</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/putin-crowns-himself-president-for-another-6-years-with-rigged-elections-in-russia-at-gunpoint-in-occupied-regions-of-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/58076fa9-f32e-3783-57cc-35e31218655e.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>As a result of the blast waves from Russian shelling in the evening of March 17, residential houses were damaged in one of the villages of the Starokostiantyniv community in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Windows, doors, walls, and roof were damaged in this house. The woman, the owner of the house, is in the hospital with minor injuries. The destruction of the house is shown by her son Oleh. (Svitlana Krentovska/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC “UA:PBC”/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Deputy minister: Russia fires 7 times</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/deputy-minister-shell-consumption-at-front-is-7-1-in-russias-favor/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>more shells</strong></a> <strong>than Ukraine.</strong> “(Ukraine’s) stocks of ammunition of certain types are falling to a critical level,” Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>US Senator Graham in Kyiv: ‘If you want</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-meets-us-senators-graham-in-kyiv/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>aid to Ukraine</strong></a><strong>, you’d better start talking to American taxpayers.’</strong> At a press conference in Kyiv, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said 70% of Republicans in the Senate understand the need for aid for Ukraine, adding that if Russian President Vladimir Putin is not to be stopped now, there will be “a war between Russia and NATO.” Yet, he added that as political leaders, they need to address their own people, too.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Putin holds rally on Red Square following elections, promises to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/putin-speaks-on-red-square-glorifies-illegal-occupation-of-crimea/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>continue the war</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Putin took the stage in the company of his “rivals,” Kremlin-friendly lawmakers Vladislav Davankov, Nikolai Kharitonov, and Leonid Slutsky, who ran against Putin in the election. All three praised Putin and offered their support.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Syrskyi calls unmanned systems ‘</strong><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/syrskyi-advance-of-unmanned-systems-use-is-priority/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>priority</strong></a><strong>,’ seeks solutions for advantage over Russia.</strong> “The most important task that technology and innovation must fulfill is to save the lives of our soldiers,” Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukrainian government allocating</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-government-allocating-128-million-for-procurement-of-attack-drones/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>$128 million</strong></a> <strong>for procurement of attack drones.</strong> The Ukrainian government is allocating an additional Hr 5 billion (around $128 million) to purchase attack drones for the military, Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced on March 18.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Kyiv adopts plan for ‘</strong><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-adopts-plan-for-ukraine-facility-structural-reforms-to-be-implemented/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Ukraine Facility,</strong></a><strong>’ structural reforms to be implemented.</strong> Ukraine has adopted a plan for a series of reforms that will allow the EU to provide up to €50 billion over the next four years, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on March 18.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>PM Shmyhal: Ukraine hopes</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/pm-shmyhal-ukraine-hopes-eu-accession-talks-will-begin-in-first-half-of-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>EU accession talks</strong></a> <strong>will begin in first half of 2024.</strong> The Ukrainian government believes the negotiations on the country’s accession to the European Union can start in the first half of 2024, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told Euractiv in an interview published on March 18.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>WSJ: Ammunition suppliers for</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/wsj-ammunition-suppliers-for-czech-led-initiative-to-aid-ukraine-include-russian-allies-czech-officials-say/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Czech-led initiative</strong></a> <strong>to aid Ukraine include Russian allies, Czech officials say.</strong> The ammunition suppliers taking part in the Czech-led initiative to provide Ukraine with artillery shells include “some allies of Russia,” the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing unnamed Czech officials.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Military intelligence:</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-mobilization-in-russia-can-occur-more-openly-with-election-over/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Mobilization in Russia</strong></a> <strong>can occur more ‘openly’ with election over.</strong> At the same time, Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence said that mobilization has continued in Russia throughout the campaign and election.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-eu-gives-final-approval-to-5-5-billion-for-defense-aid-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/55e9eb6c-45e2-5fdd-4e48-93249a58b994.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: EU gives final approval of $5.5 billion in defense aid to Kyiv</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">EU foreign ministers agreed to allocate additional 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in defense assistance for Ukraine in 2024 within the framework of the European Peace Facility, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced on March 18.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Monika Skolimowska/picture alliance via Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-eu-gives-final-approval-to-5-5-billion-for-defense-aid-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-targets-russian-oil-refineries/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/2e4e9875-4bf7-7968-a36b-91d416002d65.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukrainian drones hit one Russian oil refinery after another</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">According to The Insider, there have been 15 drone attacks against 13 oil refineries in nine regions of Russia in 2024. Multiple refineries reportedly lost some capacity after the attacks, with the latest series continuing for the majority of March.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-targets-russian-oil-refineries/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/taurus-long-range-missile-why-does-ukraine-want-them-and-germany-hesitates/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/d01a58a6-61dd-bd44-49d7-941b12409c90.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Taurus missiles: Why Ukraine wants what Germany is reluctant to give</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Ukraine officially asked Berlin to provide one of the most powerful long-range missiles at the end of May 2023. Taurus is a joint German-Swedish-made cruise missile that can travel up to over 500 kilometers.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Leonhard Simon/Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/taurus-long-range-missile-why-does-ukraine-want-them-and-germany-hesitates/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>3 men killed in Kherson Oblast while</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/three-men-killed-in-kherson-oblast-after-found-drone-explosion/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>disassembling found drone</strong></a><strong>.</strong> According to the local governor, three men aged 45, 55, and 67 found a first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drone in a yard and began to disassemble it when the munition detonated.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian March 17 attack on Mykolaiv</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/update-russian-march-17-attack-on-mykolaiv-kills-1-injures-9-including-2-children/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kills 1, injures 9</strong></a><strong>, including 2 children.</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Russia’s March 17 missile attack against Ukraine’s southern city of Mykolaiv killed one person and injured nine, including two children, according to the latest update by the regional governor published on March 18.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Senator Graham: US should designate Russia state</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/senator-graham-us-should-designate-russia-state-sponsor-of-terrorism/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>sponsor of terrorism</strong></a><strong>.</strong> U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has called on the U.S. presidential administration to support Russia’s inclusion in the list of countries sponsoring terrorism.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>‘It was not unpredictable’ – While House condemns Putin’s</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/it-was-not-unpredictable-while-house-condemns-putins-sham-election-victory/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>sham election</strong></a> <strong>victory.</strong> There was “nothing free or fair” about Vladimir Putin’s presidential election victory, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on March 18, highlighting the extreme lengths the Kremlin went to to get the result it needed.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>EU condemns Russia’s</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/eu-condemns-russia-election-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>illegal election</strong></a> <strong>in occupied Ukraine, organizers to ‘face consequences.’</strong> The results of Russia’s election in occupied territories of Ukraine are “null and void,” and the election organizers “will face consequences of these illegal actions,” Josep Borrell, the European Union’s top diplomat, said in a statement on behalf of EU member states on March 18.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>EU gives final approval to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/eu-gives-final-approval-to-5-5-billion-for-military-aid-to-ukraine-in-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>$5.5 billion</strong></a> <strong>for military aid to Ukraine.</strong> EU foreign ministers finally agreed to allocate an additional 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in defense assistance for Ukraine in 2024 within the European Peace Facility (EPF) framework, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced on March 18.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Charles Michel: ‘Europe</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/charles-michel-europe-must-prepare-for-war/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>must prepare for war</strong></a><strong>.’</strong> If Europe wants to exist in peace it must shift to a “war economy” mode and significantly bolster defense capabilities in the face of the threat posed by Russia, European Council President Charles Michel said on March 18.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Bloomberg: China on track to receive</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-china-on-track-to-receive-record-levels-of-russian-oil-imports-in-march/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>record levels</strong></a> <strong>of Russian oil imports in March.</strong> While India has also remained a critical market for Russian oil, payment issues, in part related to Western sanctions, have caused delays in the trade of oil between the two countries.</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Dinara Khalilova, Nate Ostiller, Elsa Court, Oleksiy Sorokin, Kateryna Denisova, Chris York, Olena Goncharova, and Rachel Amran.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Monday, March 18]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Monday,%20March%2018/2024-03-18T11:34:55.014277+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-18T11:34:55.014277+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Monday, March 18</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/putin-crowns-himself-president-for-another-6-years-with-rigged-elections-in-russia-at-gunpoint-in-occupied-regions-of-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/977b20d2-746f-6842-a74f-77e5630c5af7.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexei Navalny, stands in a line outside the Russian embassy in Berlin, Germany to cast her vote in the rigged Russian presidential election on March 17, 2024. (Carsten Koall/picture alliance via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Putin ‘wins’ rigged Russian election; Ukrainians in occupied territories</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/putin-crowns-himself-president-for-another-6-years-with-rigged-elections-in-russia-at-gunpoint-in-occupied-regions-of-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>vote</strong></a> <strong>at gunpoint.</strong> Russian authorities on March 15-17 held a presidential election in two countries – Russia and the regions of Ukraine brutally occupied by the Kremlin. The voting was neither free nor fair, with the result known in advance.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>‘Noon Against Putin’</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/noon-against-putin-protest-in-russia-dies-down-no-major-opposition-on-elections-last-day/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>protest</strong></a> <strong>in Russia dies down, no major opposition on election’s last day.</strong> Russia’s presidential election entered its third and last day on March 17, with the state-controlled news agency Interfax reporting over 70% voter turnout as of 3 p.m. local time in Moscow.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky: ‘Putin fears justice and must</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-putin-fears-justice-and-must-end-up-in-the-hague/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>end up</strong></a> <strong>in The Hague.’</strong> “He is afraid of only one thing – justice,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said. “(Putin) must end up in The Hague. That is what we must ensure, everyone in the world who values life and integrity.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: 12 Russian oil refineries successfully</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-media-ukrainian-forces-have-recently-successfully-attacked-12-russian-oil-refineries/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>hit</strong></a> <strong>in recent attacks by Ukraine.</strong> The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) drones have recently successfully attacked 12 oil refineries in Russia, a source told Ukrainska Pravda, including an overnight attack on March 17 of an oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban in Krasnodar Krai.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>WP: Ukraine may be</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/washington-post-ukraine-missiles-targeting-cities/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>forced</strong></a> <strong>to aim to down only 1 in 5 missiles targeting cities due to ammunition shortage.</strong> Munitions for some of Ukraine’s air defense systems may be nearly used up by the end of March, the Washington Post reported on March 15, citing unnamed Western officials.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukrainian forces</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/border-guard-ukrainian-forces-stop-3-russian-saboteur-groups-from-advancing-in-sumy-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>stop</strong></a> <strong>3 Russian saboteur groups from advancing in Sumy Oblast.</strong> Border guards and Ukrainian troops in Sumy Oblast stopped three groups of Russian saboteurs from advancing, Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service reported on March 17.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Anti-Kremlin militia claims it</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/anti-kremlin-militia-siberian-battalion-announces-capture-of-gorkovsky-settlement-in-belgorod-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>captured</strong></a> <strong>local administration in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast.</strong> Russian volunteer fighters from the Siberian Battalion claimed to have entered the Gorkovsky settlement in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast and taken control of the local administration building, the militia said on March 17.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-12-russian-oil-refineries-hit/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/6569abde-6b2e-36d3-54db-cfcd9304c0d0.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: 12 Russian oil refineries reportedly hit in recent attacks by Ukraine</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) drones have recently successfully attacked 12 oil refineries in Russia, a source told Ukrainska Pravda, including an overnight attack on March 17 of an oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban in Krasnodar Krai.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Christophe Gateau/picture alliance via Getty Images</em></p>
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</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>1 killed, 6 injured, including child, in Russian</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/update-1-killed-6-injured-including-child-in-russian-attack-on-mykolaiv/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attack</strong></a> <strong>on Mykolaiv.</strong> Russian forces attacked the southern city of Mykolaiv twice with missiles earlier in the day.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>1</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/1-killed-1-injured-in-russian-attacks-on-sumy-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>killed</strong></a><strong>, 1 injured in Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast.</strong> One person was killed and another injured as a result of Russian aerial bomb attacks on Velyka Pysarivka in Sumy Oblast, the local military administration said on March 17 in its evening update.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Local authorities: Russian forces</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/local-authorities-russian-troops-struck-sumy-twice-no-casualties-reported-yet/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>strike</strong></a> <strong>Sumy infrastructure twice, no casualties reported yet.</strong> Russian forces struck Sumy twice, attacking undisclosed infrastructure in the northern city, the regional military administration reported on March 17.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia launches</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-hits-kharkiv-oblast-with-aerial-bombs-injures-1/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attacks</strong></a> <strong>against several regions, hits infrastructure.</strong> Russian troops launched an attack against several Ukrainian regions, including Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, on the evening of March 17, local authorities reported.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attacks on Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-on-nikopol-in-dnipropetrovsk-oblast-injure-eight/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injure</strong></a> <strong>5.</strong> Russian drone attacks on Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast injured five people on March 17, Regional Governor Serhii Lysak said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Mediazona</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/mediazona-confirms-identities-of-over-47-700-russian-soldiers-killed-in-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>confirms</strong></a> <strong>identities of over 47,700 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine.</strong> Through open source research, Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, together with BBC Russia, confirmed the names of 47,701 Russian soldiers who had been killed since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">4 reasons why Russian elections are fake</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGGwA8PQCwc&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fkyivindependent.com%2Fvideo%2F%3Fslug%3D4-reasons-why-russian-elections-are-fake&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/video_thumbnails_new/5436c2c6d53ffd1d8fae2831d2b4800d.png" alt="4 reasons why Russian elections are fake"></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Czechia to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/czech-republic-to-propose-russian-and-belarusian-grain-import-ban-to-the-eu/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>propose</strong></a> <strong>EU-wide grain import ban on Russia, Belarus.</strong> Czechia is planning to propose a ban on grain imports from Russia and Belarus into European Union countries at next week’s European Council meeting, Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny said on March 17.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Macron</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/macron-promises-to-visit-kyiv-with-specific-solutions-for-the-war/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>promises</strong></a> <strong>to visit Kyiv with ‘specific solutions’ for the war.</strong> “I will definitely come. I have a rule that my visit should be as useful as possible for Ukraine,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview published on March 16.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>UK Defense Ministry: Russia’s arms exports</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/uk-defense-ministry-russias-arms-export-drop-due-to-war-and-sanctions-related-customer-decline/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>drop</strong></a> <strong>due to war and sanctions-related customer decline.</strong> In its daily intelligence bulletin published on X, the ministry cited research conducted by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which revealed that Russia’s arms exports fell by 53% between 2019-2023 compared to the previous four-year period.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Drone reportedly</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/drone-reportedly-hits-military-unit-in-russian-controlled-transnistria-destroys-helicopter/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>hits</strong></a> <strong>military base in Russian-controlled Transnistria</strong>. A drone hit a military base in Transnistria, in the Russian-controlled region of Moldova, local Telegram channel “Pervyi Prydnestrovskyi” claimed on March 17.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">Opinions and insights</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/the-counteroffensive-inside-kharkivs-underground-metro-schools/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/dd0112c1-445d-180d-cf5d-ddfb00749ba2.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>The Counteroffensive: Inside Kharkiv’s underground metro schools</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">There’s a low rumbling that never quite stops below Kharkiv’s iconic Independence Square. This morning, the sound is a metro train thundering into Universytet Station, just underneath the school children learning the basics of the four seasons and the seven days of the week.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images</em></p>
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</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>CNN: Ukraine</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/cnn-ukraine-dismisses-russian-claim-that-russia-killed-hundreds-of-soldiers-with-a-vacuum-bomb/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>dismisses</strong></a> <strong>Russian claim about killing hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers with a ‘vacuum bomb.’</strong> After Russia claimed on March 16 that it killed up to 300 Ukrainian soldiers using a so-called “vacuum bomb,” a spokesperson for the military intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) told CNN that the claims were “absolute nonsense and propaganda.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Shoigu</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-defense-ministry-shoigu-calls-for-better-navy-defense-in-visit-to-black-sea-fleet/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>calls</strong></a> <strong>for better Navy defense in visit to Black Sea Fleet, Russian Defense Ministry says.</strong> Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered increased training and more weapons to repel Ukraine’s attacks on the Black Sea Fleet, according to a statement by Russia’s Defense Ministry on March 17.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Authorities have</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/authorities-have-uncovered-nearly-400-groups-aiding-draft-evaders-since-start-of-war/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>uncovered</strong></a> <strong>nearly 400 networks aiding draft evaders since start of war.</strong> Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, law enforcement agencies have uncovered nearly 400 criminal networks that help individuals evade military service by aiding them in fleeing abroad, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service announced on March 17.</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Oleg Sukhov, Daria Shulzhenko, Asami Terajima, Andrea Januta, Olga Rudenko, Toma Istomina, Oleksiy Sorokin, Sonya Bandouil, and Dmytro Basmat.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Sunday, March 17]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Sunday,%20March%2017/2024-03-17T17:42:37.384650+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-17T17:42:37.384650+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Sunday, March 17</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-russian-missile-strike-on-odesa-kills-20-injures-over-70/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/006f51d3-fd0f-e0c1-0bbe-cabd998a2317.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>A woman in Odesa lights lamps near an impromptu memorial to the victims of a Russian missile attack. The region observed a day of mourning on March 16, 2024. According to the latest information, 21 people were killed and more than 70 were injured as a result of a double Russian strike on Odesa the morning of March 15, 2024. (Viacheslav Onyshchenko/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian media:</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-media-oil-refinery-in-krasnodar-krai-hit-by-drones/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Oil refinery</strong></a> <strong>in Krasnodar Krai hit by drones.</strong> A fire broke out at an oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, amid reports of explosions and a possible drone attack overnight on March 17.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky: Ukrainian strikes</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-ukrainian-strikes-reveal-russias-military-vulnerabilities/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>reveal</strong></a> <strong>Russia’s military vulnerabilities.</strong> “These weeks have demonstrated to many that the Russian war machine has vulnerabilities that we can reach with our weapons,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on March 16.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>National Resistance Center: Resistance</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/national-resistance-center-sabotage/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>disrupts</strong></a> <strong>‘voting’ in occupied Skadovsk, injures 5 Russian troops.</strong> The explosion reportedly occurred at 3 p.m. local time on the central square near the polling station while Russian forces were patrolling nearby.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: At least 15 criminal cases</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/media-at-least-15-criminal-cases-opened-in-one-day-during-russian-presidential-election/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>opened</strong></a> <strong>on first day of Russian presidential election.</strong> At least 15 criminal cases on alleged “obstruction of the electoral comissions’ work” had been opened during the first day of the Russian presidential election, Russian media outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe reported on March 15, citing regional investigation committees.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Anti-Kremlin militia claims to have</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/anti-kremlin-militia-claims-to-capture-25-russian-troops/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>captured</strong></a> <strong>25 Russian troops.</strong> In a video published on Telegram early on March 16, the Russian Volunteer Corps’s commander Denys Nikitin, also known by his nom de guerre “White Rex,” talks to a man introduced as captured Russian senior lieutenant Alexei Volkov.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Budanov: Ukraine to continue to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/budanov/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>support</strong></a> <strong>anti-Kremlin militias.</strong> Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on March 26 on national television that anti-Kremlin militias were becoming “a force” and Ukraine would help them “to the extent possible.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-rocket-attack-on-belgorod-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>claims</strong></a> <strong>another rocket attack on Belgorod Oblast.</strong> Earlier the same day, Russian anti-Kremlin militias warned Belgorod residents that a “massive strike will be carried out against military facilities and Russian military positions” in the city at 5 p.m. local time.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Kuleba calls Blinken to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kuleba-calls-blinken-to-discuss-unblock-of-ukraine-aid-stalled-in-congress/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>discuss unblocking</strong></a> <strong>Ukraine aid stalled in Congress.</strong> Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on X on March 16 that he held a telephone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the potential unblocking of aid for Ukraine that has been stuck in Congress since autumn 2023.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Update: 1 person</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/update-emergency-services-cleared-debris-after-russian-march-13-attack-on-sumy-one-person-remains-missing/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>remains missing</strong></a> <strong>as rescue operations concluded after March 13 strike on Sumy.</strong> Three people were killed, 12 were hospitalized, and one person is still missing as the emergency services have finished clearing the debris after the Russian March 13 attack on Sumy, the local military administration reported.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Court</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/court-releases-ex-defense-ministry-official-charged-with-weapons-procurement-fraud-without-bail/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>releases</strong></a> <strong>ex-Defense Ministry official charged with weapons procurement fraud without bail.</strong> Oleksandr Liyev was arrested in February 2024 in charges related to a corruption scheme revealed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in January that involved the procurement of almost 100,000 mortar shells, amounting to almost Hr 1.5 billion ($40 million).</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-how-many-planes-does-russia-have/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/70ff40d3-ef01-71b9-0e98-b5021da70a93.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Opinion: How many planes does Russia have?</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“The Ukrainian military shot down five Russian military aircraft in the span of three days in early March, begging the question: How many planes does Russia have?” Military historian Andrii Kharuk analyzes the data on Russia’s aircraft.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Russian Defense Ministry/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images</em></p>
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<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Update: Death toll in Russian missile strike on Odesa</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/update-death-toll-in-russian-missile-strike-on-odesa-rises-to-21-at-least-73-injured/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>rises</strong></a> <strong>to 21, at least 73 injured.</strong> Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on March 16 that the death toll had risen to 21 after another wounded person died in the hospital.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian shelling of Donetsk Oblast village</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-shelling-of-donetsk-oblast-village-kills-civilian-injures-another/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kills</strong></a> <strong>civilian, injures another.</strong> Russia launched an artillery strike against the village of Novoselivka Persha in Donetsk Oblast’s Ocheretyne community on March 16, killing a 51-year-old man and injuring another resident, Governor Vadym Filashkin said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian governor</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-governor-claims-2-killed-in-attack-on-belgorod/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>claims</strong></a> <strong>2 killed in missile attack on Belgorod.</strong> Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed that a man and a woman had been killed in the strikes, and that three others had been injured and sent to the hospital.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>General Staff: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-russia-has-lost-429-580-troops-in-ukraine-since-feb-24-2022/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>has lost</strong></a> <strong>429,580 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.</strong> This number includes 1,160 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">This Week in Ukraine S2 E10 – Will Trump abandon Ukraine if he beats Biden in November?</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://youtu.be/4TySwCppulI" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/video_thumbnails_new/26df0db7dbc6f4cd7e008d3d14ea2967.png" alt="How will Trump’s potential re-election affect war in Ukraine? | This Week in Ukraine S2E10"></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Politico: Finnish FM</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/politico-finnish-fm-does-not-rule-out-sending-western-troops-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>does not rule out</strong></a> <strong>sending Western troops to Ukraine.</strong> At the same time, Finland is not currently willing to send troops or even ready to discuss it, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Western countries</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/western-countries-denounce-russian-election-in-occupied-ukrainian-territories/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>denounce</strong></a> <strong>Russia holding election in occupied Ukrainian territories.</strong> “Russia has no legitimate basis to hold elections on the sovereign Ukrainian territory of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea. These areas are a part of Ukraine,” the U.K. Foreign Office said on X.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>EU</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/eu-pressures-domestic-importers-to-cut-russian-lng-purchases/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>pressures</strong></a> <strong>European importers to cut down Russian LNG purchases in 2024.</strong> “My message was that this year must bring further disengagement from Russian exports,” Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson told Bloomberg following an EU-U.S. Energy Council meeting in Washington.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Tusk urges House speaker Johnson to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/tusk-urged-republican-speaker-johnson-to-take-decision-on-stalled-ukraine-aid-after-russian-attack-on-odesa/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>‘take decision’</strong></a> <strong>on stalled Ukraine aid after Russian attack on Odesa.</strong> “Look at Odesa! How many more arguments do you need to take a decision?” Tusk wrote on X on March 16, tagging Johnson.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: Latvia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/latvia-investigates-mep-accused-of-spying-for-russia/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>investigates</strong></a> <strong>MEP accused of spying for Russia.</strong> Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) began investigating Tatjana Zdanoka, a Latvian member of the European Parliament accused of spying for Russia, the Latvian news outlet Delfi reported on March 16.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: UK defense secretary</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/media-uk-defense-secretary-canceled-planned-odesa-visit-due-to-russian-threat/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>canceled</strong></a> <strong>planned Odesa visit due to Russian threat.</strong> U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps’ scheduled visit to Odesa was canceled after U.K. intelligence officials informed him that Moscow was aware of his travel plans.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Czech President: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/czech-president-russia-has-no-right-to-set-conditions-for-peace-in-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>‘has no right’</strong></a> <strong>to set conditions for peace in Ukraine.</strong> “The Kremlin has presented its list of conditions that it as an aggressor has no right to put forward,” Czech President Petr Pavel said on March 16.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Police open</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/police-open-investigation-over-attempted-suicide-in-zakarpattia-oblast-enlistment-office/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>investigation</strong></a> <strong>over attempted suicide in Zakarpattia Oblast enlistment office.</strong> The police launched an investigation into the circumstances of a supposed attempted suicide by a man in the Khust military enlistment office in Zakarpattia Oblast, Hromadske reported on March 16, citing a statement from the police.</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Oleg Sukhov, Nate Ostiller, Martin Fornusek, Francis Farrell, Kateryna Hodunova, Abbey Fenbert, and Olena Goncharova.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Saturday, March 16]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Saturday,%20March%2016/2024-03-16T12:02:31.999721+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-16T12:02:31.999721+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Saturday, March 16</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-ukrainian-units-begin-rotation-after-fighting-for-a-long-time-syrskyi-says/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/f87b1395-2bf0-fe4b-2392-473511b6de71.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>First responders treat a man at the site of a Russian missile strike on Odesa on March 15, 2024. (State Emergency Service)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky: Ukraine to strike Russia’s ‘</strong><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-ukraine-to-strike-enemys-weakest-spots-with-drones/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>weakest spots</strong></a><strong>’ with drones.</strong> Ukraine had identified Russia’s “weakest spots” for future drone attacks, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 15 after meetings with top military and security officials.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>European, US officials condemn Russia’s</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/european-us-officials-condemn-russias-deadly-attack-on-odesa/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>deadly attack</strong></a> <strong>on Odesa.</strong> European and U.S. officials condemned Russia’s March 15 missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Odesa that killed at least 20 people and injured over 70 more.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian torture of Ukrainian POWs ‘</strong><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-torture-of-ukrainian-pows-widespread-and-systematic-un-commission-says/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>widespread and systematic</strong></a><strong>,’ UN commission says.</strong> Russian torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) is “widespread and systematic” and shows a “blatant disregard for human dignity,” a report from a United Nations commission of inquiry on Ukraine said on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukrainian intelligence ‘hacking Russian</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-intelligence-hacking-russian-online-voting-systems/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>online voting systems.</strong></a><strong>’</strong> A source in the military intelligence agency confirmed to the Kyiv Independent it was currently making attempts to disrupt the vote, adding: “There are no elections or democracy there anyway.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian missile attack sets fire to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-missile-attack-sets-fire-to-medical-facility-in-kharkiv-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>medical facility</strong></a> <strong>in Kharkiv Oblast.</strong> Russia launched a missile attack against the town of Zolochiv in Kharkiv Oblast, starting a fire at a medical aid station and an unfinished dormitory, the State Emergency Service reported on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>SBU has repelled almost</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-cuts-supply-of-components-for-russian-drones-missiles/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>10,000 cyberattacks</strong></a> <strong>since 2022.</strong> Specialists of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have repelled almost 10,000 cyberattacks since the outbreak of the full-scale war, and more attacks are taking place every day, SBU cyber chief Illia Vytiuk said on air on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>G7 leaders call on Iran not to supply Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/iranian-missiles/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>with missiles.</strong></a> G7 leaders called on third parties to stop providing Russia with material support, recalling Iran in their joint statement published on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia recruits more</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-recruits-more-foreign-mercenaries-to-fight-at-war-ukraine-says/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>foreign mercenaries</strong></a> <strong>to fight in war, Ukraine says.</strong> Russia increasingly involves foreign mercenaries from countries with a “difficult economic situation” in the all-out war in Ukraine, Petro Yatsenko, a spokesperson of Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, said on March 15 during the press conference in Kyiv.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine retrieves bodies of</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-returns-bodies-of-100-fallen-soldiers/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>100 fallen soldiers</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Ukraine has repatriated the bodies of 100 soldiers who died fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War reported on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Evacuation of civilians continues in</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/evacuation-of-civilians-continues-in-sumy-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Sumy Oblast</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Ukrainian authorities continue evacuations of communities in the northeastern Sumy Oblast close to the Russian border after Moscow intensified its attacks against the region, local officials said on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Fire reported at Russia’s Syzran</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/fire-reported-at-russias-syzran-oil-refinery/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>oil refinery</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The governor of Russia’s Samara Oblast reported on March 16 that two Rosneft oil refineries in the area were targeted by Ukrainian drones, resulting in no casualties but leaving one facility on fire.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukrainian government officially approves site for future military</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-government-officially-approves-site-for-future-military-memorial-cemetery/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>memorial cemetery</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The Ukrainian government has officially approved the construction of a national military memorial cemetery in the Hatne community near Kyiv, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-russian-missile-strike-on-odesa-kills-20-injures-over-70/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/19073016-b063-5595-5ea9-b50a0be1fe7a.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: Russian missile strike on Odesa kills 20, injures over 70</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Russia launched two Iskander-M missiles against Odesa on March 15, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 70 as of 8 p.m. local time, officials said. First responders and police officers were among the victims.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: State Emergency Service</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-russian-missile-strike-on-odesa-kills-20-injures-over-70/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/whether-afraid-to-speak-out-or-simply-dont-care-russias-silent-masses-act-as-a-bulwark-for-autocracy/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/529e4a72-edcc-5720-29e9-fe20dbcac5c3.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Whether afraid or indifferent, regular Russians enable autocracy</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">For global audiences watching Moscow’s tightly-choreographed “election-style event” this weekend, Russia appears to be a country transformed – a militarized society where dissent is simply no longer tolerated.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Sergei Guneyev/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/whether-afraid-to-speak-out-or-simply-dont-care-russias-silent-masses-act-as-a-bulwark-for-autocracy/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/us-veteran-and-photographers-wartime-ukraine-memoir-tests-notion-of-universal-truths/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/78386226-f7d1-c694-d5fb-2046df96bd72.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>US veteran and photographer’s wartime Ukraine memoir tests notion of ‘universal’ truths</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“I’m a photographer,” writes U.S. combat veteran and photojournalist J.T. Blatty, “But really, I’m just a human drawn toward the truth, in snapshots of truth.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Sergey Shestak /AFP via Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/us-veteran-and-photographers-wartime-ukraine-memoir-tests-notion-of-universal-truths/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian missile strike</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-missile-attack-on-odesa-results-in-casualties-governor-says/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kills 20</strong></a><strong>, injures 73 in Odesa.</strong> A Russian missile strike on Odesa killed 20 people on March 15, the State Emergency Service reported.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Governor: Russian shelling of</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/governor-russian-shelling-of-zaporizhzhia-oblast-village-kills-woman/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Zaporizhzhia Oblast</strong></a> <strong>village kills woman.</strong> Russian forces shelled the village of Dolynka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, killing a 76-year-old woman, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported on March 15.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>EU to transfer</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/eu-to-transfer-4-5-billion-euros-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>4.5 billion euros</strong></a> <strong>to Ukraine.</strong> Ukraine will receive 4.5 billion euros ($4.9 billion) from the European Union through its four-year Ukraine Facility program next week, Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, announced on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Politico: Speaker Johnson expects to take up</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/politico-johnson-expects-to-pass-long-obstructed-ukraine-aid-package-with-democratic-votes/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Ukraine aid bill</strong></a> <strong>with Democratic votes.</strong> House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said in an interview with Politico on March 14 that he expects to pass a future Ukraine aid bill with Democratic votes, adding that splitting Ukraine and Israel aid into two separate bills was “under consideration.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Scholz, Macron, Tusk vow</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/scholz-vows-more-arms-purchases-new-initiatives-for-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>more arms purchases</strong></a><strong>, new initiatives for Ukraine.</strong> The leaders of Germany, France, and Poland agreed on new initiatives in support of Kyiv, including more weapons purchases and a future coalition on rocket artillery, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reportedly said on March 15 following a Weimar Triangle meeting in Berlin.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Over 50 countries condemn Russia’s</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/over-50-countries-condemn-russias-illegal-election-in-occupied-ukrainian-territories/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>illegal election</strong></a> <strong>in occupied Ukrainian territories.</strong> Ukraine, 56 more countries, and the European Union condemned the illegally organized voting in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine as part of Russia’s presidential election, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya said on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: Greece plans to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/media-greece-wants-to-arm-ukraine-through-czechia/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>purchase ammunition</strong></a> <strong>for Ukraine through Czechia.</strong> Athens told EU officials that it could supply Ukraine with extensive ammunition stocks through Czechia this year, including 90,000 90 mm projectiles, 180 70 mm anti-tank projectiles, 2,000 127 mm Zuni rockets, and 4 million bullets, Kathimerini said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Minister: Greece joins international coalition for</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/minister-greece-joins-international-coalition-for-demining-in-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>demining</strong></a> <strong>in Ukraine.</strong> Greece has recently joined the Lithuania-led coalition to assist Ukraine with demining efforts, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>RFE/RL: Hungary again criticizes Ukraine’s national</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/rfe-rl-hungary-demands-to-restore-all-rights-its-minorities-had-before-2015/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>minority policies</strong></a> <strong>in letter to EU.</strong> Hungary has sent a document to the EU member states criticizing Ukraine’s policies on national minorities, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on March 15, citing the Hungarian statement.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Der Spiegel: German FM is trying to persuade Scholz to hand over</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/der-spiegel-german-fm-is-trying-to-persuade-scholz-to-hand-over-taurus-missiles-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Taurus missiles</strong></a> <strong>to Ukraine.</strong> German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is exploring ways for Germany to potentially provide Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine while respecting chancellor’s “red lines,” according to Der Spiegel.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>RFE/RL: Belarus sentences Ukrainian to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/belarusian-court-sentences-ukrainian-to-9-years-in-prison-for-alleged-espionage/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>9 years in prison</strong></a> <strong>for alleged ‘espionage.’</strong> The regional court in Belarus’ Homyel sentenced Ukrainian citizen Nataliia Zakharenko to nine years in prison on espionage charges, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on March 15, citing its sources and Zakharenko’s relatives.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Kyiv Metro head resigns after journalistic investigation exposes his alleged</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-metro-director-submits-his-resignation-after-investigation/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>financial misconduct</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Viktor Brahinskyi, the director of the Kyiv Metro, submitted his resignation in light of a Bihus.Info investigation into Brahinskyi’s alleged financial misconduct, the Kyiv City State Administration said on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Toma Istomina, Chris York, Kateryna Denisova, Martin Fornusek, Dinara Khalilova, Kateryna Hodunova, Brad LaFoy, and Olena Goncharova.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Friday, March 15]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Friday,%20March%2015/2024-03-15T12:33:42.469747+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-15T12:33:42.469747+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Friday, March 15</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-ukrainian-units-begin-rotation-after-fighting-for-a-long-time-syrskyi-says/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/c64bd0b1-ecc7-c183-af94-f2cc5297c278.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Members of an election commission, representing the Russian proxy authorities in occupied Donetsk, visit potential voters alongside armed soldiers during early voting in Russia’s presidential election on March 14, 2024. Ukraine has declared Russia’s elections in occupied territories illegitimate. (Stringer/AFP via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Anti-Kremlin militias</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/anti-kremlin-militia-warns-of-new-attacks-again-calls-on-civilians-to-evacuate/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>warn</strong></a> <strong>of new attacks, again call on civilians to evacuate.</strong> The Freedom of Russia Legion, the Siberian Battalion, and the Russian Volunteer Corps published the appeal on their Telegram channels in today’s evening, promising to maintain a humanitarian corridor from 9 p.m. on March 14 until 7 a.m. on March 15.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian reconnaissance troops</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-reconnaissance-troops-forced-to-retreat-after-failed-attempt-to-cross-dnipro-ukraine-says/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>forced to retreat</strong></a> <strong>after failed attempt to cross Dnipro, Ukraine says.</strong> According to the Southern Operational Command, a boat carrying Moscow’s forces attempted to land on the western bank near the Antonivskyi Bridge.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Military: Russian troops</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/military-russian-troops-begin-to-intensify-assault-attempts-in-zaporizhzhia-and-donetsk-directions/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>intensify attacks</strong></a> <strong>in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk sectors.</strong> Russian forces intensified their assaults in the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk sectors of the front, Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Tavria group of forces, said on national television on March 14.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-to-repel-attack-on-kursk-belgorod-oblasts-amid-reports-on-anti-kremlin-militia-operation/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>claims fighting</strong></a> <strong>in Kursk, Belgorod oblasts amid ongoing anti-Kremlin militia raid.</strong> The Russian National Guard claimed it was repelling an attack near the village of Tyotkino in Kursk Oblast allegedly carried out by “sabotage groups” on March 14.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian governor claims Belgorod hit by</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-governor-claims-belgorod-three-strikes-during-day/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>three strikes</strong></a> <strong>during day.</strong> Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed at around 5:30 p.m. local time on March 14 that the air defense system over the city of Belgorod was operating, marking the third report of a strike on the city since that morning.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Reuters: Russia believed to have</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-russia-believed-to-have-jammed-signal-on-plane-carrying-uk-defense-minister/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>jammed signal</strong></a> <strong>on plane carrying UK defense minister.</strong> Russia is believed to have jammed the satellite signal of a Royal Air Force aircraft used to transport U.K. Defence Minister Grant Shapps, a government source and journalists travelling with Shapps told Reuters on March 14.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Prosecutors: Russia has</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/prosecutors-office-russia-launched-around-50-north-korean-missiles-at-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>launched</strong></a> <strong>around 50 North Korean missiles at Ukraine.</strong> Russia has used around 50 North Korean missiles to attack six Ukrainian regions since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Oleksandr Filchakov, head of the Kharkiv Oblast prosecutor’s office, said on March 14 during a press conference.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Zelensky calls Scholz,</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-discusses-further-ukrainian-german-cooperation-with-sholz-by-telephone/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>discusses</strong></a> <strong>further Ukrainian-German cooperation.</strong> President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on his Telegram on March 14 that he held a telephone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss further political, economic, and defense cooperation between the two states.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukrainian embassy appeals to France over</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-embassy-applies-to-french-authorities-due-to-cultural-appropriation-incident-at-russian-film-festival/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>‘cultural appropriation’</strong></a> <strong>at Russian film festival.</strong> The Ukrainian embassy in France appealed to local authorities after the “Another Russia” (Une autre Russie) organization included the Ukrainian film “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” by Sergei Parajanov into the program of the Russian film festival in Paris and Taverny, the embassy’s press service reported on Facebook on March 13.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>SBU</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-detains-alleged-russian-agent-planning-to-blow-up-kharkiv-railway/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>detains</strong></a> <strong>alleged Russian agent planning to blow up Kharkiv railway.</strong> A Ukrainian man suspected of working with Russian military intelligence and planning to blow up a railway in Kharkiv Oblast has been detained, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on March 14.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-ukrainian-units-begin-rotation-after-fighting-for-a-long-time-syrskyi-says/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9a7dfad6-1efc-d8d4-1019-0f84e1507bb3.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian units begin rotation, Syrskyi says</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“On the positive side, despite the quite difficult situation across the front line, we have managed to launch the process of rotating and replacing battalions and units that have been performing combat missions on the front line for a long time,” Syrskyi said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu/Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-ukrainian-units-begin-rotation-after-fighting-for-a-long-time-syrskyi-says/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-wants-to-reopen-its-airports-during-war-what-needs-to-happen/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/96eb66b0-01be-326e-0233-cfcd6e161218.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine wants to reopen airports during war. Will its ambitions take off?</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">Plans of resuming passenger flights have been in the air in recent months. In late February, Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak announced that Ukraine was working on “restoring operations at one of the country’s airports once security issues are addressed.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: STR/NurPhoto via Getty Imagess</em></p>
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<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-wants-to-reopen-its-airports-during-war-what-needs-to-happen/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/cleansing-of-ukraines-judiciary-kicks-off-with-mixed-results/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/4a19d796-7383-ff86-a97e-12e0d3f646aa.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine’s judicial reform relaunch shows mixed results so far</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">In late 2023, Ukraine finally re-launched the process of vetting judges as part of a long anticipated judicial reform – a key condition for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Four months later, the results are mixed.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/cleansing-of-ukraines-judiciary-kicks-off-with-mixed-results/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
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<h1 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h1>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Drone attack in Vinnytsia Oblast</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/update-drone-attack-in-vinnytsia-oblast-kills-1-injures-4/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kills</strong></a> <strong>1, injures 4.</strong> A Russian drone hit a residential building in Vinnytsia Oblast on the evening of March 14, killing one person and injuring at least four others, Governor Serhii Borzov reported on Telegram.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Update: Russian March 13 attack on residential building in Sumy</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/update-russian-attack-on-residential-building-in-sumy-kills-3-injures-12/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kills</strong></a> <strong>3, injures 12.</strong> The body of a resident was pulled from the rubble after the rescue operation had resumed at 6 a.m. local time, State Emergency Service reported. Two more people killed were found the day before.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>General Staff: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-russia-has-lost-427-840-troops-in-ukraine-since-feb-24-2022/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>has lost</strong></a> <strong>427,840 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.</strong> This number includes 970 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">Opinions and insights</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/the-counteroffensive-crimean-tatars-are-observing-this-ramadan-in-exile/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/cd7c28f0-a09d-8c10-1106-528390938676.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>The Counteroffensive: Crimean Tatars are observing this Ramadan in exile</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">“The story of Crimean Tatars and how they used Islam to protect their heritage and culture is one chapter in a wider story of how people in Ukraine are protecting and preserving their identity and heritage against Russian aggression,” writes The Counteroffensive’s Tim Mak.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Max Vetrov/AFP via Getty Image</em></p>
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<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/the-counteroffensive-crimean-tatars-are-observing-this-ramadan-in-exile/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>The Guardian: EU to propose</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/the-guardian-eu-to-propose-funneling-billions-in-profits-generated-by-russian-assets-to-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>funneling billions</strong></a> <strong>in profits generated by Russian assets to Ukraine.</strong> The commission’s officials plan to put forward a “legally robust proposal” for consideration by the member states, possibly before a meeting of prime ministers on March 21, the outlet said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Bundestag</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/bundestag-votes-against-taurus-missiles-for-ukraine-for-third-time-in-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>votes against</strong></a> <strong>Taurus missiles for Ukraine for third time in 2024.</strong> Of the 687 lawmakers who participated in the vote, 494 voted against the delivery, with 188 voting in favor and five abstaining.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Macron: Russia’s war against Ukraine</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/macron-western-troops-in-ukraine-currently-not-needed-but-all-options-possible/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>‘existential’</strong></a> <strong>for France, Europe.</strong> French President Emmanuel Macron on March 14 again refused to rule out the potential presence of Western troops in Ukraine but stressed that the current situation does not call for it.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>The Hill: Johnson signals</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/the-hill-johnson-signals-shift-on-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>potential change</strong></a> <strong>in stance on Ukraine to Republican senators.</strong> House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson addressed Republican senators at their annual retreat on March 13, where he floated the idea that the long-obstructed Ukraine aid package could be made into a loan or lend-lease program for the benefit of U.S. taxpayers, the Hill reported on March 14.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Sweden</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/sweden-pledges-almost-33-million-to-czech-ammunition-initiative/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>pledges</strong></a> <strong>$33 million to Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine.</strong> Sweden joined the Czech-led initiative to supply Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, pledging 30 million euros ($32.6 million) to the cause, the Swedish embassy in Czechia announced on March 14.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Bulgaria</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/bulgaria-confirms-apc-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>confirms</strong></a> <strong>long-awaited armored personnel carriers headed to Ukraine.</strong> After months of delays, 100 Bulgarian armored personnel carriers are on their way to Ukraine by rail, Bulgaria’s Defense Minister Todor Tagarev confirmed on March 14.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ambassador: Poland ‘absolutely neutral’ whether refugees</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/refugees/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>stay or return</strong></a> <strong>to Ukraine.</strong> Warsaw will neither encourage nor prevent the return of Ukrainian refugees to Ukraine, Polish Ambassador to Kyiv Jaroslaw Guzy said in an interview with Deutsche Welle published on March 13. Poland hosts around 1 million Ukrainians who fled from Russia’s all-out war, the highest number of all countries.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Rheinmetall</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/rheinmetall-arms-company-plans-to-open-at-least-4-plants-in-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>plans</strong></a> <strong>to open at least 4 plants in Ukraine.</strong> German arms manufacturer plans to open at least four plans in Ukraine to produce artillery shells, military vehicles, gunpowder, and anti-aircraft weapons, the AFP reported on March 14.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukrainian campaign in US, Canada to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-project-to-commemorate-mariupol-theater-bombing-in-us-canada/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>commemorate</strong></a> <strong>Mariupol theater bombing.</strong> The Ukrainian project DE TY is organizing an international awareness campaign on March 16 in the U.S. and Canada to mark the second anniversary of a Russian strike against the Mariupol Drama Theater and draw attention to children suffering due to Russia’s war.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian Mi-8 helicopter</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-mi-8-helicopter-crashes-in-magadan-region-two-people-reported-dead/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>crashes</strong></a> <strong>in Magadan region, two people reported dead.</strong> The aircraft was reportedly transporting 17 gold mine workers and three crew members when it made a “hard landing” 75 km from the village of Evensk, the Russian Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor’s Office said in a post on Telegram.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-bans-entry-to-over-200-u-s-leaders-policy-makers/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>bans entry</strong></a> <strong>to over 200 US policy makers, business leaders, journalists.</strong> The Russian Foreign Ministry added another 227 U.S. citizens to its list of those who are banned from entering Russia, state news agency TASS reported on March 14.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>International journalist federations</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/journalist-federations-urge-poland-to-investigate-deliberate-obstruction-after-two-instances-of-ukrainian-journalists-being-detained/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>call for probe</strong></a> <strong>into detainment of Ukrainian journalists in Poland.</strong> The International and the European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) urged Polish authorities to investigate after two separate instances of Ukrainian journalists being detained in Poland were reported in recent weeks.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Border Guard: Krakovets border crossing</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/border-guard-krakovets-crossing-on-polish-border-remains-open-for-trucks/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>remains open</strong></a> <strong>for trucks going to Poland.</strong> The Korczowa-Krakovets crossing on the Polish-Ukrainian border remains open for trucks heading to Poland despite initial reports that Polish protesters would resume the blockade on March 13, Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on March 14.</p>
<p dir="auto">Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kyivindependent.com</strong></a>.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Chris York, Oleksiy Sorokin, Kateryna Denisova, Kateryna Hodunova, Martin Fornusek, Elsa Court, Dmytro Basmat, Sonya Bandouil, and Abbey Fenbert.</strong></em></p>
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]]><![CDATA[Ukraine Daily Summary - Thursday, March 14]]>https://writeworks.uk/~/UkraineDaily/Ukraine%20Daily%20Summary%20-%20Thursday,%20March%2014/2024-03-14T12:58:54.313817+00:00The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]https://writeworks.uk/@/the_kyiv_independent/2024-03-14T12:58:54.313817+00:00<![CDATA[<h1 dir="auto">Thursday, March 14</h1>
<h2 dir="auto">Russia’s war against Ukraine</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-kryvyi-rih-kills-2-injuries-reported/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/8e97747d-52ed-e9ce-09a7-acad292855f8.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><em>A woman hugs her cat near a fire truck after a Russian missile attack on March 13, 2024 in Kryvyi Rih. On the evening of March 12, Russian forces launched Kh-59 missiles at the city. (Yurii Tynnyi/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC “UA:PBC”/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)</em></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: Ukrainian drones</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/media-ukrainian-drones-attack-3-oil-refineries-in-russia-airfield-in-voronezh-oblast/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>attack</strong></a> <strong>3 oil refineries in Russia, airfield in Voronezh Oblast.</strong> Oil refineries were allegedly attacked in Ryazan, in the cities of Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, and Kirishi, Leningrad Oblast, Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing an unnamed source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian oil refinery partially</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-oil-refinery-shuts-down-rostov/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>shuts down</strong></a> <strong>after drone attack.</strong> Certain “technological facilities” of the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Rostov Oblast have shut down after an overnight drone attack, Rostov Oblast Governor Vasiliy Golubev said on Telegram on March 13.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Syrskyi visits front line, says Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/syrskyi-visits-front-line/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>failed to occupy</strong></a> <strong>new settlements.</strong> Commander-in-Chief’s statement came after the Russian Defense Ministry claimed on March 12 its troops had captured the village of Nevelske in Donetsk Oblast, which Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Tavria Group, denied.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Anti-Kremlin militia says</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-anti-kremlin-militia/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>fighting ongoing</strong></a> <strong>in 5 Russian settlements.</strong> Fighting between anti-Kremlin militias and the Russian army is taking place in five settlements near the Ukrainian border, Oleksii Baranovskyi, a fighter with the Freedom of Russia Legion, said on air on March 13.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Putin: Cross-border incursion by Russian anti-Kremlin militia ‘attempt to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/putin-claims-russian-anti-kremlin-militia-incursion-from-ukraine-aimed-to-disrupt-elections/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>interfere</strong></a> <strong>in elections.’</strong> Putin claimed the goal of the reported breakthrough was “to get a trump card for the exchange of territories in possible negotiations” and to create an “information effect.”</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russia says it will</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russia-will-not-participate-in-switerzland-peace-talks-even-if-invited-foreign-ministry-spokesperson-says/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>not participate</strong></a> <strong>in Switzerland peace talks even if invited.</strong> Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, suggested in February that representatives from Russia might be invited to the scheduled talks.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em><strong>Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going.</strong></em> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=upper-cta" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Become a member today.</strong></em></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Justice minister: Ukraine willing to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/justice-minister-ukraine-open-to-loans-to-quickly-secure-us-aid/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>accept loans</strong></a> <strong>if necessary to secure US aid.</strong> “If this sort of discussion will delay the process of the provision of financial assistance, then let’s put the discussion aside and take whatever is given,” Justice Minister Denys Maliuska said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ministry: Ukrainian hackers</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ministry-ukrainian-hackers-disrupt-payment-system-in-moscow-subway/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>disrupt</strong></a> <strong>transport services in Russian cities.</strong> Hackers of the IT Army of Ukraine targeted the Russian government and local portals, disrupting the fare payment system in Moscow and Kazan public transport, the Digital Transformation Ministry said on March 13.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Defense Ministry: Military</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/military-not-expecting-immediate-mobilization/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>not expecting</strong></a> <strong>immediate mobilization of 500,000 men.</strong> The military is not expecting 500,000 men to be mobilized immediately, and this figure is a general estimation that will be adjusted depending on the situation at the front, the Defense Ministry said in a comment to the Financial Times (FT) on March 13.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Governor: 5 children</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/governor-5-children-returned-from-russian-captivity/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>returned</strong></a> <strong>from Russian captivity.</strong> Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said that 35 children have been returned from Russian captivity in occupied parts of Kherson Oblast since the beginning of 2024.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Poll:</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/70-of-ukrainians-have-friends-relatives-front-line-experience/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>70% of Ukrainians</strong></a> <strong>have friends or relatives with front-line experience.</strong> As many as 70% of Ukrainians have friends or family who have fought or are currently fighting at the front line since February 2022, according to a poll by the Sociological Group Rating and the Veterans Affairs Ministry published on March 13.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Survey: Ukrainians</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/survey-ukrainians-spend-66-of-budget-on-food-mandatory-expenses/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>spend</strong></a> <strong>66% of budget on food, mandatory expenses.</strong> The survey also found that Ukrainians spend a fraction of what other residents of other countries spend on non-essential expenses.</p>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=newsletter-ud&utm_medium=mid-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/9fdcb303-5934-6c1d-865f-3b07108dfde9.png" alt=""></a></p>
<h2 dir="auto">Read our exclusives</h2>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/abandon-all-hope-ukraines-wounded-warriors-compare-military-medical-system-to-the-inferno/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/24e4ea9e-a7d1-f6cd-d72f-21438f8db1ec.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>‘Abandon all hope:’ Ukraine’s wounded warriors compare military medical system to the Inferno</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">The Kyiv Independent interviewed dozens of veterans, military personnel, and civilian volunteers helping the military. They describe a military medical system that’s fundamentally broken on every level, no matter where you are, no matter how you’re injured.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Illustration: Karolina Gulshani</em></p>
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<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/abandon-all-hope-ukraines-wounded-warriors-compare-military-medical-system-to-the-inferno/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-eu-ambassadors-approve-5-5-billion-for-defense-fund-for-ukraine-in-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/5ede1a4645edfb08941f4a9f9/images/0a055573-e391-0278-feb9-ed80a3808be6.jpeg" alt=""></a></p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Ukraine war latest: EU ambassadors approve $5.5 billion for Ukraine defense fund in 2024</strong></p>
<p dir="auto">EU ambassadors have agreed on a top-up of <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/eu-ambassadors-agree-on-5-5-billion-for-ukraine-defense-fund/" rel="noopener noreferrer">5 billion euros</a> ($5.5 billion) for the European Peace Facility (EPF) in support of Ukraine’s defense needs in 2024, the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council said on March 13. The EPF has been a key tool for Ukraine since 2022.</p>
<p dir="auto"><em>Photo: Monika Skolimowska / Getty Images</em></p>
<table dir="auto"><thead><tr><th dir="auto"></th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td dir="auto"><a href="https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-eu-ambassadors-approve-5-5-billion-for-defense-fund-for-ukraine-in-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 dir="auto">Human cost of war</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Update: 49</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/update-49-injured-5-killed-in-russian-attack-on-kryvyi-rih/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>injured</strong></a><strong>, 5 killed in Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih.</strong> Governor Serhii Lysak said on March 13 that ten adults were still in the hospital, five of them with severe injuries. Seven children were also hospitalized, all with moderate injuries.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attack on Sumy</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/update-russian-attack-on-residential-building-in-sumy-kills-1-person-injures-8/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kills</strong></a> <strong>2 people, injures 8.</strong> The body of a resident was removed from the rubble in the afternoon, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-on-sumy-oblast-kill-1-injure-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kill</strong></a> <strong>1, injure 2.</strong> Shelling from a helicopter killed one resident of Velyka Pysarivka and wounded two others. The village was also hit with airstrikes, which caused over 30 explosions.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Governor: Russian attack on residential building in Myrnohrad</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/governor-russian-attack-on-residential-building-in-myrnohrad-kills-2-injures-5/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>kills</strong></a> <strong>2, injures 5.</strong> “Among the wounded, one person is in serious condition and three are in moderate condition,” Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>General Staff: Russia</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/general-staff-russia-has-lost-426-870-troops-in-ukraine-since-feb-24-2022/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>has lost</strong></a> <strong>426,870 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.</strong> This number includes 980 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">International response</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>EU ambassadors agree on</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/eu-ambassadors-agree-on-5-5-billion-for-ukraine-defense-fund/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>$5.5 billion</strong></a> <strong>for Ukraine defense fund in 2024.</strong> EU ambassadors have agreed in principle on 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in defense assistance for Ukraine in 2024 within the framework of the European Peace Facility (EPF), the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council said on March 13.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Politico: Scholz, Macron to</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/politico-scholz-and-macron-to-meet-tensions/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>meet</strong></a> <strong>in Berlin to ease tensions over Ukraine.</strong> French President Emmanuel Macron is set to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to “reduce tensions” between Paris and Berlin over Ukraine, Politico reported on March 13.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>EU</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/eu-removes-sanctions-against-yandex-co-founder-volozh/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>removes sanctions</strong></a> <strong>against Yandex co-founder Volozh.</strong> The EU sanctioned Arkady Volozh in June 2022, arguing that Yandex promotes pro-government narratives and is complicit in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Volozh resigned as CEO of Yandex after being sanctioned.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Bloomberg: European Investment Bank in talks on</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-eib-investments/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>investing</strong></a> <strong>in EU defense sector.</strong> The European Investment Bank (EIB) is in talks to invest in defense companies amid heightened urgency to scale up Europe’s defense industry, Bloomberg reported on March 13.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>EU Parliament proposes</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/european-parliament-amends-proposal-on-free-trade-regime-with-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>additional safeguards</strong></a> <strong>for European farmers in Ukraine trade deal.</strong> The parliament’s amendments are meant to reinforce “safeguards for EU farmers in case of a surge in Ukrainian products.” The changes were backed by 347 members of the parliament (MEP), with 117 voting against it and 99 abstaining.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: EU to propose</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/media-eu-to-propose-restrictions-on-russian-belarusian-grain-imports/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>restrictions</strong></a> <strong>on Russian, Belarusian grain imports.</strong> European Commission will present a proposal next week on restricting Russian and Belarusian agricultural imports, Polish news outlet RMF24 reported on March 13, citing an anonymous EU diplomat.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>French Senate</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/french-senate-approves-security-deal-with-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>supports</strong></a> <strong>bilateral security deal with Ukraine.</strong> The French Senate on March 13 overwhelmingly supported a security deal between Paris and Kyiv after it was approved by the parliament’s lower chamber a day earlier.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Austria</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/austria-expells-2-russian-diplomats/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>expels</strong></a> <strong>2 Russian diplomats.</strong> Austria has expelled two Russian diplomats over actions “incompatible with their diplomatic status,” the Heute newspaper reported on March 13, citing the Austrian Foreign Ministry.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>NATO, China</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/nato-china-discuss-war-in-ukraine-at-military-staff-talks/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>discuss</strong></a> <strong>war in Ukraine at military staff talks.</strong> NATO and China held their eighth annual military staff talks on March 13 in Beijing, where the two delegations discussed global and regional security issues, including Russia’s war against Ukraine.</p>
<h2 dir="auto">In other news</h2>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Media: Ukrainian journalists</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/media-ukrainian-journalists-deported-from-poland-after-investigating-trade-with-russia/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>deported</strong></a> <strong>from Poland after investigating trade with Russia.</strong> Two journalists of the Rayon.ua.in news outlet were detained in Poland and deported while reporting on a trade on the Russian-Polish border, the news outlet said on March 13.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Customs Service: Polish protesters</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/polish-formers-resume-blockade-at-krakovets/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>resume blockade</strong></a> <strong>at Krakovets crossing with Ukraine.</strong> Polish protesters resumed blocking cargo vehicles at the Korczowa-Krakovets border crossing with Ukraine at 11 a.m. on March 13 after suspending the protests there on March 9, Ukraine’s Customs Service said.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Lawmaker Dubinsky</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/lawmaker-dubinsky-fined-due-to-pressure-on-his-corruption-investigation/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>fined</strong></a> <strong>over corruption-related offense.</strong> Controversial lawmaker Oleksandr Dubinsky was found guilty of an administrative offense and fined for exerting pressure over the investigation of his corruption case, according to the National Agency on Corruption Prevention’s statement on March 13.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>RFE/RL: Head of former Russian anti-war presidential candidate’s campaign</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/rfe-rl-head-of-former-russian-anti-war-presidential-candidate-nadezhdins-campaign-arrested/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>arrested</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Boris Nadezhdin’s team posted pictures of the court ruling on Telegram, which said that the charge stemmed from a message that Igor Krasnov sent on the messaging app that contained the rainbow flag emoji.</p>
<p dir="auto"><strong>Navalny’s ex-chief of staff Volkov</strong> <a href="https://kyivindependent.com/navalnys-ex-chief-of-staff-volkov-vows-to-continue-his-work-after-hammer-attack-blames-putin/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>vows</strong></a> <strong>to continue his work after hammer attack, blames Putin.</strong> Leonid Volkov said that he had been hit 15 times with a hammer, and his arm had been broken in what he called a “characteristic gangster greeting from Putin.”</p>
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<p dir="auto"><em>Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by <strong>Francis Farrell, Kateryna Denisova, Nate Ostiller, Martin Fornusek, Elsa Court, Abbey Fenbert, and Olena Goncharova.</strong></em></p>
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