Ukraine Invasion: Part 56

[MagicFox]

The (free) world has gone mad. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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Here is a link to the storks reuniting
https://x.com/United24media/status/1904588149394653438

❤A ray of hope for shattered and weary hearts.

Why were Hrytsko and Odarka apart?

Thanks for the thread

I've been a lurker because I feel so out of my depth

i I can't get my head round what trump has done and I can't articulate my anger and disgust properly

I wonder if we got here because of the complete lack of experience of Trump's team with little of his administration having any interest of the world outside the borders of the US. The revelations of the Houthi leak reveals both real negligence with national security as well as revealing the Trump administration really believe in Europe being the recipient of a defence welfare check and holding a disrespect of European powers that could be deeply hurtful given the depth of our alliances historically.

We have signals for the US that they are dismissive of European boots on the ground within Ukraine but in parallel criticise Europe for not taking defence seriously. We the U.S. signalling Europe's defence problems are only Europe's get there are voices leading NATO. Where does the US really stand?

One thing I take from the US dismissing international forces in Ukraine after a peace deal is that the US do fear escalation and perhaps are unwilling to provoke the Russians with NATO troops (albeit with the US) positioned in Ukraine as the meaning of article 5 becomes vague if those troops are harmed by Russians and you could see the real prospect of rapid and perhaps calamitous escalation.

My thoughts for the future are that we have to really think hard about the 'trip wire' troop deployments in countries such as the Baltic states where there has always been the presumption that even if these countries were invaded there would be a comprehensive and decisive response from NATO backed by the US and ultimately underpinned by MAD. In these uncertain times a Russian invasion in the future may be met with calls for deep sanctions by the US and leave Europe with the hugely difficult prospect of joint to war with Russia alone. You then have the major European powers including the UK having to decide whether to engage in warfare unknown to us for a period of 80 years and at scale the vast majority of the public luckily has never experienced. It also remains the case Russia has a huge nuclear arsenal and that may ultimately maybe the chip that makes the decision there won't be a serious response to a hypothetical future Russian agression.

It is in this context that the future of Eastern Europe depends on real European investment in conventional defence with real conventional deterrence ability which is going to be expensive but ultimately necessary if we want the same maps in 10 or 20 years time.

Without the US above (ropy autocorrect)

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-25-2025

Key Takeaways:

• US, Ukrainian, and Russian officials reached some agreements for temporary ceasefires on strikes against energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea. The details of these ceasefires remain unclear and evaluating the ceasefires’ specifics in the absence of officially published joint texts of the agreements signed by Russia and Ukraine remains difficult.
• The Kremlin's and Umerov's statements suggest that Russia and Ukraine may not yet be in agreement about whether the ceasefire has gone into effect or not as of March 25.
• Putin continues to reject Trump's and Zelensky's proposed temporary frontline ceasefire, despite agreeing to some form of ceasefire for strikes on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea. Putin’s persistent stalling and intransigence are inhibiting Trump's efforts to secure a lasting and stable peace settlement.
• The Kremlin stated that it will not implement the agreed ceasefire in the Black Sea until the United States lifts sanctions on Russian state-owned agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank and other unspecified financial organizations involved in international food and fertilizer trade.
• Russian forces recently advanced in the Kursk-Sumy Oblast border area, near Toretsk, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
• The Russian military continues to deny rotations to soldiers who have been fighting in the war in Ukraine for years.

They migrate. The storks are just coming back to the NL. Very pretty but Bugger me, those guys can POOP. if a few have passed overhead early in the morning, it takes half an hour to get the dried splodges off your windscreen. Soaking with cloths, scraping, washing with a bucket.

Welcome. Thank you for posting, you are not alone in how you feel.

I can honestly say even those of us who have been on this thread from the start can feel so out of depth and struggle to articulate our feelings of anger and frustration, quite often.

over the past couple of months especially since the orange lunatic started on his rampage, I feel like in the early days, weeks and months of the war. Like utterly stunned in disbelief that what’s happening can’t be real.

Ukraine ceasefire deal looks like a Russian wishlist tied with a US bow

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/25/russia-ukraine-ceasefire-trump

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Russia, Ukraine agree to implement (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-us-agree-to-ban-strikes-on-energy-infrastructure-following-talks-in-riyadh/) ban on energy infrastructure strikes, minister says.

⚡️ Russia has struck Ukraine's energy sites 8 times (https://kyivindependent.com/russia-has-struck-ukraines-energy-sites-8-times-since-putins-claimed-pause-zelenskys-advisor-says/) since Putin's claimed pause, Zelensky's advisor says.

⚡️Black Sea ceasefire (kyivindependent.com/black-sea-ceasefire-will-only-come-into-effect-after-some-sanctions-are-lifted/) will take effect after some sanctions are lifted, Kremlin says.
The ceasefire in the Black Sea will take effect only after Western sanctions on Russian food producers and exporters are lifted, the Kremlin said in a statement on March 25.

⚡️US considering lifting (kyivindependent.com/us-considering-lifting-some-sanctions-to-secure-black-sea-ceasefire-trump-says/) some sanctions to secure Black Sea ceasefire, Trump says.

⚡️Zelensky accuses Russia of manipulating (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-accuses-russia-of-manipulating-conditions-for-black-sea-ceasefire/) conditions for Black Sea ceasefire.

‘Not what Ukraine needs’ — Black Sea ceasefire favors Russia more than Ukraine, say experts (kyivindependent.com/not-what-ukraine-needs-black-sea-ceasefire-favors-russia-more-than-ukraine-say-experts/)
The agreement is missing crucial securities that Ukraine urgently needs, including protecting its ports from Russian attacks as well as opening up the blockaded Mykolaiv port. The deal negotiated by the U.S. and Russia leans more in Moscow’s favor, experts told the Kyiv Independent.

⚡️ Russia may be 'dragging their feet' on Ukraine peace deal, Trump says (https://kyivindependent.com/russia-may-be-dragging-their-feet-on-ukraine-peace-deal-trump-says/).

⚡️Ukraine, Russia may prolong (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-russia-have-incentive-to-prolong-war-instead-of-finalizing-bad-peace-deal-us-intelligence-assessment-finds/) war instead of finalizing bad peace deal, US intelligence assessment finds.
Ukraine and Russia may see a greater incentive to prolong war instead of settling for an unfavourable peace deal, an unclassified U.S. intelligence assessment published March 25 found.

⚡️Partial ceasefire (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-russia-partial-ceasefire-may/) should start on March 25, Zelensky says.

⚡️Russia rejects calls (kyivindependent.com/russia-rejects-calls-to-return-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant/) to return Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on March 25 that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is a Russian facility and cannot be transferred to Ukraine or any other country.

⚡️Kremlin names energy facilities (kyivindependent.com/kremlin-names-energy-facilities-banned-from-strikes-during-partial-ceasefire/) exempt from strikes during partial ceasefire.
According to the Kremlin, the list includes oil refineries, as well as oil and gas pipelines and storage facilities, including pumping stations. The list also includes power production and transmission facilities, including power plants, substations, and transformers.

The U.S., Russia and Ukraine have agreed to "eliminate the use of force" and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea following two-day talks in Saudi Arabia, the White House announced on March 25.
Washington also vowed to help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.
https://kyivindependent.com/us-3/

⚡️ 'There is talk of Nord Stream' — Lavrov eyes (kyivindependent.com/nord-stream-lavrov/) Russia-US energy cooperation.

⚡️Russia ramps up attacks near Pokrovsk (https://kyivindependent.com/russia-steps-up-attacks-near-pokrovsk-ukrainian-military-says/), Ukrainian military says. 

⚡️ Macron to reportedly host Zelensky (kyivindependent.com/macron-to-host-zelensky-in-paris-on-march-26-media-reports/) in Paris on March 26.
⚡️US proposed (kyivindependent.com/us-proposed-new-version-of-major-minerals-deal-to-ukraine-zelensky-says/) new version of minerals deal to Ukraine, Zelensky says.
The U.S. has proposed signing a new "major" minerals deal with Ukraine based on a previous framework agreement, President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on March 25.

The U.S. has proposed signing a new "major" minerals deal with Ukraine based on a previous framework agreement, President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on March 25.

⚡️ Armenia's parliament passes bill (kyivindependent.com/armenias-parliament-passes-bill-on-eu-accession-process/) on EU accession.

⚡️ Explosion rocks munitions warehouse (kyivindependent.com/explosion-hits-ammunition-depot-at-policske-strojirny-plant-in-czechia-media-reports/) in Czechia.
An explosion occurred at a munitions warehouse at the Policske Strojirny plant in the Svitavy district of Czechia on March 25, the news portal iRozhlas reported.
The likely cause of the incident was a technical malfunction in one of the production halls, the Czech police said.

⚡️ 77% of Ukrainians positive about 30-day ceasefire, poll shows. (https://kyivindependent.com/77-of-ukrainians-positive-about-proposed-30-day-truce-poll-shows/)

'A lot of problems for Russia' — How Ukraine's new 3,000km drone could boost Kyiv's war effort (https://kyivindependent.com/3000km-drone/)

⚡️ Denmark pledges $140 million (kyivindependent.com/denmark-pledges-140-million-to-back-companies-investing-in-ukraines-defense-sector/) to companies investing in Ukraine's defense sector.

⚡️ EU approval among citizens at record level (kyivindependent.com/eu-approval-among-citizens-at-record-level-as-global-security-concerns-grow-eurobarometers-poll-shows/) as global security concerns grow, Eurobarometer poll shows.
The survey found that nearly three-quarters (74%) of EU citizens consider their country to have benefited from EU membership.

⚡️ Russia sentences (kyivindependent.com/russia-jails-azov-pows-for-up-to-23-years/) 23 Azov members to prison.

Inside the new drone schools teaching the next generation of Ukrainian UAV pilots (kyivindependent.com/inside-the-new-drone-schools-teaching-the-next-generation-of-ukrainian-uav-pilots/)

⚡️ Trump's envoy draws criticism (https://kyivindependent.com/trumps-envoy-draws-criticism-after-saying-nuclear-arms-in-ukraine-were-russias/) after saying nuclear arms in Ukraine were 'Russia's.'

⚡️ USAGM agrees to partially fund (kyivindependent.com/usagm-agrees-to-partially-fund-rfe-rl-as-judge-weighs-case-over-trump-cuts/) RFE/RL as judge weighs case over Trump cuts.

⚡️ US judge temporarily blocks (kyivindependent.com/us-judge-temporarily-blocks-trump-administration-from-shutting-down-rfe-rl/) Trump administration from shutting down RFE/RL.

⚡️ Moldova detains (kyivindependent.com/gagauzia-leader-evghenia-gutul-detained-in-moldova-over-illegal-financing-case/) regional leader accused of taking money from Russia.

⚡️Ukraine to dissolve gambling regulator, (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-dissolve-gambling-regulator-create-new-agency-to-oversee-industry/) create new agency to oversee industry.

When ho(us)e becomes ho(me) (PHOTOS) (kyivindependent.com/when-ho-us-e-becomes-ho-me/)
For Ukrainians, the meaning of home has been profoundly reshaped by Russia’s war, becoming a symbol of safety and belonging and a refuge from the trauma of invasion.

⚡️ Update: 108 injured (https://kyivindependent.com/sumy-missile-strike-injuries-rise-to-108-including-24-children-official-says/) in Russian strike on Sumy on March 24, including 24 children.

⚡️ 4 killed, 6 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-against-ukraine-over-past-day-3/) against Ukraine over past day.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬

⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA - MAR 26, 2025
■ Most engagements in two weeks & casualties slightly below average
■ Fewest equipment losses in two weeks
■ Less shelling but 🇷🇺 air strikes well above average, ratio could be better

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The EU cannot unfreeze Russian assets because the income from their reinvestment serves as a guarantee for military loans issued to Ukraine by G7 countries, according to European Council President Costa.

🇩🇰 Denmark has accelerated the introduction of mandatory military conscription for women, moving its start from 2027 to 2026, Bloomberg reports.
The decision aims to strengthen the country’s armed forces in response to the growing threat from Russia.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto has returned to Moscow to "discuss peace."
The Hungarian diplomat has once again traveled to the aggressor country during a full-scale war, praising the U.S. and Russia for what he called "progress" in the negotiations.

At night, Russian drones struck Okhtyrka in the Sumy region, damaging residential buildings, shops, and other urban infrastructure.
In Kryvyi Rih, the attack caused fires and damaged an enterprise, an administrative building, warehouses, and cars—no casualties were reported.
In the Cherkasy region, an infrastructure facility and a warehouse belonging to a private enterprise were also damaged.

British intelligence has assessed the Ukrainian Defense Forces' attack on Russia's Engels-2 air base on March 20 as the most successful strike on Russian territory this year.
According to the report, it is almost certain that the hit area contained a large stockpile of aviation munitions used in attacks against Ukraine.
The intelligence review suggests that the significant losses at the airfield are likely to disrupt Russia’s ability to conduct airstrike operations from this location in the short term.

The Kremlin statement said the “temporary moratorium” had been in effect since March 18 and was designed to last for 30 days.
“In the event of a violation of the moratorium by one of the parties, the other party has the right to consider itself free from obligations to comply with it,” it added.

The Kremlin has published a list of energy infrastructure facilities agreed upon with the U.S. that it claims Russia has not struck for a week.
These include:
• oil refineries;
• oil and gas pipelines and storage facilities, including pumping stations;
• infrastructure that generates and transmits electricity, including power plants, substations, transformers, and switchboards;
• nuclear power plants;
• hydroelectric dams.
At the same time, in an evening address, Zelenskyy dismissed the Kremlin’s claim, saying, “that the alleged date of the beginning of the silence on energy is March 18.”

The Foreign Minister and the Minister for Labor and Inclusion of Norway have arrived in Kyiv.

In accordance with high-level discussions between President Donald J. Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the United States facilitated bilateral technical talks with the Ukrainian delegation from March 23 to March 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Following the discussions, the United States and Ukraine reached several key agreements:
▫️Both nations agreed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, eliminate the use of force, and prevent commercial vessels from being used for military purposes.
▫️The United States reaffirmed its commitment to aiding in the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred.
▫️Measures will be developed to implement the agreement made by Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy to ban strikes against energy infrastructure in both Russia and Ukraine.
▫️The United States and Ukraine welcomed the involvement of third countries to help implement the energy and maritime agreements.
▫️Both parties emphasized ongoing efforts to achieve a durable, lasting peace.
The United States reiterated President Trump’s call for an immediate cessation of violence on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a critical step toward achieving an enduring peace settlement. The U.S. will continue facilitating negotiations to bring about a peaceful resolution in line with the agreements reached in Riyadh.
The U.S. also expressed gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his leadership and hospitality in hosting these important discussions in Saudi Arabia.

A court in Estonia has found Russian citizen Andrei Makarov guilty of high treason and sentenced him to 15 years in prison, ERR reports.
In the spring of 2024, Makarov, who holds both Russian and Estonian citizenship, set fire to a car with Ukrainian license plates in Tartu on behalf of the Russian Federation, according to the court. ERR states that he had previously scratched the name of the pro-Russian party KOOS on the car’s hood. He then filmed the arson and shared the footage on social media, as outlined in the indictment.
Makarov committed the crime with the assistance of Belarusian citizen Stanislav Markin, who pleaded guilty, ERR adds.
The Estonian prosecutor’s office described the incident as part of Russia’s hybrid attacks against Estonia. The crime aimed to create division within Estonian society and intimidate Ukrainians living in the country.
Makarov was also accused of espionage. He reportedly spied on a former Russian serviceman who fled to Lithuania and collected information in Latvia about military equipment used by Estonia’s NATO allies. According to prosecutors, this data was intended for Russian intelligence services.

@mids2019 Thank you for your incisive assessment at the unearthly hour of 05:44 today.

(I wish our politicians were as able to sum situations up as well).

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

In a rare bipartisan agreement, Republicans are pressing the Trump administration to transfer more than $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.
www.kyivpost.com/post/49553

“They have been left to DIE out” — By Friday, a vital Yale University unit tracking the abduction of Ukrainian children will reportedly be shut down.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/49579

Russia abducting Ukrainian children to “forcibly turn them Into Russians,” according to a new ISW report.
www.kyivpost.com/post/49597

Putin might use NUCLEAR weapons in Ukraine — US intelligence
“Russia’s inability to achieve quick battlefield wins is fueling concerns that Putin could resort to nuclear weapons,” Bloomberg reports, citing US intelligence.

Trump’s representative Grenell claims Ukraine never had nuclear weapons — sparking brutal comebacks — from among others, Kinzinger: “They were Soviet, you ignorant a** helmet.”
www.kyivpost.com/post/49618

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

❗️If Russia moves its warships beyond the eastern part of the Black Sea, Ukraine will respond, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov emphasized.

The United States is reviewing the conditions Russia has proposed for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, said U.S. President Donald Trump.
“We’re currently considering all of these issues. There are five or six conditions. We’re reviewing them all,” he told reporters during a press event.
Among the Russian conditions are the lifting of sanctions on Rosselkhozbank, Russian agricultural producers and exporters, as well as vessels involved in the trade of food and fertilizers.

🇷🇴 Romania asked not to disclose drone crashes on its territory, said former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi
“Romania understands everything but stays silent. Sometimes they call me and say, ‘Keep quiet.’ Two Shahed drones crashed in the port—why stay silent? […] Then they call again and say, ‘Why did you activate your electronic warfare systems? The drones flew into our territory.’ I said: ‘Then shoot them down—you’ve got forty F-16s,’” recalled the former top commander, who now serves as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Zaluzhnyi also criticized the effectiveness of NATO’s Article 5. According to him, some members of the Alliance—including the Baltic states, Romania, and Poland—understand that “there is no real Article 5, and there never will be.”

The head of Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation has unveiled the “Katran” naval drone, equipped with torpedoes, a minigun, a machine gun, a MANPADS, and other weaponry.
The “Katran” can travel over 1,000 km and is capable of both strike and reconnaissance missions. It is a multifunctional drone designed to effectively destroy maritime, ground, and aerial targets.
The unmanned vehicle is a cutting-edge development by the Ukrainian defense company Military Armored Company HUB. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/30005
“Details of the missions involving this drone are classified, but it has become a real game-changer at sea,” wrote Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Former U.S. prosecutor who investigated CIA leaks and Russian war crimes found dead
The body of 43-year-old Jessica Aber was discovered in her apartment on March 21. According to media reports citing law enforcement sources, no signs of foul play were found. Investigators believe she likely died due to a chronic illness.
Aber served as a U.S. Attorney from 2021 to 2025, having been appointed by President Biden. Prior to Donald Trump’s return to office, she led investigations into the leak of classified documents, including one revealing Israel’s plans to strike Iran last year.
She also worked on cases involving four Russian soldiers accused of torturing a U.S. citizen in Ukraine’s Kherson region, as well as a major Russian cyber fraud and money laundering scheme worth nearly $1 billion.

Yikes, that's no fun. The downside of birds, even beautiful storks, is they poo randomly in flight.

I guess these stork pairs don't migrate together, otherwise they should arrive at the nest at the same time. Maybe the male flew ahead to tidy up the nest first. I am giving this too much thought.

Slava Ukraini!

The latest episodes of the Rest is Classified are about the intelligence in the run up to the invasion, fascinating!

I feel so similar to this. It's not just Ukraine, it's Turkey, the Middle East, oh everywhere. It's all so overwhelming and there's so much power in the hands of ruthless men who just ride roughshod over everyone else. Trump and Putin epitomise the terrible failures of history and the whole world system, the long history of power and corruption and misogyny. What's happening at the moment feels apocalyptic. I find it hard to say anything intelligent about any of it but I'm completely obsessed because it feels like we're in a time of both enormous turmoil and conflict but also enormous potential.
These threads really help. Even when I can't find the words to contribute I feel less alone and less mad.
I'm beyond grateful to everyone who posts and indeed to Mumsnet for hosting this corner of discussion and expression and camaraderie.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said Venezuela has been 'very hostile' to the U.S. and countries purchasing oil from it will be forced to pay the tariff on all their trade to the U.S. starting April 2.

A stopped clock is right twice a day, even if the target is the wrong one. Why hasn't this approach been taken with Russia? A lot of Russian oil has been laundered through Georgia so why hasn’t Georgia been sanctioned? Why haven't countries like India - who have been taking deliveries from the Shadow Fleet - been sanctioned?

Looks like US tariffs will be imposed on cars; MTG had a meltdown with a UK reporter, apparently she doesn’t ’give a crap about the UK’ and we’re all being raped by immigrants; and the bombing in Ukraine seems to have ramped up again- horrific footage online.

Buy France is giving Ukraine £2bn and I love the strong message from the EU about refusing to drop sanctions in Russia.

https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/us-will-need-eus-sanction-consent-for-black-sea-ceasefire-deal-with-russia-to-work/

US needs EU consent for Black Sea ceasefire deal with Russia

While the Trump administration might want to roll back Russia sanctions, movement on the issue hinges on EU approval – and it’s unlikely this will come quickly.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Russia's withdrawal (kyivindependent.com/lifting-eu-sanctions-depends-on-russias-withdrawal-from-ukraine-commission-says/) from Ukraine condition for easing EU sanctions, commission says.
Russia's "unconditional withdrawal" from Ukraine is one of the main preconditions for changing or lifting EU sanctions, an EU Commission spokesperson told Suspilne.

The Ukrainian military denied it had launched a drone attack at energy facilities in Russia and occupied Crimea after Moscow alleged Ukraine had violated a partial ceasefire agreement that included a ban of strikes against energy infrastructure. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-denies-russian-accusations-of-ceasefire-violation/

⚡️France announces (kyivindependent.com/france-announces-2-billion-military-aid-package-for-ukraine/) $2 billion military aid package for Ukraine.
The package includes anti-tank missiles, air defense systems, Mirage fighter jet missiles, armored vehicles, ammunition, and other aid, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

⚡️Ukraine-US relations 'back on track,' (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-us-relations-back-on-track-zelenskys-chief-of-staff-says/) Zelensky's chief of staff says.

⚡️⚡️ US finalizes Ukraine minerals deal, signing possible next week (kyivindependent.com/us-finalizes-ukraine-minerals-deal-signing-possible-next-week-treasury-secretary-says/), treasury secretary says.

⚡️Zelensky arrives (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-arrives-in-france-to-meet-macron/) in France to meet Macron ahead of 'coalition of the willing' summit.

As Ukraine, Russia agree to ceasefire at sea, Moscow's battered Black Sea Fleet is set to get a reprieve (https://kyivindependent.com/as-ukraine-russia-agree-to-ceasefire-at-sea-russias-battered-black-sea-fleet-is-set-to-get-a-relieve/)
The latest ceasefire agreement is missing crucial securities that Ukraine urgently needs, including protecting its ports from Russian attacks as well as opening up the blockaded Mykolaiv port.

⚡️ US 'evaluating (kyivindependent.com/russias-black-sea-ceasefire-demands-includes-lifting-eu-sanctions-rubio-says/)' Russian conditions for Black Sea ceasefire including lifting sanctions, Rubio says.
According to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, some of the sanctions Russia wants lifted "are not ours — they belong to the European Union."

⚡️ Ukraine's Engels strike destroyed 96 Russian cruise missiles (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-engels-2-strike-destroyed-nearly-100-russian-missiles-general-staff-claims/), General Staff claims.
The missiles were reportedly intended for three planned strikes in March and April.

⚡️ Poland can withstand invasion for 2 weeks before NATO steps in, security chief says. (kyivindependent.com/poland-could-withstand-attack-for-2-weeks-before-nato-steps-in-security-chief-says/)
The Polish military has enough supplies to resist an enemy attack for up to two weeks before NATO reinforcements arrive, Dariusz Lukowski, head of Poland's National Security Bureau, told Polsat News on March 26.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a loan of 270 million euros ($290 million) for Ukraine's Naftogaz to purchase gas for the next two winters, PM Denys Shmyhal said. https://kyivindependent.com/ebrd-approves-290-million-loan-for-ukraines-naftogaz/ [previously reported: Norway is also allocating 140 million euros ($150 million) in grants through the EBRD, the prime minister added.]

⚡️Russia imports chemicals (kyivindependent.com/russia-imports-chemicals-from-fertilizer-companies-to-evade-sanctions-bloomberg-reports/) from fertilizer companies to evade sanctions, Bloomberg reports.
A Russian explosives manufacturer has ordered tens of thousands of tons of nitric acid and other chemicals from fertilizer producers exempt from sanctions, according to documents seen by Bloomberg.
The amount would allow Russia to manufacture at least 6,500 152-mm artillery shells per day this year.

⚡️Return of Ukrainian children 'number one' aim (kyivindependent.com/return-of-ukrainian-children-number-one-aim-in-recent-ceasefire-talks-zelensky-says/) in recent ceasefire talks, Zelensky says.

⚡️ Ukraine approves Bird of Prey (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-approves-bird-of-prey-drone-system-for-combat-use/) drone system for combat.
The system was developed based on battlefield experience, optimizing its effectiveness against enemy vehicles and fortified positions, the ministry said.

⚡️Witkoff comments 'very disturbing' (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-very-disturbed-by-witkoffs-comments-zelensky-says/) to Ukraine, Zelensky says.
Zelensky noted that U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff is not a military expert. "As far as I know, he is very good at selling and buying real estate."

⚡️US must not let Putin out of global isolation, (https://kyivindependent.com/us-must-not-let-putin-out-of-global-isolation-zelensky-says/) Zelensky says. 
"He will die soon, that is a fact, and everything will be over," Zelensky said on March 26 in comments regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Four American soldiers died in Lithuania in an incident during training near the border with Belarus, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed to reporters on March 26 following reports they had gone missing, Reuters reported. https://kyivindependent.com/4-us-soldiers-have-died/

We recently launched our "I Stand with Ukraine" T-shirt (https://store.kyivindependent.com/products/i-stand-with-ukraine-t-shirt?variant=51168582435150), with all profits through March 2025 directly supporting Veteran Hub, a vital organization for Ukraine's veterans.

'Outright propaganda' — Dutch university to screen 'Russians at War' and host panel with controversial director
(kyivindependent.com/outright-propaganda-dutch-university-to-screen-russians-at-war-and-host-panel-with-controversial-director/)

We asked Ukrainian soldiers if they'd fight Russia 'with their bare hands' (https://kyivindependent.com/we-asked-ukrainian-soldiers-if-theyd-fight-russia-with-their-bare-hands/)

⚡️Russian drone attack on Kharkiv injures (kyivindependent.com/russian-drone-attack-on-kharkiv-injures-9/) 9.

⚡️ 1 killed, 34 injured (kyivindependent.com/1-killed-34-injured-in-russian-attacks-against-ukraine-over-past-day/) in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA - MAR 27, 2025
■ Most casualties in 5+ weeks, 3rd most engagements of 2025
■ Landbased equipment losses slightly above average; vehicle losses well above it
■ Visually confirmed: 44 🇷🇺 50 🇺🇦 (0.9x) - 30-day ratio 1.0x ⬇

Ukraine allies meet in Paris with new aid, security assurances in mind

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-allies-meet-with-new-aid-security-assurances-mind-2025-03-27/

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Europe is seeking alternatives to deploying peacekeepers in Ukraine due to implementation challenges, Reuters reports.
According to European diplomatic sources, doubts are growing about the feasibility of a plan by the so-called “coalition of the determined,” led by France and Britain, to send thousands of troops to Ukraine to secure a future ceasefire.
One diplomat noted that while the idea of deploying troops “was attractive” when Ukraine “was in a better position,” it is now seen as less viable due to the situation on the battlefield and the U.S. administration’s cautious stance.

France, Italy, and Spain did not support Ursula von der Leyen’s “rearmament of Europe” plan, Politico reports.
According to the publication, the European Commission proposed allocating €800 billion for defense over four years. However, these countries are concerned about the potential impact of such large expenditures, which could further increase the already significant debt burden for some states.

Relations with Russia will not return to normal even after the war in Ukraine ends, says NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The enemy launched a massive drone strike on Kharkiv, causing fires and casualties.
On the evening of March 26, Russian strike drones targeted civilian infrastructure and residential areas in the city. Four fires broke out, along with destruction and damage to buildings.
The largest fire, covering an area of 2,500 square meters, occurred in a production building.
According to preliminary data, nine people were injured. The information is still being clarified.

🇪🇪 The Estonian Parliament has voted to abolish the right to vote for Russians in the country, DW reports.
The government adopted a constitutional amendment that “deprives third-country citizens living in Estonia of the right to vote in municipal elections.” The reform still requires approval from the country’s president.
If approved, the changes will primarily impact around 80,000 Russian citizens with permanent residence in Estonia. Under current legislation, they can participate in local elections but not in national ones.

A Ukrainian F-16MLU has been spotted, with visible traces of the use of the M61A1 “Vulcan” cannon.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Russia is preparing a new offensive on Sumy and Kharkiv this spring — Zelensky
In an interview with Le Figaro he said that amid calls for a ceasefire, Putin is “trying to buy time” while preparing to strike northern Ukraine again.

NATO chief Rutte warned that the Western defence alliance would respond with a “DEVASTATING” blow to any attack by Russia on Poland or another ally.
www.kyivpost.com/post/49633

Can Europe compete with Starlink?
Kyiv Post posed the question to one of Europe’s top leaders in the satellite industry.
www.kyivpost.com/post/49674

From the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to the trenches of Pokrovsk, Moscow has turned to poison gas and riot control agents, violating international law and the Chemical Weapons Convention.
This report by Chuck Pfarrer uncovers Russia’s use of banned chemical weapons – from chloro-picrin to CS gas – in a brutal campaign of extermination.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

In the early hours of March 27, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine using an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 86 drones.
Ukrainian air defense systems successfully shot down 42 drones, while an additional 26 drone decoys failed to reach their targets.

🇸🇪Sweden has unveiled what it calls its “largest rearmament plan since the Cold War,” along with a significant boost in support for Ukraine.
The Swedish government plans to raise the country’s defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2030. The plan includes nearly 300 billion SEK (approximately $30 billion) in investments.
Starting in 2025, Sweden aims to procure $2.5 billion worth of weaponry to be delivered between 2026 and 2028. This year alone, $9.5 billion will be allocated to strengthening responses to hybrid threats.
Additionally, the government intends to raise its military aid framework for Ukraine from $2.5 billion to just over $4 billion for 2025.

Russia Sentences Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Employee to 19 Years in Prison
Russian authorities have sentenced Serhii Potynga, an engineer at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, to 19 years in prison.
Potynga was abducted in the summer of 2023 and subjected to torture while in Russian captivity. He has been accused of “espionage”— allegedly collecting information about vehicles used by Russian law enforcement and passing it to Ukraine. He is also charged with attempting to bomb a vehicle belonging to a Russian security officer.
Ukrainian officials stress that the case against Potynga is entirely fabricated. He has been unlawfully detained for nearly two years.

❗️Four U.S. Soldiers Reported Missing During Military Exercises in Lithuania
Four American soldiers have gone missing during military exercises near the Belarusian border in Lithuania.
The incident occurred at a training ground near the town of Pabradė in eastern Lithuania. Search operations are currently underway.
Meanwhile, Delfi reports that the soldiers may have been killed. They were reportedly traveling in an M88 armored recovery vehicle, which is also missing.