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This winter, 32 Ukrainian POWs were executed by Russian forces, UN report reveals. Before being executed, one Ukrainian soldier was forced by the Russians to conduct demining work. |
Military
Russia resumes airstrikes on Kharkiv, leaving 1 dead and 19 wounded. These strikes were the first time in two years that the Russians had used aviation to attack Kharkiv.
Russian missile attack on Mykolaiv injures 8 – UPDATED. Russian troops allegedly attacked Mykolaiv with the Iskander-M rocket with a high-explosive.
British Defense Ministry: New Russian flotilla targets control of Dnipro River, islands near Kherson. The Dnipro River Flotilla, announced by Russia on March 20, is likely aimed at preventing Ukrainian cross-river operations near the contested Krynky bridgehead.
Russia kills 2, injures 17 over past day. Russian forces damaged the Palace of Sports in Odesa, damaged a number of residential buildings in Kharkiv, Kherson oblasts and in Odesa over past day
Ukraine downs 10 of 13 Russian drones overnight. The Russian attack on Izium in Kharkiv Oblast injured a 62-year-old man, damaged buildings and an educational institution, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
As of 27 Mar 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:
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- Personnel: 439190 (+1030)
- Tanks: 6904 (+11)
- APV: 13216 (+9)
- Artillery systems: 10931 (+27)
- MLRS: 1019
- Anti-aircraft systems: 728 (+1)
- Aircraft: 347
- Helicopters: 325
- UAV: 85782 (+25)
- Cruise missiles : 2015 (+1)
- Warships/boats: 26
- Submarines: 1
- Vehicles and fuel tanks: 14539 (+41)
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Intelligence and technology
Russian forces may be using Starlink terminals in Ukraine – Western media. Ukrainian soldiers told CNN they’ve experienced slower Starlink speeds & more connection issues recently.
Germany rushes 10.000 artillery rounds to Ukraine in days. The head of Germany’s situational center on Ukraine revealed 10.000 artillery rounds from Bundeswehr stocks will be transferred to Kyiv in coming days.
Kyiv City to build a UAV factory. Kyiv City authorities aim to establish a municipally-owned unmanned aerial vehicle production enterprise with an initial $10.1 million budget allocation.
EU grants over €130 mn to Rheinmetall for ammunition production expansion. Rheinmetall’s European subsidiaries will undertake six projects across Germany, Hungary, Romania, and Spain.
International
Pentagon: US ready to defend NATO territory. “We (US) will defend every inch of NATO,” Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said following Russian cruise missile briefly entered Polish airspace on 24 March
Bloomberg: Macron ‘riled’ Washington with statements about sending troops to Ukraine. US warned such move risks clash with Moscow. Officials say Macron’s hints aimed to keep Putin pondering but it might have an oposite effect.
Nobel Prize winners urge world leaders: reject Putin, stand with Ukraine. 39 Nobel Prize winners united to call on world leaders to deny Putin’s legitimacy and support Ukraine. Notably, no Russian laureates joined the call.
EU negotiates one more Ukraine trade extension, imposing new restrictions. The current agreement set to expire on 5 June 2024.
Ukraine to get F-16 jets by mid-summer, says FM Kuleba. Officials had previously cited spring or early summer for Ukraine’s delivery of F-16 jets.
Political and legal developments
Polish MP: Poland, Ukraine nearing deal on grain imports amid farmer protests. Ahead of Polish-Ukrainian gov’t talks, an MP from Poland’s ruling bloc is positive on grain deal talks, while the Polish Agriculture Minister says negotiations are difficult. Ukraine is against any transit bans.
Death toll in attack in Crocus City Venue Moscow’s suburb rises to 140. The Russian head of the Ministry of Health, Mikhail Murashko, said that 140 people were killed as a result of the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall in a Moscow suburb.
Ukraine detains two suspected FSB agents gathering intel for strikes on Kyiv TV tower, power plant, military HQ. Kyiv announced the detention of two suspected Russian agents spying on potential missile strike targets like the capital’s TV tower, thermal power plant and military units on orders from Moscow’s FSB intelligence agency.
Swiss banks start to close accounts of Russian clients. In 2022-2023, Swiss banks closed accounts of Russian clients with less than $1 million. Now, banks are scrutinizing not only the presence of a permit or Swiss passport but also whether clients receive income in Russia and pay taxes there.
Samsung Pay to drop Russian Mir payment card in April. Joining Apple and Google, Samsung will sever support for Russia’s Mir payment system, disabling the use of those cards in its Samsung Pay wallet starting April 3.
New developments
Russia knew of Crocus City Hall terror plot by 15 Feb – Budanov. The Ukrainian intelligence chief cited two potential reasons the Kremlin allowed the attack despite early warning.
Polish General overseeing Ukrainian soldier training dismissed amid probe. Counterintelligence investigates security clearance of top Polish general Jaroslaw Gromadzinski.
Read our earlier daily review here.
