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War in Ukraine today: latest news, 18 March, 2024 (photo)

It has been the 754 th day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression.

What happened in Ukraine today:

Here is operational information of the General Staff as of 6 pm:

On 18 March, there were 56x tactical engagements.

The enemy launched a total of 5x missile and 55x airstrikes, 60x MLRS attacks on positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Residential apartment blocks and private houses got destroyed and damaged.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the russian areas bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct subversion in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The enemy continues shelling of Ukrainian settlements from the territory of russia and increases the concentration of mining operations along the state border of Ukraine. The adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Velyka Pysarivka, Lukashivka, Ponomarenky, (Sumy oblast). More than 20x settlements came under enemy artillery and mortar attack, including Klyusy, Prohres (Chernihiv oblast), Kruzhok, Atynske, Katerynivka, Vodolahy, Myropillya, Ponomarenky (Sumy oblast), Huriv Kozachok, Hatyshche, Vovchansk, Bochkove, Budarky, Ambarne (Kharkiv oblast).

Kupiansk axis: the adversary conducted 3x unsuccessful assaults on positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the vicinity of Synkivka (Kharkiv oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x assaults in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast), where the enemy made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The enemy fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Nevske, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Torske, Verkhnokamianske, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). The enemy launched an air strike in the vicinity of Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar attack, including Mykolaivka, Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Niu-York (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x attacks in the vicinities of Berdychi, Tonenke, Orlivka, Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast). The occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Ocheretyne and Novobakhmutivka (Donetsk oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Prohres, Vovche, Zhelanne, Myrnohrad, Novohrodivka, Umanske (Donetsk oblast).

Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to block the enemy near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the invaders, using air attacks, made 21x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, Velyka Novosilka. The enemy fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Berestky, Kostiantynivka, Antonivka, Katerynivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne (Donetsk oblast).

Orikhiv axis: the enemy, using air attacks, conducted 7x attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast) and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 15x settlements, including Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, Prymorske (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under artillery and mortar attack of the occupiers.

Kherson axis: the enemy conducted 3x assaults on positions of Ukrainian defenders on the left bank of the Dnipro. More than 10x settlements, including Burhunka, Lvove, Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Novotyahynka, Tokarivka (Kherson oblast), were under artillery and mortar attack of the occupiers.

On 18 March, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 6x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment of the occupiers.

The Ukrainian Missile Forces hit 1x air defense system of the russian invaders.

The Government has increased the amount of state social help to children of fallen defenders of Ukraine who voluntarily participated in the defence of Ukraine and were not members of the Volunteer Formations of Territorial Communities (VFTG). Starting from 1 April, the amount of the payment will automatically increase: from UAH 2,361 to UAH 7,800 for one child, and up to UAH 6,100 for each minor if the family has two or more children.

Taras Melnychuk, Representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in Verkhovna Rada, reported that the Cabinet of Ministers has allocated an additional UAH 5bn for drones. The money will be used to purchase defence equipment with the the following transfer of the acquired military property to the management bodies that manage military formations in accordance with the established procedure.

The State Border Guard Service wants to register the phrase “russian ship” as a trademark. This refers to the phrase said by a border guard from Zmiinyi Island – “russian warship, go f*ck yourself”. However, the EU Intellectual Property Office says that the phrase cannot become a trademark because it contradicts generally accepted principles of morale as it aims to gain financial benefit from what is widely considered a tragic event.

Recent war events in the east of Ukraine

Kharkiv oblast

The press service of the State Emergency Service of Kharkiv oblast reported that at 7:10am, the enemy shelled Novoosynove village, Kupiansk region. A 62-year-old man was injured, he is receiving medical assistance. As a result of the attack on the village, the church was damaged. The shell caught on fire the boiler room, which was located next to the building of the religious building. The firewood store was also burning. The total area of the fire was 60 sq m. The village council and two private houses were also damaged.

A fire station and four rescue vehicles were damaged by a KAB strike in Bilyi Kolodiaz of Vovchansk community. A 29-year-old driver was lightly injured but not hospitalised.

Serhii Bolvinov, Head of Kharkiv police investigation department, confirmed that russian troops shelled an elevator in Bilyi Kolodiazi village of Vovchansk community.

Yevhen Vasylenko, Spokesman of the Regional State Emergency Service, said that 42 buildings of fire stations in Kharkiv oblast have been damaged by shelling since the beginning of the full-scale war.

Yevhen Ivanov, Deputy Head of Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, informed that almost a third of the mined land in Kharkiv oblast is planned to be examined and cleared of mines in 2024. The 180,000 hectares planned for clearance include areas that, according to the state programme, require priority demining.

Yesterday about 15 settlements in Kharkiv oblast were hit by enemy artillery and mortar attacks: Kozacha Lopan, Hatyshche, Berestove, Synkivka and others. The enemy launched airstrikes on Vovchansk, Hoptivka and Basove.

Aftermath of russian shelling. Photo: Kharkiv Regional Military Administration

At 11:30pm, the enemy struck a fire station by KAB bomb in Bilyi Kolodiaz village, Chuhuiv region. As a result of the attack, the building of the fire station and four fire and rescue vehicles were damaged. The 29-year-old driver of the car sustained a minor injury but was not hospitalised.

At 3:45pm, the roof of a private house, a garage, outbuildings and two cars were on fire as a result of hostile shelling in Vovchansk. A 72-year-old resident was injured but received medical assistance on the spot.

At 10:40am, russians targeted Kivsharivka, Kupiansk region. The shelling damaged the glazing of windows in 5 residential buildings. The windows in two educational institutions were broken. A 60-year-old woman was injured, she had an acute stress reaction but was not hospitalised.

At 9:15am, two employees of the emergency medical team, men aged 26 and 56, were injured as a result of hostile shelling of Buhaivka village, Chuhuiv region, by S-300. They were hospitalised in the regional centre in moderate condition.

At 9am, Zolochiv, Bohodukhiv region, was shelled. One private house was damaged. There was no information on casualties.

Towards Kupiansk, the enemy made 2 unsuccessful attacks near Synkivka.

Combined teams of bomb experts cleared 4.52 hectares of mines and destroyed 146 explosive ordnance.

Over the day, 2 children with their families were evacuated. So far, 136 children have been evacuated from two communities: 35 from Vilkhuvatka and 101 from Velykyi Burluk.

Donetsk oblast

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainian troops repelled 60 russian attacks on the frontlines of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. There were 36 battles towards Novopavlivka where russian troops were storming with air support.

Petro Andriushchenko, Mariupol Mayor’s Councillor, reported that during the so-called russian presidential election, people could vote several times using two passports. The actual number of those who “voted” cannot be calculated due to the lack of a voter list.

Yesterday russian troops attacked the oblast 1609 times, including 15 times the residential sector. Enemy shells hit Hirnyk, Krasnohorivka, Myrnohrad cities, Ocheretyne, Tsukuryne settlements, Kalynove, Novoselivka Persha, Soloviove and Shakhtarske villages. 58 civilian objects were damaged, including 34 residential buildings, an outpatient clinic, a poultry farm, an educational institution, a dormitory, administrative buildings, a cultural centre, shops and cars.

Destruction as a result of russian shelling. Photo: National Police

Also russia dropped two KAB-500 bombs on Shakhtarske of Volnovakha region, destroying three administrative buildings, 16 private homes and a power line.

An airstrike on Ocheretyne damaged an administrative and an apartment buildings.

In Krasnohorivka, a 500kg bomb hit an apartment building.

Moreover, russians shelled Myrnohrad by three S-300 missiles, injuring two civilians and damaging 8 apartment buildings and social infrastructure.

Another three S-300 missiles hit Tsukuryne, damaging an agricultural enterprise.

Artillery shelling damaged 4 apartment buildings, outbuildings, a garage and a car in Hirnyk, three private houses in Kalynove and one house in Soloviove.

Luhansk oblast

Most of the enemy ground attacks were towards Kupiansk. The enemy does not stop shelling our settlements. Although the intensity of the fire slightly decreased compared to the previous day, there were about 50 attempts of shelling by various types of weapons. Bilohorivka, Makiivka, Nevske and Novoliubivka were hit.

Sievierodonetsk and other frontline cities were included in advance in the list of settlements where the invaders, due to the security situation and, accordingly, the inability to open stationary polling stations, had to organise early voting from Monday to Thursday. To do this, they went door to door and collected votes on the street. They were not satisfied with the final result and extended the working hours of their spontaneous polling stations for another three days, until Sunday evening. Despite the statements of the so-called “lpr” about the work of polling stations in an increased mode, Luhansk collaborators failed to reach the record turnout. The result, that “everyone should look up to”, was recorded in Chechnya – 96.46%. But the turnout in “lpr” was almost 9.5% lower.

Artem Lysohor, Head of Luhansk Regional Military Administration, reported that the invaders claimed that more than 1.4m people participated in the illegal presidential election, which exceeds the number of residents.

What is happening now in the north of Ukraine

Kyiv oblast

Kyiv RMA reported that in the evening of 17 March, the enemy attacked Kyiv oblast b6 drones again. Air defence forces hit all the UAVs heading for Kyiv. There were no hits on residential or critical infrastructure.

Lindsey Graham, Republican senator from the United States, arrived in Kyiv on a visit. He met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. The parties discussed further comprehensive assistance to Ukraine, its Euro-Atlantic integration, and increasing sanctions pressure on the aggressor state.

According to Kyiv RMA, the construction of a shelter for students of Pereiaslav lyceum No.5 is underway. The new shelter will provide full-time education in one shift and will also be available for use by civilians in the neighbourhood if needed. The construction will be carried out in compliance with barrier-free requirements.

A school destroyed by the russians was rebuilt in Borodianka. During the reconstruction, the school was equipped with a courtyard, a conference room and interactive panels and computer equipment in classrooms. An autonomous underground shelter with an elevator for people with limited mobility and can accommodate 800 people was also built there.

According to the National Police of Kyiv, a routine dog test was conducted in Kyiv. Dog handlers checked the animals’ ability to detect weapons and explosive devices on the ground, in luggage and in vehicles. Around 20 service dogs demonstrated high efficiency in detecting potentially dangerous items and passed the test with excellent marks. The most successful of them will soon be working in the de-occupied territories as part of explosive ordnance disposal teams.

Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of Kyiv RMA, reported that Kyiv oblast and the state of Washington signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. This is the first document in the history of cooperation between a Ukrainian region and a US state. It is about cooperation in the areas of economy and investment, agro-innovation, bioeconomy, clean energy, digital technologies and restoration.

Petro Tsurukin, a former editor of the STB TV channel and host of Kyiv Live TV channel, was killed while defending Ukraine. Petro Tsurukin had been missing for more than six months, but his death was recently confirmed.

Zhytomyr oblast

Vitalii Bunechko, Head of Zhytomyr RMA, reported about a meeting with the Territorial Defense Forces to discuss the construction of new lines of fortifications on the border with belarus. Additional needs and priority areas for the development of additional protection of Ukraine’s borders were identified.

In Zhytomyr, border guards were trained in cyber security and cyber hygiene. The Basic Security Rules for Government Officials workshop was conducted by representatives of the United States Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF).

A unique learning platform has been created in a Zhytomyr lyceum for Defence of Ukraine lessons. At the expense of the local budget, a classroom with a virtual shooting range was set up in the school’s shelter. Now, in conditions as close to real as possible, high school students have the opportunity to practice shooting.

Sumy oblast

According to Sumy RMA, at night and in the morning of 18 March, russian troops fired 24 times at Sumy oblast. There were 144 explosions. Mykolaivka, Yunakivka, Krasnopillia, Bilopillia, Miropillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Popivka, Seredyna-Buda, Esman and Svesa communities were shelled.

It is reported that the russians fired 60 times at the border areas and populated areas of Sumy oblast. There were 341 explosions: artillery, mortar, MLRS, Iskander-M missile strikes, UAV, FPV and other types of weapons. Myropillia, Yunakivka, Khotin, Bilopillia, Vorozhba, Krasnopillia, Trostianets, Velyka Pysarivka, Nova Sloboda, Shalyhyne, Esman, Seredyna-Buda, Svesa, Znob-Novhorodske communities were shelled.

On 17 March, the russian military launched missiles from a tactical aircraft on the territory of Velyka Pysarivka community – 9 strikes, launched anti-aircraft missiles from a tactical aircraft – 14 strikes; also, they fired mortar shells – 24 strikes, MLRS shelling – 20 strikes, and artillery – 20 strikes.

Sumy RMA said that as a result of an air strike on the village of Velyka Pysarivka on 17 March, one resident of the community was killed and another local resident was injured. A non-residential building, a shop, a branch of a community centre, a library, a cultural facilities centre, a hospital department, a kindergarten, 15 households, a multi-storey building and a gas pipeline were damaged in the village.

According to State Emergency Service, in the evening of 17 March, the enemy struck at the civilian infrastructure of Konotop. Utility facilities in the town were damaged. Rescuers eliminated the consequences of the strike, which led to a fire in the residential sector.

Volodymyr Artiukh, Head of the RMA, reported that evacuation from border communities in Sumy oblast continues and compensation mechanisms for lost housing are being developed. On 13 March, the Evacuation Plan was put into effect in the Velyka Pysarivska community. Since then, 285 people have been evacuated, including 26 children.

About 20 people have not evacuated the village of Popivka, which is currently out of contact. Evacuation is also difficult in the villages of Luhivka and Oleksandrivka, where the military is helping to evacuate people. More than 200 people have been evacuated from Velyka Pysarivka community, and some residents have left on their own transport.

As of 12pm on 18 March, 86 settlements (15 of them partially) remain without electricity in Sumy oblast due to russian shelling. These are more than 8,000 consumers. Most of the damaged power facilities are in Hlukhiv, Seredyna-Buda, Putivl, Khotin, Krasnopillia, Bilopillia, Velyka Pysarivka and Sumy communities. Restoration of power supply is complicated by the risk to the lives of emergency crews.

Chernihiv oblast

According to Koriukivka Military Administration, russian troops launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile attack on the border of Chernihiv oblast near Kozylivka.

According to the State Border Guard Service, russian troops fired 10 times at 3 border communities in Chernihiv oblast. Novhorod-Siverskyi, Semenivka and Snovsk communities were under enemy attack. There were 31 attacks by mortars and FPV drones.

Viacheslav Chaus, Head of the RMA, reported that over the past week, 4 out of 5 districts of Chernihiv oblast were under russian attack. During this period, the enemy fired 72 times at 25 settlements in the oblast. There were 373 explosions. During the shelling, the russian military actively used ballistics, aviation and artillery. The shelling damaged civilian infrastructure and power lines.

According to Chernihiv RMA, mine clearance of agricultural land continues in the oblast. Since the beginning of the year, the relevant work has been carried out on 98 hectares. Explosive devices have been found everywhere. A government programme was approved to compensate farmers for humanitarian demining at 80% of the cost.

Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine

Dnipropetrovsk oblast

At night 2 Shaheds over Kryvyi Rih region were shot down by the Air Defense Forces. The falling debris caused a fire in one of the city’s high-rise buildings. The roof of a house was damaged. There were no casualties. In the evening the occupiers fired 3 times at Myrove, Marhanets and Chervonohryhorivka communities by artillery.

In the latter, a private house was completely destroyed, 2 outbuildings, 2 cars, 2 garages, a power line, a gas pipeline, fences and greenhouses damaged.

During the day the enemy attacked Nikopol region 6 times. They launched 3 kamikaze drones and shelled the region by artillery 3 times targeting Nikopol, Myrove and Chervonohryhorivka communities.

A fire broke out on a gas station territory and was quickly extinguished. An infrastructure facility, 11 private houses, 2 outbuildings, 2 cars, a gas pipeline, 57 solar panels qnd 3 power lines were damaged. There were no casualties.

Vinnytsia oblast

Vinnytsia oblast sent 13 thermal imagers, 12 charging stations and 12 searchlights to the soldiers of 4 military units. City Mayor Serhii Morhunov reported that some of the equipment will go with the defenders to the East. The other will work with Shahed catchers in Vinnytsia oblast.

Kirovohrad oblast

As a result of a night enemy drone attack in Oleksandriia region, private industrial facilities and residential buildings were damaged, windows broken by the blast wave and roofs damaged by debris. From the morning, a commission consisting of specialists from the Civil Defense Department of the Military Administration of Ukraine is recording the extent of damage after the enemy drone attack. Andrii Raikovych, Head of the RMA announced that 20 houses have already been inspected. Reports are being drawn up and claims for damages are being filed.

Poltava oblast

Philip Pronin, Head of the RMA, reported that the enemy attacked the oblast by an UAV. The explosions were heard in Kremenchuk region. No casualties or damage to infrastructure were reported.

Cherkasy oblast

According to the Air Force an UAV was destroyed in Cherkasy region at night on 18 March. There were no casualties or damage.

Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine

Zaporizhzhia oblast

Yesterday the enemy launched 58 strikes on 10 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. Also russian military personnel carried out an aerial strike on Robotyne, conducted 7 rocket artillery shelling on Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne, and attacked Huliaipole, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Novodarivka, Malynivka, Robotyne, Mala Tokmachka, Zaliznychne and Charivne by 94 UAVs. Additionally, the there were 356 artillery strikes on the territories of Huliaipole, Robotyne, Malynivka, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Levadne, Novoandriivka and Novodarivka. There were 3 reports of damage to residential buildings and infrastructure objects, but civilians were unharmed.

The enemy attacked the positions of our defenders in the areas of Staromykhailivka, Donetsk oblast, and Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia oblast, 7 times with aviation support. Approximately 15 settlements, including Malynivka, Huliaipole, Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky and Prymorske, Zaporizhzhia oblast, were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.

The State Emergency Guard Service reported that border guards recently neutralized ten enemy kamikaze drones on Zaporizhzhia front. Another drone was intercepted without detonating its combat payload.

Mykhailo-Lukasheve community received equipment for providing administrative services to residents from the Swedish-Ukrainian PROSTO project “Supporting Accessibility of Services in Ukraine.” The set includes a vehicle equipped with an inverter, a mobile suitcase with a laptop, a portable scanner and a laser printer. The assistance is valued at over UAH 900,000. Throughout 2023–2024, the PROSTO project has provided 10 all-terrain crossover vehicles with corresponding equipment to communities affected by the war in various regions of Ukraine.

A photo exhibition commemorating the second anniversary of Mariupol Drama Theater tragedy has been opened in Zaporizhzhia. The exhibition features about 50 photographs depicting the history of the theater. It will be open until 30 March from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm at Zaporizhzhia City Central Library.

Mykolaiv oblast

According to Mykolaiv RMA, on 17 March at 1:55pm and 2:07pm, the russian army attacked an infrastructure object in Mykolaiv, launching two missiles, presumably Iskander-M, from the temporarily occupied Crimea. One person was killed, and nine others, including two children, injured as a result of the missile attack. The injured are receiving all necessary medical assistance.

Additionally, private and multi-story residential buildings, civilian vehicles, sections of the external lighting network, tram tracks, and the contact network were damaged. Restoration work is underway as of the morning of 18 March.

Furthermore, on 17 March at 11:39am, russians shelled the waters of Ochakiv community. No casualties were reported.

The City’s official website stated that the municipal multi-profile hospital in Yuzhnoukrainsk received necessary humanitarian aid from volunteers from Canada for the third time. Foreign guests, Jeff Sloitchik and Taras Yurkiv, volunteers from the Ukrainian-Canadian Yukon Association, visited the Hospital of Yuzhnoukrainsk. This time, the hospital received a large quantity of medications, including antibiotics, pain relievers, surgical kits, gloves, cuffs for sphygmomanometers and much more.

The State Emergency Service in Mykolaiv oblast informed that an equine therapy event was organized for the female rescuers in Mykolaiv oblast, at the initiative of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and with the support of the Vilna mobile space. The girls were able to relax and enjoy themselves after horseback riding.

Odesa oblast

A large exhibition of watercolors by about 100 artists from all regions of Ukraine has opened in the Odesa Museum of Western and Eastern Art. The first hall of the exhibition, titled “United by Watercolor,” is dedicated to architecture and urban landscapes, including cities such as Mariupol, Donetsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Lviv, Kyiv and others. Illustrations of botany, insects and birds are presented in two other halls. All works at the exhibition are available for charitable sale. Each artist is required to donate from 30% to 200% of the selling price of their painting to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or to charitable funds helping those affected by russian aggression. Additionally, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of postcards, eco-bags, and exclusive postage stamps will go towards the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (EW, equipment for the evacuation of injured military personnel, tactical medicine, kamikaze drones, etc.).

The State Environmental Inspection of the South-Western District said that ruring the attack on 2 March, a russian drone struck a high-rise building in Odesa, resulting in one entrance of the building being completely destroyed. Experts determined that metallic debris and construction waste littered a land plot measuring 5,000 sq m. The total damage amounts to nearly UAH 500m.

Kherson oblast

Police of Kherson oblast reported that russian aggressors once again attacked the civilian infrastructure of Beryslav and Kherson regions yesterday, using artillery, mortars, tanks, aircraft, and UAVs. Four people were injured, including three police officers, as a result of the shelling. The attacks affected Kherson, Sadove, Antonivka, Naddniprianske, Poniativka, Kyselivka, Ivanivka, Prydniprovske, Kizomys, Beryslav, Havrylivka, Lvove, Novovorontsovka and Dudchany. Six private and two multi-story buildings, two cars, a gas station and an auto service enterprise were damaged.

Intense daily counter-battery combat continues in the operational zone of the Southern Defense Forces. On 17 March, the enemy made 5 attempts to storm positions on the left bank of the Dnipro. They retreated to their original positions after suffering significant losses.

Our fighters continue maintaining and strengthening their positions, delivering fire strikes on enemy locations, firing positions and rear areas. The enemy lost 228 occupiers, 14 artillery guns, 39 armored vehicles, 2 special vehicles, 2 boats and 2 reconnaissance UAVs. Two field supply buildups, two fortifications, and an enemy observation post were destroyed.

25 housing certificates worth over UAH 35m were issued as part of the YeVidnovlennia program in Kherson oblast. Another 19 applications were received from owners of completely destroyed houses, which are currently being processed by commissions. Additionally, Kherson RMA received 61 applications for compensation for housing damaged by russian aggression over the week. Approval was granted to 29 families, who will receive payments totaling over UAH 4.5m.

Volunteers from the Global Empowerment Mission delivered food and essential supplies to Kherson oblast. This time, volunteers visited Sadove, Romashkove, Pervomaiske, Yantarne, Dniprovske and Veletenske.

A family doctor from Lviv and a neurologist from Odesa worked from 15 to 17 March in the villages of Maksyma Horkoho, Tarasa Shevchenka and Bilousove. They also conducted tests for measuring blood sugar, cholesterol, hemoglobin and others. Residents who sought help could also receive necessary medications free of charge according to the doctor’s prescription.

Residents of Kherson oblast received food assistance from the American World Central Kitchen humanitarian mission. Volunteers brought and distributed almost 13,000 food kits and over 6,000 vegetable kits to residents of Beryslav region in February, 2024. Assistance was provided to residents of Novovorontsovka, Mylove, Velyka Oleksandrivka, Beryslav, Kalynivka, Novoraisk, Borozenske, Tiahynka, Novooleksandrivka and Vysokopillia communities.

Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine

Volyn oblast

In Volyn, work on strengthening the defence capability is constantly ongoing. Especially in the north of the oblast. The construction of fortifications along the border with belarus is currently underway. All works are carried out in accordance with new projects of the Ministry of Defense. These include anti-tank ditches, installation of reinforced concrete structures and explosion-proof barriers. Such fortifications will be built along the entire border with belarus.

Zakarpattia oblast

The regional council held a meeting of the commission on health care, labour, employment and social protection of the population, social support of war veterans, military personnel and their family members. In particular, members of the commission agreed on the provision of one-time assistance to families of deceased residents of Zakarpattia oblast.

The RMA reported that this weekend, theoretical and practical classes on military topography and terrain orientation took place in all centres of the Center for Training the Population for National Resistance.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast

During two years of the war, the oblast sheltered almost half a thousand children from 24-hour care facilities. 394 children with the status of orphans or deprived of parental care came to Prykarpattia with their legal representatives (guardians and custodians, adoptive parents and foster parents, foster carers). Currently, 192 children with legal representatives live in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, namely: 68 children are brought up in 45 families of guardians/custodians; 8 children – in 6 foster families; 116 – in 14 family-type orphanages.

Lviv oblast

Victims of the airstrike on the Drama Theater in Mariupol were commemorated in Lviv oblast. In front of theatre buildings, the symbolic inscription Children was laid out from lamps, and nearby, caring residents and guests of the city placed children’s toys. In front of Lviv Opera, participants of the rally held flags of Mariupol, Ukraine and paper models of the drama theatre in their hands. In March 2022, the russian occupying forces dropped two aerial bombs on the theatre and killed hundreds of civilians.

A team of volunteers from Yavoriv region independently brought over 3 tonnes of cargo to the 24th, 64th, 103rd and 63rd Separate Mechanised Brigades, the 1st, 3rd and 15th Border Detachments, military commandant offices and front-line hospitals. For the servicemen, volunteers brought food, military ammunition, clothes, car spare parts, tools, medicines and 45 quadcopters purchased with the proceeds from a charity auction, which was held in Mostysk.

In the village of Suhriv, Khodoriv community, a memorial plaque was installed to the fallen defender Ihor Leskiv. He was killed in battle near the village of Verbove, Polohiv region, Zaporizhzhia oblast, on 6 August, 2023. A mother, wife, two sons and a minor daughter were left.

Rivne oblast

At night, the Air Defense Forces shot down a drone in Rivne oblast. There is no information about victims and destruction.

Firefighters of the State Fire Service of Poland send a heavy fire-rescue vehicle based on the Jelcz C 417 K chassis along with a Metalchem Koscian CN-18 trailer to the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Rivne oblast. The car will be used by rescuers of the 5th state fire and rescue squad of the State Emergency Service of Sarny.

Ternopil oblast

The oblast sent 40 tablets to the Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Battalion of Ternopil oblast thanks to the regional budget. This equipment will be used to monitor and identify enemy targets that may pose a threat to the area.

Ternopil community sent 30 drones to the military thanks to the budget funds. In March, the community sent 400 FPV drones, not counting Mavic quadcopters and all other necessary equipment, to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Khmelnytskyi oblast

The RMA reported that the Air Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces neutralised one UAV of the Shahed type in the oblast. As a result of the attack, a resident born in 1976 was injured. She was admitted to the hospital with an injury to her right shoulder and face. Medical assistance is provided. There is no threat to her life. In addition, a private house was damaged as a result of falling debris from the downed Shahed.

Chernivtsi oblast

The RMA reported that Bukovyna volunteers sent an off-road vehicle, medicines, an inverter generator, gas heaters, camouflage and iron anti-drone nets, bed linen, warm blankets, dishes, hygiene products, food, sweets, etc. to the frontline defenders.

In Chernivtsi, the premiere of the film 107 Brigade from the series Ready to Fight, produced by TRO Media, took place. The tape tells about Chernivtsi Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)

Klaus Iohannis, Romanian President, approved the process of training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 at the training centre at the Fetești Air Force Base. It is known that Iohannis sent a letter to the parliament in which he said that he gives his consent to the transit of military aid to Ukraine from Finland, as well as to the training of about 50 Ukrainian pilots on the territory of Romania. In the near future, this issue will be considered at a meeting of the leaders of both houses of the country’s parliament. Voting in the hall should take place at the next plenary session.

EU countries have asked the European Investment Bank to increase defence funding due to threats from the russian federation. The letter was signed by leaders of Finland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden.

Volodymyr Zelenskyi, President of Ukraine, had a phone conversation with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia. Support for Ukraine was discussed.

Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, announced that the country hopes that negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU will begin in the first half of 2024. He said that they are waiting and want to receive the approval of the European Council at the next meeting and believe that they will be able to start negotiations on accession in the first half of that year. In addition, last week the European Commission sent the draft negotiation framework for negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU member states.

Ukraine received almost 6,000 educational devices from Amazon. The equipment will be distributed among 10 areas, where children study in a mixed and distance format. Students from Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Donetsk oblasts who study exclusively online will receive the most gadgets.

The Ukrainian ultramarathoner organised the Run for Ukraine charity race in Paris. Mykola Taran, multiple record holder of Ukraine and ambassador of the United24 platform. The distance of 3.2km was covered by all those who wanted to, the key condition was to be in embroidered clothes or to have Ukrainian symbols. Participation was free, but if desired, everyone could donate a drone for the Artan special unit.

Materials compiled by Tetiana Kliuchnyk-Horobets, Tetyana Pidgorna, Olena Reka, Yana Hushchyna, Tamara Moshkovska, Sofia Ratynska, Ioanna Kryvenko, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Аnna Efremova, Albahachiieva Helena

Translated by Tetyana Pidgorna, Yana Hushchyna, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Viktoriia Pushyna, Marharyta Koval, Tetiana Kurbatova

Ukrainian Women’s Guard

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