Brief facts:
- 3,2 million refugees have fled Ukraine
- According to the official UN data, 902 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, and 1459 have been wounded; the real losses could be much higher, though
- Russia has used hypersonic missiles against Ukraine - it was the first time of hypersonic missiles usage in a history
- Russia has used the new parachute-descending weaponry for the first time in Ukraine
Sources:
- Verkhovna Rada: the parliament of Ukraine and its social media (Facebook, Telegram)
- President Zelenskyy: the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his social media (Twitter, Facebook, Telegram)
- Presidential Office: the Official website of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his social media (Facebook, Twitter, Telegram); advisers to the Office: Oleksiy Arestovych and Mykhailo Podoliak; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of Temporary Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk
- General Staff: the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
- Stratcom Centre: Centre for Strategic Communications and Information Security of Ukraine – an establishment under the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine – website and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Telegram)
- NSDC of Ukraine: the National Security Defense Council of Ukraine website and social media (Facebook, Twitter); Center for Countering Disinformation at the NSDC of Ukraine (website, Facebook, Telegram)
- MIA of Ukraine: the official Facebook of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine; Anton Gerashchenko, the Advisor to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (Facebook, Telegram)
- Ukrainian MFA: the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and social media (MFA website, MFA Twitter, Kuleba Twitter, Kuleba Facebook)
- Ukraine Media Centre: the center for foreign and Ukrainian media organized by media professionals together with the Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Internal Affairs (Facebook, YouTube)
Latest news:
Thank you for your attention! This feed is closed. But Defense Express has already started a new one. Find the latest news on Day 26th of the Russian invasion of Ukraine here.
00:13 Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv: some explosions were heard in Kyiv, on the territory of a shopping mall. The rescuers are fighting with a "large fire". According to the currently available information, one person was killed.
Read more: The Armed Forces of Ukraine Have Demonstrated Bayraktar TB2 UAV's Unique Capabilities
23:23 Presidential Office: on March 20, 7295 people were evacuated, 4 out of 7 humanitarian corridors worked out – Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.
3985 people Mariupol citizens arrived in Zaporizhzhia today. They departed from Berdyansk city. They are currently receiving food, medical care and all the necessary aid
Kyiv region: 2000 people were evacuated from Bobryk village, 1310 – from Tarasivka, the evacuation from Borodyanka town was disrupted by Russians who violated the ceasefire regime established for the humanitarian corridors
Ukrainian intelligence provided information that Russian occupiers prepare a provocation. They planned to capture a column with humanitarian aid. The column heading to Vovchansk city of Kharkiv region could not be warned in time. The contact with 6 people was lost – five drivers and a medic.
"The occupiers keep acting as terrorists. We continue the negotiations on taking back our people," Iryna Vereshchuk said.
23:08 Ukrainian Land Forces: servicemen of the 128th brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces have seized a powerful tow truck for evacuation of equipment.
"During one of the last combat clashes, the soldiers of the 128th Transcarpathian Brigade won a valuable trophy – an on-board military truck 'Ural TK6A-001'. It is a powerful all-terrain vehicle for evacuation and towing of damaged military equipment. 'Ural' is fully functional, without any damage, fully equipped, ready to work. During the battle, Russian soldiers simply fled and abandoned him," the 128th brigade boasted on Facebook.
The "Z" mark on the door indicates that the truck had belonged to the eastern forces of the Russian Army. From now on, the tow truck will work for the 128th brigade. In particular, for towing destroyed and damaged Russian equipment, the soldiers wrote.
22:39 Stratcom Centre: Russian occupiers released journalist Oleh Baturin, who'd been held in captivity for 8 days. He told how Russians treated him on his sister's Facebook:
"On March 12, at 5 pm, I was kidnapped at the Kakhovka bus station. They beat. They humiliated. They threatened. They said they would kill. Almost eight days. 187 hours of captivity. Practically without food. Some days almost without water. No soap, no change of clothes. Without understanding where I am. But they clearly knew, why. They wanted to break, to trample [me]. Show what will happen to every journalist: you will be crushed. You will be killed," Oleh Baturin said.
22:17 The United Nations via Verkhovna Rada: 902 civilians killed and 1459 wounded during the war in Ukraine
According to official UN data, 902 civilians have already been killed, including 75 children, and 1459 have been wounded, including 98 children. The real losses are much higher, though, emphasizes the UN.
21:51 Operational tactical group "East": during March 20, Russian troops have attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 9 times. The enemy was repulsed in all directions, as a result of which the occupiers suffered losses in manpower and equipment, namely:
Today, March 20, in the area of the operational and tactical group "East", Russian fascist troops attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 9 times. The enemy was repulsed, as a result of the attack the occupiers suffered losses in manpower and equipment, namely:
personnel – up to 100 people;
tanks – 12 units destroyed, 10 damaged;
IFV – 17 units destroyed;
AFV – 4 units destroyed;
Artillery systems – 7 units destroyed;
Vehicles – 21 units destroyed, 7 units damaged, 5 units left by the enemy while retreating.
"With each passing day, our servicemen are becoming more and more convinced that the 'Chornobaivka syndrome' is not unique to Russian generals, but that all occupiers, without exception, seem to be suffering from it," the operational-tactical group wrote on Facebook.
Defense Express memo: Chornobaivka is a village near Kherson city, where a major airfield is situated. Previously, the Ukrainian Army has repelled at least six big attacks on this settlement. During the attacks, even high Russian commanders were killed.
21:34 Mariupol City Council: 2,000 more residents of Mariupol were evacuated from temporarily occupied Berdyansk today. All of them received medical care and nutrition. Accommodation is being prepared. In total, more than 41,000 people were evacuated from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia over the last five days (since the humanitarian corridors from the besieged city were established – Defense Express).
21:23 Joint Forces Operation: in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the Ukrainian military have successfully repelled 7 attacks of Russian invaders. Ukrainian defenders have destroyed:
- 170 enemy personnel;
- 12 tanks;
- 9 BMP;
- 3 light vehicles
Also, air defense units took down:
- 1 Su-34 jet
- 1 helicopter
21:00 Center for Countering Disinformation: Russia is searching for replenishment of invading troops via utility bills. According to the Center's statement, utility bills, that common people of Russia receive monthly, recently have started to include information on how to earn money through joining the "mobilization reserve", which includes participating in military training. This can be found out from the content of the message on the bill.
"Civilian Russians are already being 'invited' to sign a contract with utility bills. There is no queue of those who want to give their lives for 50 thousand rubles a month," the Center wrote on Facebook. It also reminded that Russia has lost over 14,000 servicemen, about 1000 have been taken captive, 43,200 wounded. Russia is in need of reinforcement and could use a "false flag" provocation to implement martial law and start mass mobilization.
20:48 Verkhovna Rada: the first rotation of personnel on Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant since the beginning of the Russian invasion. This information was provided by the Chernobyl NPP authorities. After the plant was seized by Russians, the staff was on duty for about 600 hours. Finally, they were replaced by 46 volunteer-workers from the station. Throughout this day, the partial rotation was managed, 64 people were evacuated from the facility.
19:50 The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Zelensky questioned Israel’s reluctance to sell the Iron Dome defence system to Ukraine.
Addressing the Knesset via video link on Sunday, March 20, Volodymyr Zelensky drew comparisons between the Russian offensive and the “final solution” – the plan by Nazi Germany to exterminate Jews. He compares Russian offensive to Nazi Germany, - The Guardian reports.
Zelenskiy told Israeli legislators they would have to live with the choices they make on whether to help protect Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
He also questioned Israel’s reluctance to sell the Iron Dome defence system to Ukraine. He said:
Everybody knows that your missile defence systems are the best and that you can definitely help our people, save the lives of Ukrainians, of Ukrainian Jews.
We can ask why we can’t receive weapons from you, why Israel has not imposed powerful sanctions on Russia or is not putting pressure on Russian business. Either way, the choice is yours to make, brothers and sisters, and you must then live with your answer, the people of Israel.
Russia denies targeting civilians in what it calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
19:20 MP Pavlo Yakymenko: Kharkiv defenders receive batch of drones and body armor.
Kharkiv defenders have received a batch of modern drones and body armor from Turkey, MP Pavlo Yakymenko wrote on Facebook.
"Today, our military arsenal was replenished with modern drones purchased by Oleh Hurevych. We also managed to receive and transfer to our defenders a batch of bulletproof vests from Turkey. And this is thanks to constant cooperation with Turkish partners, business and MPs Yulia Hrishina and Maryan Zablotsky," Yakymenko wrote.
18:50 The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine: Enemy lost 50 more troops, two tanks and three APCs during street battles in Mariupol.
Street battles are raging in Mariupol, and the Ukrainian military continue to defend the city.
The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian Internal Affairs Ministry on Facebook, - Ukrinform reports.
“The Ukrainian military continue to defend Mariupol. Street battles are raging. The special detachment of the National Guard of Ukraine continues to successfully destroy the enemy vehicles and manpower,” the report states.
According to the data from the ministry, during a regular raid, the Ukrainian military destroyed Russia’s armored vehicles and personnel.
“Over the past day, the enemy’s irreversible losses have reached up to 50 troops, two tanks, two armored personnel carriers (APCs), one MT-LB, and one more APC has been left by them on the battlefield. Several trucks were also destroyed,” the ministry noted.
Earlier, Mariners of the Ukrainian Navy seized 2 GAZ trucks and a Tiger armod vehicle of russia’s special forces in Mariupol
18:20 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Russian convoy with two Tigr armored vehicles destroyed in Zaporizhzhia region
Soldiers of the Vinnytsia Scythians Motorized Infantry Battalion in cooperation with the Marines destroyed a Russian convoy with two Tigr armored vehicles and Kamaz truck in Zaporizhzhia region.
“The convoy moving through the Zaporizhzhia region was stopped within minutes.
One Tigr special purpose armored vehicle was seized as a trophy. The Vinnytsia Scythians have already repainted the vehicle in the colors of Ukraine’s Armed Forces,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted on Facebook.
18:00 The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi has released a new video for Western audiences with the following message:
We will win.
There will be new cities.
There will be new dreams.
There will be a new story.
There will be, there’s no doubt.
And those we've lost will be remembered.
And we will sing again, and we will celebrate anew.
17:35 The Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Russian military equipment destroyed near Sumy and in Chernihiv region.
In Sumy region, the Ukrainian military destroyed a column of equipment of Russian invaders, - The Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted the information on its offical page on Facebook.
"The broken Russian military equipment near Sumy replenished the scrap metal stocks," the defenders commented a photo featuring the broken equipment, the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted on Facebook.
At the same time the Operational Command “North” of the Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that another batch of occupiers together with equipment eliminated in Chernihiv region.
“Another batch of occupiers together with equipment was destroyed in one of the directions of Chernihiv region.
We said "Congratulations" in such a maner that tanks lost its caterpillars. Believe in your defenders! Together to the Victory!” – said in the post on offical of the Operational Command “North” page on Facebook
17:10 The UK Ministry of Defence says Russia has made “limited progress” over the past week in capturing cities it has encircled.
UK defence attaché, Air vice-marshal Mick Smeath said: “The Ministry of Defence’s Defence Intelligence says Russian forces are continuing to encircle a number of cities across eastern Ukraine,” – The Guardian reports.
Over the past week Russian forces have made limited progress in capturing these cities; instead, Russia has increased its indiscriminate shelling of urban areas resulting in widespread destruction and large numbers of civilian casualties.”
It is likely Russia will continue to use its heavy firepower to support assaults on urban areas as it looks to limit its own already considerable losses, at the cost of further civilian casualties.
16:55 The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Zelensky signs law on extension of martial law.
President Zelensky has signed a law on the extension of martial law in the country, - the press service of the Verkhovna Rada reports.
"As of March 20, 2022, the president of Ukraine signed the laws of Ukraine, namely the law on approval of the decree of the president of Ukraine on the extension of martial law in Ukraine, No. 2119-IX (registration No. 7168)," the report says.
On March 15, the Verkhovna Rada legislatively approved the presidential decree extending martial law in Ukraine from 05:30 on March 26 for another 30 days, until April 25.
Martial law has been in force in Ukraine since February 24 in connection with the Russian attack.
16:40 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi: 10M Ukrainians have fled since start of Russian aggression.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started on February 24, at least 10 million Ukrainians have been forced to left their homes.
“The war in Ukraine is so devastating that 10 million have fled — either displaced inside the country, or as refugees abroad,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi posted on Twitter.
Among the responsibilities of those who wage war, everywhere in the world, is the suffering inflicted on civilians who are forced to flee their homes, Grandi stressed.
16:00 The Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security: anti-Russian rallies held in temporarily occupied towns.
The Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security published the relevant photos and videos on its Telegram channel, Ukrinform reports.
“Despite the fact that the invaders impose a strict administrative and police regime in the temporarily occupied territories, Ukrainians are not afraid of holding mass protests. It is impossible to stop Ukrainians. They are really citizens of their country," the statement reads
15:45 The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine: Since start of war, Russian troops damage or destroy 489 educational institutions.
The Ministry of Education and Science states that since the beginning of the war, Russian troops have damaged or destroyed 489 educational institutions.
"Some 489 educational institutions suffered from bombing and shelling, 69 of which were completely destroyed," according to the data of the website of the ministry for monitoring the damage from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
15:30 An adviser to the Head of the Office of President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak: Russia panickingly looking for reserves, asking for help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
The Russian Federation uses destructive artillery – Kinzhal and Bastion systems – to strike peaceful cities and asks for CSTO assistance.
“25th day of the war. Due to failures in the offensive, RF switched to more destructive artillery – Kinzhal & Bastion systems are used against peaceful cities. RF is also panickingly looking for reserves in manpower pulling everything from the Pacific direction & begging the CSTO,” Mykhailo Podolyak, Adviser to the Head of the Office of President of Ukraine, posted on Twitter.
15:20 The twenty-fifth day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to the russian military invasion continues.
The state, position and nature of the actions of the defence forces have not changed significantly in the last 24 hours. Defenders of Ukraine securely hold the occupied areas and borders.
Thanks to heroic national resistance, russia did not achieve its aggressive goals in Ukraine.
At the same time, there is a threat of long-range high-precision missile strikes by the enemy, including the "Kinzhal" hypersonic missile system.
The next significant losses were confirmed among the command staff of military units of the russian federation. During the fighting, the commander of the 346th separate special brigade from Prokhladny was wounded, the commanders of the 331st Guards Airborne Regiment were killed, "Forges of Commanders" - 247th Guards Air Assault Regiment from Stavropol; 90th Guards Tank Division from Chebarkul.
Signs of preparation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus for direct invasion of the territory of Ukraine have been recorded. The defence forces of our country are ready to fight back. The direct involvement of Belarusian troops in russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, against the will of ordinary soldiers and the vast majority of the belarusian people, will be a fatal mistake of Alexander Lukashenko.
In the Polissya direction, the enemy is trying to gain a foothold on the occupied territories, expects the group to strengthen due to the arrival of reserves, and is preparing to attack Kyiv.
The invaders resumed air reconnaissance and shelling of the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by means of army aircraft and artillery.
There were no active offensive operations in the Siversky direction. The enemy continues to regroup and concentrate forces and plans to resume offensive operations. According to the positions of the occupiers, our defenders inflicted a fire defeat. Having suffered numerous losses, the enemy is forced to move to the defense, and resorted to mining.
The occupiers did not carry out active offensive operations in the Slobozhansky direction. On the territory of the Belhorod region, near the border of Ukraine, positions of high-power artillery were found. The enemy did not abandon its intentions to establish control over the city of Izyum, but lost the combat capability of its units and was stopped.
In the Donetsk direction, the enemy’s main efforts are focused on storming the settlements of Rubizhne, Severodonetsk, and Popasna. He tried to break through the defenses of our troops in the area of the settlement of Verkhnotoretske, suffered losses and was unsuccessful.
The blockade and shelling of the hero city of Mariupol continues.
There were no active offensives in the South Buh direction, the enemy moved to the defence in some areas.
Let's keep up and win together!
Glory to Ukraine!
14:50 The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacts decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) suspending activities of some pro-Russian parties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has put into effect a National Security and Defense Council decision of March 18 to suspend the activities of certain political parties.
The decree to that effect, No. 153/2022, has been published on the website of the head of state, Ukrinform reports.
The decree suspends for the period of martial law any activity in Ukraine of the political parties Opposition Platform - For Life, Party of Shariy, State, Left Opposition, Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine, Union of Left Forces, Socialist Party of Ukraine, Socialists, Opposition Bloc, Ours and Volodymyr Saldo Bloc.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has been instructed to immediately take comprehensive measures to ban the activities of these parties in the prescribed manner.
14:25 Enerhodar Mayor Dmytro Orlov: Russian invaders kidnap Deputy Mayor of Enerhodar.
The Russian military has abducted the first deputy mayor of Enerhodar since the city authorities refused to cooperate with the invaders.
According to Ukrinform, Enerhodar Mayor Dmytro Orlov said this in a statement on Telegram.
"The occupiers, who did not get any cooperation from the city authorities, committed outright criminal acts. First Deputy Mayor Ivan Samoidiuk has been abducted! We do not know in what condition he is! He hasn't got in contact since yesterday. And today we received verified information that he was cynically abducted!" the statement reads.
According to the statement, the invaders also began physical and psychological pressure on activists in Enerhodar.
14:10 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 19 by Institute for the Study of war: Ukrainian forces have defeated the initial Russian campaign of this war.
That campaign aimed to conduct airborne and mechanized operations to seize Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and other major Ukrainian cities to force a change of government in Ukraine. That campaign has culminated. Russian forces continue to make limited advances in some parts of the theater but are very unlikely to be able to seize their objectives in this way.
Full report in the link here.
13:55 The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine: Russian authorities want to send minors to war in Ukraine.
Due to the lack of manpower to replenish the army, the Kremlin leadership is considering involving minors in the war in Ukraine.
According to Ukrinform, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said this in a post on Facebook.
A respective order "On organizing the involvement of members of the Yunarmiya military-patriotic public movement in conducting a special operation on Ukrainian territory" was signed by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
13:20 The State Emergency Service of Ukraine: Fire truck blown up by explosive device in Kyiv region, 8 rescuers injured.
On Saturday, a fire truck with personnel was blown up at the village of Novi Petrivtsi by an explosive device, eight rescuers have been injured, the State Emergency Service has reported.
"On March 19, while moving from the place of fire extinguishing to the place of refueling a fire truck with water, on the road in the direction of the village of Novi Petrivtsi, a fire truck with personnel was blown up by an explosive device," the State Emergency Service said on Facebook.
13:10 The Azov Special Operations Detachment: Four Russian warships shell Mariupol.
"The city of Mariupol has just been shelled by four Russian Navy ships. The enemy continues to cynically destroy the Ukrainian city, using all available arsenals. After aircraft, artillery, various systems and tanks, the Russian occupiers are destroying the city with heavy weapons of warships," the statement on Telegram said.
12:40 The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has posted the new summary of total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 20.03.
So far, the list of enemy's combat losses is the following:
Personnel - more 14 700,
Tanks ‒ 476 units,
APV ‒ 1487 units,
Artillery systems – 230 units,
MLRS – 74 units,
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 44 units,
Aircraft – 96 units,
Helicopters – 118 units,
Vehicles – 947 units,
Boats / cutters - 3 units,
Fuel tanks - 60,
UAV operational-tactical level - 21 units,
Special equipment - 12.
12:20 The Command of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released the video of enemy column destruction.
12:00 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Threat of offensive from Belarus is high.
The threat of an offensive by troops from the Republic of Belarus in the Volyn direction is high, but Ukrainian defenders are ready to repel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“The threat of an offensive from the Republic of Belarus in the Volyn direction is assessed as high. Ukraine's defense forces are ready to fight back," the General Staff said, Ukrinform reports.
11:40 The head of Lviv Regional Military Administration Maksym Kozytskyy: Lviv Oblast residents officially host 100,000 Ukrainian refugees in private houses.
According to the head of Lviv Regional Military Administration Maksym Kozytskyy, that’s only official information, assuming that real numbers are higher, as the statement goes. He adds that the oblast’s housing can accept about 1,000 more IDPs. Separately, the city of Lviv hosts over 200,000 of IDPs, according to earlier statements.
11:30 UK Defense Intelligence: Russian forces continue encircling Ukraine's eastern cities.
Having almost no progress in capturing these cities, Russia has increased indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, according to the latest report by the UK Ministry of Defense. Russia is likely to continue the shelling of urban areas “to limit its own already considerable losses, at the cost of further civilian casualties.”
11:00 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted combat video footage of the Azov Special Operations Detachment doing what they are taught to do.
10:40 The Mariupol City Council: On March 19, the Russian invaders dropped bombs on an art school in Mariupol, where about 400 civilians were hiding.
"Yesterday, the Russian occupiers dropped bombs on art school No.12 in Livoberezhny district in Mariupol, where about 400 Mariupol residents were hiding - women, children and the elderly. It is known that the building was destroyed, and peaceful people are still under the rubble. Information on the number of victims is being clarified. Fascist Russian troops continue the genocide of the Ukrainian people and civilians in Mariupol. Every war criminal will be held accountable for the crimes against humanity, against the people of Mariupol!” the report says.
09:30 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released a video that shows how Ukrainian artillery destroys Russian vehicles.
08:24 Viacheslav Markov, Assistant Chief of Police of Kharkiv region on Facebook: "In Industrial district of Kharkiv alone, five people were killed of shelling during the night from March 19 into March 20. Among those killed was a 9-year-old boy," Markov wrote.
As reported, Russian occupiers continue day after day cynical destruction of Kharkiv’s housing stock and infrastructure. The enemy artillery targets residential areas in Kharkiv, destroying nearly 600 multistory buildings.
08:00 Reuters: In talks with Turkey, the U.S. authorities raised the issue of the possibility of Ankara sending Kyiv S-400 anti-aircraft systems earlier acquired from Russia.
According to the publication, the highest-ranking US officials have floated the issue with Turkey over the past month with no formal request being made.
In addition, as noted, Washington called on other nations to supply Ukraine with S-300s and S-400s.
The Turkish authorities have not commented on any U.S. suggestion or proposal relating to the transfer to Ukraine of Ankara's S-400 systems, which have been a point of long-standing contention between the two NATO allies.
Turkish sources and analysts said any such suggestion would be a non-starter for Turkey, citing issues ranging from technical hurdles related to installing and operating the S-400s in Ukraine, to political concerns such as the blowback Ankara would likely face from Moscow.
07:21 The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky: The National Security Council has ruled to suspend the work of a number of political structures linked to Russia: the Opposition Platform for Life, Sharij’s Party, Nashi, Opposition Bloc, Left Opposition, and so on.
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released operational information at 06.00 on 20.03.2022 of the Russian invasion.
The condition, position, and character of the actions of the defense forces have not changed significantly. Ukraine's defense forces continue to resist effectively to the occupiers. Three Russian combat helicopters were shot down by the Air Defense of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
During the day the enemy did not conduct active offensive operations, focusing on replenishing current losses, restoring partially destroyed equipment, transferring foreign mercenaries to border areas with Ukraine, solving chronic logistics problems of the occupying forces that operating in Ukraine.
The occupiers use terrorist methods to impose a brutal administrative and police regime, deliberately creating conditions for a humanitarian crisis in the temporarily occupied territories. So, last night to the Kherson area from the city of Apostolovo of the Dnepropetrovsk region 14 trucks with foodstuff and medicines of the first necessity had been moved. The Russian occupiers did not give access to a humanitarian convoy for moving without reason. In this way, occupiers try to force the local population to collaborate. At the same time, the invaders are distributing leaflets with proposals to appeal to the occupation administration, citizens are promised to cancel credit debts, and local entrepreneurs are given preferences in doing business.
It became known that just one serviceman from the combined detachment of the 331st Guards Parachute Landing Kostroma Regiment, which took part in the fighting in the Kyiv direction, survived, and he is in hospital.
In addition, in the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region, Russian curators announced another wave of mobilization to replenish the 1st Army Corps. The maximum age of the demobilized has been raised to 65 years. The same is expected for the TOT of Luhansk region, given that trucks filled with killed in actions soldiers arrive daily from the area of the 2nd Army Corps to the settlements of Luhansk, Sorokine, and Dovzhanske.
Russian terrorist forces continue to violate openly International Conventions on the Rules of War. The facts of using the uniform of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to carry out subversive and discrediting actions by Russian saboteurs are being recorded.
05:10 Joint Forces Operation Press-Service: On March 19, Allied troops inflicted heavy casualties on Russian occupation forces.
The Ukrainian military successfully repealed 10 enemy attacks during the day.
As a result of these battles, the enemy lost 38 units of equipment: 10 BMD, 2 MT-LB, 8 tanks, 7 BMP-2, 1 armored personnel carrier, and 10 military trucks.
It is noted that the loss of enemy manpower amounted to more than 100 people.
02:38 Serhiy Haidai, Head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration: “The Russians prepare an information provocation. Russcists spread information that today they evacuated Ukrainians from Severodonetsk, Rubizhne, and Lysychansk to the occupied Luhansk, indicating the number of 350 people ... This is not true! None of the Ukrainians from Severodonetsk, Rubizhne, and Lysychansk left for the occupied territory!” Serhiy Haidai posted on Facebook.
According to him, the invaders forcibly demand that the residents of the occupied territories collect humanitarian aid allegedly for refugees.
But this is a lie, Haidai said.
"Towns are controlled by the Ukrainian authorities, the Russcists would not be able to take people out, the Armed Forces would not allow them, and people would not leave, because Luhansk region is Ukraine!!! Go to the killers?! Who do you take for fools?! Evacuate because of you and go to you?! Sick. Dumb. Illogical," wrote the Head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration.
According to him, all residents of these towns of Luhansk region are already safe and heading to the west of the country.
As reported, 675 civilians were evacuated from the towns of Luhansk region on March 19.
01:55 Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzianyk: Enemy stopped in almost all directions, pushed 70km back from Kyiv
The enemy failed to advance significantly into the territory of Ukraine and was stopped in almost all directions.
"No significant changes in the operational situation have happened so far. The enemy was stopped in almost all directions of its advance. In some areas, the enemy was repulsed. In particular, the enemy was pushed about 70km back from the capital over the past few days," Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzianyk said at a briefing when asked whether the frontline has advanced deep into Ukraine in recent days.
01. 40 UK Ministry of Defense: Russia has still failed to gain control of Ukrainian airspace, one of its main objectives.
Defense Intelligence of UK Ministry of Defense published the latest intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine.
“The Ukrainian Air Force and Air Defense Forces are continuing to effectively defend Ukrainian airspace. Russia has still failed to gain control of the air and is largely relying on stand-off weapons launched from the relative safety of Russian air space to strike targets within Ukraine. Gaining control of the air was one of Russia’s principal objectives for the opening days of the conflict and their continued failure to do so has significantly blunted their operational progress,” - reads the statement.
01:10 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Operational information on 24.00, 19.03.2022 regarding the russian invasion to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces continues its defense operation in the Eastern, Southeastern and Northeastern directions. Measures of the martial law regime, stabilization actions, and territorial defense tasks are being carried out.
The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine repulses concentrated missile and air strikes and air attacks of the enemy.
In the southern direction the front line of defense was restored. In this direction the enemy is forced to regroup, deploy additional reserves, take measures to restore the combat effectiveness of units.
In the Donetsk direction russian occupation forces are conducting assaults and fire.
In the Volyn and Polissya direction the enemy did not carry out the active action, building fire control systems, engineering support and logistics in preparation for the attack on the city of Kyiv.
Offensive operations are also not underway in the Siverski and Slobozhansky directions. Enemy forces are shelling Ukrainian settlements.
In the direction of Izyum the enemy tried to break through the defense positions of our troops, but unsuccessfully.
The occupiers suffer significant losses. The moral and psychological condition of the personnel is low and deteriorating every passing day of hostilities.
00:20 Adviser to Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Vadym Denysenko: Ukrainian military carry out several counterattacks over past day
On March 19, the Ukrainian military carried out several counterattacks, inflicting losses on Russian invaders in equipment and personnel.
"The Azov Regiment counterattacked in Mariupol today (March 19), eliminating up to 50 Russian soldiers, several units of Russian military equipment. In fact, the town is holding on, the town is fighting," Adviser to Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Vadym Denysenko said on the air of the nationwide telethon, Ukrinform reports.
He added that the Ukrainian military had also launched a counterattack in Zaporizhzhia direction.
"Up to 60 Russians were killed, several units of equipment were destroyed. I would also like to mention the Belarusian direction. Belarusian guerrillas helped us by actually disabling the railway towards Ukraine," said the adviser.
Thus, he added, "it is currently impossible to reach Ukraine by rail from Belarus, which would complicate logistics for the Russian Federation."
23.55 UN Human Rights Office: Civilian deaths in Ukraine war hit 847, while over 1,390 injured:
The number of civilian deaths recorded since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine has reached 847, while 1,399 more have been injured, - Anadolu Agency reports citing the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
"OHCHR believes that the actual figures are considerably higher, especially in Government-controlled territory and especially in recent days," - said OHCHR on Saturday, March 19.
Most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes, according to the rights office.
It said receipt of information "from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration."
This concerns, for example, Izyum in the Kharkiv region, and Mariupol and Volnovakha in the Donetsk region, where there are allegations of numerous civilian casualties.
Background:
February, 24: Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a "special military operation" against Ukraine. A number of cities of Ukraine suffered a missile attack. Missiles hit several military facilities in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro cities. In a few hours, martial law was imposed in Ukraine.
The war lasts for two weeks now. An impressive rundown of the first days of war was provided by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his address to the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
Key points regarding the current state of warfare:
- Ukraine managed to establish the defense, Russian offense has stalled
- Belarus provides its lands to Russian troops and equipment; still hasn't joined the war directly
- Russia uses terroristic methods of war, shelling civilian facilities where there are no military facilities nearby, keeping cities in a full blockade, and sabotaging humanitarian corridors
- Humanitarian corridors: despite repetitive violations of ceasefire and shelling of evacuation transport, some of the humanitarian corridors work. Finally, the humanitarian corridor in Mariupol city worked out. Mariupol is currently in Russian blockade
- Russian army targets nuclear power plants; Chernobyl NPP and Zaporizhzhia NPP are seized by occupiers; military activities by Russian forces near the power plants were described by Ukraine as nuclear terrorism
- Ukraine urges NATO to close the sky over Ukraine or at least provide air defense equipment
- Ukraine appealed for EU membership via an accelerated procedure. The EU Council summit concluded that such a fast-track application process is impossible, yet they stated that "Ukraine belongs to the European Union"
- Ukrainian citizens in the occupied cities rally against Russians; thousands of civilian volunteers join the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; the fighting has become a national struggle for survival
- Ukraine has had four rounds of negotiations with Russia; still, no significant progress towards ceasefire and peace, the main question, for now, is establishing humanitarian corridors for the supply of aid and evacuation of civilians; the direct talks of presidents Zelenskyy and Putin are being considered
Read more: Day 24th of Ukraine's Defense Against Russian Invasion (Live Updates)
