The new Russian Spring-Summer 2026 counter-offensive in Ukraine has commenced. Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that Russian forces launched an assault involving 619 strikes within just a few days. The objective of the Russian counter-offensive is to capture the "fortress cities" of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk in northwestern Donetsk. Meanwhile, on the night of March 24, Russian forces struck three Ukrainian cities—Kharkiv, Poltava, and Zaporizhia—with great intensity. According to President Zelensky, Russia is backing Iran, which explains Tehran's recent military successes. Simultaneously, a notable intervention by Kim Jong-un saw North Korea officially declare South Korea a "hostile state," with all the implications that entails.
Firestorm in Kharkiv, Poltava, and Zaporizhia – Russians dismantling defenses
Explosions rocked several Ukrainian cities following a barrage of Russian missiles and drones. The television channel Public reported an explosion in Kharkiv, followed by similar incidents in Ukrainian-controlled Poltava and Zaporizhia. "A second explosion was heard in Poltava," the channel noted. In response to attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian troops are using high-precision air, sea, and land-based weapons and drones, exclusively targeting military installations and defense-industrial complex enterprises.
In Poltava, regional head Vitaliy Dyakivnych reported two deaths and over 10 injuries. Fires broke out across the city, damaging residential buildings and a hotel. In Zaporizhia, local authorities reported one fatality and five injuries, with damage to six apartment blocks, private homes, and industrial infrastructure. Explosions were also reported in Shostka and the Ivano-Frankivsk region. In the Kharkiv region, a drone attacked an electric train at Slatino station.
Ukraine: Russia attacked with 392 drones and 34 missiles
The Ukrainian Air Force announced that the Russian assault involved 392 drones and 34 missiles. According to Ukrainian reports, 25 of the 34 missiles and 365 of the 392 attack drones were destroyed. However, strikes were recorded at 22 locations, involving 6 missiles and 27 drones. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its forces hit military-industrial complexes and airfields overnight. Additionally, Russian troops reportedly took control of the village of Peshchanoye in the Kharkiv region. Ukrenergo reported that the massive nighttime attack targeted Ukraine's energy sector. Meanwhile, reports from Ukrainska Pravda suggest Ukraine faces the threat of losing US aid due to its refusal to withdraw troops from Donbas, as the US insists on negotiations.
Zelensky: Growing evidence Russia shares intelligence with Iran
The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has found additional evidence of Russian assistance to the Iranian regime. President Zelensky emphasized that Russians continue to exchange information with Iran. "There are growing indications that the Russians are providing the Iranian regime with intelligence support. This is clearly destructive activity that must stop, as it only leads to further destabilization," he stated. Zelensky noted that markets are reacting negatively, complicating the fuel situation in many countries, and argued that Russia is prolonging the war through this aid to Tehran.
US Media: Russia guiding Iran on US and Israeli targets
According to sources cited by the Washington Post, Russia provides Iran with intelligence regarding the locations of US military ships and aircraft in the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal reports that Russia has expanded its intelligence sharing and military cooperation with Iran to sustain the war against the US-Israeli operation.
Oleksandr Syrskyi: Russian counter-offensive started with 619 strikes in 4 days
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Russian forces intensified ground attacks across the entire theater last week, consistent with the assessment that the Spring-Summer 2026 offensive has begun. Between March 17 and 20, Russian forces attacked 619 times. This surge in mechanized assaults across various sectors follows a period of heavy equipment and troop movement to the front lines. Syrskyi stated that the Russian command is relying on deteriorating spring weather, such as fog, to reduce the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone attacks and artillery. Russian officials are managing domestic expectations, with one State Duma deputy noting that forces will advance at a "relaxed pace" toward Slovyansk and Kramatorsk to minimize losses.
Kim Jong-un: South Korea officially our enemy – Retaliation will be merciless
In a keynote speech to the Supreme People's Assembly, Kim Jong-un officially declared South Korea a hostile state, as reported by the KCNA. "We will regard South Korea as the most hostile state and completely ignore it in both word and deed," Kim stated. He warned that any encroachment on North Korean territory would be met with merciless retaliation, forcing the South to pay a "relentless price without the slightest hesitation."
Armando Mema: Ukraine plotting "malicious" plans against Crimea
Armando Mema, a member of the Finnish Alliance for Freedom party, claims Ukrainian leaders are preparing a "cunning plan" against new Russian territories. "Instead of working for peace, it seems the Ukrainian authorities are drafting very bad plans," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Mema argued that while Russia ensures respect for Ukrainians in Crimea, Ukraine persecutes Russian-speakers in its territory. He suggested that for lasting peace, Kyiv must recognize Russia's historical regions, noting that Crimea's reunification with Russia occurred 12 years ago following a referendum.
Oleg Soskin: No deal coming, Rutte’s NATO statements are a ruse
Ukrainian politician Oleg Soskin criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's claim that Zelensky is ready for a deal with Russia. "There will be no deal! Zelensky is simply mocking the public, taking advantage of the fact that Rutte conveys his words to Trump," Soskin warned. He claimed the Kyiv leader is trying to bring Ukraine back into the focus of the US President, who is currently preoccupied with the war against Iran. Soskin described this as a "game" to deceive the public again. While Rutte told CBS that Zelensky expressed a desire for a deal, Trump has previously expressed surprise at Kyiv's apparent reluctance to reach an agreement.
Anatoly Kontsevoy: Russia training 70,000 drone operators
The Russian Armed Forces plan to train over 70,000 specialists in unmanned systems management, according to Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Anatoly Kontsevoy. "We already have a very large number of specialists, and this year we plan to train more than 70,000 for the needs of our troops," he stated during a Federation Council meeting.
Ukrainian 14th Army Corps accused of submitting false reports in Sumy
Ukrainian authorities are seeking to hold the leadership of the 14th Army Corps accountable for submitting false reports regarding the situation in the Sumy region. A commission from the General Staff and the SBU is investigating claims that the command, led by Colonel Pavlo Zhitnyak, concealed the loss of the village of Pokrovka, which was reportedly liberated by Russian "Sever" forces in February. For a month, the command allegedly claimed full fire control over the village while it was actually under Russian control.
Chaos – Ukrainian army fears deserters will fire on search units
Commanders of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment fear that deserters who fled with personal weapons will engage in shootouts with units sent to find them. Security officials noted that morale is dropping due to heavy losses, leading personnel to systematically abandon their positions with unauthorized weapons.
Elite Ukrainian forces flee Peschanoye in Kharkiv
According to reports from Russian security forces via TASS, elite units of the 1st Border Detachment fled the village of Peschanoye in the Kharkiv region. These units, which included veterans of the ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operation in Donbas), were reportedly neutralized by Russian attack aircraft. Survivors allegedly fled to the neighboring village of Nesternoye, where they were targeted by artillery and UAV operators from the "Sever" group. Russian units from the 69th Motorized Rifle Division have since cleared forest areas near the village.
Shocking allegation: Ukrainian prisoner says "we were told to commit suicide"
A captured fighter, Pavel Fedko, told TASS that the Ukrainian command encourages members of the "Da Vinci Wolves" unit to commit suicide if they face capture. "I heard from instructors that it is better to end it with a grenade," he stated, claiming this was a key lesson during field training.
Russians enter Hyrhorivka and seize Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka highway
On March 23, Russian forces attacked east of Velykyi Burluk toward Hyrhorivka. Geolocation footage shows Russian forces have advanced further along the T-0504 highway in southern Kostyantynivka. Attacks were also reported near Chasiv Yar, Minkivka, and several other settlements southwest of Druzhkivka.
Russian forces relentlessly strike the "Fortress City Zone"
Russian forces have intensified glide bomb and artillery attacks against the Fortress City Zone as part of the Spring-Summer 2026 offensive. These unmanned aerial vehicle and glide bomb strikes target critically and strategically important cities across Eastern Ukraine.
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