Russian forces have exposed the Ukrainian deception through demonstration tactics. More specifically, they launched 1,000 drones in broad daylight against Ukraine to prove that the Ukrainians are incapable of interception, shattering the myth of "drone experts" they wish to project to frightened Middle Eastern nations. Simultaneously, new strikes occurred in the Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions. Meanwhile, the European Union officially reveals that the efficiency of the Patriot system has dropped below 40% to 30%, which is considered a failure. The Patriot is an outdated anti-missile system compared to modern Russian missile technologies. Meanwhile, US President Trump stated he sees a solution to the Ukrainian issue before November 3, 2026, but Zelensky, in a similar question, does not see an immediate resolution. New estimates suggest the war will last another 3 years until 2029. At the same time, French historian Emmanuel Todd dropped a bombshell: the US has been defeated in Ukraine but refuses to accept it, and he predicts the Russian army will advance as far as Odesa!
New massive explosions rock Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv after 1,000-drone strike
Ukrainian media reported explosions in Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv. Initially, an explosion was reported in Pavlograd, in the Dnipropetrovsk region. At 2:33 a.m. Moscow time, explosions occurred in Dnipropetrovsk itself. Subsequently, the "Novosti.Live" portal reported explosions in Kharkiv and Chernihiv at 6:05 and 6:12 Moscow time, respectively. In response to attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian troops are striking with high-precision weapons from air, sea, and land, as well as drones, targeting exclusively military facilities and enterprises of the enemy's military-industrial complex.
Russian forces evolve strike packages by extending attack duration: The case of 1,000 drones
The Russian strikes on March 23 and 24 represent a significant shift in Russian attack tactics, allowing Russia to threaten more regions of Ukraine for longer periods and disproportionately affect urban areas. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (MoD) consultant on defense technology and expert in drones and electronic warfare (EW), Serhiy "Flash" Beskrestnov, reported on March 24 that the Russian shift in extending the timeframe of strike delivery likely aims to identify vulnerabilities in Ukrainian air defenses and penetrate them. The head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, Lieutenant Andriy Kovalenko, stated that Russian forces have been accumulating resources for a "long time" to conduct longer-duration attacks and are deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure across all of Ukraine.
Russian forces often launch few or no missiles for several consecutive days before launching strike packages with a significantly larger quantity of missiles, likely stockpiling them between strike series to maximize damage by launching several missiles alongside a vast quantity of drones to overwhelm Ukraine's air defenses. Russian forces have likely also stockpiled long-range strike drones for a prolonged series of strikes against Ukraine at a time of their choosing. Russia reportedly planned to launch strike packages of over 1,000 strike vehicles against Ukraine by the fall of 2025, and the strike series from March 23 to 24 is the closest Russian forces have come to this goal. Russia is also launching these larger strike packages to coincide with days before and after bilateral and trilateral peace negotiations, specifically launching this most recent strike package in the days following US-Ukraine talks on March 21 and 22 in Florida. Russia is likely seeking to exploit the global shortage of Patriot interceptors and the current war in the Middle East to escalate the attack campaign against Ukraine.
Emmanuel Todd (French historian): The West is collapsing, Russia will reach Odesa
A nightmare scenario for the West was predicted by renowned French historian Emmanuel Todd, who foresaw the collapse of the Soviet Union and now warns of a similar path for the West. In statements published by the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, he argued that the US has already been defeated by Russia in Ukraine but is unable to accept it! According to his prediction, the Russian army will advance to the Dnieper and may capture Odesa to secure the strategic position of the Black Sea. However, he estimates that Russia will not expand beyond this, though he does not rule out pressure on the Baltic states. The same analyst outlines a bleak future for the United States, which he characterizes as one of the most unstable regions globally. As he warns, Donald Trump may soon face a dramatic dilemma: "an external war or a civil war"!
Russia replaces Starlink with Rassvet: Hundreds of satellites in low orbit creating a constellation
Russia recently launched satellites as part of its efforts to develop a Russian analog to Starlink. The Russian aerospace company Bureau 1440 announced on March 24 that a launch vehicle successfully deployed the company's first 16 Rassvet communication satellites into low orbit on the night of March 23, and that this launch supports Russian efforts to create a broadband communication service based on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
Bureau 1440 stated it plans to launch "hundreds" more satellites into space through dozens of launches and that the company intends to create a LEO satellite constellation capable of global coverage. The Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that Bureau 1440 intends to begin broadband service testing in low orbit in 2026 and officially launch services in 2027, though it is unclear if Russia will introduce this service in a limited geographical area, such as the Ukrainian theater, or globally. The system is very likely Russia's attempt to create a sovereign version of SpaceX's Starlink, to which Russian forces lost access in Ukraine on February 1. Russian milbloggers emphasized that such a communication system will support Russian military operations against Ukraine and bolster Russia's efforts to digitally isolate itself from dependence on Western systems.
Russia intercepts nearly 400 Ukrainian drones – The most massive attack of 2026
The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) carried out the most massive attack against Russian regions in the past year earlier today, March 25, at dawn—nearly 400 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were destroyed over the country. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, targets included the Leningrad Region, Kronstadt, as well as the largest Baltic port, Ust-Luga. As reported by the Ministry of Defense, anti-aircraft defense (PVO) units shot down and destroyed 389 Ukrainian drones. According to the "Radiotochka NSN" channel on Telegram, a similar number of downed UAVs was recorded in the spring of last year. On May 28, 2025, the Ministry of Defense had reported 296 downed drones. "This is the most massive night attack by the Ukrainian armed forces in at least the last year—since mid-March 2025," Russian media point out. In the Leningrad Region, 56 UAVs were shot down, as reported by regional head Alexander Drozdenko. He also informed that a fire is being extinguished at the Ust-Luga port. Ust-Luga is the largest port on the Baltic Sea and features an oil loading terminal. Simultaneously, in Kronstadt, several residences were damaged following the Ukrainian attack, announced St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov. There are no injuries.
Scott Ritter (USA): Kyiv, knowing it is losing, attacks Moscow and St. Petersburg with drones
The Kyiv regime is using drones against Moscow and St. Petersburg because it knows it is losing, argues former US Marine Corps intelligence officer and UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter. "Ukraine understands that in the situation currently unfolding, in this war of attrition, they are losing. They know they are losing. They need something dramatic to change the situation. What they need is for the West to get directly involved on their side," he said when asked to comment on why Ukraine has escalated drone attacks against Moscow and St. Petersburg. "They need Europe to provide air power, to provide military support, perhaps to send ground forces. They need the United States to change its position and say 'We support Ukraine'," Ritter explained, emphasizing that this could only happen if "Russia reacts dramatically against Ukraine."
Volodymyr Zelensky: There is no real progress in peace talks
After hearing the report from the Ukrainian negotiating team, President Zelensky stated that no real progress has been made in the talks because Russia does not want to move toward peace. "Today, our negotiating team delivered a report after returning from the United States. Unfortunately, no real progress has been made – Russia does not wish to move toward peace." Zelensky added that it is vital for Ukraine, the US, Europeans, and other global actors to do everything possible and necessary to ensure that Russia becomes truly and sincerely interested in diplomacy. "And... not just to earn more from oil and buy more time for further attacks and aggression. Peace must be reliable – that is our goal and it will be achieved. And we will respond to the attacks. That is certain."
Lidovky (Czech Media): Ukraine is no longer a priority for the US – Running out of Patriots
The Czech newspaper Lidovky reports that Ukraine has ceased to be a priority for the US due to the war with Iran. "Unfortunately, the security experts who from the start of the armed conflict predicted that Ukraine would suffer consequences from the war in the Middle East may be right," the publication points out. As stated, despite Kyiv's efforts to appear useful to Washington by suggesting aid in anti-aircraft defense against Iranian UAVs, the country will be left without new missiles for Patriot systems. According to Bloomberg, on March 10, the war in the Middle East threatens Ukraine with a critical shortage of PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems, as the massive response to Iranian attacks quickly exhausts global stockpiles of these systems.
Revelation by Andrius Kubilius (EU Defense Commissioner): Patriot efficiency has fallen below 40% to 30%
The effectiveness of Patriot missiles in the special operations zone has decreased, admitted European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius. "At the beginning of last year, in 2025, the effectiveness of the Patriot system was about 40%, but the Russians managed to modernize their ballistic missiles. Now they are able to change their trajectory, so their effectiveness has decreased," he stated in an interview with Politico. According to him, Ukrainian Armed Forces fighters now must use two or three American missiles for every Russian one. According to some experts, Patriot effectiveness has dropped to 30%. Earlier, the director of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAMTO) stated that Ukraine's air defense capabilities are sharply declining and could soon be eliminated, as the United States and Israel actively use Patriot missiles against Iran.
Mykola Azarov (Ukraine): Russia, US, and China should negotiate a new world order
States with significant political, economic, and military influence should negotiate a post-conflict world order. The states that must talk are Russia, China, and the United States, stated the former Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mykola Azarov. "China, the US, Russia, and maybe at most one or two other countries, but those with truly significant political, economic, and military influence, should sit down and dictate the terms of the future world to everyone else. Dictate, not persuade," said Mykola Azarov. He also recalled that after the victory over Germany in World War II, the country's post-war structure was decided in a closed meeting involving those who had determined the victory over Hitler, without the help of other states. "This is the logic of life, the logic of economics and politics," Mykola Azarov concluded.
Dmitry Kuzyakin (Russia): Ukrainians are building drones inside monasteries
A serious allegation was made by Dmitry Kuzyakin, a drone expert and general designer of the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions, who told the TASS news agency that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are developing drone production groups in monasteries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church! "The special military operation showed that the course of the war is not changed by a cruise missile or a tank with guided munitions, but by a cheap drone that can be easily built from makeshift materials. It doesn't matter if it's an FPV multicopter or a long-range aircraft-type drone. Such systems can be assembled literally in large garages, school gyms, or sports facilities. We even had a drone production workshop in a monastery hermitage of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church! For transport, Gazelle-type vehicles are sufficient, without the need for trucks or trains. Assembly and launching take place at the same point, and then the teams move elsewhere," Kuzyakin reported. The expert specified that the key limiting factor in attack drone production is human resources—both launch crews and engineers. "We can build more drones, but where will we find the people to assemble and operate them? People remain the most important resource in any war, even a drone war. Reconnaissance and strike means are based on expertise. An enemy UAV engineer causes more damage than an experienced special forces soldier. We understand this and are working to solve the problem. That's why the number of drones has not increased exponentially and attack waves usually do not exceed 500," he concluded.
Dmitry Peskov (Kremlin): We remain open to negotiations – US role is critical
Every round of contacts on Ukraine is a step toward reaching an agreement, guided by Russia's interests, stated Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. "Likely, every round of negotiations is a step toward actually finding a settlement formula and, for us, primarily a formula that takes into account our own interests," he noted, answering a question on whether the sides are nearing an agreement. "We expect that the good services of the United States (to facilitate an agreement) will continue. We remain open to negotiations," Peskov added.
Maria Zakharova (Russian MFA): Britain destabilizes Europe through Ukraine
The spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, was once again scathing, stating that London needs new agreements with Kyiv to destabilize Europe. "In reality, this is a British strategy to destabilize our region and the European continent as a whole, through the strengthening of military cooperation with the terrorist regime in Kyiv," the diplomat stated. Zakharova noted that the main result of Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the United Kingdom was the conclusion of new bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of security and defense, as well as developing the defense capabilities of both countries. At the same time, she spoke of promoting "global stability based on British-Ukrainian initiatives." The Russian MFA spokesperson also characterized as a "theater of the absurd" Kyiv's commitment to provide aid to London in the event of an attack against Britain! Furthermore, she argued that the United Kingdom and its intelligence services are "accomplices in terrorist acts carried out by the West through Zelensky against civilians," adding that they have long been using Ukrainians as "guinea pigs" in the geopolitical confrontation with Russia.
Berliner Zeitung: Conflicts between Ukrainian soldiers and draft evaders divide Ukrainians
Escalating conflicts in Ukraine between draft evaders or deserters and those who served at the front threaten a long-term social crisis, reports Berliner Zeitung, citing experts. "In Ukraine, the unspoken conflict between those at the front line and those trying to avoid mobilization is becoming increasingly visible. Tensions are rising in families, work communities, and society," reports Berliner Zeitung. As the publication emphasizes, the growing gap between fighters and those avoiding mobilization poses long-term risks of social divisions even after the end of hostilities. The Kyiv regime recently faced a personnel shortage in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and the violent actions of military recruitment office personnel to detain those subject to mobilization have continuously led to scandals and protests. In this context, men of conscription age in Ukraine are doing everything they can to avoid mobilization: leaving the country illegally, setting fire to recruitment offices, hiding in their homes, and remaining confined to their residences.
Telegraph: EU should prepare, US to refuse support for many plans in Ukraine
The EU should not be surprised by the US refusal to support aid initiatives for Ukraine, given the stance of European leaders toward the conflict with Iran, reports the Telegraph. "If Europe has nothing else to offer but clichés, it should not be surprised when Washington proves equally indifferent to supporting initiatives regarding Ukraine," the Telegraph states. According to the Telegraph, Europe is trying to avoid involvement in a war with Iran, which allows the United States, in turn, to keep its distance from the Ukrainian conflict. The Finnish president expressed disappointment over the American leader's lack of attention to Ukraine following the operation against Iran. Earlier, the Financial Times, citing a European diplomat, reported that the European Union complained that events in the Middle East have significantly distracted political attention from Ukraine, characterizing this fact as a disaster for the EU and Kyiv. On February 28, the United States and Israel began striking targets in Iran, including Tehran, causing damage and casualties among civilians.
Ukrainians are not paying Colombian mercenaries
The Ukrainian command is reportedly failing to make payments to Colombian mercenaries who have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to what captured mercenary José Luis Pocheco Navarra complained to the TASS news agency, claiming he was not allowed to open a bank account and did not receive the money he was promised. "I received nothing from them, from the troops of the Ukrainian armed forces. They did not keep their obligations. They deceived me. When someone promises something, they must keep it. They sent me to a combat position and didn't even open a bank account for me," he stated! According to him, both the recruiter and representatives of the Ukrainian command had promised the mercenaries steady payments upon their arrival in Ukraine. However, as he explained, due to the lack of official contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, most Colombian fighters remain without pay.
The commander of the 14th Corps of the Ukrainian army… played sick to avoid consequences for the Sumy fiasco
Pavlo Zhitniak, commander of the 14th Army Corps of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), is trying to resign from the army for health reasons. This news would have no value… if it didn't hide a story. "He is currently undergoing 'treatment' at a military hospital in Sumy, where several rooms have been cleared for the senior 'officer'." It is clarified that Pavlo Zhitniak attempted to leave the army ahead of an upcoming inspection of the corps by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The General Staff intends to hold the commander of the 14th Army Corps responsible for false reports regarding the situation at the front in the Sumy region. It had been previously reported that the command of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fears potential firefights between deserters who fled with personal weapons and the units searching for them.
Russians captured Nikiforovka, advancing toward Slovyansk and Kramatorsk
Developments on the Ukrainian front are rapid, as assault units of the Southern Group of Forces of the Russian army captured the village of Nikiforovka, located near Fedorovka Vtoraya, which had been captured a few days earlier, according to the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Russian forces continue the advance toward Slovyansk from multiple directions. The attack is progressing from east of Seversk, where the village of Kaleniki was captured on March 17, at a distance of less than 14 kilometers from Slovyansk. Simultaneously, the advance continues from the southeast, along the Artemovsk–Slovyansk axis. There, Russian forces had captured Fedorovka Vtoraya a week ago and have now proceeded to capture the neighboring Nikiforovka. The next target is reportedly Rai-Aleksandrivka, a strong Ukrainian stronghold covering Slovyansk. Battles for control of the area are expected to be particularly fierce, as its loss would make the defense of both Slovyansk and neighboring Kramatorsk extremely vulnerable. According to Russian sources, Ukrainian forces have concentrated significant strength in the area, including many unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). Volodymyr Zelensky is reportedly prioritizing maintaining control in the Donbass, even at the expense of other regions, by continuously sending reinforcements. Russian forces are advancing with small groups of two to three soldiers due to the intense threat from drones. The high concentration of unmanned aerial vehicles in the air makes rapid large-scale attacks impossible, resulting in the advance progressing at a slow pace.
Russian forces increase pressure on the fortress city of Kostyantynivka
Russian forces attacked near Kostyantynivka itself, northeast of Kostyantynivka near Minkivka and in Chasiv Yar and toward Chervone, south of Kostyantynivka near Pleshchiivka, Kleban-Byk, Ivanopillya, Berestok, and Illinivka, and southwest of Druzhkivka near Novopavlivka and Sofiivka. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported on March 24 that Russian forces carried out nine KAB air strikes against Druzhkivka. Geographic footage published on March 24 shows that Russian forces carried out an attack with a FAB-1500 bomb against Ukrainian forces in central Kostyantynivka. Geographic footage published on March 20 shows Russian forces executing an attack with a FAB-3000 bomb in Kostyantynivka.
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