#Putin's occupied territories deportation part of #genocide policy

We emphasize these systematic deportations, persecutions are part of Russia’s genocide policy against #Ukrainian people

Ukrainian citizens residing in Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories must leave by Sept. 10

Decree intensifies Moscow’s efforts to Russify conquered areas by pressuring Ukrainians to accept Russian passports or force them out

https://kyivindependent.com/putins-deportation-from-occupied-territories-decree-part-of-policy-of-genocide-ukraine-says/

Ukraine accuses Russia of #FalseFlag attack on #Sudzha gas metering station

#Ukraine says #Russia's accusations were baseless, part of discrediting campaign against Ukraine

The mentioned station was repeatedly shelled by the Russians themselves

According to the #Ukrainian military, Russia had previously struck the same station with guided aerial #bombs, including an attack three days ago.

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-accuses-russia-of-false-flag-attack-on-sudzha-gas-metering-station-in-kursk-oblast/

Extending NATO’s Article 5 to Ukraine would test Russia’s peace intentions

#Italian PM Meloni reiterated calls for extending #NATO's Article 5 security guarantees to Ukraine, arguing that doing so would demonstrate if #Russia is serious about #peace

“Extending NATO’s Article 5 to Ukraine seems to be the simplest and most effective proposal of all, also because it would help call a possible bluff,” #Meloni said.

https://kyivindependent.com/extending-natos-article-5-to-ukraine-would-test-russias-peace-intentions-meloni-says/

Putin’s ceasefire; Is Russia still attacking Ukraine?

#Kremlin on March 18 announced it agreed to #US proposed partial #ceasefire against certain targets in Ukraine, claiming Putin had “responded favorably to the proposal & immediately” ordered his armed forces to halt attacks

Despite the announcement — made after a call between #Putin & #Trump — #Russian #missile & #drone #attacks against #Ukraine continued

https://kyivindependent.com/putins-ceasefire-is-russia-still-bombing-ukraine-yes/

#Putin continues to condition domestic #Russian audiences to prepare for protracted #war in #Ukraine, NOT a sustainable #peace built

Statements in recent days and weeks emphasise narratives about the difficulty of the negotiations, alleged illegitimacy of #Ukrainian officials & divide between US & Europe reinforce message Russia expects a prolonged war in Ukraine & peace on its terms

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/03/21/7503883/

Russian energy giant Gazprom suffers $13.1 billion loss in 2024

The loss of a key #European market has dealt a severe financial blow to #Russian #energy giant #Gazprom, resulting in net losses of 1.076 trillion rubles ($13.1 billion) in 2024

Gazprom’s losses averaged $251 million per week, $35 million per day, or $1.4 million per hour

https://kyivindependent.com/russian-energy-giant-gazprom-suffers-13-1-billion-loss-in-2024/

West can send troops to Ukraine without Russia’s permission, Macron says

“Ukraine is sovereign – if it requests allied forces to be on its territory, it is not up to #Russia to accept or reject it,” Macron said

#Macron has been at the forefront of plans to deploy Western #peacekeepers on the ground in #Ukraine

Russia has repeatedly rejected the notion of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.

https://kyivindependent.com/macron-says-ukraine-can-accept-peacekeeping-troops-without-russian-permission/

No more lost territory, return of deported children. Kyiv lists red lines for peace

#Kyiv agreed to accept a US-proposed 30-day #ceasefire, if #Russia also abides by its terms

“We are really willing to make peace, but we need a long-lasting peace, not a short ceasefire,” a high-level #Ukrainian source said

"We do not want our children fighting this battle."

https://kyivindependent.com/no-more-lost-territory-return-of-deported-children-kyiv-names-red-lines-for-peace-deal-independent-reports/

Sharp increase in US volunteers joining Ukrainian army after Trump’s policy U-turn

William, a 25 y/o US Army veteran, came to #Ukraine to join #Ukrainian military in its fight against #RussianAggression just days after his contract with US military ended

“It’s frustrating to sit around doing nothing when you know you can do something right,” William said

https://kyivindependent.com/a-massive-spike-in-foreign-volunteers-joining-ukrainian-army-after-us-sharp-policy-turn/

#Putin has a “long-standing desire to restore ‘Mother Russia’” & remains determined to assert power over Kyiv, one official said commenting on the U.S. intelligence assessment circulated among #Trump's administration on March 6

Some officials believe even if #Russia agrees to temporary truce, #Moscow will use the pause to #rearm, #violate the agreement, * create #provocations & blame on #Ukraine

https://kyivindependent.com/putin-still-seeks-control-over-ukraine-despite-us-peace-efforts-wp-reports/

Putin afraid to directly tell #Trump he wants to continue war. That’s why #Moscow demands such preconditions for #ceasefire that will make it impossible or postpone it as long as possible,” Zelensky said.

#Putin said he was ready to agree to proposal but demands guarantees Kyiv will not mobilize, train troops, nor receive military aid during it

Zelensky described Putin’s response as “Russian manipulations.”

https://kyivindependent.com/putin-is-afraid-to-tell-trump-he-wants-to-continue-war-in-ukraine-zelensky-says/

Slovakia’s protests prove the fight for Europe isn’t over

On March 7 tens of thousands took to the streets across #Slovakia for 3rd time this year to protest pro-Russian policies of Slovakian PM Fico’s government

They voiced concerns Slovakia drifting away from #EuropeanUnion &transatlantic allies.

https://kyivindependent.com/slovakias-protests-prove-the-fight-for-europe-isnt-over-2/

No threat of encirclement for Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Syrskyi says

Syrskyi’s statement follows reports on #Russian & #NorthKorean troops launching an attack on #Ukrainian-held town of #Sudzha, #Kursk Oblast. #Russian forces have made a breakthrough south of the Ukrainian-held town Sudzha in Kursk Oblast, potentially threatening to cut off some of the Ukrainian positions in the Russian region.

https://kyivindependent.com/there-is-currently-no-threat-of-encirclement-of-ukrainian-units-in-russias-kursk-oblast-syrskyi-says/

#Republican senator says ditching Ukraine would ‘be worse than Afghanistan’

“If we pull the plug on #Ukraine, it’d be worse than #Afghanistan. I don’t think (Trump) has any desire to do that,” Graham said in a television interview on March 9.

Until a ceasefire is reached, the U.S. must continue to assist Ukraine with military aid and intelligence sharing, the U.S. Senator continued.

https://kyivindependent.com/ditching-ukraine-would-be-worse-than-afghanistan-us-senator-says/

Ukraine wasn’t officially asked by US to make territorial concessions

#Ukraine has not received official proposals for #territorial #concessions as part of potential #PeaceTalks with Russia from US or other partners, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson said on March 7.

“We have not received such proposals,” spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said during a press briefing

https://kyivindependent.com/us-partners-made-no-official-proposals-on-ukraines-territorial-concessions-foreign-ministry-says/

#Poland, #Lithuania signal openness to #French #nuclear #deterrence for Europe

Macron proposed to start “strategic discussions” on the subject as he warned #Europe against the #Russian #threats & stressed #European countries should no longer rely on US for security

France is the only #EU country with #nuclear #weapons

“This readiness of France, this is something very promising,” Tusk said

https://kyivindependent.com/poland-lithuania-open-to-potential-french-nuclear-deterrence-for-europe/

Want to support Ukraine? Here are 5 ways you can help

Trump’s public attack on #Zelensky in White House on Feb. 28 threw future of US support for Ukraine in the air, but led to a renewed outpouring of support for #Ukraine across the world.

As Russia’s war in #Ukraine enters its fourth year, and #Trump suspends #military aid entirely, here are some ways to help Ukraine and stand with #Ukrainians.

https://kyivindependent.com/5-ways-you-can-support-ukraine-even-if-your-government-doesnt-want-to/

Russian forces suffer record vehicle losses in February

In Feb number of #combat clashes dropped from 3,274 in Jan against 5,087 Feb

Total enemy air strikes increased from about 2,400 guided aerial bombs in Jan to 3,522 in Feb

The Ministry also sited the General Staff’s information on Russia’s manpower losses, which shows that the #Russian army irretrievably lost 36,570 people in February.

https://kyivindependent.com/russian-forces-lost-most-vehicles-since-beginning-of-all-out-war-in-past-month/

#Italy provides Ukraine with €13 million to restore energy infrastructure

Rome signed an agreement with #Kyiv on Feb. 28 to provide Ukraine with $13.5 million towards country’s #Energy Support Fund

Funding is to support restoration of Ukraine’s energy sector

#Russia continues to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure, testing Ukraine’s resolve as the country is enduring another winter.

https://kyivindependent.com/italy-to-provide-13-million-toward-restoring-ukraines-energy-infrastructure/

7 injured in Russian drone attack on Kharkiv medical facility

Russian #drones attacked a medical facility in Kharkiv late on Feb. 28, sparking a fire in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.

Drones also struck an area near:

- Gas station
- Building adjacent to high-rise #apartments
- #Shopping #mall
- Car dealership
- Fire station

https://kyivindependent.com/7-injured-in-russian-drone-attack-on-kharkiv-medical-facility/