THE RUSSO-UKRAINE WAR BRIEF
Day 1129 of the full scale invasion
Slava Ukraini! In early 2022 I began a Telegram channel aggregating news from a number of sources daily on the war in Ukraine. In June 2023 I began providing a daily draft for the Ukraine War Brief Podcast collecting news from over 70 sources daily, which formed the basis of the script. While the Podcast no longer exists I have continued to make this Brief available for my followers here on Substack for those who wish to keep up with the news from the war.
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ALONG THE CONTACT LINE
GSAFU Morning Report
For:Mar 28, 2025
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its Operational Information update at 08:00 on Mar 28 stated that day 1129 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine had begun.
The situation on the line of combat remains tense in some sectors. Ukrainian defenders continue to actively counteract the Russian aggressor, causing them significant losses in personnel, equipment and technology. Exhausting the enemy along the entire front line and continuing to disrupt the plans of Russian occupiers to advance deeper into the territory of Ukraine.
During the past day, 209 combat engagements took place.
Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 98 air strikes, used 2,911 drones and fired approximately 6,400 artillery shells across the positions of Ukrainian forces and civilians.
Air Force Daily Report
89 ENEMY UAVS SHOT DOWN, 51 SIMULATOR UAVS FAILED TO REACH THEIR TARGETS (LOCATIONALLY LOST)
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On the night of Mar 28, 2025 (from 6:00 p.m. on Mar 27), the enemy attacked with 163 Shahed attack UAVs and simulator drones of various types from the following directions: Millerovo, Bryansk, Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk - Russia, Chauda, Gvardiyskoye - Crimea.
The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and Defense Forces of Ukraine.
As of 09:00, it has been confirmed that 89 Shahed attack UAVs (and other types of drones) have been shot down in the south, north, and center of the country.
51 enemy drone simulators — lost in location (without negative consequences).
The Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhia regions were affected by the Russian attack.
Combat Operations in the Russian Federation
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US based think tank, in its Mar 27 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment reported that:
Kursk Salient: Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and northern Sumy Oblast.
Geolocated footage published on Mar 27 indicates that elements of the Russian 51st and 137th airborne (VDV) regiments (both of the 106th VDV Division) recently seized Gogolevka, Kursk Oblast (west of Sudzha) and the Sudzha border checkpoint (southwest of Sudzha on the international border).
Additional geolocated footage published on Mar 25 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced in northeastern Basivka, Sumy Oblast (northeast of Sumy City).
The Ukrainian General Staff reported on Mar 26 that Ukrainian forces recently destroyed a Russian battalion command post of the 9th Motorized Rifle Regiment (18th Motorized Rifle Division, 11th Army Corps [AC], Leningrad Military District [LMD]) near Vikorovka and Uspenovka (west of Sudzha).
Belgorod Incursion: Ukrainian forces continued limited attacks in Belgorod Oblast on March 27 but did not advance.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Borova Sector: Ukrainian forces recently marginally advanced in the Borova direction.
Geolocated footage published on Mar 27 showing elements of the Russian 12th Tank Regiment (4th Tank Division, 1st Guards Tank Army [GTA], Moscow Military District [MMD]) striking Ukrainian positions indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced east of Zelenyi Hai (east of Borova).
Lyman Sector: Russian forces recently advanced in the Lyman direction.
Assessed Russian advances: Geolocated footage published on March 27 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced southeast of Nove (northeast of Lyman).
Toretsk Sector: Russian and Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Toretsk direction.
Geolocated footage published on Mar 26 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced in central Oleksandropil (southwest of Toretsk).
Geolocated footage published on Mar 23, 26, and 27 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced north of Toretsk, in central Toretsk, and along Sormovska Street in southern Toretsk.
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk Sector : Ukrainian and Russian forces recently advanced in the Pokrovsk direction.
Geolocated footage published on Mar 27 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently marginally advanced northwest of Kotlyne (southwest of Pokrovsk).
Footage published on Mar 24 and geolocated on Mar 26 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced along Lenina Street in southeastern Lysivka (southeast of Pokrovsk).
Kurakhove Sector: Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Kurakhove direction.
Assessed Ukrainian advances: Geolocated footage published on March 26 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced to a windbreak southeast of Kostyantynopil (west of Kurakhove).
Zaporizhia Sector: Russian forces recently advanced in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
Geolocated footage published on March 27 indicates that elements of the Russian 19th Motorized Rifle Division (58th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Southern Military District [SMD]) recently advanced to central Shcherbaky (northwest of Robotyne).
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
There have been no major changes to the combat environment since our last report.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing major to report.
THE HOME FRONT
4 killed, 22 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day.
At least four people were killed and 22 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, the Kyiv Independent reported citing regional officials on March 28.
In Kherson Oblast, Russian shelling and airstrikes killed three people and injured 12, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.
In Donetsk Oblast, one person was killed in Rodynske, and three others were wounded, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.
In Kharkiv Oblast, four people were injured as Russian forces used attack drones to strike critical infrastructure and residential areas, damaging five high-rise buildings and nine houses, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.
A 37-year-old man in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast sustained mine-blast injuries from Russian artillery and kamikaze drone strikes, Governor Serhii Lysak said.
In Odesa Oblast, a Russian drone strike caused a fire in an outbuilding, destroying the roofs of houses and garages, injuring one person, Governor Oleh Kiper said.
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a young man was injured when Russian forces launched 400 strikes on 13 settlements over the day, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Putin says Russia’s allies like North Korea may join ceasefire talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested on March 27 that countries "friendly" to Russia could take part in the peace process and negotiations to end Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kyiv Independent reports.
Speaking with sailors from the Arkhangelsk nuclear submarine, Putin listed China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and North Korea among those he sees as potential participants.
Putin described North Korea as a "partner" and noted that a treaty on military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, signed last year, had come into force.
Under the agreement, each country is obligated to assist the other "with all available means" in the event of an attack. Putin said cooperation with North Korea is ongoing in both "military-technical and military spheres."
Putin also accused Western countries of trying to deceive Russia in negotiations and claimed that European states were "constantly trying" to mislead the Kremlin.
While reiterating that Moscow "welcomes the resolution of any conflicts by peaceful means," the Russian president added: "Just not at our expense."
Ukraine has already agreed to a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, saying on March 11 that Kyiv is ready to take such a step if Russia also agrees to the terms. So far, Russia has refused.
North Korea has become a key military supplier for Russia, providing artillery shells, missiles, and troops in exchange for oil products and advanced rocket technology.
Up to 12,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia's Kursk Oblast last fall, reinforcing Moscow's units against Ukraine's cross-border incursion.
North Korea sent around 3,000 additional troops to Russia in January and February to compensate for battlefield losses, AP reported on March 27.
Russia offers Elon Musk a nuclear plant for Mars mission.
Russia may propose supplying a nuclear power plant for tech billionaire Elon Musk's Mars mission, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said on March 27, the Kyiv Independent reports.
"Russia can offer a small-sized nuclear power plant for a mission to Mars and other advanced technological capabilities," he said at the Arctic Forum in Murmansk, in comments reported by Reuters.
Dmitriev, whom the Kremlin appointed for negotiations with the U.S. on the war in Ukraine, claimed Russia's nuclear technology could be useful for space exploration.
Dmitriev praised Musk as a "great visionary" and suggested Russia could contribute to a potential Mars mission. He told Russian media on March 18 that he expects Russia to hold talks with Musk soon.
The proposal comes amid renewed U.S.-Russia talks initiated by President Donald Trump to improve ties strained by Russia's war in Ukraine.
Moscow and Washington continue to cooperate on space despite the severing of most economic ties after Moscow launched the war against Ukraine.
Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and a close ally of Trump, has previously said human landings on Mars could happen as early as 2029, but that 2031 was more likely.
RELATED INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Ukraine says mineral deal not final; summary shows US demands more income.
The terms of a mineral deal between Ukraine and the U.S. have not yet been finalised, Ukrainian officials said on Friday, after a summary of Washington's latest offer suggested it was demanding all of Ukraine's natural resources income for years. Reuters reports.
The latest U.S. proposal would require Kyiv to send Washington all profit from a fund controlling Ukrainian resources until Ukraine had repaid all American wartime aid, plus interest, according to the summary, reviewed by Reuters.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko told lawmakers that Kyiv would issue its position on the new draft only once there was consensus. Until then, public discussion would be harmful, she said.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior official in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, told Reuters there was no finalised draft for now: "Consultations are still happening at the level of the various ministries," he said, declining to elaborate further.
Another Ukrainian source described the full document presented by the Americans as "huge".
The Trump administration, which has reoriented Washington's policy towards endorsing Russia's narrative about the three-year-old war in Ukraine, has been pressing Kyiv for weeks to sign a deal giving Washington a stake in Ukraine's resources.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly said he accepts the idea, although he would not sign an agreement that would impoverish his country. On Thursday he said Washington was constantly changing the terms but that he did not want the U.S. to think he was opposed in principle.
Three people familiar with the ongoing negotiations said Washington had revised its proposals. The latest draft gives Ukraine no future security guarantees and requires it to contribute to a joint investment fund all income from the use of natural resources managed by state and private enterprises.
According to the summary, it stipulates that Washington is given first rights to purchase extracted resources and recoup all the money it has given Ukraine since 2022, plus interest at a 4% annual rate, before Ukraine begins to gain access to the fund's profits.
Ukraine's 2024 budget revenues included, among other things, $1.2 billion of rent payments for the use of subsurface resources, $1.8 billion in dividends and other payments from the state share in state-owned companies, and $19.4 billion from profits at state-owned companies, finance ministry data showed.
The joint investment fund would be managed by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and have a board of five people, three appointed by the U.S. and two by Ukraine. Funds would be converted into foreign currency and transferred abroad.
An earlier version of the deal, which Ukraine agreed to in principle before Zelenskyy visited the White House last month, had terms that appeared more favourable to Ukraine. It proposed a joint investment fund with Ukraine contributing 50% of proceeds from future profits of state-owned natural resources.
Trump has said a minerals deal will help secure a peace agreement by giving the United States a financial stake in Ukraine's future. He also sees it as America's way of earning back some of the tens of billions of dollars it has given to Ukraine in financial and military aid since Russia invaded in 2022. Most of the aid funds were spent in the United States.
White House dismisses Putin's proposal for temporary government in Ukraine.
The White House has dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to establish a temporary government in Ukraine under United Nations supervision, Reuters reported on March 28.
Putin suggested a transitional administration, overseen by the U.N. and several countries, could be formed in Ukraine to organize elections.
"This is only one of the options. I am not saying that there are no others... This is one of the options, and such practice exists in the work of the U.N.," he said.
A White House National Security Council spokesperson dismissed the proposal, emphasizing that Ukraine's governance is determined by its constitution and its people.
Ukrainian presidential advisor, Dmytro Lytvyn, suggested that if Putin struggles to understand who to engage with for peace talks, he might need "some pills to kickstart his brain activity."
Russian officials have repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine's sovereignty. Meanwhile, Russia itself is classified as a consolidated authoritarian regime with manipulated elections, according to Freedom House.
Putin has systematically eliminated political opposition by imprisoning, exiling, or silencing his rivals. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, one of Putin's most prominent critics, was killed in an Arctic prison in February 2024 under suspicious circumstances.
Russia's government has also banned opposition candidates from elections, cracked down on dissent, and labeled critics as "foreign agents" to suppress political competition.
Putin claimed that Ukraine's current leadership is illegitimate because elections were not held after Zelensky's term expired.
"If he himself is illegitimate, then all the others are too," he said, arguing that new elections could be held under foreign supervision to install a government that "enjoys the people's trust."
Ukraine's constitution prohibits elections during martial law, which has been in place since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Moscow has shown little willingness to negotiate a peace deal, making maximalist demands in ceasefire talks with Ukraine and the U.S.
Despite claiming to uphold an informal ceasefire on energy infrastructure since March 18, Russia struck energy targets in Kherson on March 27. Zelensky said Ukraine had honored a March 25 agreement on halting strikes on such facilities.
The U.S. has been mediating negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end the war. Ukraine has already agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, announcing on March 11 that it is ready to implement the measure if Russia reciprocates.
MILITARY & TECH
France allocates a new 2 Billion military aid package for Ukraine.
France is providing Ukraine with a new military aid package worth €2 billion, French President Emmanuel Macron announced during a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Defense Express reports.
"Today, I want to announce a new support package for Ukraine worth €2 billion. This assistance aims to meet the immediate needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Macron stated.
Key components of the €2 billion aid package:
MILAN anti-tank missiles
MICA air defense missiles
Aviation missiles (for equipping Mirage fighter jets)
Mistral short-range air defense missiles
AMX-10RC armored vehicles
Ammunition, including remotely controlled munitions
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, France has been providing significant military aid to Ukraine. Recently, President Macron confirmed the transfer of Mirage 2000 fighter jets to bolster Ukraine’s air capabilities. On the night of March 7, these French aircraft reportedly took part in repelling a massive russian aerial assault for the first time, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.
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