9 March. Ukrainian forces repelled more than 100 Russian attacks. Particularly intense fighting took place in Donetsk Oblast, where Russian troops persistently assaulted Bakhmut and surrounding settlements. At the same time, Russia carried out one of the largest mass missile strikes in weeks, launching a total of 81 missiles, including at least six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.

The attacks targeted Ukraine’s energy rear and civilian infrastructure, striking, inter alia, Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odesa, and killing at least ten people. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was disconnected from external power supplies and operated in emergency mode, significantly increasing the risk of a nuclear incident. Electricity supplies were completely cut off in numerous cities. Despite the intensified offensive, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that Russia failed to close the encirclement of Bakhmut and that Wagner Group units were being partially replaced by regular Russian forces. International support for Ukraine increased: Poland transferred ten Leopard 2A4 tanks and announced the delivery of MiG-29 fighter jets, joined by Slovakia. Lithuanian intelligence warned that Russia could continue the war for up to two more years by circumventing sanctions through intermediaries.

10 March. Ukrainian forces again repelled more than 100 Russian attacks, primarily in the areas of Bakhmut, Marinka, Avdiivka and Lyman. Shelling affected, among others, Donetsk and Kherson oblasts. Russian repression against civilians continued: in Volodymyrivka, movement was restricted for residents without registration, and roadblocks were established. In Bakhmut, Russian forces controlled most of the eastern part of the city, with the front line running along the Bakhmutka River. Ukrainian troops destroyed bridges to slow the advance. ISW reported possible Russian preparations to destabilise Moldova. According to the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), the centre of Ukrainian defence was shifting toward Chasiv Yar. The intensity of Russian attacks also increased south of Marinka and Avdiivka.

11 March. Ukrainian authorities reported that since the beginning of the invasion Russia had bombed the country more than 40,500 times, destroying over 152,000 residential buildings. Finland signalled the possibility of transferring F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft to Ukraine, though this was not officially confirmed by President Sauli Niinistö.

13 March. Fighting in Bakhmut moved into the city centre. Russian repression of the Ukrainian language intensified in occupied territories, particularly in schools.

14 March. Following consultations with military commanders, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the decision to continue defending Bakhmut. British intelligence reported the introduction of restrictions on foreign travel for Russian officials. A major international incident occurred when a Russian Su-27 downed a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Black Sea. The Pentagon described the incident as a provocation but ruled out escalation.

15 March. The situation in Bakhmut remained difficult, but Ukrainian forces maintained supply lines by controlling access roads. Defensive regrouping and reinforcement by special forces took place. The U.S. Secretary of Defense announced that nine countries would provide Ukraine with more than 150 Leopard 2 tanks, while Ukroboronprom launched ammunition production for Soviet-era equipment.

16 March. Twenty-four engagements were recorded in the Bakhmut area. The city was subjected to 256 shellings, and according to British data, between May 2022 and March 2023 some 20,000–30,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded in its vicinity. The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that Russian forces had established bridgeheads on the western bank of the Bakhmutka River, indicating gradual progress. Repressive measures continued. In Melitopol, forced passportisation persisted and payments were denied to residents lacking a Russian tax identification number. Poland declared it would transfer the first four MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine.

17 March. Russian forces concentrated assaults on the eastern and southern outskirts of Bakhmut, but Ukrainian defences held positions around the Bakhmutka bridge and in industrial complexes. Repression against civilians continued in Kherson Oblast. In Nova Kakhovka, Russian authorities ordered the evacuation of residents from neighbouring villages, linked to preparations for new firing positions. The OSW noted that despite enormous losses, Russia continued to seek a symbolic victory by capturing full control of Bakhmut. Forced passportisation in occupied territories persisted, with Russian authorities announcing that by the end of the year all residents would be required to hold Russian passports under threat of losing property and social benefits.

On the same day, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, charging them with responsibility for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, constituting war crimes. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia does not recognise the Court’s jurisdiction.

Illustrative photo generated by AI