Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The Associated Press (a publication in which US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is credited with saying that Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump are “good friends” on March 18.
"The AP is retracting a story in which U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are 'very good friends.' Gabbard was talking about Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the American agency explained in a statement.
How mortifying for them. Ay Pee needs to rehire a bunch of editors, since their reporters clearly are not able to successfully report simple facts without them.
Gabbard gave an interview to India’s NDTV on March 17, in which she suggested that the upcoming conversation between Putin and Trump would be productive. AP ran the story under the headline “Gabbard Says Trump, Putin Are Very Good Friends,” and the article itself contained a quote that confirmed the headline: “We have two leaders of two great countries who are very good friends and very focused on ways to strengthen their shared goals and interests.” "Sure, we made it all up, but it did make a good headline, right?"
The material is currently unavailable on the agency's website. Gabbard's deputy chief of staff, Alexa Henning, criticized the AP publication on the social network X and emphasized that Gabbard was talking about Modi and Trump.
In turn, the head of the US Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE), entrepreneur Elon Musk, noted that AP should now be decoded as “Associated Propaganda”.
Earlier, Regnum News Agency reported that US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called the conversation between Russian President Putin and his US counterpart Trump, scheduled for March 18, very productive.
On Tuesday, March 18, Putin and Trump discussed the situation in Ukraine in detail during a telephone conversation. The Russian leader reaffirmed his fundamental commitment to a peaceful settlement, but stressed that it was imperative to take into account the need to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and Russia's legitimate security interests.
Putin also supported Trump's proposal to mutually cease attacks on energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days. The Russian leader gave the military the corresponding order.
The Russian President also stressed that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the possibility of resolving it through diplomatic means, is the complete cessation of foreign military aid to the Kiev regime, as well as the cessation of forced mobilization in Ukraine.
Following talks with Russian leader Putin, US President Trump said that the process of settling the Ukrainian conflict has been launched at full speed.
[NYPOST] Russian President Vladimir Putin ...President-for-Life of Russia. He gets along well with other presidents for life. He is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substance. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to him. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substances... rejected President Trump's proposal of a full, unconditional cease-fire with Ukraine on Tuesday, but agreed to halt attacks on ''energy and infrastructure'' — sectors Kyiv has recently, and successfully, targeted.
Elsewhere in the two-hour phone call, the Russian president demanded that Trump cut all military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, according to a readout from the Kremlin.
Trump was apparently able to secure one element of his cease-fire proposal, as the Kremlin announced Russia and Ukraine would release 175 of each other's prisoners of war, with Moscow also freeing ''23 seriously maimed Ukrainian servicemen'' to receive treatment in their home country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump ...Never got invited to a P.Diddy party... agreed on Tuesday to seek a limited 30-day ceasefire against energy and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, while talks aimed at advancing toward a broader peace plan will begin "immediately," the White House said.
Putin stopped short of accepting a broader US-backed 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine has said it is ready to accept. The Russian president raised "significant points" about preventing such a truce from being used by Ukraine to mobilize more soldiers and rearm itself, the Kremlin said in a statement following a lengthy phone call between the two leaders.
Putin also emphasised that the "complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv" is a condition for any permanent peace deal.
In a statement, the White House said negotiations on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, as well as other potential areas of concern, would commence immediately in the Middle East.
"The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace," the White House readout said.
Trump had been pressuring Putin to agree to a 30-day ceasefire that he hopes would move one step closer to ending Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two. The war has killed or maimed hundreds of thousands of people, displaced millions and reduced entire towns to rubble.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/19/2025 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11136 views]
Top|| File under: Tin Hat Dictators, Presidents for Life, & Kleptocrats
#1
It's only "energy infrastructure". Big difference. Fire your interpreter. At least now we know in which field Ukraine is successful: Hitting Russian energy infrastructure.
Posted by: European Conservative ||
03/19/2025 6:41 Comments ||
Top||
#2
I must confess I don't understand how it's still OK to kill people but not OK to hit a power plant.
Posted by: Abu Uluque ||
03/19/2025 12:12 Comments ||
Top||
Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title.
[Korrespondent] 21:30 In the Kursk region, aerial reconnaissance aircraft of the 14th separate regiment of unmanned aerial systems of the Unmanned Systems Forces, in cooperation with a rocket artillery unit, defeated three North Korean self-propelled artillery units Koksan. The video was published by the command of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
20.03 The situation on the border of Sumy Oblast with Kursk Oblast of the Russian Federation remains under the full control of the Defense Forces. This was reported by the General Staff on Tuesday, March 18.
The information disseminated on social networks about the advancement of Russian units into the territory of Sumy region does not correspond to reality.
19:29 Russian troops continue shelling civilians in the Kharkiv region. In particular, today a Russian drone hit a civilian car. This was reported by the press service of the Kharkiv OVA on Tuesday, March 18.
As a result of the impact, four people were injured: a 46-year-old woman, a 57-year-old woman, and a 51-year-old man, a 61-year-old man.
18.53 Russian Mi-28 Night Hunter attack helicopter crashed in Volosovsky District of Leningrad Region. The crew was killed, the Russian Defense Ministry reported .
18.26 Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is demonstrating absolutely hypocritical logic in response to US President Donald Trump's proposal to begin a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. This was written by the adviser to the head of the President's Office Mykhailo Podolyak on the social network X .
18:04 The Ukrainian government's Computer Emergency Response Team CERT-UA has recorded new cases of targeted cyber attacks on employees of defense industry enterprises and representatives of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. This was reported on March 18 by the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (State Special Communications).
17:57 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena arrived in Finland on a visit . The talks in Helsinki will focus on Finland's support for Ukraine and steps to end Russia's aggression.
17:41 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has spoken out against sending European soldiers to Ukraine. She considers this undertaking "risky and ineffective," Sky News reports. Meloni stressed that Italy's support for the Ukrainian people and condemnation of Russian aggression have never been in doubt. Meloni also proposed providing Ukraine with security guarantees similar to NATO's Article 5, which states that an attack on one ally is considered an attack on all allies.
17:22 US President Donald Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin have begun talks. This was reported by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino on the social network X .
16:53 Since the beginning of the current day, 76 combat clashes have occurred on the front. Russian troops are conducting offensive actions in 11 directions. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in an operational report.
16:19 Western countries have imposed more than 28,000 sanctions against Russia. This was stated by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Interfax reported . He warned that Russians should not count on complete freedom of trade, payments and capital movement in the future.
15:48 A large number of Russian units that participated in the Kursk operation are advancing towards the state border with Sumy Oblast. This was stated by the spokesman for the operational-tactical group of troops Seversk, Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Vadim Misnik on the air of Unified News.
15:46 Almost two thirds of Germans (64%) are against providing Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles. These are the results of a Forsa poll for ntv. Only 30% of respondents were in favor of Germany supplying Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles.
14:55 Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen aged 18-24 will be able to obtain higher education without interrupting their service. To do this, they must obtain permission from the unit commander or the high command. The decision is formalized by an order for the military unit.
13:44 State Bureau of Investigation officers detained a law enforcement officer from Odessa Oblast who promised to arrange a discharge from military registration for money. This was reported by the State Bureau of Investigation press service on Tuesday, March 18.
The detainee has already been remanded in custody with the possibility of posting bail in the amount of 3 million hryvnia. The organizer of the scheme has also been suspended from his post.
13:37 In Cherkasy Oblast, the SBU detained a spotter who was guiding Russian missile and drone strikes to Ukrainian Armed Forces radar stations. This was reported by the SBU press service on Tuesday, March 18.
SBU officers exposed the traitor at the initial stages of his intelligence activity and thus thwarted the Russians' plans. The agent was caught red-handed while conducting additional reconnaissance near a military facility.
13:09 The Ministry of Defense has codified and approved for use in the units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine the ground robotic complex Lyut of Ukrainian manufacture. It is designed to perform a wide range of tasks in difficult conditions. This was reported by the press service of the department on Tuesday, March 18.
12:59 Russian invaders have decided to create a military training center on the site of the Orlyonok recreation camp destroyed last year in temporarily occupied Mariupol. This was reported by the Mariupol City Council on Telegram.
12:44 Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev, commander of a tactical group in one of the directions in Donbas, announced the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces and assets from disadvantageous positions in order to save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers and improve defense. This is stated in his post on Facebook.
12:20 Rescuers have eliminated the consequences of the fall of Russian drone debris on the territory of a school in the Desnyansky district of Kyiv. Sappers and explosive experts examined the territory and drone debris for explosive objects.
During the attack on the city, all students and teachers were in shelter, which allowed no casualties to be reported.
11:25 The Ukrainian side agrees to an unconditional ceasefire and an end to the war this year. But the standoff will continue unless Russia accepts the offer on the table. This was stated by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga in an interview with Firstpost .
10:44 Ukrainian fighters captured five Russian soldiers during a special operation on the front line, the National Guard reports.
10:33 The Security Service detained a Russian military intelligence (GRU) agent in Zaporozhye who was supposed to make a number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for terrorist attacks in the frontline region. Before carrying out this terrorist work, the attacker underwent a "test mission" from the Russians: he pasted anti-Ukrainian leaflets around the city.
09:41 At night, Russia attacked Ukraine with 137 Shahed-type attack drones and various types of drone imitators. Air defense forces shot down 63 Russian drones, and another 64 UAVs were lost.
The Russian attack affected Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk and Cherkasy regions.
09:30 Falling debris was recorded on the territory of a school in the Desnyansky district of the capital. Emergency services are being sent to the scene.
09:22 Fires broke out at two enterprises in the Dnipropetrovsk region as a result of a Russian drone attack. The fire has already been extinguished. There were no casualties.
08:55 In the Lubensky district of the Poltava region, houses were damaged as a result of falling debris from downed Russian drones. There were no casualties.
As a result of the fall of UAV debris in the Lubensky district, the roof and window glazing of two private and one non-residential house were damaged. The grass flooring also caught fire. The fire has been extinguished.
08:25 Over the past 24 hours, 155 combat clashes have been recorded on the front. Aviation, missile forces and artillery of the Defense Forces hit eight areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, two command posts, one air defense system, three missile forces and artillery of the Russian invaders.
07:20 As of March 18, 2025, the total combat losses of Russian troops on the territory of Ukraine amounted to approximately 897,010 people (1,560 per day).
01:19 As a result of the Russian strike on one of the frontline communities of the Zaporizhia region, more than 3,000 subscribers were left without electricity, and three villages without water supply.
00:04 Donald Trump said that if it were not for him, the Ukrainian soldiers who were allegedly surrounded would have already died. He said this in a commentary to American TV channels, despite the fact that Ukraine has repeatedly denied the fake about the alleged encirclement of Ukrainian units. In addition, since this fake was first voiced, the General Staff has officially acknowledged the withdrawal from Sudzha. Trump also promised that on Tuesday he would speak with Putin to "save" these soldiers.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] The Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding back Russian attacks in the east and south of Ukraine.
The most active fighting continues in the Pokrovsk direction. There, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already repelled 17 assaults in the areas of 10 populated areas.
Since the beginning of the current day, 76 combat clashes have occurred on the front. Russian troops are conducting offensive actions in 11 directions, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported in an operational report on Tuesday, March 18.
Thus, in the Kharkov direction, the enemy attacked seven times near Vovchansk and in the direction of Malaya Shapkovka. Four combat clashes are still ongoing.
In the Kupyansk direction, Russian invaders carried out two attacks near Petrovpavlovka and Zagrizove.
In the Liman direction, the enemy attacked four times near Yampolovka and in the direction of the settlement of Novoye. One combat clash continues to this day.
In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy is trying to advance in the area of Chasovy Yar and Kurdyumovka. Two of the three attacks have already been repelled.
In the Toretsk direction, the enemy is trying to penetrate the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of Ozaryanovka, Druzhba, and Toretsk. Our defenders have repelled eight assaults, and four more attacks are ongoing.
In the Pokrovsky direction, the Russians carried out 18 assaults in the areas of the settlements of Alexandropol, Zelenoe Pole, Elizavetovka, Promen, Kotlin, Preobrazhenka, Kotlyarovka, Bogdanovka, Yasenovoe and Andreyevka. The defense forces repelled 17 attacks, one combat clash is still ongoing.
In the Novopavlovsk direction, four assault actions of enemy troops near Constantinople were stopped.
In the Gulyai-Polye direction, the enemy attacked twice in the direction of Privolnoye and Volnoye Pole.
In the Orekhov direction, the enemy carried out three attacks in the Stepovoye and Shcherbakovy areas. Two of them are still ongoing.
In the Dnieper direction the enemy attacked unsuccessfully three times.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in Kursk region continues . Our soldiers have already repelled 12 enemy attacks today.
We remind you that in one day on March 17, Russia lost a full regiment - more than 1,500 people killed and wounded. The total number of Russian losses this week will exceed the threshold of 900 thousand servicemen.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] Ukrainian troops are being withdrawn primarily to preserve personnel, the command says.
The defense forces have retreated on one of the sections of the front in Donetsk Oblast, reported the commander of the tactical group, Lieutenant General Sergey Nayev. According to him, our fighters have abandoned disadvantageous positions.
REASONS FOR WITHDRAWAL
The general noted that the main mission is to save the lives of Ukrainian defenders.
"The most important thing for the command is to preserve the lives and health of personnel. Therefore, in one of the sections of the front, a decision was made to withdraw forces and resources from unfavorable positions," Nayev writes.
According to him, this decision made it possible not only to save the lives of soldiers, but also to improve our defense.
"The enemy is suffering losses, and we have the opportunity to act more effectively," he explained.
Over the past month, thanks to the coordinated actions of reconnaissance personnel, drone operators, artillerymen, mortarmen, tank crews and infantry, more than 30 units of Russian armored vehicles and more than 2,000 enemy soldiers have been destroyed.
According to the commander, this significantly reduced the intensity of enemy attacks on this line.
WHAT GROUP DOES NAEV COMMAND?
The general did not specify where exactly in the Donetsk region the Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers retreated.
At the same time, in February, the media reported that Naev had been appointed commander of the Velikaya Novosyolka tactical group. The officer himself announced his "arrival at the site of combat missions" on February 13.
According to both Russian and Ukrainian sources, the Russian army has been actively advancing in this area recently.
Velyka Novosilka is an important defense hub for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Donetsk Oblast. The settlement is located on the Vremivka salient (an intrusion of the Russian army near the suburbs of Velyka Novosilka, the village of Vremivka), which is of strategic importance to both sides due to its location on the border of the Zaporizhia and Donetsk Oblasts. According to military publics, the Russians have been putting pressure there lately.
SITUATION AT THE FRONT
At the end of January, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the capture of Velikaya Novosyolka. The enemy claimed that it had occupied the settlement "as a result of active offensive actions." However, at that time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that they had avoided encirclement and were holding part of the strategically important city.
In its daily report today, the General Staff reported that on March 17, in the Seversky, Kramatorsk, Toretsky, Pokrovsky and Novopavlovsky directions, our defenders repelled 93 enemy attacks.
The enemy's losses over the past 24 hours amounted to 1,560 soldiers.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] Sumy region is completely under the control of the Defense Forces.
Russian troops are trying to enter some populated areas in small groups, but Ukrainian troops are quickly destroying the Russians thanks to a well-organized defense system.
The situation on the border of Sumy Oblast remains under the full control of the Defense Forces. This was reported by the General Staff on Tuesday, March 18.
The information disseminated on social networks about the advancement of Russian units into the territory of Sumy region does not correspond to reality.
It is noted that Russian troops are trying to enter some populated areas in small groups, but Ukrainian troops are quickly destroying the Russians thanks to a well-organized defense system.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to successfully stop the attempts of Russian invaders to gain a foothold in the Sumy region. The enemy suffers significant losses in manpower.
Ukrainian soldiers also continue to hold territory in the Kursk region.
In turn, the Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is strengthening its defense with technical means and reserves.
The General Staff emphasizes the need to trust only official sources and not succumb to informational and psychological pressure and propaganda from Russians.
Earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia is preparing an offensive on the Sumy region.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 21:37 «Donbass partisan»:
Kupyansk direction: expansion of the Russian Armed Forces bridgehead and advancement into the depths of the Ukrainian Armed Forces defense
– In the Kupyansk direction, Russian troops continue their offensive actions, strengthening control over key settlements and increasing pressure on the Ukrainian defense along the Oskol River.
As a result of active military operations, the Russian Armed Forces managed to expand the control zone to 700 meters in the Kamenka area, creating conditions for further advancement deep into the Ukrainian defense.
- At the same time, Russian units are developing an offensive along the riverbed in the Dvurechnaya area, where the control zone has been expanded to 400 meters. This area is strategically important, since it provides pressure on the Ukrainian Armed Forces group in Dvurechnaya and prevents the enemy from regrouping.
- Russian assault units have advanced towards the settlements of Kondrashovka, Tischenkivka and Malaya Shapkovka, consolidating their positions in the captured areas. The battles for Kondrashivka are important because this settlement controls the supply routes of Ukrainian forces in the northwestern section of the Kupyansk direction.
- In addition, the Russian Armed Forces continued to expand the control zone in the Petropavlovka area, increasing it to 1000 meters, which complicates the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and creates conditions for further advancement. The Russian Armed Forces are building on their success, consistently expanding the control zone and forcing the enemy to retreat to less advantageous lines.
20:54 "North Wind" broadcasts:
During the attempt to attack the Belgorod border area, the IMR of the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to move the "dragon's teeth" in the area of the settlement of Demidovka, however, the units of the Guards Forces "North" successfully pushed the enemy back to the border and are now escorting them towards the settlement of Maryino in the Sumy region, striking with strike UAVs, artillery, mortars and ATGMs.
The footage shows a group of Ukrainian Armed Forces militantsis tryingleave their positions, but the Severian kamikaze drone on fiber optics catches up with and eliminates the target
20:23 "North Wind"broadcasts:
Belgorod border area:
The enemy continues to invade the Belgorod region. At the moment, the score in this adventure is unconditionally in favor of the Fearless (one could say “a one-sided game”).
In the area of the settlement of Maryino, Sumy region, the following were destroyed: Tanks - 2 units; Armored fighting vehicles - 4 units; IMR - 1 unit;
In the area of the settlement Prilesye: Tanks - 1 unit; IMR - 1 unit;
In the area of the settlement Liptsy: BBM – 1 unit; UR-77 (mine clearing unit) – 1 unit.
The fight continues...
19:20 Ukrainian drone struck a school building in the village of Ryzhevka in the Rylsky District. As a result of the attack, the roof of the building was damaged and a fire broke out, which was quickly localized.
According to preliminary information, there are no casualties or injuries. No classes or other events are being held at the school.
19:15 Enemy continues attack on Krasnoyarsk district of Belgorod region, there are losses among the fighters
In the area of Repyakhovka, as a result of an FPV drone attack, a self-defense fighter received a mine-explosive injury and shrapnel wounds to the leg. He was taken to the Rakityanskaya Central District Hospital.
In Krasnaya Yaruga, a soldier of the Orlan unit died while performing combat missions. The man died of his injuries on the spot before the ambulance crew arrived. A bus caught fire in the village after a munition landed.
18:14 Artillery crews of 122mm BM-21 Grads of the North group of forces continue to carry out precise strikes on military installations, positions, fortifications and manpower of Ukrainian terrorist groups in the Khar'kov direction.
17:40 Airborne Forces servicemen liquidated Ukrainian military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Sumy direction.
16:28 Military sappers started to demining the liberated territories in the Kursk border area.
16:06 Military personnel of the "Vostok" group evacuated civilians from liberated Constantinpol to the DPR due to constant shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Ten civilians – an elderly couple, four children and four adults – hid in the basement of a destroyed house for more than a month due to indiscriminate shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
14:50 Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to defeat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces formations in the Kursk region.
During offensive operations, units of the North group of forces inflicted losses on formations of a mechanized unit, two airborne assault brigades, a naval infantry brigade and two territorial defense brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of the settlements of Gogolevka, Gornal, Guevo and Oleshnya.
Strikes by operational-tactical and army aviation and artillery fire hit enemy manpower and equipment in the areas of the settlements of Basovka, Belovody, Veselovka, Vodolaghi, Zhuravka, Zapselye, Loknya, Miropolye, Mogritsa, Novenkoye, Sadki, Yunakovka and Yablonovka in Sumy Oblast.
Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost more than 270 servicemen, two tanks, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armored personnel carriers, an armored combat vehicle, 12 vehicles, six artillery pieces, four mortars and a counter-battery station, as well as four UAV control points and an ammunition depot. One Ukrainian serviceman has surrendered.
14:25 Around 13:15 Moscow time by air defense systems on duty destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle over the territory of Kursk region.
13:40 Investigators of the Russian Investigative Committee will investigate crimes committed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces against civilians in the Kherson and Belgorod regions, as well as the DPR.
According to reports from executive authorities, as a result of the shelling by the Armed Forces of the settlements of Oleshky and Rybalche in the Kherson region, a man and a child were wounded.
In the Central City District of Gorlovka, a man was injured as a result of shelling by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Two employees of the Russian Emergencies Ministry were injured when an explosive device was dropped from a UAV.
A man was injured in a UAV attack in Belgorod. In the Stepnoye settlement area of the Krasnoyarsk district, a Ukrainian Armed Forces FPV drone struck a truck. A civilian was injured. In the Yasnye Zori village, a civilian was injured by a detonated mine.
13:10 Attack aircraft of the "Southern" group of troops destroyed enemy strongholds in the Donetsk direction.
12:25 Summary of the Russian Ministry of Defense on the progress of the special military operation as of March 18, 2025
Ukrainian Armed Forces losses over the past daycompiledup to 1,310 military personnel, 18 vehicles, 11 armored combat vehicles, 5 pickups, 6 field artillery guns, 4 electronic warfare stations, ammunition depots and artillery guns.
Units of the North, West, South, Center, East and Dnepr groups of forces improved their tactical positions, defeating various formations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in several areas. In particular, West attacked mechanized and assault brigades in the Khar'kov region, South attacked infantry and airmobile brigades in the Donetsk People's Republic, Center attacked naval infantry and the National Guard also in the DPR, East attacked motorized infantry and territorial defenses in the same areas, and Dnepr defeated coastal defense in the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. North defeated formations of the mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the settlement of Vovchansk in the Khar'kov region.
Operational-tactical aviation, strike unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the groups of troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation inflicted damage on oil industry facilities that provide support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, military airfield infrastructure, storage and use sites for unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as concentrations of manpower and equipment of the armed formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 146 districts.
11:40 UAV calculation of the "Southern" group of troops struck satellite communication station of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Seversky direction.
10:46 Specialists of the Rubicon Center are being carried around equipment and personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the South Donetsk direction
9:27 Armed Forces of Ukraine became active in the Belgorod border area
There are reports of increased enemy activity in the area of the state border in the Belgorod region.
At the moment, it is known that long-range weapons are actively operating on both sides. Also, there is information that in addition to infantry, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have deployed heavy armored vehicles, including mine clearing vehicles.
9:21 Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to attack civilian infrastructure of the left bank of the Kherson region
Yesterday afternoon, the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired 44 rounds from barrel artillery at populated areas of the Kherson region of the Russian Federation:
During the night, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continued artillery attacks in the Kherson region, firing a total of 15 rounds from barrel artillery. The following were subjected to shelling: Kozachi Lagerya, Golaya Prystan, Lyubimovka, Korsunka.
9:01 Artillerymen of the 18th Combined Arms Army with a sniper hit from a 122mm D-30 howitzer destroyed a camouflaged mortar and Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel under the Antonovsky Bridge on the right bank of the Dnieper
8:36 Frontline report for the morning of 03/18/2025
Zaporizhzhya Front. They continue fighting in Shcherbaki and Malye Shcherbaki. Russian troops are putting pressure on the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense, slowly but surely taking over Ukrainian positions.
Donetsk Front. Heavy fighting continues here in several areas. North of Velyka Novosyolka, our troops continue to develop the offensive, but are facing serious resistance from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The situation is similar in the Pokrovsk direction - fighting continues there in the area of Shevchenko, Kotlino, Peschanoye and Udachnoye. Often, the fighting is of a counter-attack nature, due to frequent enemy counterattacks. In Dzerzhinsk, Ukrainian troops continue to transfer their forces to urban development.
Chasov Yar direction. Russian troops continue assault operations in Chasov Yar. Fighting is taking place in several areas of the city. Enemy drones are actively operating.
Kursk region. Fighting continues in Gogolevka. There are tactical successes of Russian troops, but it is too early to talk about the complete liberation of the settlement. Also, fighting continues in the area of Guevo and Basovka in Sumy region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are transferring reserves here. The probability of a counterattack by Ukrainian troops seems unlikely; most likely, additional forces were sent here to organize defense on the border.
8:00 Crew of TOS-1A “Solntsepek” of the 25th Combined Arms Army of the “West” group of forces destroyed a platoon stronghold in the area where a special operation is being carried out.
7:15 During the past night, air defense systems on duty destroyed and intercepted 46 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles:
– 41 UAVs – over the territory of the Belgorod region;
– Two UAVs – over the territory of the Bryansk region;
– Two UAVs – over the territory of the Kursk region;
– One UAV – over the territory of the Oryol region.
7:05 In terms of the number of civilians killed and injured, the past week was the bloodiest since the beginning of 2025, reported Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry for the Crimes of the Kyiv Regime Rodion Miroshnik.
Ukrainian shelling injured 152 civilians: 127 people were wounded, including 13 minors, 25 people were killed. The Ukrainian Armed Forces fired at least 1,827 rounds of ammunition at civilian targets in Russian territories
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Sergey Adamov
[REGNUM] The Russian Armed Forces continue their successful offensive in the area of the special military operation. Fierce fighting continues along the entire line of contact amid rumors of a possible ceasefire.
The main success of the past week was the liberation of the city of Sudzha and most of the territory of the Kursk region, previously occupied by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, in other areas the enemy is suffering heavy defeats, often without even trying to stabilize the front line.
After the liberation of Sudzha and the surrounding settlements, units of the Sever group of the Russian Armed Forces focused on defeating the remnants of the enemy's scattered formations in the border area. Ukrainian soldiers who managed to break through to their territory criticize the command for the miscalculations made when planning the retreat from the Kursk region.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, over the past 24 hours alone, the enemy's losses in the Kursk direction amounted to more than 280 people. At the same time, the enemy continues to hold several settlements located directly on the border. The contact line runs through the villages of Gogolevka, Oleshnya, and Guevo.
According to information from the field, part of Gogolevka and Guevo has been liberated, and fighting continues literally for every house. Similar reports are coming from the area of the Gornal farm. At the same time, the enemy does not abandon plans to hold at least part of the Kursk region and is transferring reserves to the region.
In the Guevo area, the Ukrainian Armed Forces command brought into battle border guards from the 7th Lviv detachment, transferred from the border with Poland. Over the past few years, the unit has specialized in catching draft dodgers trying to flee to Europe. Having entered into battle with units of the Russian army, the border guards could not stand it and abandoned their positions, fleeing to the territory of the Sumy region.
When retreating, Ukrainian troops often abandon armored vehicles produced by NATO countries.
The day before, two serviceable M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles abandoned by their crews became a trophy for the Russian military. The enemy did not even try to destroy the armored vehicles during their retreat. According to analysts studying open source materials, since the beginning of March, the enemy has lost at least 25 armored vehicles in the border area — more than in the past few months.
The Russian military is actively using kamikaze drones, including those controlled by fiber optic cable. In comments to Western media, the Ukrainian military confirms heavy losses during the retreat from the Kursk region. A large number of damaged military equipment has created full-fledged traffic jams on the few highways. In response, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are shelling the liberated territories of the Kursk region, including the city of Sudzha.
At the same time, the command of the Ukrainian army continues to transfer additional forces not only to the Kursk region, but also to other parts of the border.
In an effort to change the situation in this section of the front to its advantage, the enemy attempted to break through to the territory of the Krasnoyarsk district of the Belgorod region from the territory of the Sumy region. According to data from the field, during the day, units of the Ukrainian army tried to cross the border of the Belgorod region in the areas of the settlements of Grafovka and Prilesye. However, this section of the border was covered in advance by additional forces, so all attempts to break through were repelled.
Before the next attempt, the enemy launched a drone strike on the border areas, but this did not bring the desired result. A combined artillery and air strike was launched against the retreating units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ukrainian sources report heavy losses.
It is assumed that the enemy will not make any new attempts to break through into the territory of the Kursk and Belgorod regions in the near future, but will concentrate on strengthening its own border territories.
THE ZAPORIZHZHYA FRONT HAS COME INTO MOTION
After a year of relative calm, hostilities resumed in the Zaporozhye direction.
The Russian Armed Forces have broken through the enemy's front line west of Orekhovo in the area of the settlements of Stepovoe, Shcherbaki and Malye Shcherbaki. The success in this section of the front was confirmed by the Russian Defense Ministry. "As a result of active and decisive actions, the settlement of Stepovoe in the Zaporizhia region was liberated," the ministry's statement said.
A number of Ukrainian sources confirm that there has been an intensification of military operations in the Zaporizhzhya direction. Some sources report that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost not only Stepnoye, but also Shcherbaky and Malye Shcherbaky. The success of the offensive was achieved, among other things, due to a miscalculation by the Ukrainian group's command.
Over the past months, Kiev has been consistently weakening the Zaporizhzhya and Kherson directions, transferring all available units to Donbass and Kursk Oblast. As a result, significant sections of the contact line were left almost without cover, a frontline source for IA Regnum reports.
"The landscape in our area is flat and steppe. Whoever controls the populated areas holds the initiative. The enemy is afraid to use armored vehicles because there is nowhere to hide them. When we began the offensive, the VSAS troops abandoned some of their positions and retreated. The fighting is still going on, but the initiative is already ours," the agency's source says.
According to our interlocutor, military actions continue in the area of the settlements of Shcherbaki and Malye Shcherbaki. Successful offensive in this direction will allow Russian troops to reach the strategically important road T0803 Orekhov - Zaporozhye in the future.
Control over the route will allow cutting off the enemy's supply route in Orekhovo, a strategically important settlement on this section of the front. In the future, the Orekhovo bridgehead can be used for an offensive directly on Zaporozhye.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces Command is aware of the gravity of the current situation and is transferring some of its forces to this area, including units withdrawn from the Kursk region. It is strategically important for Kyiv to maintain the "status quo" in the Zaporizhzhya direction until the spring rains and muddy roads begin, so as not to allow Russian troops to fix the front line in a position that is advantageous to them.
RETREAT OF THE UKRAINIAN ARMED FORCES IN DONBASS
Simultaneously with the offensive in the Zaporizhia direction, Russian troops resumed military operations in the area of Velyka Novosyolka in the east of the DPR. There are reports of military operations in the area of the settlements of Skudnoe, Dneproenergia and Burlatskoe.
Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev, commander of the tactical group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces "Velyka Novosilka", reported that in the direction entrusted to him, Ukrainian troops retreated to a number of "disadvantageous positions". Nayev did not specify in which area exactly Ukrainian troops were forced to retreat, but explained his order by "the need to preserve the lives and health of personnel".
According to information from the field, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are facing the same problems in the Novosyolka direction as in the Zaporizhzhya direction. After losing Velyka Novosyolka, the enemy is forced to hastily build defense lines in the bare steppe under the dominance of Russian aviation and artillery. In the near future, Kiev may sacrifice its positions in this direction, sources of the Regnum news agency report.
"There is reason to believe that they will retreat to the territory of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Reserve lines of defense are currently being created there. This does not mean that they will flee without a fight. They are currently fortifying the village of Komar, this is the last more or less large settlement under their control after the loss of Constantinople and Velyka Novosyolka. But if we press, they will retreat to fortified lines," the agency's source suggests.
For the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the situation along the entire front line continues to rapidly deteriorate. In an effort to patch up holes in one direction, the enemy allows Russian troops to break through in two new ones.
#1
Ukrainian soldiers who managed to break through to their territory criticize the command for the miscalculations made when planning the retreat from the Kursk region.
The original miscalculation was going into Kursk in the first place.
Posted by: Abu Uluque ||
03/19/2025 12:03 Comments ||
Top||
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[ColonelCassad] The full text of the Kremlin's message following Vladimir Putin's telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump.
The leaders continued a detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine. Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Donald Trump for his desire to help achieve the noble goal of ending hostilities and human losses.
Having confirmed his fundamental commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, the Russian President declared his readiness to thoroughly work out possible ways of settlement together with his American partners, which should be comprehensive, sustainable and long-term. And, of course, to take into account the absolute need to eliminate the root causes of the crisis, Russia's legitimate interests in the field of security.
In the context of the US President's initiative to introduce a 30-day truce, the Russian side outlined a number of significant points regarding ensuring effective control over a possible ceasefire along the entire line of contact, the need to stop forced mobilization in Ukraine and rearm the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Serious risks associated with the inability to negotiate of the Kiev regime, which has repeatedly sabotaged and violated the agreements reached, were also noted. Attention was drawn to the barbaric terrorist crimes committed by Ukrainian militants against the civilian population of the Kursk region.
It was emphasized that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution by political and diplomatic means should be the complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kiev.
In connection with Donald Trump's recent appeal to save the lives of Ukrainian servicemen surrounded in the Kursk region, Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian side is ready to be guided by humanitarian considerations and, in the event of surrender, guarantees the lives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers and decent treatment in accordance with Russian laws and international law.
During the conversation, Donald Trump put forward a proposal for the parties to the conflict to mutually refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days. Vladimir Putin responded positively to this initiative and immediately gave the Russian military the corresponding command.
The Russian President also responded constructively to Donald Trump's idea of implementing a well-known initiative regarding the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. It was agreed to begin negotiations to further elaborate specific details of such an agreement.
Vladimir Putin informed that on March 19, a prisoner exchange will be carried out between the Russian and Ukrainian sides - 175 for 175 people. In addition, as a gesture of goodwill, 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian servicemen who are being treated in Russian medical institutions will be transferred.
The leaders confirmed their intention to continue efforts to achieve a Ukrainian settlement in a bilateral mode, including taking into account the above-mentioned proposals of the US President. For this purpose, Russian and American expert groups are being created.
* * *
Also.
1. Putin confirmed to Trump that the Russian Federation guarantees the life and decent treatment of Ukrainian military personnel in the event of their surrender in the Kursk region.
2. The White House reported that the Russian Federation and the United States are immediately starting negotiations in the Middle East on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.
3. The Kremlin reported that Trump and Putin approved the idea of a hockey match between the NHL and KHL teams. Apparently, this will be the first match of this level in 3 years without neutral flags.
4. The Trump administration said that huge shifts (in a positive direction) await future economic relations between the US and Russia. And the relations will move towards "stability."
* * *
Well, and a comment from the Trump administration.Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. The two leaders agreed that this conflict must end with a lasting peace. They also emphasized the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and treasure that Ukraine and Russia are spending on this war would be better spent on the needs of their people.
This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago by sincere and good-faith peace efforts. The leaders agreed that the path to peace would begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations to implement a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea, a full ceasefire, and a permanent peace. These negotiations would begin immediately in the Middle East.
The leaders spoke broadly of the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts. They also discussed the need to stop the proliferation of strategic weapons and would work with others to ensure their widest possible use. Both leaders shared the view that Iran should never be able to destroy Israel.
Both leaders agreed that a future with improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia has great potential. This includes huge economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace is achieved.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] A detachment of ships of the Russian Navy will take part in the joint PASSEX exercises in the Arabian Sea with the Pakistan Navy. This was reported on March 18 by the Russian Defense Ministry.
"A detachment of Russian Navy ships, consisting of the corvettes Rezkiy, Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov and the medium sea tanker Pechenga of the Pacific Fleet, will take part in the joint naval exercises PASSEX with the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," the department reported.
It is specified that the agreement on holding the exercises was reached during a visit by Russian ships to the port of Karachi in Pakistan. At the same time, the day before, the command staff of the detachment of ships of the Russian Navy participated in a conference and official meetings with senior officers of the Pakistani Navy. During it, the naval officers of the two countries discussed the details of the joint maneuvers, and also exchanged souvenirs and left notes in the books of honored visitors.
In addition, the crews visited each other's ships and conducted excursions for guests. For Russian Navy officers, exercises on ship survivability were conducted on the Pakistani corvette Babur.
"The PASSEX exercises will take place in the Arabian Sea on the last day of the Russian detachment's presence. During the exercises, the ships of the two countries will practice joint maneuvering tasks with the use of deck helicopters, conduct communications training, and other elements of interaction," the statement added.
As reported by the Regnum news agency, on February 7, a detachment of Pacific Fleet ships consisting of the corvettes Rezkiy and Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov conducted exercises in the East China Sea. During the exercises, combat crews detected simulated air targets and destroyed them with anti-aircraft artillery fire at a safe distance from the ships.
On December 16, 2024, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said that Russia's military cooperation last year covered over 100 countries, despite the West's collective attempts to isolate our country. According to him, during this time, 21 international exercises were held and joint airspace patrols were conducted.
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...President-for-Life of Russia. He gets along well with other presidents for life. He is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substance. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to him. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substances...
...Never got invited to a P.Diddy party...
