[Korrespondent] 23.31 On the night of Friday, March 20, in the Czech city of Pardubice, located 120 kilometers from Prague, a large-scale fire broke out at one of the facilities of the LPP Holding company, which is associated with the production of drones for Ukraine. The event received wide international publicity after radicals declared their involvement in the arson. The case has already been transferred to the National Counter-Terrorism Center.
According to the estimates of the Gift for Putin initiative, production has not been stopped, the fire will not affect the supply of drones to Ukraine.
22.29 A Russian air defense system likely shot down a light aircraft in Kolomna, near Moscow; the crew died. This was reported by the MNS publication on Telegram, citing an anonymous source.
Russian air defense forces mistook the plane for a Ukrainian drone and opened so-called "friendly fire" on the wrong target.
21.59 The change in weather has allowed the Russian Federation to increase pressure on the front; the number of battles has exceeded 200 per day. However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are seizing the initiative and implementing asymmetric solutions, and the increased activity of the Russians has led to large losses in their ranks. This was reported by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, on his Telegram channel.
21.02 Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's envoy Kirill Dmitriev denied Politico's information about the "US deal proposed by Russia." This is evidenced by a post by the Russian social network official himself, Kh.
20.48 Ukrainian defenders who shot down a Russian Ka-52 helicopter using an FPV drone were awarded the Orders of Courage. This is evidenced by the decree of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky No. 252/2026 and the message of the Deputy Head of the OP Pavlo Palisa on Facebook.
19.59 The ruling regime of the Russian Federation has offered the United States a deal: the Kremlin has proposed to stop exchanging intelligence with Iran if Washington stops a similar exchange with Ukraine. This is reported by Politico, citing its sources.
The proposal was made by Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev to Trump's representatives - Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner - at a meeting in Miami that week.
18.37 The eighth group of Ukrainian Legion volunteers from among Ukrainian citizens living abroad signed contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine on March 20 in Lublin (Poland). This was reported by Petro Horkusha, a representative of the recruiting center at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Lublin, Ukrinform reports.
"The signing of contracts by this group of volunteers is taking place in two stages: the first group signed contracts today, and the second will do so on Tuesday, March 24," he said.
Gorkusha explained this by the fact that some of the volunteers were unable to arrive in Lublin on Friday, as they were completing their personal and work matters. According to him, in total, several dozen people in this group will sign contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Ukrainians who signed contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Lublin on Friday came from different regions of Poland, and one person came from Norway. The second batch should include Ukrainians living in Poland and Germany.
17.45 Russian special services work through Telegram in Ukraine, and Ukrainian ones also work through this messenger in the Russian Federation and plan to master the Russian Max. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this during a conversation with journalists, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
17.29 During the Ukrainian-American meeting in the United States on March 21, the topic of discussion will be the preparation of future trilateral talks with the Russian Federation, sanctions against Moscow, and work on bilateral agreements between Kyiv and Washington. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this during a conversation with journalists, Ukrinform reported.
17.23 The former acting director of the Holosiyevo-Budinvest enterprise was reported on suspicion of extorting $17.5 thousand for helping a man find a job and then obtaining a draft card. This was reported by the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office.
17.22 Head of the Donetsk OVA Vadym Filashkin announced on March 20 that he had signed an order to carry out the forced evacuation of children from certain areas of Sloviansk, the most vulnerable to enemy shelling. It is noted that the order has been submitted for approval to the Coordination Headquarters for Evacuation Measures and Effective Response to Mass Displacement of the Population, established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
16.53 Since the beginning of the day, 81 clashes between the Ukrainian army and Russian aggressors have taken place at the front. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this in an operational summary.
16.39 In temporarily occupied Alushta, Russian officials dismantled a white rotunda on the embankment. UNITED24 reports this, publishing a video of the demolition of the architectural monument.
The so-called "head of the Alushta administration" Galina Ogneva reported that the columns were dismantled, allegedly due to their "unusable condition."
15.52 Ukrainian military damaged a Russian A-50 aircraft and hit a metallurgical plant in the temporarily occupied (TOT) Luhansk region. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
15.43 A Russian FPV drone attacked an evacuation crew in Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka - two civilians were killed and two others were injured. This was reported by the press service of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office.
"At around 07:00, the Russian army attacked with an FPV drone a vehicle of a humanitarian mission that was evacuating civilians from the village of Aleksiyevo-Druzhkivky, Kramatorsk district," the report recalled.
As a result of the enemy attack, two elderly women who were in the car suffered life-threatening injuries: one of them died on the spot, the other in the hospital.
15.31 Russian troops advanced over the past 24 hours in the area of ​​the city of Pokrovsk, as well as the villages of Riznykovka, Bakhmut district, and Novomarkovo, Kramatorsk district, Donetsk region. This was reported by the OSINT project DeepState on March 20. According to DeepState maps, in the Pokrovsk area, the enemy captured 0.5 sq. km over the past 24 hours, gaining a foothold in the penetration area. At the same time, the enemy managed to expand the penetration area by more than 4 sq. km without advancing north of the city, in the area of ​​the village of Novoshakhove. In the area of ​​Riznykovka and Novomarkovo, in the Kramatorsk and Slavyansk directions, the invaders captured a total of 1.1 sq. km, while the penetration zone in these areas increased by a total of 5.61 sq. km.
15.11 In Kyiv, suspicion was reported against three heads of the State Research and Design Institute of Urban Planning, who fictitiously employed men for the sake of reservation. This was reported by the press service of the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office on March 20. It is noted that the head, first deputy head and accountant of the State Research and Design Institute of Urban Planning were reported on suspicion of an attempt to obstruct the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations, committed by a group of individuals in a preliminary conspiracy. According to the investigation, the heads of the institution organized a process of fictitious employment of men for work in order to reserve them from mobilization. In this case, the actual presence of employees at work was not expected. $4,000 had to be paid for this service
14.52 The German government has introduced a temporary simplification of procedures for the export of certain types of weapons to Ukraine and the Persian Gulf countries, in particular to strengthen air and sea defense.
This was reported in a press release by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy. A simplified procedure for the supply of military products is envisaged without the need for prior approval of each individual application with the Federal Office for Economics and Export Control. The permit covers the supply of weapons for air and sea defense, including means of countering sea mines. The list of countries covered by the new mechanism includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Ukraine.
14.31 Fighters of the Predators of the Heights Battalion of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade of Unmanned Systems named after Yakov Handziuk shot down a Russian Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter using an FPV drone. This was reported by the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It is noted that this happened in the Pokrovsky direction. This is the second helicopter on the account of the 59th brigade.
As a result of the emergency landing, the helicopter crew tried to escape, but was promptly discovered and eliminated by the pilots of the 1st battalion of the 414th brigade of the Ptakha Magyar.
The Ka-52 is a new generation reconnaissance and attack helicopter, a command vehicle of the army aviation, designed to destroy armored vehicles, manpower and air targets. The price of one Ka-52 helicopter is about $16 million, while an FPV drone costs several hundred dollars.
13.59 The net loss of Russian Lukoil for 2025, taking into account the cessation of operations of some assets, amounted to 1.06 trillion rubles ($13.2 billion) compared to 851.5 billion rubles ($10.6 billion) of net profit a year earlier. This is reported by Russian media.
Lukoil has completely written off its stake in Lukoil International GmbH, the group's foreign business. As a result, the company estimated the loss from asset impairment at 1.7 trillion rubles ($19.8 billion).
13.58 Footage of the aftermath of the attack on the Almaz-Antey concern in Crimea has appeared online. The photo was published by the ASTRA TV channel. Earlier, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported damage to the concern's facilities. The attack occurred on the night of March 19. It is noted that this enterprise carries out repairs and maintenance of Russian air defense systems.
13.43 Russia does not plan to participate in the negotiations together with Ukraine and the US on March 21. This was stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in a comment to Russian propagandists. Moscow hopes to resume the trilateral format in the "near future", he noted.
12.41 Soldiers of the 147th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Airborne Assault Troops are the first in the Defense Forces of Ukraine to test exoskeletons in combat positions. The 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on March 20 and released a video of the use of exoskeletons in the Pokrovskoye direction.
"Test samples of exoskeletons have arrived at the units of our corps, and they are already being tested in logistics and at combat positions. In particular, in the Pokrovsky direction - the 147th separate artillery brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the report says.
The exoskeleton reduces physical exertion by up to 30%; maximum support speed is up to 20 km/h; range is 17 km.
| Is that as impressive as it sounds, dear Reader? |
According to the investigation, during 2023 he commanded artillery strikes on residential buildings and an educational institution in a front-line city. For attacks on civilian objects, the enemy used Tornado multiple launch rocket systems. During the shelling, Lapandin's subordinates used high-explosive fragmentation unguided rockets, which were directed at locations where local residents were in large numbers.
12.17 From 21:00 on March 20 to 09:00 on March 21, the Oberig registry will undergo scheduled technical maintenance. During this time, it will not be possible to receive services or update your Reserve ID in the Reserve+ application.
The Ministry of Defense advised, "to always have your electronic military registration document at hand, download the PDF version in advance." To do this, on the main screen of the application, click the plus and select Download PDF.
12.02 The court removed Yaroslav Lysenko, commander of the 43rd Separate Artillery Brigade (OABr) named after Hetman Taras Tryasyl, from his position. He is suspected of abuse of office, Ukrainka Pravda reported.
11.41 During the fighting in one of the directions, the Ukrainian Defense Forces eliminated the Russian pedophile stormtrooper Andrey Vlasov, who served in the 9th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 18th Guards Motorized Rifle Division of the 11th Army Corps of the Russian Armed Forces.
In 2022-2023, Vlasov committed violent acts against two boys born in 2010, taking advantage of their helplessness - the victims were 11-12 years old at the time of the crime.
11.38 The vast majority of Ukrainians (71%) do not believe that the current negotiations between Ukraine, the US and Russia will lead to a lasting peace, only 25% believe in it. In addition, 62% of respondents consider it categorically unacceptable to transfer the entire Donbas under the control of the Russian Federation in exchange for security guarantees. 33% are ready for such a concession, although most of them admit that this is a difficult condition.
Between the end of January and mid-February 2026, there was a significant decrease in the share of those who are ready to endure the war as long as necessary: ​​if at the end of January there were 65% of them, then in mid-February - already 52%, but in March this answer was given by 54% of respondents. At the same time, 28% of citizens speak about a shorter period (several months - six months).
11.26 The Neutron Source nuclear facility in Kharkiv was de-energized due to shelling by Russian aggressors. The IAEA reported this the day before.
11.05 Law enforcement officers detained a Russian agent who was preparing a series of terrorist attacks in the center of Kharkiv. The SBU reported this. We are talking about an 18-year-old drug addict. The Russians recruited him on a Telegram channel in search of "easy money for a dose."
10.34 On Friday morning, four regions of Ukraine experienced new power outages due to attacks by Russian invaders. Ukrenergo reported this. Where security conditions currently allow, emergency restoration work is already underway.
10.17 In Ukraine, a verdict was handed down by a judge of the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation, who illegally sentenced a Ukrainian prisoner of war.
The Shevchenko District Court of Kyiv found him guilty in absentia of violating the laws and customs of war and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
Prosecutors proved that in May 2024, a judge passed a knowingly illegal sentence on a fighter from the Azov Brigade, sentencing him to 18 years in prison for participating in hostilities.
Such actions are contrary to international humanitarian law: the Geneva Conventions prohibit the prosecution of prisoners of war for the mere fact of participating in war.
09.39 In Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, a Russian drone attacked the evacuation crew of the Proliska humanitarian mission. The head of the organization, Yevhen Kaplin, reported this on Facebook
"A bad morning in the Donetsk region. Our evacuation crew in Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka was attacked by a Russian drone. Unfortunately, there are wounded and dead. We are currently doing everything we can to get the wounded to the hospital," he wrote.
08.48 In the Odessa region, two civilian commercial vessels under the flags of Palau and Barbados, which were moored at the piers and loaded with grain, were damaged as a result of an attack by Russian drones.
Administrative buildings were also damaged. Two people were injured.
In addition, a grain bunker and equipment were damaged in the port. The fires were quickly extinguished.
08.32 On the night of March 20, Russian troops attacked Ukraine with 156 Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas attack UAVs and other types of drones, about 90 of them Shaheds.
Air defenses shot down/suppressed 133 enemy UAVs. 19 strike UAVs were hit at 13 locations, as well as downed UAVs (fragments) falling at seven locations.
08.20 Over the past 24 hours, 201 combat clashes were recorded on the front. Aviation, missile troops and artillery of the Defense Forces struck seven areas of concentration of manpower and equipment and another important Russian facility.
07.18 From February 24, 2022 to March 20, 2026, the total combat losses of Russian troops on the territory of Ukraine amounted to approximately 1,285,700 people (+1,610 per day).
06.22 On the night of Friday, March 20, the Russian military struck the territory of Zaporizhia region with drones. As a result of the attack, a woman died and two people were injured. Also, according to the head of the Zaporizhia OVA, Ivan Fedorov, private houses were destroyed as a result of two night strikes on the Zaporizhia district.
03.29 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured that the European Union will provide financial assistance to Ukraine, even if the decision is blocked by Hungary. This became known after a meeting of the European Council. The head of the European Commission stated: "We will provide this support one way or another."
02.35 European Council President Antonio Costa said that the European Union is concerned about the decision of the United States to partially lift sanctions imposed against Russia. He made this statement at a press conference held at midnight after the end of the European Council meeting, Interfax reports. He stressed the importance of increasing economic pressure on Russia in order to weaken its military potential and force it to return to the negotiation process.
00.58 On the night of Friday, March 20, Russian forces attacked Kharkiv using a strike drone. The hit was recorded in the Shevchenkivskyi district of the city. According to Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov, the strike fell on the territory near an educational institution, which resulted in damage to the building.