Russia launched a massive drone attack on Kirovohrad Oblast, 10 people were injured, including children

Russia launched its largest attack in recent years on Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad Oblast, overnight on March 20, injuring at least 10 people, including four children, according to regional Governor Andrii Raikovych. Several victims have been hospitalized, with one in critical condition suffering burns over 90% of their body. Over 20 Russian drones targeted residential areas, striking homes and damaging railway infrastructure, Ukraine’s railway authority reported. Emergency services are actively responding to the destruction in the city, which has a population of around 220,000.

Since the full-scale invasion began, Russia has consistently launched drone attacks across Ukraine, with recent months seeing an escalation in both frequency and scale. Russia currently deploys between 150 and 200 drones per attack but plans to increase this capacity to 500, according to Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR). The ongoing aerial assaults are part of Moscow’s strategy to pressure Ukraine’s defenses and infrastructure.

Ukrainian powerful drone strike severely damaged Russia's Engels airbase

Ukraine's Security Service (SSU) and the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out a successful drone strike on the Engels airfield in Russia’s Saratov Oblast on the night of March 19-20. The airfield is a key base for Russia’s strategic aviation, housing Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers, as well as stockpiles of FAB bombs, guided aerial bombs, and cruise missiles used in attacks on Ukraine.

The attack resulted in fires, explosions, and secondary detonations of munitions at the airfield. Reports indicate that Russian air defense systems failed to intercept the drones effectively, instead hitting civilian buildings and infrastructure in Engels and Saratov.

Ukraine’s General Staff has confirmed the strike, stating that the military facility plays a direct role in launching missile attacks on Ukrainian territory. The statement reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to international humanitarian law while taking necessary actions to defend against Russian aggression.

Ukrainian Forces in Kursk oblast are not encircled - intelligence

Ukrainian soldiers retreated in the Kursk region but were not surrounded by Russian troops, which refutes the statements of US President Trump and Putin.

According to the Reuters article, The U.S. intelligence shared with the White House, including assessments from the CIA, indicates that Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk Oblast are not encircled, contradicting claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. While Ukrainian forces have lost ground in recent days due to intense pressure from Russian advances, three U.S. and European officials familiar with the intelligence confirm that the troops remain unencircled, supported by the Institute for the Study of War’s finding of no geolocated evidence of a significant encirclement as of March 14, 2025. Trump has repeatedly asserted that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are surrounded, a narrative he maintained despite the intelligence, as part of his stated goal to swiftly end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Zelensky and Trump discussed the US's help in restoring the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on March 19 that he had discussed with U.S. President Donald Trump the potential for U.S. assistance in restoring the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear facility in Europe, currently under Russian occupation.

Zelensky outlined his vision for restoring the plant, emphasizing the need for water supply, technical staff, and other steps to bring the facility back online within two and a half years. Trump reportedly suggested that the U.S. could be "very helpful in running the plants with its electricity and utility expertise" and even proposed "American ownership" as a form of protection, according to the White House.

The nuclear facility, located in the Russian-occupied city of Enerhodar in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, has been disconnected from Ukraine’s power grid multiple times due to Russian attacks. The plant remains under Moscow’s control, and experts warn that Ukraine regaining access to it without liberating the surrounding areas is unlikely.

Ukraine and its allies have repeatedly called on Russia to withdraw from the site, citing nuclear safety risks posed by its militarization. However, Moscow has ignored these demands, continuing to occupy both the plant and approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.