Massive Russian drone strike on Kyiv killed three people including a 5-year-old girl

As a result of the Russian drone attack on Kyiv on the night of March 23, three civilians were killed. Another 10 people were injured. According to information, 3 people were killed, including a 5-year-old child. Another 10 were injured. Among the dead are a man and his little daughter. The youngest victim as a result of the Russian attack is only 11 months old.

Russian forces attacked Porkovsk, killing three civilians

On Saturday, March 22, the Russian army struck the next blow to Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Three people were killed as a result of the attack.

This was reported in the prosecutor's office. The shelling happened at 13:30 when civilians were outsied.

The attack was killed by a 41-year-old man. Another victim was a 66-year-old woman who was seriously injured and died during the evacuation.

During the week, Russia attacked Ukraine with more than 1,580 glide bombs, nearly 1,100 drones and 15 missiles.

Zelensky visited front-line troops in Kharkiv Oblast amid fears of a potential Russian offensive renewal

President Volodymyr Zelensky visited front-line troops near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast and held a military command meeting in Kharkiv Oblast on March 22, as Russia continues its offensives in eastern Ukraine. During his visit, he received updates on battlefield developments from commanders, including Yurii Madiar of the tactical group "Pokrovsk" and Viktor Solimchuk of the tactical group "Kharkiv." Despite ongoing Russian attacks, Zelensky had previously reported that the situation near Pokrovsk had "stabilized." In both areas, he awarded soldiers with medals, including the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, and expressed gratitude for their contributions to Ukraine’s defense.

Following his frontline visit, Zelensky held a military cabinet meeting in Kharkiv with senior officials from the armed forces and the Presidential Office. The discussions centered on key front-line developments and preparations for an upcoming meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia on March 23. While Zelensky initially stated that the delegation would meet on March 24, reports suggest that a U.S. technical team will first meet with Ukrainian officials a day earlier. If progress is made in separate U.S.-Russia talks, additional meetings with Ukraine may take place.

Beyond military strategy, Zelensky is set to meet European leaders in Paris on March 27, in a summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. The discussions will focus on security guarantees for Ukraine amid the ongoing war. As Russia continues its offensive, Ukraine is intensifying diplomatic efforts to strengthen international support and secure commitments for long-term security assistance.

Russia uses propaganda narratives to erode peace talks and blame Ukraine

Russian officials are increasingly amplifying claims of Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory as a means to justify rejecting peace negotiations and continuing the war, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has attempted to discredit Ukraine’s denial of involvement in the Sudzha gas distribution station fire, while Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of violating an unofficial moratorium on energy infrastructure strikes. She also suggested that the U.S. is ultimately responsible for Ukraine’s actions, reinforcing a long-standing Kremlin narrative that portrays Kyiv as an aggressor under Western influence.

Beyond these accusations, Russian authorities have escalated claims that Ukraine is targeting Russian nuclear power plants and committing war crimes against civilians. The Russian Investigative Committee recently released a summary of alleged Ukrainian strikes on the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant and civilians in the region, aligning with past efforts to discredit Ukraine and weaken Western support. Meanwhile, Moscow’s own actions continue to pose significant threats, including the militarization of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and a recent Russian drone strike on Chornobyl’s Reactor No. 4. These accusations come as Ukraine and the U.S. discuss energy infrastructure concerns, including Russian-occupied facilities, which the Kremlin may seek to exploit to disrupt negotiations.

The pattern of blaming Ukraine for nuclear security threats serves as a potential justification for further Russian escalation and an attempt to pressure Western leaders. By framing Ukraine as reckless and dangerous, the Kremlin aims to maintain domestic support for the war while shifting international focus away from its own military actions. This long-standing strategy, used throughout the full-scale invasion, seeks to erode global backing for Kyiv while reinforcing control over public perception in Russia, ISW notes.

UN cannot be an alternative to foreign troops or security guarantees - Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that he does not view the United Nations as a viable alternative to the possible deployment of a foreign contingent in Ukraine or to security guarantees. His remarks come amid reports that French President Emmanuel Macron is considering a UN-backed mission to safeguard a future peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. Zelenskyy made it clear during a press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel in Kyiv that while Ukraine maintains relations with the UN, it does not see the organization as capable of protecting the country from future Russian aggression.

The Ukrainian president emphasized that the UN lacks the mandate to defend Ukraine should Russian President Vladimir Putin attempt another invasion. He expressed skepticism about the organization's ability to serve as a reliable security structure, pointing out that past actions have not demonstrated its capacity to prevent occupation or deter Russian threats. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine requires concrete security guarantees and effective military assistance rather than symbolic international oversight.

Despite his reservations, Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukraine is open to discussing the UN’s role in supporting a future security contingent. While he does not consider the UN an alternative to security guarantees, he indicated a willingness to explore how the organization might contribute to ensuring stability in a post-war Ukraine.