France will provide $211 million in military aid to Ukraine, funded from frozen Russian assets

France will provide Ukraine with €195 million ($211 million) in military aid from the interest on frozen Russian assets, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu told La Tribune on March 8. The aid will fund 155-mm shells and AASM gliding bombs for Ukrainian Mirage 2000s, along with older French tanks and armored vehicles.

This follows an October 2024 G7 agreement to back a $50 billion loan for Ukraine using revenue from frozen Russian assets. The U.K. also committed £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion) in aid on March 1 under the same framework. While Western nations have frozen $300 billion in Russian assets, only $3.2 billion in annual interest can currently be used.

France and the U.K. have taken a leadership role in supporting Ukraine, as tensions rise between Kyiv and the Trump administration. Trump recently halted military aid shipments after a heated White House exchange with President Volodymyr Zelensky. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for a European "coalition of the willing" to push for a ceasefire, while France and the U.K. are reportedly finalizing a peace proposal to present to the U.S.

Russians attacked Zaporizhzhia and oblast, causing massive fire

Russian troops attacked Zaporizhzhia and the oblast on Saturday evening, damaging critical infrastructure. According to Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast State Administration, up to 10 explosions had been heard in Zaporizhzhia. No casualties were reported.

Russians hit Druzhkivka in Donetsk oblast, seven injured

Seven people were injured and seven apartment buildings damaged in a Russian attack on Druzhkivka in the Donetsk Oblast on the evening of Saturday, 8 March. 

Two Russian drones hit buildings in Balakliia in Kharkiv Oblast

Two Russian Shahed drones struck buildings in Balakliia, Kharkiv Oblast, overnight on March 8-9, causing destruction and igniting a fire, according to the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration. The first strike hit the roof of a two-story lyceum, setting it ablaze, while the second damaged windows, the roof, and the ceiling between floors.

The blasts also shattered windows in six apartment buildings, a healthcare center, an employment office, a youth creativity center, two cafes, and two cars. Overall, Russian attacks on Kharkiv Oblast on March 8 left one person dead and two others injured.

Australia considering joining coalition of the willing for Ukraine amid talks with Starmer

Australia is considering joining the European-led "coalition of the willing" to support a ceasefire in Ukraine, according to a statement from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office on March 8. Following a call with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Starmer welcomed Australia’s willingness to contribute. Albanese later stated that Australia is "ready to assist" with Ukraine-related proposals.

The U.K. and France are leading discussions on deploying European peacekeepers to oversee a ceasefire, but Starmer emphasized that success would require strong U.S. backing. Talks are ongoing with around 20 countries, primarily from Europe and the Commonwealth, with Canada, Ireland, and Turkey also expressing interest. The Kremlin has repeatedly opposed any Western troop presence in Ukraine.

Russian troops reportedly attack Sudzha in Kursk Oblast due to Ukraine's logistical routes are cut off

Russian and North Korean troops have launched an assault on the Ukrainian-held town of Sudzha in Russia's Kursk Oblast, battlefield monitoring group DeepState and journalist Yury Butusov reported on March 8.

Russian forces, supported by North Korean battalions, are attempting a large-scale offensive in Kursk, aiming to cut Ukrainian supply lines to Sumy Oblast. While the situation remains difficult, Ukrainian commanders report that Russian troops are suffering heavy losses.

Ukrainian soldiers in the region warn of potential encirclement as Russian forces intensify their push. Reports suggest Russian troops used a gas pipeline to advance on Sudzha, though they are being "liquidated," according to Butusov.

Kyiv continues to hold positions in Kursk Oblast as leverage in potential peace talks. Russia claims it has regained control of 64% of the region after Ukraine's cross-border incursion in August 2024.

Ukraine's air defence downed 73 out of 119 Russian drones during the overnight attack

Russian forces launched drones from Oryol, Millerovo, Kursk, Bryansk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted the drones over Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv oblasts.

Poland threatens to terminate its contract with Starlink over Ukraine

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said that the country pays SpaceX 50 million euros annually for Starlink services.

If Musk disconnects terminals for Ukraine, Warsaw will consider alternative suppliers.

Russian forces continue to target Kherson residents with drones; two injured

On March 9, Russian forces targeted civilians in Kherson with a drone strike, injuring a 19-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman.

Both victims sustained shrapnel wounds and were hospitalized in moderate condition, according to the Kherson Oblast Military Administration.

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