Newsletter 14/03/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
Photos of six Americans who gave their lives defending Ukraine were placed on the Maidan
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Putin sets new condition for ceasefire: Ukrainian troops in Kursk must surrender
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that, in order to fulfill U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk region, Ukraine’s military leadership should order them to lay down their arms and surrender.
The Kremlin leader said he “understood” Trump’s call to prioritize humanitarian considerations concerning Ukrainian soldiers.
“Provided they lay down their arms and surrender, these Ukrainian soldiers will be guaranteed life and humane treatment in accordance with international law and Russian laws,” Putin said.
He added that, for the “effective implementation of Trump’s call,” Ukraine’s political-military leadership must give the corresponding order to the military units to surrender and be taken as prisoners of war.
Putin claims that Ukrainian soldiers are blocked by Russian troops in Kursk region. He also alleged that these Ukrainian fighters have committed “many crimes against the civilian population” of Kursk region, which Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office is investigating as “terrorism.”
Zelensky: 30-day ceasefire depends on strong U.S. response to Russia's demands
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the implementation of a 30-day ceasefire, proposed following the negotiations in Jeddah, will depend on a strong U.S. response to Russia's attempts to drag the process into unnecessary details.
"Russians say, for example, 'We support a ceasefire, we have always been in favor, but...' And after this 'but,' as they say, the devil is in the details. They begin to propose details to drag you into dialogue and delay certain processes. Delaying the end of the war or the ceasefire, which in this context is one of the first points of the plan to end the war," the President explained.
According to him, strong American actions in response to Russian demands could include sanctions.
Goal of Kursk operation achieved – Zelensky
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the primary objective of the Kursk operation was to draw Russian forces away from Pokrovsk, the Kharkiv direction, and Sumy. Ukrainian forces successfully accomplished this task. However, the situation in Kursk region remains challenging.
Moscow attacked by drones for second time this week/Videos
The capital of Russia, Moscow, and Moscow region were attacked by drones on March 14, marking the second drone strike on the city within a week.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated that Russian air defense systems intercepted four drones heading toward the city. Emergency services are working at the sites where the debris fell, but the exact locations have not been disclosed.
Also, the governor of Kaluga region, Vladislav Shapsha, reported that air defense systems shot down a drone on the outskirts of Obninsk. According to preliminary information, there was no damage to infrastructure and no casualties.
Tuapse oil refinery in Russia comes under attack
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.
The refinery is one of the largest in Russia, with a processing capacity of approximately 12 million tonnes of oil per year. It specializes in primary oil refining, producing straight-run gasoline, diesel fuel, and fuel oil, a significant portion of which is exported.
Ukrainian drones strike two gas compressor stations, missile depot in Russia – source
Drones of the Security Service of Ukraine have struck two gas compressor stations, Davidovskaya (Tambov region) and Novopetrovskaya (Saratov region), as well as a field missile depot for S-300/S-400 air defense systems near the village of Radkovka (Belgorod region) in Russia.
Ukrainian activist shot dead in central Odesa
On March 14, around 10:30, a man was shot dead in the center of Odesa.
The shooter fled the scene. The victim died from his injuries. The circumstances of the incident are currently being investigated by the investigative and operational group of the local police unit and forensic experts.
Efforts are underway to apprehend the shooter.
Demyan Hanul was a Ukrainian public figure, volunteer, blogger, animal and environmental advocate, founder and head of the Street Front NGO, a participant in the Euromaidan and the 2 May opposition in Odesa against pro-Russian forces. He also served as the head of the Right Sector’s (Ukrainian paramilitary organization) branch in Odesa from 2014 to 2016.
Suspect in murder of Odesa activist Hanul detained – interior minister
Ukraine already working out algorithms for monitoring ceasefire compliance - Sybiha
Immediately after the meeting in Saudi Arabia, the Ukrainian side launched work on algorithms for proper monitoring of compliance with a possible ceasefire, as well as the modalities of future peace agreements.
Ukrainian Defense Forces halt Russian SRG breakthrough in Sumy region
In Sumy region, Ukrainian border guards, in cooperation with other units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, successfully stopped a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group (SRG) from penetrating the region.
Ukrainian producer Yurii Kirpik killed in action
Yurii Kirpik, a producer for projects of Starlight Media, including the popular show Weighed and Happy and the TV series House of Happiness, was killed in action on the front lines.
War
Ukraine at OSCE: Russia abducts 19,546 Ukrainian children, 17,000 more considered missing
Ukraine is urging the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE to pay special attention to the illegal deportation and forced Russification of Ukrainian children, which lies at the core of the Kremlin's genocidal policy against the Ukrainian people.
U.S. to resume shipments of long-range bombs to Ukraine – Reuters
The U.S. is poised to resume shipments to Ukraine of long-range bombs known as Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB), after they were upgraded to better counter Russian jamming.
SBU exposes four 'deputy heads' of occupation authorities in Luhansk region
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has gathered evidence to prosecute four collaborators who hold leadership positions in the so-called "municipal administrations" of the temporarily occupied Luhansk region.
The suspects actively cooperated with the occupation forces. Among them is a resident of Lutuhyne, who has worked in occupation authorities since 2014.
In March 2024, she assisted in organizing sham elections in the Luhansk region. In June, she was appointed "deputy head of the administration of the LPR's Lutuhyne Municipal District."
Another suspect, a former head of the housing and utilities department from Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov), has collaborated with the occupying regime since the onset of Russian aggression. He currently serves as "deputy head of the administration of the Alchevsk Municipal District."
Enemy trying to dislodge Ukrainian forces from Vovchansk – Kharkiv Group of Forces
The enemy's tactics in the Kharkiv sector have not significantly changed in recent days. In most areas, Russian forces remain on the defensive, adjusting their actions based on the maneuvers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to him, the fiercest fighting is taking place in Vovchansk, where Russian troops are attempting to drive Ukrainian forces out of the city -- so far without success.
War update: 90 clashes on frontline since day-start, Pokrovsk, Lyman sectors hottest
Russians strike Kharkiv with drones, debris hits residential building
Russian forces launch 511 strikes on Zaporizhzhia region in past day
Russia's war casualties in Ukraine rise by 1,410 in past day
Russians kill one resident of Donetsk region, injure 12 others over past day
Border guards reporting Russians’ attempts to enter Sumy region
In Novopavlivka sector, Russians attempt to break through defense near Kostiantynopil
Defense
Ukraine's State Emergency Service shows Japanese demining machine clearing mines in hard-to-reach areas
The Japanese NIKKEN-V35 mechanized demining machine has proven its ability to neutralize mines and unexploded ordnance despite challenging terrain and dense vegetation.
The machine effectively neutralizes mines and shells, even when they are concealed in vegetation or buried in the ground.
SES said that this technology not only accelerates the demining process but also significantly reduces risks for specialists, enabling safe operations in high-danger areas.
Politics
U.S. toughens sanctions on Russia's oil, gas, banking sectors – media
The Trump administration is imposing tougher restrictions on Russia's oil, gas, and banking sectors by further limiting Russia's access to American payment systems.
If EU fails to convince Hungary, sanctions against Russia may not be extended - President’s Representative
If the EU’s Committee of Permanent Representatives at the ambassadorial level fails to reach a consensus on extending sanctions against Russia for the next six months due to Hungary’s stance, the European Union's economic restrictions on Russia could be lifted on Saturday.
G7 to impose new sanctions, step up support for Ukraine in case Russia rejects ceasefire
The G7 member states are prepared to impose further sanctions on Russia and enhance support for Ukraine if Russia refuses a ceasefire proposal.
Trump says after discussions with Putin there are chances to end war in Ukraine
"We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump wrote.
In this regard, he stressed that "at this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military." He also added that Ukrainian forces were "in a very bad and vulnerable position."
"I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II," Trump said.
Economy
Austrian businesses seek to make major contribution to Ukraine recovery - Foreign Minister
Austria will provide an additional EUR 2 million to the Grain from Ukraine initiative and seeks to contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction effort, intending to deploy a business delegation to Kyiv late March to this end.
Financial package deal between German democrats to pave way for EUR 3B in defense aid to Ukraine
The agreement between democratic parties in Germany opens up the way to allocate additional EUR 3 billion in military assistance to Ukraine.
Crime
NABU to place ex-Kyiv City Council deputy Komarnytskyi on international wanted list
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) will seek to place former Kyiv City Council deputy Denys Komarnytskyi, a key suspect in the "Clean City" case, on the international wanted list.
Surrender is not a ceasefire, and a ceasefire is not a surrender.