Newsletter 28/03/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
During the spring break, 35 of the most successful students from Lviv's national-patriotic education centers are undergoing post-school training sessions with professional instructors from the Khartiia operational brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine.
TOP
Zelensky: Ukraine receives revised subsoil agreement from U.S. with updated format
Ukraine has received a version of the new Minerals Agreement from the United States. Lawyers will review the minerals agreement received from the United States. The format of the agreement has been changed.
The Head of State also emphasized that the Ukrainian side should check the document sent. Lawyers should compare all the agreements that were proposed during the negotiations.
“Secondly, some time ago, our Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko received this agreement in bilateral contact with Mr. Bessent (US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent). She received this document. She said it was difficult to comment on it, because it is a completely different document. There were a lot of things that were not discussed. There were also some things that the parties had already rejected,” he added.
“This agreement needs to be compared to see if it is the same agreement. I want us to get a specific review by lawyers at the highest level. Let lawyers check all these agreements. I will accept the agreement that our side has officially received. The format has been changed. Let's study this format and talk. We have the Constitution of Ukraine,” Zelensky emphasized.
Zelensky: Ukraine agrees with European partners to expand intelligence access
“We have also agreed with partners from some countries - I will not specify now - to expand (this is a European initiative) Ukraine's access to intelligence, access to relevant technologies and satellites that our European colleagues have,” Zelensky emphasized.
He also informed that the Ukrainian side had agreed “with some leaders on access to their ammunition depots.”
Trump administration seeks to control Ukraine investment, squeezing out Europe – Bloomberg
The U.S. is pushing to control all major future infrastructure and mineral investments in Ukraine, potentially gaining a veto over any role for Kyiv's other allies and undermining its bid for European Union membership.
That's according to a draft of the document obtained by Bloomberg News
"If accepted, the partnership agreement would bestow enormous power on the U.S. to control investments into Ukraine in projects including roads and railways, ports, mines, oil and gas and extraction of critical minerals. It would represent an unprecedented expansion of U.S. economic influence in Europe's largest country by area just at the time when it’s attempting to align with the EU," the article reads.
MFA Ukraine responds to Putin's statement: Temporary UN administration in Russia, starting with Vorkuta
The ministry's spokesperson, Heorhii Tykhyi, said this in a post on the social media platform X, according to Ukrinform.
"Counter-offer: temporary UN governance in Russia, starting with Vorkuta. It seems that locals would benefit greatly from any governance other than Putin, who spends billions of dollars on his criminal war against Ukraine," Tykhyi said.
Putin had earlier proposed negotiations on the introduction of a "temporary administration in Ukraine."
Drones attack Engels airbase where Russia stores missiles, ammunition – CCD
Engels, a city in Russia's Saratov region, was attacked by drones, according to Andrii Kovalеnko, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.
Ukraine repatriates bodies of 909 fallen defenders
Among the repatriated fallen soldiers are those who perished in the Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Bakhmut, Vuhledar, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia sectors, as well as from morgues on Russian territory.
The fallen defenders were returned through the joint efforts of the Coordination Headquarters, the Joint Center at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Interior Ministry, the Office of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Persons Missing under Special Circumstances, the State Emergency Service, and other security and defense sector institutions.
Martin Harris, UK Ambassador to Ukraine
The United Kingdom is Ukraine’s long-standing and reliable partner, with which an agreement was signed on January 16, 2025, consolidating these relations for at least the next 100 years. Against the backdrop of noticeable changes in the global geopolitical picture, the pace of development of security risks for Europe, and the lack of clear outlook regarding the resolution of the war, Ukrinform spoke with the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ukraine, Martin Harris. How Britain sees the future of Ukraine, what does Russia’s position in negotiations look like, when will a peacekeeping mission be sent to Ukraine, what are the current trends regarding European defence and assistance to Ukraine, what connection do Britons feel with Ukrainians, what special role do displaced Ukrainians play, and what is the true power of culture – Ambassador Harris spoke about these and other things at our Ukrinform studio.
War
Russia spreading fake about death of soldiers enlisted under Contract 18-24 program – CCD
In particular, Russian propagandists are claiming the alleged mass death of Ukrainian soldiers on the Kursk front who enlisted under this program.
The disinformation claims that these soldiers, after a brief period of training, are being immediately sent to the front lines, where they are allegedly killed in battle.
After verifying the information with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the CCD reported that the newly contracted soldiers under the Contract 18-24 program are still undergoing training and preparation stages. Furthermore, the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade is not operating in the Kursk sectror, making the claims by Russian propaganda completely false.
Russians attack Naftogaz facilities overnight – production capacities damaged
“This latest strike is not just an attack on our infrastructure—it is an attempt to undermine the country’s energy stability. Our specialists are already working to mitigate the consequences and assess the damage. Restoration efforts will begin immediately to ensure an uninterrupted gas supply. I want to sincerely thank the Naftogaz team and all energy workers who prove every day that Ukraine’s energy system can withstand any challenge,” said Acting Naftogaz Chairman of the Board Roman Chumak.
Ukrainian forces only target Russian military sites – General Staff
AFU shoot down 89 Russian drones, another 51 vanish from radar
War update: 209 clashes on front lines in past day, third of them in Pokrovsk sector
Mandatory evacuation zone for families with children expanded in Donetsk region
Russians attempting to push further into Zaporizhzhia region – military spox
Ukrainian fighters down five Zala reconnaissance drones in Novopavlivka sector
Politics
Zelensky on Paris summit: New defense packages secured for Ukraine
The key topics at the European leaders' meeting in Paris were strengthening Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia to achieve peace.
"Strengthening Ukraine, pressuring Russia for the sake of peace, and coordinating joint security steps – these were the key topics at the meeting of European leaders in Paris. Europe clearly knows how to defend itself, and we are working together to ensure greater security for our country and for all the nations of Europe," Zelensky said.
He stressed that new concrete defense packages had been secured for Ukraine.
"France has prepared a EUR 2 billion defense package. We agreed that sanctions against Russia for the war must remain in place as long as the aggression continues. Military representatives of the countries that are willing and able to take concrete, strong steps to ensure peace have been tasked with holding meetings and working through the relevant details," he added.
Netherlands to speed up release of EUR 3.5B in aid to Ukraine
Norway to allocate EUR 264M for humanitarian support to Ukraine
US announces short-term funding for program tracking Ukrainian children abducted by Russia
Parliament endorses law on European requirements for Ukrainian transport companies
Economy
Germany provides nearly EUR 7.3M in emergency aid for Ukraine's energy sector
Germany's Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) has allocated over EUR 7 million for the repair of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
NBU Governor comments on possible transition from Ukrainian kopiika to shah
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) will start preparations and discussions on the design of ‘shah’ coins after Parliament endorses a corresponding draft bill.
I am praying 🙏 for The Good People Of Ukrainian