Nicole Wolkov, Christina Harward, Angelica Evans, Grace Mappes, Kateryna Stepanenko, and George Barros
Key Takeaways:
- French President Emmanuel Macron underlined the necessity for European countries to continue supporting a Ukrainian victory against Russia in order to ensure Ukrainian and European security.
- The Ukrainian State Security Service (SBU), Special Forces (SOF), and Unmanned Systems Forces reportedly conducted a successful drone strike against a Russian oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai on the night of March 16 to 17.
- Unspecified actors launched a drone at a military base in Transnistria, the pro-Russian breakaway republic in Moldova, on March 17 amidst an assessed ongoing Kremlin hybrid operation aimed at destabilizing Moldova from within.
- All-Russian pro-Ukrainian volunteer forces reportedly seized a Russian administrative building in the Belgorod Oblast border area amid continued cross-border raids into Belgorod Oblast.
- The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) signaled that it intends to protect the Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) against Ukrainian strikes and may have replaced the BSF commander as part of this effort.
- Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Avdiivka and Donetsk City.
- Russian authorities continue to militarize children in occupied Ukraine as part of efforts to Russify Ukrainian children and create a resource for Russia’s future force generation needs.
- Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine (comprised of two subordinate main efforts)
- Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast
- Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast
- Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis
- Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Campaign
- Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts
- Russian Technological Adaptations
- Activities in Russian-occupied areas
- Ukrainian Defense Industrial Base Efforts
- Russian Information Operations and Narratives
- Significant Activity in Belarus
Positional fighting continued on the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on March 17, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Positional fighting continued northeast of Kupyansk near Synkivka; west of Kreminna; and south of Kreminna near Bilohorivka.[35] Elements of the Chechen Akhmat “Aida” detachment continue to operate near Bilohorivka, and elements of the 346th Spetsnaz Brigade (Russian General Staff’s Main Directorate [GRU]) are reportedly operating near Lysychansk.[36]
Positional engagements continued around Bakhmut on March 17 but did not result in changes to the frontline. Positional battles continued northwest of Bakhmut near Bohdanivka; west of Bakhmut near Ivanivske and east of Chasiv Yar; southwest of Bakhmut near Klishchiivka, Shumy, and Pivdenne.[39] Elements of the Russian 6th Motorized Rifle Division (3rd AC) reportedly continue to operate in the Bakhmut direction; and elements of the Russian 78th “Sever-Akhmat” Special Purpose Motorized Regiment are reportedly operating near Klishchiivka.[40]
Russian forces recently marginally advanced northwest and west of Avdiivka amid continued positional fighting in the area on March 17. Geolocated footage published on March 16 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced northwest of Tonenke (west of Avdiivka), and a Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced along Tsentralna Street in the settlement.[41] Geolocated footage published on March 16 also indicates that Russian forces recently advanced to the central part of Orlivka (northwest of Avdiivka).[42] Positional battles continued northeast of Avdiivka near Oleksandropil; northwest of Avdiivka near Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, and Orlivka; west of Avdiivka near Tonenke; and southwest of Avdiivka near Pervomaiske and Nevelske.[43]
Russian and Ukrainian forces recently advanced on the Donetsk City frontline amid continued positional fighting on March 17. Geolocated footage published on March 14 shows elements of the Russian 39th Motorized Rifle Brigade (68th AC, Pacific Fleet) striking Ukrainian positions south of Novomykhailivka (southwest of Donetsk City), indicating that Ukrainian forces have advanced in the area.[44] Geolocated footage published on March 17 indicates that Russian forces marginally advanced northeast of Marinka (immediately west of Donetsk City).[45] Positional fighting continued west of Donetsk City near Krasnohorivka and Heorhiivka and southwest of Donetsk City near Novomykhailivka and Pobieda.[46] Elements of the Russian 305th Artillery Brigade (5th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Eastern Military District [EMD]) are reportedly operating near Novomykhailivka.[47]
Positional engagements continued in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area on March 15. A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces are advancing near Malynivka (southwest of Velyka Novosilka).[48] The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Russian forces repelled Ukrainian attacks southeast of Velyka Novosilka near Vodyane and Volodymyrivka and south of Velyka Novosilka near Urozhaine.[49] Elements of the Russian 60th Motorized Rifle Brigade (5th CAA, EMD) are reportedly operating near Staromayorske (south of Velyka Novosilka).[50]
Russian forces reportedly seized Myrne (northeast of Robotyne) amid continued positional fighting in western Zaporizhia Oblast on March 17. Russian sources, including the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), claimed that elements of the Russian 35th Combined Arms Army (Eastern Military District [EMD]) seized Myrne after pushing Ukrainian forces from the settlement.[51] Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced near Robotyne and Verbove (east of Robotyne).[52] Positional engagements continued near Robotyne and northwest of Verbove.[53] Elements of the Russian BARS-3 ”Rodina” Battalion (Combat Army Reserve) are reportedly operating in the Zaporizhia direction.[54]
Positional engagements continued in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast, particularly near Krynky and the Antonivsky roadway bridge area, on March 17.[55] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian Spetsnaz forces conducted a raid in an unspecified area of west (right) bank Kherson Oblast at an unspecified time earlier this week.[56]
[1] https://suspilne dot media/707418-makron-ne-bude-miru-v-evropi-akso-ukraina-bude-zmusena-kapituluvati/
[2] https://suspilne dot media/707418-makron-ne-bude-miru-v-evropi-akso-ukraina-bude-zmusena-kapituluvati/ ; https://www.kyivpost dot com/uk/post/29641
[3] https://suspilne dot media/707418-makron-ne-bude-miru-v-evropi-akso-ukraina-bude-zmusena-kapituluvati/
[4] https://www.leparisien dot fr/politique/emmanuel-macron-sur-lukraine-peut-etre-qua-un-moment-donne-il-faudra-avoir-des-operations-sur-le-terrain-16-03-2024-ZJUB5CCX2FCMFCJE7552HIUPWY.php ; https://archive dot is/piUsm
[5] https://suspilne dot media/707430-francia-zaproponue-pripinenna-vognu-v-ukraini-na-cas-olimpijskih-igor-makron/
[6] https://t.me/tass_agency/237092; https://t.me/tass_agency/237199 ; https://t.me/sashakots/45593 ; https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/10018 ; https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/54841; https://t.me/tass_agency/237251
[7] https://suspilne dot media/707430-francia-zaproponue-pripinenna-vognu-v-ukraini-na-cas-olimpijskih-igor-makron/
[8] https://suspilne dot media/707580-sbu-atakuvala-dronami-slovanskij-npz-u-krasnodarskomu-krai-rosii-dzerela/
[9] https://t.me/tass_agency/237108 ; https://t.me/opershtab23/7996
[10] https://t.me/rybar/58236
[11] ttps://suspilne dot media/707580-sbu-atakuvala-dronami-slovanskij-npz-u-krasnodarskomu-krai-rosii-dzerela/
[12] https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/54848
[13] https://t.me/milinfolive/118400
[14] https://t.me/tv_pmr/53981;; https://t.me/novostipmrcom/53948 ; https://t.me/novostipmrcom/53953 ; https://t.me/tv_pmr/53986 ; https://t.me/tv_pmr/53985 ; https://t.me/novostipmrcom/53952
[15] https://rtvi dot com/news/v-pridnestrove-dron-podorval-staryj-mi-8-moldova-ne-priznala-eto-napadeniem/
[16] https://gov dot md/ro/content/comentariul-biroului-politici-de-reintegrare
[17] https://gov dot md/ro/content/comentariul-biroului-politici-de-reintegrare
[18] https://t.me/RBC_ua_news/87758; https://www.rbc dot ua/rus/news/sumah-tizhden-vidpravlyayut-ditsadki-distantsiyku-1710692565.html
[19] https://t.me/CenterCounteringDisinformation/9636
[20] https://isw.pub/UkrWar022324
[21] https://isw.pub/UkrWar022824 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar031324 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar030224 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar022824 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar030824; https://isw.pub/UkrWar030724; https://isw.pub/UkrWar030624 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar030524 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar030124 ;
[22] https://t.me/legionoffreedom/1161 ; https://t.me/SiberianBattalion/257
[23] https://t.me/warfakes/21086 ; https://t.me/warfakebelgorod/2876 ; https://t.me/rosgvardia67/34281 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/63925 ; https://t.me/rusich_army/13682 ;
[24] https://t.me/mod_russia/36717 ; https://t.me/vrogov/14779 ; https://t.me/basurin_e/9803 https://t.me/epoddubny/19393; https://t.me/wargonzo/18792 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37131 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37133 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/63884 ; https://t.me/prigozhin_2023_tg/9015 ; https://t.me/rsotmdivision/14559 ; https://t.me/milinfolive/118441 ; https://t.me/vysokygovorit/15019 ; https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/54849 ; https://t.me/rybar/58238 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37135; https://t.me/dva_majors/37136 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/63887 ; https://t.me/vysokygovorit/15021
[25] https://t.me/epoddubny/19393; https://t.me/wargonzo/18792 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37131 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37133 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/63884 ; https://t.me/prigozhin_2023_tg/9015 ; https://t.me/rsotmdivision/14559 ; https://t.me/milinfolive/118441 ; https://t.me/vysokygovorit/15019 ; https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/54849 ; https://t.me/epoddubny/19396
[26] https://gur.gov dot ua/content/ekipazhi-helikopteriv-black-hawk-hur-mo-ukrainy-prodovzhuiut-boiovu-robotu.html
[27] https://t.me/vysokygovorit/15015 ; https://t.me/vysokygovorit/15016 ; https://t.me/rusich_army/13682 ; https://t.me/rusich_army/13673 ; https://t.me/rsotmdivision/14547 ; https://t.me/milinfolive/118453 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/63851 ; https://t.me/rybar/58247 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37155 ; https://t.me/wargonzo/18785 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37071 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37065 ; https://t.me/control_sigma/28356 ; https://t.me/rybar/58234 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37089
[28] https://t.me/mod_russia/36707
[29] https://t.me/mod_russia/36707
[30] https://t.me/mod_russia/36707
[31] https://www.gazeta dot ru/army/news/2024/03/17/22566703.shtml; https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-10-2024
[32] https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-5-2024; https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-14-2024; https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/special-edition-campaign-assessment-ukraine%E2%80%99s-strike-campaign-against-crimea; https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukrainian-strikes-have-changed-russian-naval-operations-black-sea
[33] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid026NgUGgSt9uQ7NysgUP2pLBB4KcodqizHx9Km7vW6ZNttwUCLf67gxRY2vLqFkoPVl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Mrw9qd9Bzc4joJdtUEXuCJgVvdzVqGuiSt3DEYthgpPbciYzxYs1JhtRUwJF7Kdhl; https://suspilne dot media/707566-na-sumsini-trom-rosijskim-drg-zavadili-probratisa-vglib-ukraini-dpsu/; https://t.me/DPSUkr/18924 ; https://www.facebook.com/DPSUkraine/posts/pfbid02sp2hJ2KJoLw7LqP6btifTuv48jF8ojpMB9mmEtEa2umVnw2SPqwL8mrxkFxWwigTl
[34] https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-16-2024
[35] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036Rjk5u3JsfAxjgxY2ELbdLGYjhEjG97t43aXvLUa9vzxsSqznszNvjkAwPTxgMFZl; https://t.me/mod_russia/36711; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid026NgUGgSt9uQ7NysgUP2pLBB4KcodqizHx9Km7vW6ZNttwUCLf67gxRY2vLqFkoPVl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Mrw9qd9Bzc4joJdtUEXuCJgVvdzVqGuiSt3DEYthgpPbciYzxYs1JhtRUwJF7Kdhl; https://t.me/rybar/58234 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37089
[36] https://t.me/RKadyrov_95/4594 (Bilohorivka); https://t.me/rybar/58230 (Lysychansk)
[37] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036Rjk5u3JsfAxjgxY2ELbdLGYjhEjG97t43aXvLUa9vzxsSqznszNvjkAwPTxgMFZl
[38] https://t.me/sons_fatherland/13287
[39] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036Rjk5u3JsfAxjgxY2ELbdLGYjhEjG97t43aXvLUa9vzxsSqznszNvjkAwPTxgMFZl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid026NgUGgSt9uQ7NysgUP2pLBB4KcodqizHx9Km7vW6ZNttwUCLf67gxRY2vLqFkoPVl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Mrw9qd9Bzc4joJdtUEXuCJgVvdzVqGuiSt3DEYthgpPbciYzxYs1JhtRUwJF7Kdhl; https://t.me/rybar/58228; https://t.me/rybar/58234 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37089; https://t.me/wargonzo/18785; https://t.me/mod_russia/36711
[40] https://t.me/fronttyagach82/512 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37100 (Bakhmut direction); https://t.me/RKadyrov_95/4595 (Klishchiivka)
[41] https://x.com/moklasen/status/1769109313786704378?s=20; https://x.com/moklasen/status/1769109320581407131?s=20; https://x.com/moklasen/status/1769109317112811995?s=20; https://t.me/brigade_53/376; https://t.me/creamy_caprice/4775; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/8367
[42] https://t.me/lumieregroup/119; https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/12432
[43] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036Rjk5u3JsfAxjgxY2ELbdLGYjhEjG97t43aXvLUa9vzxsSqznszNvjkAwPTxgMFZl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid026NgUGgSt9uQ7NysgUP2pLBB4KcodqizHx9Km7vW6ZNttwUCLf67gxRY2vLqFkoPVl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Mrw9qd9Bzc4joJdtUEXuCJgVvdzVqGuiSt3DEYthgpPbciYzxYs1JhtRUwJF7Kdhl; https://t.me/mod_russia/36711;
[44] https://t.me/Fab_1500/55; https://t.me/creamy_caprice/4779
[45] https://x.com/Ukraine_Twi/status/1769408049700126789?s=20; https://x.com/klinger66/status/1769422960245236091?s=20; https://x.com/moklasen/status/1769405963990192489?s=20; https://x.com/moklasen/status/1769416693237928317?s=20
[46] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036Rjk5u3JsfAxjgxY2ELbdLGYjhEjG97t43aXvLUa9vzxsSqznszNvjkAwPTxgMFZl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid026NgUGgSt9uQ7NysgUP2pLBB4KcodqizHx9Km7vW6ZNttwUCLf67gxRY2vLqFkoPVl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Mrw9qd9Bzc4joJdtUEXuCJgVvdzVqGuiSt3DEYthgpPbciYzxYs1JhtRUwJF7Kdhl; https://t.me/rybar/58228; https://t.me/prigozhin_2023_tg/9004
[47] https://t.me/prigozhin_2023_tg/9004
[48] https://t.me/prigozhin_2023_tg/8999
[49] https://t.me/mod_russia/36711 ; https://t.me/mod_russia/36709
[50] https://t.me/voin_dv/7534 (Staromayorske)
[51] https://t.me/mod_russia/36711 ; https://t.me/rybar/58237 ; https://t.me/vrogov/14776 ; https://t.me/voin_dv/7533
[52] https://t.me/rybar/58234 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37089 ; https://t.me/wargonzo/18785
[53] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036Rjk5u3JsfAxjgxY2ELbdLGYjhEjG97t43aXvLUa9vzxsSqznszNvjkAwPTxgMFZl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid026NgUGgSt9uQ7NysgUP2pLBB4KcodqizHx9Km7vW6ZNttwUCLf67gxRY2vLqFkoPVl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Mrw9qd9Bzc4joJdtUEXuCJgVvdzVqGuiSt3DEYthgpPbciYzxYs1JhtRUwJF7Kdhl ; https://t.me/wargonzo/18785 ; https://t.me/batalyon15/3976
[54] https://t.me/dva_majors/37059
[55] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid026NgUGgSt9uQ7NysgUP2pLBB4KcodqizHx9Km7vW6ZNttwUCLf67gxRY2vLqFkoPVl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Mrw9qd9Bzc4joJdtUEXuCJgVvdzVqGuiSt3DEYthgpPbciYzxYs1JhtRUwJF7Kdhl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036Rjk5u3JsfAxjgxY2ELbdLGYjhEjG97t43aXvLUa9vzxsSqznszNvjkAwPTxgMFZl ; https://t.me/rybar/58234 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37089
[56] https://t.me/rybar/58234 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/37089
[57] https://t.me/kpszsu/11940
[58] https://armyinform dot com.ua/2024/03/17/rosiya-atakuvala-mykolayiv-balistykoyu-5-poranenyh-poshkodzheno-pryvatni-budynky/ ; https://armyinform dot com.ua/2024/03/17/udaru-po-mykolayevu-zavdano-balistychnoyu-raketoyu-iskander-m-iz-terytoriyi-krymu/
[59] https://t.me/kpszsu/11940
[60] https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/7253
[61] https://t.me/luhanskaVTSA/17655
[62] https://sprotyv dot mod.gov.ua/kreml-rozbudovuye-merezhu-zakladiv-militaryzatsiyi-molodi/
[63] https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-4-2023
[64] https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Aug%207%20Russian%20Offensive%20Campaign%20Assessment%20PDF_0.pdf
[65] https://www.kommersant dot ru/doc/6561656
[66] https://t.me/vchkogpu/46653
[67] https://t.me/tass_agency/237351; https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-8-2024; https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-4-2024; https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Oct%209%20Russian%20Offensive%20Campaign%20Assessment%20PDF.pdf
[68] https://t.me/idelrealii/34347; https://t.me/bbcrussian/62261
[69] https://t.me/tass_agency/237285; https://t.me/tass_agency/237298; https://t.me/tass_agency/237299; https://t.me/tass_agency/237300; https://t.me/tass_agency/237300; https://t.me/tass_agency/237321 ; https://t.me/tass_agency/237322; https://t.me/tass_agency/237323; https://t.me/MID_Russia/36539; https://t.me/MID_Russia/36611
[70] https://meduza dot io/feature/2024/03/17/v-berline-proshla-odna-iz-samyh-massovyh-aktsiy-protiv-putina-v-posledniy-den-golosovaniya-na-vyborah-fotografii ; https://t.me/idelrealii/34383 ; https://t.me/severrealii/23774; https://www.severreal.org/a/gossmi-rasskazali-ob-ogromnyh-ocheredyah-na-vyborah-za-granitsey-ne-ukazav-v-chem-ih-prichina/32865145.html; https://t.me/MariaVladimirovnaZakharova/7432 ; https://t.me/sotaproject/77346; https://meduza dot io/news/2024/03/17/ovd-info-bolee-50-rossiyan-zaderzhany-v-posledniy-den-golosovaniya-na-vyborah-prezidenta; https://ovd dot info/2024/03/17/vybory-prezidenta-rossii-spisok-zaderzhannykh-17032024-g ; https://t.me/idelrealii/34370 ; https://t.me/bbcrussian/62264; https://t.me/svobodnieslova/4390; https://meduza dot io/news/2024/03/17/v-armenii-i-kazahstane-ocheredi-k-uchastkam-dlya-golosovaniya-na-vyborah-prezidenta-rf-rastyanulis-na-sotni-metrov;
[71] https://t.me/mobilizationnews/17980 ; https://t.me/mobilizationnews/17982 ; https://t.me/mobilizationnews/17983 ; https://t.me/mobilizationnews/17984 ; https://t.me/mobilizationnews/17987; https://t.me/mobilizationnews/17988 ; https://t.me/mobilizationnews/17989 ; https://t.me/astrapress/51211 ; https://t.me/astrapress/51278 ; https://t.me/astrapress/51299; https://t.me/sotaproject/77214;
[72] https://meduza dot io/news/2024/03/17/ovd-info-bolee-50-rossiyan-zaderzhany-v-posledniy-den-golosovaniya-na-vyborah-prezidenta; https://ovd dot info/2024/03/17/vybory-prezidenta-rossii-spisok-zaderzhannykh-17032024-g ; https://t.me/idelrealii/34370 ; https://t.me/bbcrussian/62264; https://t.me/svobodnieslova/4390
[73] https://t.me/sashakots/45595