On the evening of March 15, Russian military forces launched an attack on Zaporizhzhia, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. The assault resulted in damage to residential buildings in the area, sparking a fire and leaving three individuals injured, including an 18-year-old man and two women aged 48 and 81.
Fedorov reported that drones were employed in the attack, and emergency services managed to extinguish the fire that ensued.
Oscar Winners Announced
In Los Angeles, the 98th Academy Awards took place on the night of March 15-16. The top winners in major categories included:
- Best Picture: “One Battle After Another”;
- Best Animated Feature: “Cape Demon Hunters”;
- Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson for “One Battle After Another”;
- Best Actress: Jessie Buckley for her role in “Hamnet”;
- Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan for his performance in “The Sinners”;
- Best Casting Director (a new category): Cassandra Kulukundis for her work on “One Battle After Another”.
Ukraine Claims Success in Counteroffensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces have successfully reclaimed territories in the south for the first time in two years. He stated that these counteroffensive operations disrupted a significant Russian military campaign that had been planned since late last year. Zelensky shared these details in an interview with CNN.
“We initiated the operation at the end of last year and regained control over 434 kilometers. This is not just about land; it’s primarily about people. It marks a successful disruption of a major Russian offensive operation. These steps have proven very effective,” Zelensky said.
He also noted that Russia has been losing approximately 30,000 to 35,000 personnel each month due to the use of various drones by Ukrainian forces. When asked about negotiations involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia, Zelensky asserted that Russia has never intended to cease hostilities.
Context: Zelensky previously indicated that a trilateral meeting among negotiation teams from Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia might occur in the middle of the following week, although no specific timeline or clear stance has been established.
Zelensky on Russian Earnings Amid Middle East Conflict
In the same CNN interview, Zelensky claimed that Russia has earned approximately $10 billion in just two weeks due to the ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran. This revenue, he argued, bolsters President Putin’s confidence in continuing the war against Ukraine.
Zelensky pointed out that sanctions from the U.S. and EU, along with Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, could lead to a deficit exceeding $100 billion for Russia by 2026. However, he noted that a temporary halt in U.S. oil sanctions has allowed Russia to generate income.
Additionally, he revealed that Russia has provided Iran with not only intelligence for attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle East but also Shahed-type drones, for which Iran had previously granted licenses. When asked if Ukraine is prepared to supply weapons to the U.S. and Middle Eastern nations, Zelensky responded affirmatively.
Context: On March 12, the United States issued a 30-day license for the purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea, which the Treasury Department believes will help stabilize global energy markets.
SBU Detains NABU Employee in Sumy
Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) personnel apprehended a worker from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) at a checkpoint near the entrance to Sumy. The bureau announced this via Telegram.
NABU stated that their employee was in the city performing official duties related to an ongoing investigation. They emphasized that he had undergone all necessary background checks, including a polygraph examination conducted by NABU’s internal control department, which assessed potential connections with representatives of the aggressor state or collaborative structures.
“Such actions hinder NABU from documenting crimes and fulfilling its official duties within the framework of the criminal proceedings,” the bureau noted.
Later, the SBU reported that they had identified a Ukrainian citizen at the checkpoint who exhibited several signs warranting further investigation.
According to the agency, he is from temporarily occupied territories, failed to disclose his workplace, and only presented a page from the “Diia” app as identification. During the review of his contacts, multiple Russian phone numbers were allegedly discovered.
The SBU affirmed that they acted “in accordance with clear instructions and algorithms” and operate “exclusively within the framework of current legislation.”
Recent developments in Ukraine include a Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia, the announcement of Oscar winners, and claims by President Zelensky of territorial gains against Russian forces. Additionally, Zelensky highlighted Russia's financial gains amid Middle Eastern conflicts and the detention of a NABU employee by the SBU.