Russian invasion of Ukraine: tanks and rocket attacks on the cities. Breaking news

A russian opositioner Garri Kasparov supported in Twitter a Joe Biden's phrase that "putin should not remain in authority."

"A leader of the free world should not be ashamed to declare directly that the world would be much more better if putin weren't in authority in russia any more. A good way to achieve it is to say exactly this. Russia will remain a castaway, until putin leaves," Kasparov wrote.

No free world leader should hesitate to state plainly that the world would be a far better place if Putin were no longer in power in Russia. A good way to make that come about is to say exactly that. Russia will be pariah until Putin is gone.

— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) March 26, 2022

Lithuania will hand over to Ukraine 200-300 KTM motorcycles for reconnaissance and other military operations. This is an initiative of a bicker, participiant of Dakar rally Balys Bardauskas, Delfi writes.

It is detailed that first three motorcycles have already been received by Armed Forces of Ukraine last week. In the nearest future 30 more motorcycles will be handed over, and then the rest. Also, five electro motorcycles will be delivered, they can ride 1,5 hours without additional recharge.

According to Bardauskas, this help he was requested by Ukrainian participants of Dakar who opose russian aggression in Armed Forces of Ukraine currently.

In Luhansk region a 39 years old teleoperator and a photographer from Lviv Yuriy Olijnyk was killed during a russian occupiers attack. He worked with the 24 channel and website ZAXID.NET.

Olijnyk was a fighter of one of the Armed Forces of Ukraine brigades which was performing combat missions. He went to fight from the first day of the full scale break in of russia to Ukraine.

Hungary fully depends on russia energetically. Its desire to stay away from the war in Ukraine is explained by this. Thus, the full dependence on russian fuel carriers was a decision of the President of Hungary Victor Orban. The President of Poland Andrzej Duda declared, TVN24 writes.

According to the Polish leader, Orban is in a "complicated situation", as the nuclear power plant providing Hungary with electricity is serviced by russia. They have sign with russian structures a contract for modernization of this power plant several years ago, so this dependence is huge, Duda added.

Duda noticed it was important for him to understand Orban, as a lot of EU countries have the dependency on russia's energy, still those countries hand over weapon to Ukraine.

In Novomoskovsk, Dnipropetrovsk region, the teenagers returned a Ukrainian flag blown by the wind back in the original way.

The schedule of evacuation trains on March 27. Ukrainian Railway informs about this.

Kharkiv

11:30 – №209/210 Kharkiv – Ivano-Frankivsk

Dnipro

20:00 – №234/233 Dnipro – Chop.

Kramatorsk

13:00 – №278/277 Kramatorsk – Lviv;

16:00 – №280/279 Kramatorsk – Lviv .

There will be also an additional train from Odesa to Uzhgorod at 22:32.

In battles with russian occupiers, legendary soldiers have been killed. The former commander of the regiment Kharkiv-1 Serhii Iangolenko and the founder of the volunteer Freikorps division Heorhii Tarasenko.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces together with local citizens released Trostyanets and Boromlya from the occupiers. The Head of Sumy military administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyy informed and showed first photos of the released towns.

According to thim, humanitarian help have been delivered to the towns. It will be distributed with the help of volunteers announcing this aloud with loud speakers because communication has not been restored yet.

Zhyvytskiy reminded that a lot of the objects in the towns are mined, so citizens should be careful. The citizens who require a place to live or medical care are evacuated.

Sanctions against russia will be cancelled only after the list of the conditions are fulfilled: withdraw of russian occupiers troops from Ukraine, stop of the aggression and fulfillment of Kremlin obligations, The Telegraf cited the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Great Britain Luz Truss.

"We know that russia has signed a lot of agreements which are not simply fulfilled by it. That is why heavy levers needed. For sure, sanctions are a heavy lever", she said. According to Truss, in case of further russia 's aggression, sanctions will be intensified.

In France the mayor of a resort town Deauville (Normandy) Philippe Augier decided to light up a Villa Albatros belonging to russia with colours of the Ukrainian flag every evening. RFI informs.

It is detailed that russian diplomats stay at the villa which was bought during USSR. Including, an ambassador of russia in France Oleksiy Meshkov who denied that the Kremlin regime were shelling civil objects and killing peaceful citizens.

Three largest Japanese banks MUFG Bank, Mizuho Bank і Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp will stop dollars operations and money transfers with Sberbank Russia from March 28 because of the full scale break in to Ukraine, Japan Today informs.

Oleh Synehubov, the head of Kharkiv military administration informs: The festival of classical music KharkivMusicFest-2022 opens in one of the shelters of Kharkiv.

Earlier, the event was held at the Kharkiv Philharmonic, but this year the shelling of the occupiers forced it to move to a shelter.

Symbolic opening of “the Concert between explosions” took place on the platform of the Historical Museum metro station.

Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration informs: On March 26 Territorial Defense of Zaporizhzhia region liberated two villages from Russian occupants.

Russian occupants were casted out of Poltavka and Malynivka villages located to the South of Hulyaipole city.

Just a reminder: On the night of March 26 going 27 at 3:00 Ukraine switches to the Daylight Saving Time moving arrows one hour forward.

In the result of Russian occupants attacks fires occurred near Chornobyl NPP. Ministry of Environmental Protection of Ukraine detected 31 fire centers on a total area of 10,111 hectares, as well as increased radioactive contamination.

Ministry also reported the causes:
→ continuation of shelling and bombing by the invaders;
→ increase in temperature, absence of fall-outs and presence of snag;
→ lack of full-fledged operation of the landscape protection system in the exclusion zone.

The General Staff of the AFU: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree conferring the title of Hero of Ukraine on 15 Ukrainian servicemen, three of whom received the award posthumously

The title of Hero of Ukraine with the order of “Zolota Zirka” (“the Gold Star”) was conferred to:

Korniychuk Bohdan Serhiyovych – Lieutenant (posthumously)
Kulyk Serhiy Hryhorovych – Staff Sergeant (posthumously)
Maksishka Denys Kostyantynovych – Senior Lieutenant (posthumously)

Bondar Vladyslav Yuriyovych – Senior Lieutenant
Baranivskyy Serhiy Anatoliyovych – Colonel
Burkovskyy Serhiy Viktorovych – Lieutenant Colonel
Holyshevskyy Ivan Leonidovych – Lieutenant Colonel
Hryshak Roman Hennadiyovych – Staff Sergeant
Hural Vitaliy Olehovych – Captain
Dykun Ihor Volodymyrovych – Junior Lieutenant
Drohomyretskyy Roman Yuriyovych – Captain
Kravchenko Artur Andriyovych – Senior Lieutenant
Lubarets Mykola Oleksandrovych – Captain
Mykhaylyuk Yuriy Volodymyrovych – Captain
Shmatalyuk Evhen Viktorovych – Major

Russian occupants fired on their own positions in Popasna region, – operational information of the General Staff of the AFU on March 26, 24:00.

The following information is reported: RF army continues to regroup and build shock groups in Donetsk direction.

Volyn direction is calm.

The enemy fired subdivisions of Defense Forces in Podillya direction, residential areas in Kyiv and its suburbs.

The enemy focused on consolidating and maintaining the previously occupied borders in Siversk direction; tried to block Chernihiv, continuously fired residential areas of Chernihiv, Ivanivka and Nizhyn.

The enemy acts with the help of separate units from the Western Military District and the Northern Fleet in Slobozhanskyi direction.

Tavria direction stays unchanged.

The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksii Danylov states: It would be a great help to Ukraine if Moldova and Georgia start making active steps to return their territories occupied by Russia.

According to the Secretary of the NSDC, other frontlines being open would greatly help Ukraine in the war with the occupants.

The Secretary of the NSDC stressed that after the statement of Japan on four islands of Kuril Chain occupied by the RF after WWII Russia began military training there, but with a small number of troops - because "they were all sent here."

The head of Volyn Military Administration Yurii Pohulyaiko informs: According to preliminary information, an occupant UFV was shot down 10 km from Lutsk by the AAW. The head of the RMA specified that according to one of the versions it might have been a missile. Information is being clarified and will be reported.

Zelenskyy in his appeal stated that Russia is doing everything to make even Russian speaking citizens of Ukraine hate Russian language.

“And, by the way, we talked about this today with our military in Mariupol. With our heroes protecting this city. We talked in Russian. Because Ukraine do not have and never had a language problem. And now you, Russian occupants, create this problem.

It is you who does everything for our people to willingly avoid Russian language. Because Russian language associates with you. Only with you. With these explosions and murders. With your crimes. You deport our citizens. You badger our teachers making them repeat all your propaganda. It is you who captures our mayors and Ukrainian activists. It is you who puts billboards on occupied territories yelling to not be afraid to speak Russian (they emerged today). Just think of what it really means. Russia does everything for de-Russification of our country in there. Where Russian language always was a part of everyday life, as much as Ukrainian. In the East of our country. Where you turn our cities to ruins. You are doing it. In one generation. Forever. This is another manifestation of your suicidal policy”.

Headquaters of the Air Force of the AFU informs on Facebook: On March 26 Russian occupants fired missiles on Lviv. At this time, for 10 minutes of flight of these missiles, the President of the USA Joe Biden was in Poland.

It is reported that yesterday Russian occupants fired dozens of cruise and ballistic missiles on peaceful Ukrainian cities – from sea, land and air outside of the territory of Ukraine.

The AFU answers to occupants with destroyed enemy equipment:

→ 1 aircraft;
→ 12 UFVs of different types;
→ 5 cruise missiles.

Lviv Regional Police informs: Men suspected in transferring information on the AFU movement the numbers of Russian subscribers are captured in Lviv.

Specified: the first suspect was captured on Chornovil Avenue during car check. There were photos of Ukrainian military, photos of passports with Luhansk registration and Russian phone numbers in contacts.

The second suspect was captured while filming shelling of Lviv occurred on March 26. His tablet contained photos of all regional checkpoints which he sent to two Russian numbers.

Both men were captured and passed to the SSU.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his video appeal stressed that Ukraine provides safety for whole Europe at an incredible price:

“What is the price of this safety? It's very specific. It's aircrafts for Ukraine. It's tanks for our country. It's anti-missile defense. It's anti-ship weaponry. It's all our partners have. It's all that is covered in dust. Eventually, it is for the freedom – not only Ukraine's but Europe's too.

Because everyone on this continent can not feel okay if Baltic states, Poland, Slovakia, the whole of Eastern Europe will found themselves at risk of collision with Russian invaders.

And they will found themselves there if they leave only one percent of all NATO's aircrafts and tanks somewhere in their hangars. One percent! We've never asked for more. And we will never ask. We are waiting and it's the 31st day!

So who is in control of Euro-Atlantic community? I can't believe its Moscow and its intimidation.

Partners need to activate their help to Ukraine. These exact words: partners need! Because this is the safety of Europe”.

New video from the General Staff with a summary of the 31st day of the war: missile strike in Lviv, burnt down hospital and mined parks in Izyum, strikes on civilians, meeting with the US President, new images of destroyed enemy equipment, released Trostyanets and music of Ukrainian military.

The Mayor of Slavutych Yurii Fomichev on situation in the city:
- from March 26 Slavutych is in occupation;
- three casualties are confirmed;
- three days ago we recieved an ultimatum to hand over the city without fighting and rejected it;
- today Slavutych remains a Ukrainian city with Ukrainian government and Constitution;
- the most important matter now is humanitarian one: the city has no regular products supply for over a month. Now we have humanitarian aid to distribute in the city;
- negotiations on “green corridors” for evacuation are being held;
- occupants search Slavutych for weaponry. When searches are finished occupants should leave the city;
- the matter of personnel rotation on the ChNPP and military prisoners exchange is also being discussed.

The Adviser of the President's Office Oleksij Arestovych speaks on Feihin Live Youtube channel: “Table of differences” of Ukrainian-Russian negotiations is approved, the heads of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries are ready to meet “fundamental issues”.

Ukraine will not change fundamental safety guarantees on situational successes negotiating with Russia. Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the President's Office, said this in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine.

Negotiations also do not imply the matter of Ukraine's “neutrality”, moreover, the systematical safety guarantees, including military ones, are emphasized by a number of influential countries, including the United States.

To the question on restoration of territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine Podolyak answered that this question is the most important to discuss in negotiations.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his appeal to Ukrainians mentioned Slavutych and stressed that Ukraine is sole in its desire to be a free country: "Nothing occupants are doing will help them. Disconnection of our television and connection of Moscow chanting, propaganda pamphlets, distribution of rubles. Rubels which are close to being count in grams, not value even in Russia itself".

About 140 thousands people were able to leave blockade Mariupol. More than 170 thousands are waiting for help, Mariupol City Council reports. The report compared the city before and after the arrival of Russians. “No words needed. No evidences. No arguments. Everything is simple and terrible at once. Occupants came to our land and cynically destroyed our Mariupol”, – Telegram group of Mariupol City Council.

During the offensive operation Kharkiv Territorial Defense “Azov” released Olhivka from the occupants. 70 occupants and 3 equipment units were exterminated. A KShM and a MT-LB are now our trophies. 27 occupants were captured.

Today Russians in Balakliya detained the deputy mayor Serhij Poltorak and the head of the Department of Civil Protection and Cooperation with Law Enforcement Bodies Oleh Bludov. The head of Kharkiv RMA Oleh Sznehubov reports.

There is also information that there is no contact with the detained mayor Ivan Stolbovyi and his family for the second day. The head of Tsyrkuniv community Mykola Sikalenko is still in captivity.

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy says at a briefing that occupants launched missiles from the city of Sevastopol. The Head of Lviv Regional Military Administration Maksym Kozytskyi adds that missiles hit oil depot and defense industry plant.

The plant had no capacities or property of the army so the missiles damaged its pavilions. Five citizens were injured, no casualties.

Iryna Vereschuk informs: 10 out of 10 humanitarian corridors were effective today in Donetsk, Kyiv and Luhansk regions. 5 208 people were evacuated, including 4 000 Mariupol citizens who were kept in Berdyansk from yesterday.

A resolution was adopted at a sitting of the Government today according to which bulletproof vests and helmets will be considered humanitarian aid, the Minister of Reintegraion Uryna Vereschuk informs. Now only declaration is needed to import them.

Also they simplified the procedure of importing plates for bulletproof vests, portable radios for non-civilian use, UAVs and quadcopters for non-civilian use, binoculars, optical tubes and monoculars for non-civilian use, collimator and optical sights for non-civilian use, as well as thermal imagers and night vision devices. To import them only end user warranty letter is needed.

Missile hit oil depot in Dubno, the Head of Rivne RMA Vitalii Koval informs. Earlier the AFU brought down enemy drone in Rivne region.

US State Secretary Anthony Blinken says that the USA intend to provide Ukraine “$100 millions additionally as an aid in cybersafety sphere”, CNN informs.

"Financing enlargement will let to continue the stable flow of personal protective equipment, field equipment, tactical equipment, medical supplies, armored vehicles and communications equipment for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine".

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba commented on today's shelling of the Menorah in Drobytsky Yar near Kharkiv: „It honors the memory of over 15 000 Jews killed by Nazis. Today it is damaged as a result of the shelling of Russia. Why does Russia continue to attack Holokost memorials in Ukraine? I expect Israel to strongly condemn this barbarism“.

According to preliminary information an UFV was brought down by the forces of AAW in 10 km from Lutsk, the Head of Volyn RSA Yurii Pohulyaiko. “It might have been a rocket. The information is currently being clarified and will be announced later”.

The fighters of Azov Regiment today on the streets of Mariupol: 3 tanks destroyed, 1 BMD brought down, – Azov Regiment informs.

The Ministry of Culture prepared a list of 47 Russian musicians, actors, directors and other public figures who publicly support war against Ukraine, – the Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko informs. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine supported the suggestion. The next step is approval from the NSDC and the President.

The Kharkiv nuclear facility "The Source of Neutrons" was once again under fire, according to the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine. Estimation of the damages is not possible due to the combat actions.

It is commented that the continuation of its bombing and/or shelling could lead to severe radiation consequences with the infection of the surrounding areas.

Occupants shelled Lviv again. The Mayor informs that in one of the schools near the hitting spot windows crushed. Fortunately, there are no victims.

Trostyanets, Sumy region, is liberated from Russian occupation by the forces of 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Brigade, territorial defense and local partisans. The defenders of the city banished the „elite” of Russian ground forces the Kantemirovskaya Tank Division.

Situation in Slavutych is tough. The city lacks provision and medications. Recently freed from the occupants mayor resolves these issues now. This was announced on the telethon by Oleksandr Pavlyuk, head of Kyiv RMA. The securement of the humanitarian corridor is to be planned.

The 25th Airborne Sicheslavska Brigade destroys enemy equipment:

The SESU publishes the results of the shelling in Lviv. Fire spreads on the territory of one of the industrial enterprises for fuel storage. Information on possible dead and injured is still being clarified.

Russia conducts military exercises in the Kuril archipelago, in particular on the islands that Japan considers its territories. The information is provided by Kyodo refferencing Russian propagandist Media.

Latest summary from the General Staff:

- The amount of military cargo air transportation from Russia on the territory of Belarus has grown. Mostly the enemy uses transport aircrafts An-124 to transfer missiles of different types and ammunition. The reason for this is blockage of railways in different directions.

- The terror of peaceful citizens of Kherson region intensifies. Occupants search for the JFO/ATO participants, military, volunteers and their family members. The cases of multiple abductions of women and torture of locals are registered.

- Occupants forcefully spread so-called “humanitarian aid” in Chernihiv region among locals to create propagandist reports of Russian Media.

- Sabotage and scouting groups in Kyiv region still try to enter the capital. Saboteurs change into civil cloth and use cars stolen from civilians.

In Luk'yanivka village Belarusian battalion seized enemy equipment and blew up its tanks. Belarusians stormed the occupants with one tank and two IFVs while the enemy exceeded the number of soldiers more than twice.

Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office informs on the results of the shelling in Boyarka, Kyiv region: 4 civilians injured, including a child. Apartment building, private houses, garages and other buildings are damaged.