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UKRAINE WAR BULLETIN - March 30, 2022 - 7 p.m. EST
Embassy of Ukraine in the USA
President Zelenskyy thanked the United States for a new $1 billion humanitarian aid package and additional $500 million in direct budget support.
Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has obtained a list of 1327 Russian spies operating in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister of Ukraine: Spoke with Josep Borrell on preparations for the EU-China Summit and efforts to put an end to Russian aggression
The MFA of Ukraine emphasizes that the deliberate use by Russia of drifting sea mines turns them into a de facto weapon of indiscriminate action.
National Bank of Ukraine discusses further support for Ukraine with IMF.
WAR ROOM
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The thirty-fifth day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to the Russian military invasion continues.
The Russian enemy continues to conduct full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine. Some units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are being partially withdrawn from the territory of Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts.
The Russian enemy has significant difficulties with usage of combat equipment removed from long-term storage. Thus, according to available information, a significant amount of inoperable equipment was found in the 163rd Tank Regiment of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division. The Russian enemy is considering the possibility of transporting inoperable equipment to the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk region with the help of tractors, for its further restoration.
The enemy continues to suffer significant losses. According to the available information, on March 28, a farewell ceremony with the fallen Russian servicemen took place at the permanent location of the 83rd separate assault brigade. Their number is approximately 200 people.
The self-proclaimed leader of the republic of Belarus continues to deny participation in the war against Ukraine, freely providing territories for the Russian Armed Forces, airfields, and transport networks, as well as locations for cruise and ballistic missile launchers. At the same time, in accordance with international legal acts, an aggressor can be considered "a country that provides its airspace, its territory for strikes on a third country."
The republic of Belarus also provides the Russian occupiers with the opportunity to use the network of medical institutions on its territory. So, during the last days of the settlement of Narovlya in the Gomel area arrival from the territory of Ukraine of a large number of the Russian military men with various degrees of wounds is noted.
The threat of using missile weapons on the objects of the defense-industrial complex and logistics infrastructure of our State remains. In the Black Sea are ships equipped with cruise missiles naval base "Caliber". The replenishment of the Caliber anti-aircraft missile system on the Admiral Makarov frigate has been completed at the Sevastopol naval base.
Additional units of the armed forces of the Russian federation are being relocated to Ukraine to take part in the war.
According to the available data, the vast majority of conscripts of the Eastern Military District remained in the permanent deployment points of military units and subdivisions, which indicates the exhaustion of opportunities for the formation of additional units.
To control the temporarily occupied territories of Southern Ukraine, the enemy is trying to create military-civilian administrations and has begun preparations for a referendum on a quasi-state entity in the Kherson region (the so-called "Kherson People's Republic").
In the Volyn direction. In the areas of the settlements of Pinsk, Luninets of the Republic of Belarus, units of the airborne troops of the armed forces of the Russian Federation were recorded, which were probably withdrawn from the territory of Ukraine.
The planned regrouping of units of the Eastern Military District continues in the Polissya direction. These units are expected to move to other areas.
The enemy did not take active action in the northern direction. The occupiers have focused on sabotage and reconnaissance activities and continue to take measures to establish logistics. In the near future, it is expected that the fire on Ukrainian units will intensify in order to ensure the movement of their troops, with the further task of blocking the city of Chernihiv.
In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy continues to block Kharkiv, conducting artillery shelling of the city. Carries out the movement of artillery units in the area of the city of Izyum, creates strike groups, in particular from the previously withdrawn troops.
In the Donetsk direction, the main efforts of the occupiers continued to focus on taking control of the settlements of Popasna, Rubizhne, as well as the capture of the city of Mariupol.
The enemy tried to carry out assault operations in the areas of Popasna, Rubizhne, Novobahmutivka, Marinka, and Zolota Niva. He was not successful.
In Mariupol, the occupiers continue to carry out assault operations. Attempts are expected to launch an offensive in the directions of Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk, as well as to concentrate efforts in the direction of Svitlodarsk.
In the South Bug area, the enemy is taking measures to restore combat capability and replenish supplies.
Units of the Defense Forces restored control over the settlements of Orlove, Zagradivka, and Kochubeyevka.
In order to restore the previously lost position, the enemy is trying to conduct offensive operations in the direction of Alexandrovka.
According to available information, the command of the armed forces of the Russian Federation with the beginning of the armed aggression against Ukraine lost several military leaders from among senior officers, namely: Commander of the 1st Panzer Army Lieutenant General Serhiy Kisel, removed from office; Commander of the 6th General Army Lieutenant General Vladislav Yershov, removed from office and arrested; Chief of Staff - Deputy Commander of the 35th All-Military Army, Major General Sergei Nirkov, was seriously wounded; Chief of Staff - Deputy Commander of the 36th General Army, Major General Andrei Seritsky, was seriously wounded; Deputy Commander of the 41st All-Military Army, Lieutenant General Andriy Sukhovetsky, died; Commander of the 49th General Army Lieutenant General Yakov Ryazantsev, died; Commander of the 58th All-Military Army, Lieutenant General Mykhailo Zusk, was removed from office and arrested.
Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has obtained a list of 1327 servicemen from the center of application of intelligence units and special purpose units of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation who are committing war crimes against the people of Ukraine.
Full list: https://bit.ly/3LtM24u
Prosecutor General’s Office
March 26 to 29, 2022, servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and members of Russian-controlled illegal armed groups shelled settlements in the Luhansk region. Villages Nyzhnye, Trokhizbenka, Borivske, Lysychansk, Kreminna and Zolote-4 were under enemy fire. According to preliminary information, four people were injured and six died, including one of the minors. Apartments and private houses, utility rooms, garages and shops were heavily damaged.
After Russians launched another wave of hostilities in the war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, officials of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation compulsorily restricted the circulation of cash and non-cash hryvnia in the temporarily uncontrolled by the Ukrainian authorities Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
Kyiv City Administration
A group of specialists from the capital together with the Kyiv City State Administration will provide support to families, women, teenagers and children who are sheltered from shelling at metro stations. In particular, psychologists conduct group and personal consultations. The main task of specialists is to help cope with the emotional consequences of the crisis, to regain the ability to manage their lives. Psychologists can provide the necessary information about the services provided by the city, establish contacts with the city's social support and medical services.
POLICY
President of Ukraine
Address of President V.Zelenskyy to Ukrainians
Today I have few words, not much time, a lot of emotions and even more tasks. It is that kind of moment. A turning point, when we can and should talk only about the most important thing. Yes, there is an ongoing negotiation process. But these are still words. So far no specifics.
There are also other words about the alleged withdrawal of Russian troops from Kyiv and Chernihiv. About the alleged reduction of activity of occupiers in these directions. We know that this is not a withdrawal, but the consequences of exile. Consequences of the work of our defenders. But we also see that at the same time there is an accumulation of Russian troops for new strikes in Donbas. And we are preparing for this.
We do not believe anyone - we do not trust any beautiful verbal constructions. There is a real situation on the battlefield. And now - this is the most important thing. We will not give up anything. And we will fight for every meter of our land, for every our person.
In the current situation of our state, there should be no such discussions to which society and our politicians are accustomed in peacetime.
If someone pretends to be able to teach our Armed Forces how to fight, how to resist the enemy, the best way to do it is to go to the battlefield directly.
Not from a chair at home or from the place where you left for safety. But from the area of real hostilities. If you are not ready for this, you should not even start teaching our defenders.
Today was a very active diplomatic day for me. A difficult one. Priorities are known. There are three of them: weapons for Ukraine, new sanctions against Russia and financial support for our state.
A conversation took place with US President Biden. Very detailed, lasted an hour.
Of course, I thanked the United States for a new $1 billion humanitarian aid package and additional $500 million in direct budget support. And I stressed that right now is a turning point. I told President Biden what Ukraine needs. And I was as sincere as possible with him. The support of the United States is vital for us. And now it is especially important to lend a hand to Ukraine, to show all the power of the democratic world.
And if we want to fight for freedom together, then we ask our partners ... And if we really fight for freedom and protection for democracies together, then we have the right to demand help in this crucial difficult moment. Tanks, planes, artillery systems... Freedom must be armed no worse than tyranny.
I also spoke about this today in an address to the Norwegian parliament and people. To one of the states that supported us significantly. I called for more help to Ukraine. With weapons and sanctions against Russia as well.
I spoke today with the President of Egypt and the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates. I have done, am doing and will do my best so that our people can defend themselves until justice is restored.
On Ukrainian soil and in the Black Sea region. This is our fundamental interest. This is our survival. It is for the survival of the Ukrainian people that we are now fighting. In this war, without exaggeration, the Patriotic War against Russia.
And now I want to mention a few more important things.
First. There are those who work together with everyone to defend the state. So that Ukraine can gain its future. We appreciate the work of each such person. And there are those who waste time and work only to stay in office. Today I signed the first decree to recall such a person. Such an Ambassador of Ukraine. From Morocco. The Ambassador from Georgia was also recalled.
With all due respect: if there are no weapons, no sanctions, no restrictions for Russian business - please look for another job.
I look forward to concrete results in the coming days from our representatives in Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa.
I expect the same results from military attaches in the coming days. The diplomatic frontline is one of the key frontlines. And everyone there must work as efficiently as possible to win and help the army. Each on the diplomatic frontline must work just as each of our defenders on the battlefield.
And the second point. Traditionally, today, before delivering this address, at the request of the Commander-in-Chief, I signed a decree on state awards to our military. 122 defenders, 23 of them posthumously.
Adviser to the Head of the President's Office and member of the Ukrainian negotiating team
Ukraine wants to sign an international treaty on security guarantees, which will give it reliable allies and real protection from any new aggression in the future. Adviser to the Head of the President's Office and member of the Ukrainian negotiating team Mykhailo Podolyak emphasized this during an online briefing at the Ukrainian Media Center.
Mykhailo Podolyak noted that he had quite optimistic impressions of the face-to-face round of the Ukrainian-Russian talks on ending the war, which took place on March 29 in Istanbul (Turkey).
"We have reached a very important construction for Ukraine when it will no longer be a fantasy, but a specific treaty on security guarantees, which will be legally fixed. Guarantor countries that undertake international legal obligations will be fixed there," he said.
The Adviser to the Head of the President's Office noted that Ukraine has been fighting one-on-one with the powerful army of the Russian Federation for more than a month. That is why our state wants to have such allies who will stand by when help is needed here and now.
According to him, in case of signing an international multilateral treaty on security guarantees, our state will finally have not only its own army, which is fighting very hard today, but also an additional security contour due to powerful allies that will stand by Ukraine.
Mykhailo Podolyak said that a group of international lawyers moderated by Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak is consulting with Ukraine's future security guarantors.
"He holds preliminary negotiations with the guarantor countries at the level of political advisers, explains our positions, explains the fundamental principles of the treaty on security guarantees. After that, consultations take place at the level of legal groups," he said.
Mykhailo Podolyak reminded that Ukraine would like to see the permanent members of the UN Security Council as the main guarantors of its security, as well as Turkey, Germany, Poland and several other countries. In particular, Italy has already expressed interest in participating in such a treaty. The treaty will be open for any country to accede to.
According to the Adviser to the Head of the President's Office, many countries during and after this war will realize that the old formats of European or even global security do not work, and will understand that the future will be based on such agreements as Ukraine has proposed.
Mykhailo Podolyak is convinced that the available developments indicate that preparations for the meeting of the Presidents of Ukraine and Russia can already begin. However, the Russian side has yet to consider Ukraine's proposals and give a preliminary answer to them. Currently, online working groups are constantly working to ensure the continuity of the negotiation process.
According to the Adviser to the Head of the President's Office, intermediate proposals were recorded at the meeting in Istanbul, which the parties have already worked out and discussed. There is a possibility that in a few days it will be possible to agree on the next round of talks.
At the same time, he stressed that all issues related to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine are inviolable for Ukrainian negotiators, which is constantly emphasized by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
While negotiations continue, Russia has not ceased hostilities. It is crucial that partners continue to provide Ukraine with more arms and apply more sanctions on Russia. The stronger Ukraine is, the better agreement we can achieve for the sake of Ukraine’s and Europe’s security.
Spoke with Josep Borrell on preparations for the EU-China Summit and efforts to put an end to Russian aggression. As long as barbaric Russian war crimes continue, we need to elevate sanctions pressure. The 5th EU package must come as soon as possible and be as tough as possible.
Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine states that since the beginning of a large-scale aggressive war against Ukraine, the Russian Federation has been increasing the illegal activities of its naval forces in the Black Sea.
In addition to capturing and destroying civil maritime vessels, bombing the territory of Ukraine from the sea, Russia has come up with a new way of sea robbery, which is the use of naval mines as an uncontrolled drifting ammunition. It was these drifting mines that were found March 26-28, 2022 off the coasts of Turkey and Romania.
According to the results of the identification, it was established that these were sea mines, which, as of the beginning of 2022, were not registered with the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
These mines were seized by the Russian armed forces in 2014 during the military invasion and temporary occupation of the Ukrainian city of Sevastopol. Therefore, Russia, using sea mines seized in 2014, deliberately provokes and discredits Ukraine to international partners.
Thus, using naval mines seized from Russia's military depots in 2014, the aggressor is trying to hide its illegal activities in the Black Sea, contrary to the principles and norms of international maritime and humanitarian law, and to evade responsibility for war crimes and piracy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasizes that the deliberate use by Russia of drifting sea mines turns them into a de facto weapon of indiscriminate action, which threatens, first of all, civil navigation and human life at sea in the whole waters not only of the Black and Azov Seas, but also of the Kerch and Black Sea Straits.
The responsibility for the use of drifting sea mines, as well as for their unpredictable consequences, lies solely with the Russian Federation and its naval forces.
Ukraine insists on bringing Russia to international responsibility for illegal activities in the Black Sea, war crimes and, in particular, the use of sea mines as indiscriminate weapons spread uncontrollably in the Black Sea.
On the use of drifting mines by Russia in the Black Sea, Ukraine, adhering to its international obligations, Ukraine has notified the International Maritime Organization during an extraordinary session of the Council and within the framework of IMO Legal Committee, as well as international partners through the channels the International automated service (NAVTEX).
ECONOMY
National Bank of Ukraine
NBU Discusses Further Support for Ukraine with IMF
On 28 March, NBU Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko and his deputies met with IMF Mission Chief to Ukraine Ivanna Vladkova-Hollar and IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine Vahram Stepanyan.
The NBU Governor thanked the IMF representatives for the support and assistance the IMF granted Ukraine in the first days of the war by approving additional funding under the Rapid Financing Instrument. "We are grateful to the Fund for its prompt response to our request and its quick decision to allocate financial aid to our state," said Kyrylo Shevchenko.
The parties discussed the current economic situation in Ukraine and measures taken by the NBU, since the war broke out, to ensure financial stability. The central bank informed its partners about its efforts to tighten the international economic sanctions against Russia.
The parties also broached the issue of establishing a special account that will be administered by the IMF in order to galvanize more assistance for the Ukrainian economy from IMF member states on a bilateral basis. They also talked about ways to consolidate the efforts of international partners to support and rebuild Ukraine.
"It is vital that we stay in constant contact with the global community, because the financial support and expertise of international stakeholders such as the IMF will help rebuild and develop Ukraine after the war," said Kyrylo Shevchenko.
ENERGY
Ministry of energy of Ukraine
Today, Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko met with the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, who arrived in Ukraine yesterday.
German Galushchenko noted that the full withdrawal of Russian troops from the seized nuclear power facilities is the first and necessary precondition for ensuring nuclear safety.
The position of the Ministry of Energy on ensuring the safety of Ukrainian nuclear facilities remains unchanged – to restrict Russian staff access to Ukrainian files, as well as block the participation of representatives of the Russian Federation in IAEA inspections, missions and IAEA services.
At the same time, Ministry relies on the support of the IAEA in the widest possible coverage of the potential danger that Russia poses to the whole world by seizing and shelling nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
By its actions on nuclear facilities in Ukraine, Russia has shown complete disregard of the key principles that ensure the development of nuclear energy, namely: safety, security and guarantees.
Guarantees. Russia restricts Ukraine's right to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination. This principle is a consensus between nuclear and non-nuclear states. During thirty years of independence, Ukraine has never violated such principles and is fully implementing the Agreement between Ukraine and the International Atomic Energy Agency on the application of safeguards.
Security. Russia violates key safety principles in terms of responsibility for the management of nuclear facilities and its actions contribute to the threat of a nuclear accident.
Safeguard. By seizing nuclear facilities in Ukraine, Russia has committed an act of nuclear terrorism, as it was a deliberate act against a nuclear installation and actions that interfere operation of a nuclear installation. They are well aware that such actions can lead to death or serious harm to the population and significant damage to property or the environment as a result of radioactive contamination.
GTS Operator of Ukraine
State of the Ukrainian GTS operation as of March 30
On the previous day, March 29, Gas TSO of Ukraine transported 74.8 million cubic meters of natural gas for the needs of Ukrainian consumers – power plants, organizations, industrial enterprises, and households.
Gas production in Ukraine amounted to 50 mcm, while import was equal to 9.7 mcm. The company continues transporting gas for the needs of Ukraine despite hostilities.
The situation with gas supply remains unstable in the regions where ongoing hostilities occur. Thus, due to shelling in the Luhansk region, the regional gas distribution networks has been suffered. GTSOU team and representatives of Luhanskgaz, are preparing for further restoration of networks and renovation of gas supply to residents.
As a result of hostilities, 44 GDSs out of 1395 in Kharkiv, Luhansk, Kyiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions of Ukraine remain temporarily shut down.
