Situation report as of the morning of March 16th, – General Staff

This is the twenty-first day of confrontation between Ukraine and its citizens against Russian military aggression.

The state, position and nature of the actions of the defense forces have not changed significantly over the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to inflict devastating blows on the groups of occupant troops in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as to launch a counteroffensive in certain directions.

According to the results of the previous day, due to the actions of the air defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, three aircraft were destroyed (two of them – Su-34).

In addition, one helicopter, three operational-tactical UAVs and two cruise missiles were shot down.

Air Force aviation continued air strikes against ground targets. Nine air raids were carried out on convoys of equipment and concentrations of invading troops.

The occupation troops continue to launch missile and bomb attacks on the infrastructure and densely populated areas of Ukrainian cities.

The enemy continues to suffer losses and retreats in separate directions. The main efforts of the invaders are concentrated on securing and maintaining previously occupied lines and defense areas.

In the Volyn direction, the actions of the enemy have not changed, and are aimed at strengthening the protection of the Ukrainian-Belarusian border. The deployment of units of the 120th separate motorized rifle brigade (MINSK) of the North-Western Operational Command of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus to the border regions with Ukraine was revealed.

The enemy did not carry out active offensive actions in the Polesia direction. In violation of the norms of International Humanitarian Law, the enemy chaotically mined the area, creating a danger to the civilian population. The enemy also carried out regrouping, restoring the combat capability of units defeated in previous battles. As a result of the actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy suffers significant losses in manpower and equipment.

In the Seversk direction, the enemy concentrated his efforts during the day on reconnaissance. There are problems with providing troops with ammunition.

In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy is trying to strengthen the existing grouping by concentrating reserves near the state border, blocking access to the city of Sumy from the south and blocking Izium. No success.

In the Donetsk direction, the enemy made an unsuccessful attempt to advance in the direction of the settlements of Rubizhne, Severodonetsk, Lysichansk, as a result of which the invaders suffered significant losses and were forced to retreat to their original position. In the Popasna area, the enemy is trying to hold his position. Not successful in the Avdiivka area.

The worst situation remains in the area of ​​Mariupol, where the enemy is trying to block the city on the western and eastern outskirts. Has significant losses, forced to bring in reserves from the 810th Separate Marine Brigade.

In the Yuzhnobuzhsky direction, the enemy concentrated his efforts on holding occupied lines, improving the engineering equipment of existing positions. Does not abandon the plan to continue the offensive in the direction of Krybyi Rih. As a result of the work of the units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in the Chornobaivka area, the enemy lost seven combat helicopters.