Russo-Ukrainian war, day 758: 1/3 of Kharkiv without electricity; Ukraine strikes more Russian oil refineries

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Meet “Liutyi,” Ukraine’s homegrown drone behind strikes on Russian oil refineries. Ukraine’s domestically produced Liutyi unmanned aircraft has been behind precise strikes on Russian oil refineries up to 800km inside Russia.

Inside Russia’s “Special liberation operation”: how expat rebels raid Putin’s borderlands. Adopting the Kremlin’s euphemism for its Ukraine invasion, Russian rebel battalions have launched a 10-day ‘special liberation operation of Russia from Putin’ in Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk oblasts, asserting they have seized villages, destroyed military equipment and diverted Russian forces from the front

Military

Ukraine denies FT’s report that US requested to halt strikes on Russia’s oil refineries. Ukrainian President’s Advisor Podoliak denied FT’s report that the US had allegedly urged Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries, dismissing it as “fake information” and asserting Ukraine’s right to target aggressors’ war capabilities under international law.

British intel: Russia unable to fully protect energy facilities from attacks. A Russian official says Pantsir air defenses will be deployed to protect refineries from Ukraine’s drones strike, but a report says Russia is unlikely to protect all vulnerable energy facilities

ISW: Russia attacks Ukraine’s energy system to undermine defense industry. Russian forces are likely trying to exploit Ukrainian air defense missile shortages in a renewed attempt to collapse Ukraine’s energy grid, ISW reported.

Ukraine downs 31 of 34 Russian drones overnight. Russian double attack on Kharkiv in the early hours of 23 March injured a 19-year-old man & rescuers, law enforcement officers who were working on the scene of the 1st attack.

One more Russian oil refinery exploded last night. Locals heard explosions and saw how the fire broke out at the Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in Russia’s Samara Oblast after a suspected drone strike

As of 24 Mar 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• • • Personnel: 436750 (+990)
    • Tanks: 6876 (+24)
    • APV: 13158 (+28)
    • Artillery systems: 10855 (+44)
    • MLRS: 1018
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 723
    • Aircraft: 347
    • Helicopters: 325
    • UAV: 85104 (+47)
    • Cruise missiles : 1992
    • Warships/boats: 26
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 14407 (+63)

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine tests mine-resistant boots to protect deminers on the frontlines. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has embarked on an innovative project to develop specialized mine-resistant boots aimed at safeguarding the limbs of deminers working to clear landmines.

France, Germany allow tank manufacturer KNDS to establish branch in Ukraine. KNDS will create a unit in Ukraine to produce ammunition and spare parts for equipment. The memorandum of understanding will be signed in Paris on 26 April

International

NATO Admiral Rob Bauer: Russia-Ukraine war will shape the fate of the world. Admiral Bauer stated, “This war is being fought because President Putin fears something much more powerful than any physical weapon on Earth – democracy.”

UK boosts military aid to Ukraine with £60M package for drones and air defense systems. UK Defence Secretary recently declared an increase in funding to £325 million.

Bloomberg: Russian oil exports finally facing real sanctions squeeze. Western sanctions have begun to disrupt Russia’s oil exports, with recent developments indicating growing challenges for Moscow’s efforts to maintain its crucial energy sales.

Lithuanian PM: It is time of war, but we continue living as if it were time of peace. “Europe’s freedom today depends on Ukrainians who are holding the line. It is our joint responsibility to give Ukraine tools to win,” Ingrida Šimonytė said.

Macron: believing Russia will stop at Donbas, Crimea is a mistake. French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned against underestimating Russia’s intentions.

Russia-Ukraine war prompts Poland to bolster self-defense readiness. Poland is enhancing its self-defense capabilities in response to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with new legislation aimed at boosting civil readiness and emergency response.

Humanitarian and social impact

Only a third of homes in Kharkiv have electricity, half have heating. Approximately 16,500 individuals visited 149 resilience centers in the Kharkiv Oblast within a single day.

Russian forces strike Kharkiv industrial zone, civilian killed in Vovchanski Khutory. Russian forces launched an attack on Kharkiv Saturday evening, targeting an industrial zone and causing damage to a non-residential building, while a separate artillery strike claimed the life of a 72-year-old man.

Political and legal developments

Zelenskyy accuses Putin of shifting blame for Crocus city hall attack. “What happened yesterday in Moscow is clear that Putin and other scum are just trying to pin it on someone else,” Zelenskyy said.

Death toll rises to 133 in Moscow concert hall attack. Attack at Moscow concert hall sees an increase in casualties, with ISIS identified as the responsible party, according to the White House.

US confirms ISIS behind deadly Moscow concert attack. The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the mass shooting at a concert hall in Moscow on 22 March in a Telegram post released after the attack. The US confirmed this shortly afterward

US sees no link between Ukraine and Moscow concert hall shooting, says White House. Ukrainian intelligence called the Moscow shooting a deliberate provocation by Putin’s regime.

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