• Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers who crossed into Russia's Kursk region last August now face near-complete encirclement by Russian troops, according to Reuters, which cited data from publicly available maps. The advance that Ukraine hoped would shift leverage in talks with Moscow has instead led to a deteriorating situation. Over recent days, Russian counterattacks have regained ground, splitting the Ukrainian forces and severing major supply routes. This escalation follows the United States' suspension of intelligence cooperation with Kyiv, complicating Ukraine’s tactical options. “The situation in Kursk is very dire,” noted Pasi Paroinen from the Finland-based Black Bird Group. Analyst Yan Matveev warned that Kyiv is now confronted with tough decisions regarding the encircled units.

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers who crossed into Russia's Kursk region last August now face near-complete encirclement by Russian troops, according to Reuters, which cited data from publicly available maps. The advance that Ukraine hoped would shift leverage in talks with Moscow has instead led to a deteriorating situation. Over recent days, Russian counterattacks have regained ground, splitting the Ukrainian forces and severing major supply routes. This escalation follows the United States' suspension of intelligence cooperation with Kyiv, complicating Ukraine’s tactical options. “The situation in Kursk is very dire,” noted Pasi Paroinen from the Finland-based Black Bird Group. Analyst Yan Matveev warned that Kyiv is now confronted with tough decisions regarding the encircled units.

• Around 75% of the Ukrainian forces deployed within Russian territory are now nearly surrounded, according to map analysis posted on Friday by Deep State, a respected Ukrainian military blog. The analysis indicated a narrow corridor, roughly one kilometer long and just 500 meters wide at its thinnest, remains open between the main forces and the border. Russian troops were reportedly focusing efforts on closing that corridor and halting supplies passing to Ukrainian positions in Kursk. Their pressure also extends to border regions adjoining Ukraine’s Sumy oblast.

Around 75% of the Ukrainian forces deployed within Russian territory are now nearly surrounded, according to map analysis posted on Friday by Deep State, a respected Ukrainian military blog. The analysis indicated a narrow corridor, roughly one kilometer long and just 500 meters wide at its thinnest, remains open between the main forces and the border. Russian troops were reportedly focusing efforts on closing that corridor and halting supplies passing to Ukrainian positions in Kursk. Their pressure also extends to border regions adjoining Ukraine’s Sumy oblast.

• A massive wave of missile and drone attacks struck Ukraine on Friday, just one day after the U.S. halted intelligence sharing that had previously warned Kyiv ahead of such actions, report Luke Harding and Dan Sabbagh. These events coincide with preparations by Ukrainian officials to meet American counterparts in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the conflict. On Truth Social, President Donald Trump posted a statement condemning the escalation, suggesting the possibility of large-scale sanctions and tariffs on Russia unless a ceasefire and final peace agreement are achieved. Trump also stated that Putin was easier to negotiate with than Ukrainian leaders, expressing a belief in the Russian president. "They don’t hold the cards,” Trump remarked, referencing Ukraine’s perceived bargaining position.

A massive wave of missile and drone attacks struck Ukraine on Friday, just one day after the U.S. halted intelligence sharing that had previously warned Kyiv ahead of such actions, report Luke Harding and Dan Sabbagh. These events coincide with preparations by Ukrainian officials to meet American counterparts in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the conflict. On Truth Social, President Donald Trump posted a statement condemning the escalation, suggesting the possibility of large-scale sanctions and tariffs on Russia unless a ceasefire and final peace agreement are achieved. Trump also stated that Putin was easier to negotiate with than Ukrainian leaders, expressing a belief in the Russian president. "They don’t hold the cards,” Trump remarked, referencing Ukraine’s perceived bargaining position.

• In response to renewed Russian air and naval assaults, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for a cessation of hostilities specifically over airspace and maritime zones. “A true move toward peace must start by compelling the aggressor—Russia—to stop launching attacks,” Zelenskyy said via Telegram. Moscow has dismissed the concept of a temporary ceasefire, an idea also supported by the UK and France.

In response to renewed Russian air and naval assaults, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for a cessation of hostilities specifically over airspace and maritime zones. “A true move toward peace must start by compelling the aggressor—Russia—to stop launching attacks,” Zelenskyy said via Telegram. Moscow has dismissed the concept of a temporary ceasefire, an idea also supported by the UK and France.

• American aerospace company Maxar Technologies has reportedly cut off Ukraine's access to satellite imaging in response to a directive from the Trump administration. The company emphasized that its contracts with U.S. and allied governments leave control of image distribution to individual clients, who determine how that data is used and whom it is shared with.

American aerospace company Maxar Technologies has reportedly cut off Ukraine's access to satellite imaging in response to a directive from the Trump administration. The company emphasized that its contracts with U.S. and allied governments leave control of image distribution to individual clients, who determine how that data is used and whom it is shared with.

• On Friday night, Russian forces launched a deadly assault on Dobropillia in eastern Ukraine, killing 11 and wounding 30, Ukraine’s emergency services reported. Vadym Filashki, the regional governor, said via Telegram that three separate nighttime strikes were carried out, damaging multiple residential buildings. Elsewhere in Donetsk, prosecutors confirmed five civilian deaths across several towns. Additional casualties were reported in Bogodukhiv and Odesa, where drone strikes further impacted local infrastructure, according to local authorities. In Pokrovsk, one person died, with two more neutralized in the adjacent villages near Kostyantynivka. Another fatality occurred near Kurakhove, now under Russian control since January.

On Friday night, Russian forces launched a deadly assault on Dobropillia in eastern Ukraine, killing 11 and wounding 30, Ukraine’s emergency services reported. Vadym Filashki, the regional governor, said via Telegram that three separate nighttime strikes were carried out, damaging multiple residential buildings. Elsewhere in Donetsk, prosecutors confirmed five civilian deaths across several towns. Additional casualties were reported in Bogodukhiv and Odesa, where drone strikes further impacted local infrastructure, according to local authorities. In Pokrovsk, one person died, with two more neutralized in the adjacent villages near Kostyantynivka. Another fatality occurred near Kurakhove, now under Russian control since January.

• President Zelenskyy’s approval rating has seen a notable rise, increasing by 10 percentage points following a confrontation with Donald Trump, according to a new survey from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. The poll, conducted from mid-February to early March, revealed public confidence in Zelenskyy climbed to 67% in March, compared to 57% a month prior.

President Zelenskyy’s approval rating has seen a notable rise, increasing by 10 percentage points following a confrontation with Donald Trump, according to a new survey from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. The poll, conducted from mid-February to early March, revealed public confidence in Zelenskyy climbed to 67% in March, compared to 57% a month prior.

• Iran’s foreign ministry has rejected claims made by French President Emmanuel Macron that Tehran had provided military hardware to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, citing state news agency Irna, dismissed the allegation as “unsubstantiated and incorrect.”

Iran’s foreign ministry has rejected claims made by French President Emmanuel Macron that Tehran had provided military hardware to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, citing state news agency Irna, dismissed the allegation as “unsubstantiated and incorrect.”