Embassy of Ukraine in the USA
WAR BULLETIN
March 19, 6.30 EST
WAR ROOM
General Directorate of Military Cooperation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The total estimated loss of the Russian forces between 24.02.22 – 19.03.22 :
personnel – about 14 400;
aircraft – 95;
helicopters – 115;
tanks – 466;
armored personnel vehicles – 1470;
artillery systems – 213;
air defence systems – 44;
multiple rocket launch systems – 72;
vehicles – 914;
fuel tankers – 60;
ships/boats – 3.
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The enemy made some progress towards Donetsk but was halted in the region of Mykolayiv.
The enemy continues launching missile and bomb strikes on military and civilian infrastructure.
Since February 24, Russian forces launched 291 missile strikes, used 459 land-, sea- and air-based missiles, and conducted 1,403 air raids.
Russia’s primary land targets were: industrial infrastructure, schools, hospitals, national historical and religious sites as well as densely populated residential areas in cities across Ukraine.
There were no significant changes in the situation in Volyn direction. In Polissya direction, the separate units of the invaders are preparing for the defence in the areas of the settlements of Poliske, Kropyvnya, Zakharivka, Olyva, Zhovtneve, Ozershchyna, Lypivka, Kopyliv, Motyzhyn, Buzova, Horenychi, Bucha and Demydiv (Kyiv region).
Northwest of Chornobyl (Kyiv region), Russian forces deployed troops from the Eastern Military District. In order to replenish the losses of the Eastern Military District grouping, units of the 155th Separate Marine Brigade (Vladyvostok) and the 40th Separate Marine Brigade (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskyi) have been transferred to the territory of the Republic of Belarus.
The partial blockade of the city of Chernihiv continues; Russia continues to shell the densely populated area.
Russia has continued with offensive operations against Kyiv and has tried to regroup its combat units.
In the region of Sumy and Okhtyrka (Sumy region), Russian units of the 1st Tank Army are no longer conducting offensive operations, and are instead concentrating their efforts on blocking the city of Sumy. The enemy is preparing for offensive operations against Trostyanets, Okhtyrka (Sumy region), Poltava, and also using some of their forces in Pryluky and Kyiv.
In the Kharkiv region, the units from the 6th Combined Arms Army and the Northern Fleet did not undertake offensive operations. Their primary efforts were focused on blocking the city of Kharkiv, destroying its civilian infrastructure and conducting reconnaissance of the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian forces have regrouped in order to prevent the breakthrough of Ukrainian troops into Mariupol.
The twenty-fourth day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation continues.
The operational situation has not changed significantly. Defenders of Ukraine are holding on to the frontiers of defense, concentrating their main efforts around strategically important cities - Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Mykolayiv, and forcing the enemy to abandon the continuation of the offensive.
Due to the professional and heroic actions of the Defense Forces and strong national resistance, the enemy did not fulfil the tasks set by the kremlin leadership: the encirclement of Kyiv, access to the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and establishing control over the left bank of Ukraine.
Even hostile intelligence has concluded that it is impossible to establish pro-russian rule in the territories temporarily controlled by the occupiers due to strong Ukrainian opposition.
The enemy continues to launch missile and bomb strikes on military and civilian infrastructure using high-precision weapons, unguided aircraft bombs and high-impact munitions.
Violating the norms of international law and human morality, the russian invaders are attacking densely populated Ukrainian cities and villages, critical and industrial infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and government agencies.
russian troops continue to suffer heavy losses. In the temporarily occupied Crimea, some marine units have lost up to 90 percent of their personnel, and there are no reserves to recover.
There are attempts to recruit companies to be sent to Ukraine at the expense of those sent from other military units. In these units, more than 20 people wrote reports of refusal to take part in the war against Ukraine, and repressive methods of influence were applied to "deniers".
In recent days, enemy units in the Mykolayiv direction, manned by mobilization in the temporarily occupied Donetsk region (recall that forced mobilization of the population in the occupied territories is a direct violation of the Rome Statute and the Geneva Conventions), have also suffered significant losses. During the two days of fighting, the irreparable losses of the enemy amounted to more than 200 people, the rest are demoralized and refuse to take part in hostilities. The mobilized openly accuse the russian command of using them for "combat reconnaissance" to identify the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Refrigerators with a load of "200" arrive at the Luhansk Regional Hospital every day. This is the body of a soldier of the 2nd Army Corps, which has suffered significant losses. Queues of relatives of the dead lined up near the district executive committees on death certificates.
Unsuccessful in open combat, the occupiers continue to terrorize the local population. With the help of propaganda stories, the enemy is trying to form a picture of the loyal attitude of the local population to the occupying power. In the settlements of Chernihiv region, russian invaders tried to distribute "humanitarian aid". The locals did not take anything from the enemy, even under pressure. The enemy is trying to carry out similar measures in Kyiv and Kherson oblasts.upol (Donetsk region).
Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
As of morning March 19, State Emergency Service units carried out 1,083 visits, including 306 visits to deal with damage from the shelling of settlements and civilian infrastructure by Russian troops; they rescued 51 people. Bomb disposal personnel neutralized 527 explosives.
876 settlements have been left without energy, including 84 of them partially. As of 8 a.m., on March 19 more than 691,000 people were evacuated, including 146,000 children and more than 12,000 people with disabilities.
https://www.facebook.com/mvs.gov.ua
On the night of March 19, Russian troops dropped four shells on the transport infrastructure between the village of Piskivka and the village of Myhalky.
On March 18, the Russian army carried out an air strike on Piskiv; one woman was injured and civilian buildings were damaged.
https://www.facebook.com/mvs.gov.ua
Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights
Every new hour of Russia's war against Ukraine takes the lives of civilians. The aggressor's aircraft, missiles and army are destroying towns and villages and, worst of all, maiming and killing our children.
Today, as a result of the shelling, a residential building in the town of Rubizhne in the Luhansk region was destroyed - people were trapped.
Two children without signs of life were rescued from the rubble, rescuers performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but, unfortunately, emergency medical workers pronounced them dead. A dead woman and a child were also rescued from the ruins. The child was saved, her condition is satisfactory.
As a result of the air strike on Makarov, Kyiv region, seven people were killed and five were injured. Residential buildings were destroyed, an administrative building and other premises were damaged.
An apartment building caught fire in the town of Vorzel in the Kyiv region as a result of the shelling. More than 30 apartments burned down. The number of victims is currently being clarified.
Avoiding hostilities and openly fleeing the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the racist army directs its entire combat arsenal against unarmed civilians.
According to Article 48 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts, hostilities are to be directed only against military installations. The party violating these norms is responsible for all actions committed by persons who are members of its armed forces (Article 91).
The political and military leadership of the Russian Federation, on the bench of the military tribunal, must be held accountable for all atrocities and crimes committed on Ukrainian soil.
I ask the International Criminal Court to consider these next crimes of the Russian occupation forces as evidence in the case of the genocide of the Ukrainian people.
I call on UN member states to speed up the establishment of a Special Tribunal to punish the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
Visited one of the places of detention where russian prisoners of war are staying in order to verify their rights in accordance with the requirements of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
No complaints of inadequate conditions of detention, torture and ill-treatment were received during confidential communication with detainees.
All prisoners of war who need medical care receive it in full.
Violation of the rights of prisoners of war of the Russian Federation isn't established.
Ukraine has ensured compliance with the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War in all circumstances.
Strategic communications
Defenders of Ukraine killed at least six Russian generals
During the three weeks of the war, Ukrainian soldiers killed more than a dozen senior Russian commanders, including at least six generals, according to the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
We will remind surnames of the last:
Major General Magomed Tushayev - Commander of the 141st Motorized Regiment of the National Guard of the Russian Federation;
Major General Vitaly Gerasimov - First Deputy Commander of the 41st Army of the Central Military District;
Major General Andrei Kolesnikov - Commander of the 29th Army of the Eastern Military District;
Major General Andrey Sukhovetsky - Deputy Commander of the 41st Army of the Central Military District.
Major General Oleg Mityaev - Commander of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division;
Lieutenant General Andrey Mordvichev - Commander of the 8th Guards General Army of the Southern Military District.
Of course, no one in Russia talks about "general losses" at the federal level. In Russia, the official head of the "special operation in Ukraine" is still not named.
https://www.facebook.com/StratcomCentreUA/posts/310935381106449
POLICY
President of Ukraine
Meaningful talks on peace and security for Ukraine are the only chance for Russia to reduce the damage from its own mistakes - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Usually on such days we used to say: “Spring has come”.
But now we are saying: “War has come”.
But we will definitely defeat everyone no matter what. Because we are free people of a free country.
Today, government officials have elaborated the decision to fully reboot the customs service.
Cargo for our defense, for our people will be brought into Ukraine as easily as the physics laws allow that.
We eliminate the whole bureaucracy, all paperwork, VAT, all customs duties.
The goal is clear - to prevent the human factor from hindering the speedy supply of goods, which are really needed now.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and profile committees are working to ensure the support of people’s deputies for the innovations. I emphasize: this decision is necessary for the defense of the state, for ensuring normal life during martial law.
I urge certain MPs not to speculate on this issue, as it is for the benefit of our state, not the government or the opposition. We must all work jointly for the sake of our Ukraine, our people. Let’s think about PR after the victory.
Another important area of government work is helping Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homes due to hostilities.
I commissioned the Cabinet of Ministers to develop a comprehensive program to support such people, our citizens. Everyone who was deprived of home because of the war. We already have the outlines of this program. The first component is financial. State support for all displaced persons. Adults and children. Government support for jobs for such people - where they are temporarily staying. So that every person, every family has a basis for life.
The second component is housing. The government is preparing concrete proposals for housing for IDPs right now. And also organizes the reconstruction of destroyed housing after the war.
The third component is no less important. This is the support for the families who have housed people from areas of hostilities or temporary occupation. At a minimum, they will be reimbursed for the cost of utilities related to the stay of IDPs.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal will soon explain all the details of such a comprehensive program to support our citizens.
A coordination headquarters has been set up to regulate all issues related to the delivery of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Under the chairmanship of Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, a meeting was held with Ukrainian ambassadors to intensify the supply of humanitarian goods to Ukraine, primarily to help internally displaced persons.
I also commissioned the government to provide assistance together with the International Committee of the Red Cross to those of our citizens who found themselves abroad after February 24 and need the attention of our state and international organizations.
Today there were seven humanitarian corridors in Ukraine. Six - in the Sumy region, one - in the Donetsk region. More than 9,000 people were evacuated from the besieged Mariupol. In total, more than 180,000 Ukrainians have been rescued by the humanitarian corridors. Hundreds of tons of essential products were delivered.
But the occupiers continue to block the supply of humanitarian aid to the besieged cities in most areas. This is a totally deliberate tactic. They have a clear order to do absolutely everything to make the humanitarian catastrophe in Ukrainian cities an "argument" for Ukrainians to cooperate with the occupiers.
This is a war crime. They will be held accountable for this. 100%. Every Russian figure who gives such orders and every Russian soldier who carries out such orders will be identified. And will receive a compulsory one-way ticket to The Hague. To the city where the International Criminal Court is located.
People are being rescued from the rubble of the drama theater destroyed by the occupiers in Mariupol, where civilians had been hiding from Russian shelling and bombs. More than 130 people are already on the surface. Some of them are seriously wounded. But at the moment there is no information about the dead.
Thanks to the courage and professional training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the occupation forces were stopped in almost all directions.
Heavy fighting in the Kharkiv region - especially heavy near Izyum. Russian troops have already thrown people from training centers there. Absolutely unprepared contingent. People who can't endure half an hour in battle.
Kyiv region, Sumy region, Chernihiv region, the south of our state - the army stopped the occupiers. The initial plan of the Russian military to seize our state failed. And it seems that they do not know what else can be done to us. It seems that their military commanders are not able to offer their political leadership anything but cruel and erroneous tactics to exhaust us, to exhaust Ukraine. Nothing but constant strikes at the civilian population, peaceful cities, people, children, missiles, air bombs, shelling from "Grads", "Uragans". Nothing but the destruction of non-military infrastructure - residential buildings, hospitals, schools, churches.
But this tactic of their military only worsens the situation for the Russian state. Leads to new and new destructive sanctions. Encourages new members to join our anti-war coalition. It allows us to unite even those states that have always tried to remain neutral to put pressure on Russia.
Therefore, negotiations on peace, on security for us, for Ukraine - meaningful, fair and without delay - are the only chance for Russia to reduce the damage from its own mistakes.
We have always insisted on negotiations. We have always offered dialogue, offered solutions for peace. Not only during 23 days of invasion.
And I want everyone to hear me now, especially in Moscow. It's time to meet. Time to talk. It is time to restore territorial integrity and justice for Ukraine. Otherwise, Russia's losses will be so huge that several generations will not be enough to rebound.
Many words were heard in Moscow today in connection with the anniversary of the seizure of Crimea. A big rally took place. And I want to pay attention to one detail. It is reported that a total of about 200,000 people were involved in the rally in the Russian capital. 100,000 on the streets, about 95,000 at the stadium.
Approximately the same number of Russian troops were involved in the invasion of Ukraine.
Just imagine 14 thousand corpses and tens of thousands of wounded and maimed people at that stadium in Moscow. There are already so many Russian losses as a result of this invasion.
This is the price of war. In a little more than three weeks. The war must end.
Ukraine's proposals are on the table.
In the coming days, I will continue to appeal to the nations of the world to call for peace for Ukraine. My appeal to the Swiss people is ahead, to the people and to the state.
Appeals to Israel, Italy and Japan are also planned. The world hears Ukraine's position. The world supports our defenders, defenders of Ukraine.
Today I want to express my sincere gratitude to each defender of our strong Mariupol. Our heroic city, which is experiencing the greatest ordeal in its history, in the history of Ukraine.
36th Separate Marine Brigade.
501st Separate Marine Battalion.
1st Separate Marine Battalion.
12th Brigade of the National Guard.
And a separate detachment of special purpose "Azov".
I am grateful to each and every one of our defenders of Mariupol. I am grateful to everyone who defends Ukraine.
Also at the request of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine I decided to confer the title of Hero of Ukraine upon:
Colonel Baranyuk Volodymyr Anatoliyovych, Commander of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade.
And Major Prokopenko Denys Hennadiyovych, Commander of a separate detachment of special purpose "Azov". For courage, for effective actions to repel enemy attacks, for the defense of the hero city of Mariupol.
Address by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the people of Switzerland
“I am grateful to you and your state for supporting us in such a difficult time. I am thankful that you did not stay away, didn't say that it wasn't related to you at all.
It is impossible to stay away from the fact that in the 21st century, in the heart of Europe, hundreds of rockets and bombs are flying at peaceful cities.
It is impossible to stay away when the army of the world's largest state, albeit only in size, directs all its deadly potential to destroy us, to destroy hospitals, ordinary schools, churches, universities, maternity hospitals, residential areas.
It is impossible to be indifferent when children are killed. As of this morning, the Russian army has killed 112 Ukrainian children.”
On the issue of business that works in Russia despite the war:
“Despite all our murdered children. Despite the people killed. Despite the destroyed cities. Like our city of Mariupol, heroic Mariupol, which has been under complete blockade for weeks. Imagine - no food, no water, no electricity. Just under the bombs.
"Good food. Good life." This is the slogan of Nestlé. Your company that refuses to leave Russia. Even now - when there are threats from Russia to other European countries. Not only to us. When there is even nuclear blackmail from Russia.”
Deputy Prime Minister
March 19th: the results of the evacuation. Again, not all humanitarian corridors worked - Iryna Vereshchuk
This is how Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Iryna Vereshchuk, described the situation with humanitarian corridors on March 19th evening. She said that 8 out of 10 humanitarian corridors worked, more than 6.6 thousand people were evacuated.
Donetsk oblast
More than 4.1 thousand people left Mariupol for Zaporizhzhia via the humanitarian corridor. Almost 1.2 thousand of them are children.
Almost 500 Mariupol residents were transported from Mangush to Berdyansk by minibusses. Tomorrow morning they will be able to leave by bus to Zaporizhzhia. Buses from Zaporizhia are now arriving in Berdyansk to evacuate Mariupol residents. Tomorrow buses will be on the square in front of the city sports complex in Berdyansk at 9:00 am. Departure to Zaporizhzhia at 11-00 o'clock.
"We are working on the transport organization to move Mariupol residents from Portovo, Melekino, and Nikolsky," said Iryna Vereshchuk.
Kyiv oblast
500 people were taken from Bervytsia to Brovary. 320 people were evacuated from Bucha to Belogorodka. From Bogdanovka to Brovary - 1 thousand civilians.
The evacuation from Borodyanka to Bila Tserkva did not take place - the shelling prevented it. Buses remain on the route and will be able to begin the evacuation of people from Borodyanka tomorrow morning.
Luhansk oblast
160 people left Lysychansk to Bakhmut. From Siverskodonetsk to Bakhmut also 160. From Rubizhne to Bakhmut - 45. From Popasna to Bakhmut - 310. Humanitarian cargoes were also delivered to these cities: food and medicine.
Kherson oblast
Halfway, 14 trucks with humanitarian aid for the cities of the Kherson oblast were stopped by the occupying forces. Delivery of humanitarian goods did not take place.
Tomorrow we are planning evacuation routes for the population of the Kyiv oblast. We will continue the evacuation of Mariupol residents to Zaporizhzhia and deliver humanitarian goods in the Kharkiv oblast.
"Let's take care of each other! We are one day closer to victory! Everything will be Ukraine!" The Deputy Prime Minister urged her fellow citizens.
https://www.facebook.com/MReintegration/posts/270241521950894
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Operational situation on the diplomatic front as for March 19, 7pm
Ukrainian diplomacy is systematically working to ensure that foreign companies cease their activities with the occupying power and immediately withdraw their business from Russia. Today, the German company Bosch announced the suspension of components for trucks to Russia and Russian customers, because Russia has used its products for military purposes.
Dmytro Kuleba: “We will definitely continue to reveal all the facts of sponsorship of the Russian military machine by foreign companies and put pressure on the immediate exit of foreign businesses from Russia. And in general, any decent international company has no place in Russia. "
Support of the world
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky made a speech in the Swiss Parliament . In his speech, the Head of State called for a complete freeze on the financial assets of those who are involved in the full-scale war against Ukraine
Refusal of the gas needle of the Russian Federation
Bulgaria will not renew its natural gas supply contract with Russia's Gazprom amid the war in Ukraine. The contract expires at the end of the year
Isolation of the Russian Federation
57 cities in Poland have unilaterally terminated cooperation agreements with 48 cities in Russia and 12 cities in Belarus
One of the largest oil service companies, Baker Hughes, is halting investment in Russia over the war against Ukraine
The German company Bosch is preparing for a complete cessation of production at Russian plants, including the household goods plant in St. Petersburg
Humanitarian aids
The United Kingdom has donated more than two million medical devices and equipment to Ukraine. Also, 21 children with cancer came to Britain for treatment
The Hungarian government has sent another humanitarian convoy to Ukraine - 5 trucks with emergency medical supplies, as well as food and hygiene products
The International Committee of the Red Cross in Monaco donated 268,000 euros worth of medicines and equipment to the Center for Pediatric Neurosurgery in Kyiv
Since the start of the full-scale Russian war, Croatia has provided Ukraine with almost 115 tons of humanitarian aid, as well as firefighting equipment worth about $ 60,000
Five trucks of humanitarian aid from Georgia were unloaded in Lviv
https://www.facebook.com/100064814226458/posts/340997381404067/
ENERGY
Ministry of energy of Ukraine
Information on energy supply as of March 19
Last night, electricity was restored to more than 96,000 consumers: in particular, in Sumy region - about 49 thousand, in Donetsk - about 22 thousand, in Zaporizhzhya - about 15,8 thousand, Kyiv – 5,1 thousand consumers.
Work is underway in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions.
Gas supply was restored to 3,841 consumers.
Ukrainian energy companies are doing their best to quickly return light and heat to Ukrainian citizens.
However, in some areas, emergency recovery work is complicated or impossible due to the intensification of hostilities and the emergence of new damage.
As of March 19, more than 273,000 consumers remain without gas supply. More than 1,327 settlements and more than 872,000 consumers are without electricity.
The United Energy System of Ukraine operates stably in the synchronous zone with the Continental European Network.
https://www.facebook.com/minenergoUkraine/posts/332708938887059
German Galushchenko: after synchronisation with ENTSO-E, we can increase the capacity of grids between Europe and Ukraine to 5 GW.
Synchronisation will significantly increase the reliability of Ukrainian power system and ensure security of electricity supply to consumers.
“Synchronisation of energy systems of Ukraine and Europe unites us on one of the most key levels - energy. This means that Ukraine has severed the last link with the dictatorial regimes of russia and belarus, which has been involuntarily remaining since soviet times. Now, the next and final step of Ukraine's European integration is the political integration. This is what makes joining ENTSO-E so important for us” - German Galushchenko said.
Ukraine is now part of a large energy space.
He notes that in the future there is an opportunity to increase the capacity of power grids between Ukraine and Europe.
“There are a number of other technological initiatives that will increase the capacity of our power grids, the actual transmission capacity between the power system of Ukraine and ENTSO-E countries to 4 and even 5 GW. This is more than the previous capacity between Ukraine and russia, it was about 3 GW. Synchronisation will significantly increase the reliability of our power system, reduce the cost of electricity production due to more efficient use of generating capacity. And, therefore, it will increase the security of electricity supply to consumers,” - German Galushchenko concluded.
https://www.facebook.com/minenergoUkraine/posts/332568155567804
GTS Operator of Ukraine
Repair crews of GTSOU resume gas transportation to Vuglegirska Thermal Power Plant (TPP)
Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU) continues to restore the gas infrastructure damaged due to hostilities. For the previous day, on March 18, the company repaired the gas pipeline to the Vuglegirska TPP, wrecked by artillery shelling. The thermal power plant received a backup power supply source.
The gas pipeline to the Vuglegirska TPP was destroyed on March 10, but due to constant fighting, specialists were only able to locate the destruction.
After gaining access to the destroyed area, the specialists of GTSOU executed repair works in the shortest terms – in two light days. Repair works on the gas pipeline were carried out by employees of Kramatorsk LPU together with colleagues of Zaporizhzhya LPU, under the direction of the chief engineer of Kramatorsk LPU Serhiy G.