Embassy of Ukraine in the USA
WAR BULLETIN
March 22, 8.30 pm EST
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the issue of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is a "red line", many Ukrainians gave their lives for it.
As a result of talks with Russia, Ukraine expects an end to aggression and withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory - Andriy Yermak
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine called on NATO Allies to give Ukraine an answer regarding its accession to NATO and help from the Alliance.
Servicemen of the aggressor country, while intoxicated, repeatedly raped the wife of the civilian they murdered, threatening her with violence and weapons, including her young child, who was with the victim.
The enemy has been having significant problems with the logistics in almost all directions. The occupying forces continue to suffer significant losses due to an inadequately organized medical supply system.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry urges the international community to take decisive action against Russia, including the introduction of new painful economic sanctions, to force it to lift the siege of Kherson and other cities of Ukraine and create the conditions for safe evacuation of Ukrainian and foreign nationals.
WAR ROOM
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Failing to succeed, the enemy continues to launch missiles and bomb strikes at military and civilian infrastructure of Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions. Russian fascists have carried out over 80 flights, including 29 from the airfields of Baranovychi and Bobruisk, which are located on the territory of Belarus.
The strikes were carried out using bomber aircrafts, attack bombers, and fighter jets. 5 reconnaissance aircrafts were used to carry out area reconnaissance.
In the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov operational zones, ships of the Russian Federation's navy are carrying out tasks. To support actions of the ground forces of the Russian fascists, up to 5 ships of varying types continue to be stationed in the northeastern part of the Sea of Azov.
Despite the active propaganda, the personnel of various units of the Central military district are demoralized due to significant losses.
There continue to be cases of mass refusal of servicemen of Russian forces to take part in the war against Ukraine. According to the available information, in the 155th separate brigade of the marines, since the beginning of war, approximately 220 servicemen have refused to take part in the armed aggression against Ukraine. In total, since the 24th of February of this year, approximately 50 servicemen in this unit have been killed and 110 wounded. Additionally, the death of top and senior officers in the Russian-Ukrainian war has significantly resonated throughout the Russian society.
The enemy, as noted earlier, has been having significant problems with the logistics in almost all directions. The occupying forces continue to suffer significant losses due to an inadequately organized medical supply system. Thus, due to the untimely provision of medical care, a lack of system of medical evacuation of the wounded, and a lack of medication, units of the 7th assault division of the airborne Russian forces have suffered heavy losses.
It is day 27 of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to russia's military invasion.
Failing to succeed, the enemy continues to launch missiles and bomb strikes from the air, at military and civilian infrastructure of Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk oblasts. The enemy has carried out over 80 flights, including 29 from the airfields of Baranovychi and Bobruisk, which are located on the territory of belarus.
The strikes were carried out using bomber aircraft, attack bombers, and fighter jets. 5 reconnaissance aircraft were used in order to carry out area reconnaissance of Ukraine's territory from the air.
In certain areas of the Black Sea, in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov operational zones, ships of the russian federation's navy are carrying out tasks. In the northeastern part of the Sea of Azov, with the purpose of supporting the actions of the ground forces of the occupational forces, up to 5 ships of varying types continue to be stationed.
Despite the active propaganda, the personnel of various units of the Central military district is demoralized due to significant losses.
There continue to be cases of mass refusal of servicemen of the armed forces of the russian federation to take part in the war against Ukraine. According to the available information, in the 155th separate brigade of the marines, since the beginning of the war, approximately 220 servicemen have refused to take part in the armed aggression against Ukraine. In total, since the 24th of February of this year, approximately 50 servicemen in this unit have been killed and 110 wounded. Additionally, the death of top and senior officers in the russian-Ukrainian war has significantly resonated throughout russian society.
The enemy, as noted earlier, has been having significant problems with the logistics within the occupying forces in almost all directions. In addition, the occupying forces continue to suffer significant losses due to an inadequately organized medical supply system. Thus, due to the untimely provision of medical care, a lack of a system of medical evacuation of the wounded, and a lack of medication, units of the 7th assault division of the airborne forces of the russian federation have suffered heavy losses.
Ukraine's protectors continue to hold back the enemy, demonstrating courage and heroism, and destroy them in all directions.
Prosecutor General’s Office
On 19 March 2022, members of the Russian armed forces used a firearm to attack a retired couple who were cycling to Trostianets hospital on a country road; the 59-year-old woman was killed and her husband wounded.
On 21 March 2022, the Russian Armed Forces shelled Zelenodolsk of Dnipropetrovsk Region with a «Grad» multiple rocket launcher. As a result of the shelling, four multi-storey buildings were damaged.
On 22 March 2022, the Russian Armed Forces shelled Brovary, Kyiv Region. The shell hit the territory of one of the factories, damaging seven buses and outbuildings.
On 17-21 March 2022, Russian forces opened fire on residential areas and civilian infrastructure in Rubizhne and Popasna, Luhansk region. As a result of the shelling, 9 people were killed and 2 suffered shrapnel wounds. The Popasna Lyceum No. 1 communal institution was destroyed.
Refugees can receive the status of witnesses and victims of Russian war crimes in Ukrainea.
A Russian soldier broke into a private house in one of the villages of Brovary district and shot the owner of the house. Subsequently, he and other servicemen of the aggressor country, while intoxicated, repeatedly raped the wife of the murdered civilian, threatening her with violence and weapons, including her young child, who was with the victim.
Commissioner for Human Rights
Russia continues to shell peaceful cities and civilian sites with weapons prohibited by international treaties.
During the past 24hrs, the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region has been hit by Russia's Tornado-C (C-tornado) volley fire system, designed to bomb high-precision military fortifications and fortifications. Residential buildings in the city were damaged by such shells - they were completely destroyed.
Hundreds of Iskander and Caliber missiles have already been fired by the enemy in peaceful cities throughout Ukraine - in Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Kharkiv and many other regions and the city of Mariupol. Such heavy missiles inflict huge damage.
Yesterday in Kramatorsk another case of phosphorus munitions was recorded, the damage of which can cause particularly severe and painful injuries, chemical burns, bone and bone marrow damage, provoke slow and painful death.
The use of such weapons by enemy troops against civilians is a crime against humanity and a violation of all four 1949 Geneva Conventions.
Enemy bombardment in broad daylight kills residents of Ukrainian cities.
In the Luhansk region, the occupiers fired at a shop in the city of Severodonetsk.
One person died on the spot, more than ten received injuries of varying severity and taken to hospital.
Targeted shelling of cities and civilian objects is evidence of the selective direction of hostilities against civilians, another crime of the Russian army against humanity and a violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
I call on the international community to take decisive action to deter the aggression of the Russian Federation and to force the aggressor country to immediately cease hostilities on the territory of Ukraine.
As of 22 March 2022, 117 children had been killed and 155 wounded in Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion by the Russian Federation.
Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
During the last 24 hours, Russian forces attacked 11 settlements. The strikes damaged at least 43 civilian properties, including homes, school, kindergarten and a church. There are dead and wounded civilians, including children.
POLICY
President of Ukraine
Russia should move away from ultimatums against Ukraine, because they will not lead to any results. We need to find a compromise to end the war. This was emphasized by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview for world broadcasters.
"If we want peace, we need to sit down and talk. The right word is to negotiate. But to negotiate, not to fulfill the ultimatum. This is an important point. A compromise can be found in the dialogue," the President stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the issue of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is a "red line", because many Ukrainians gave their lives for it.
Talking about the European Union, he said the EU does not have to take up arms to fight the Russian threat - it needs to fight on the diplomatic and economic frontlines.
"Europeans can fight using sanctions - they have now started with sanctions. They are fighting using the blockade for the economy and Russian business, they are fighting using diplomacy. European leaders must start fighting," the President said.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European leaders must show readiness to fight Russia. This is necessary so that in the end they do not find themselves in the current situation in Ukraine, which could not imagine that it would fall victim to a full-scale invasion by a neighbor.
"You will just wake up one morning and understand what we understood - the war started. Europe must do everything for Russia not to feel like the ruler of the world, it is possible today," he said.
The President reminded that the Ukrainian army had stopped the offensive of the Russian army - the second army in the world. So, there is no need to be afraid of Russia.
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine
On negotiations with Russia
As part of the negotiation process with the Russian Federation, Ukraine expects to reach an agreement on ending the armed aggression against our state and withdrawing Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. This was stated by Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak during a video meeting at the Royal Institute of International Affairs Chatham House (UK).
"I hope that these agreements will primarily provide for a ceasefire, withdrawal of Russian troops to the territory of February 23, 2022, as well as consultations and talks on other issues on the return of our territories, the return of full control over the territories within the internationally recognized borders to the Ukrainian authorities," said Andriy Yermak.
In addition, according to him, such agreements should provide for the construction of a new security system for Ukraine.
"We want this war to end as soon as possible. To end with agreements solely in the interests of our country. To end with what we gained, not what we lost. To end with the fact that we gained a new security system. There is no more time to wait, to think. There is no more time to delay this decision," said the Head of the President's Office.
Andriy Yermak stressed that there can be no compromises regarding Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"We are ready to talk about any issues, we are ready to meet and these issues need to be addressed. You don't have to ignore them. Both the issue of Donbas and the issue of Crimea. And above all the issue of ending the war and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. All this should be the subject of conversation. First of all, conversation between the President of Ukraine and the President of Russia,” the Head of the Office of the President noted.
He stressed that the Ukrainian delegation is working 24/7 to organize a meeting of the heads of state.
"Significant work is underway, in which, in particular, our partners are participating. Therefore, of course, negotiations and agreements are the shortest way to end the war," Andriy Yermak summed up.
Address to the Chatham House
This Thursday, March, 24 meeting of the NATO Allies is scheduled to take place in Brussels.
There is still time to take steps towards Ukraine. Or to say honestly and publicly that there will be no such steps. That NATO is refusing to allow Ukraine to join, and it is not Ukraine that refuses to join, as many have wanted to say lately. Say it - and together we will start building a new security system.
Russian leadership understands only the language of strength and always confuses peace with weakness.
I want to ask our European partners: who are you really? Are you peaceful or weak? Will you finally give us the weapons that will allow Ukraine to remain an independent sovereign state within internationally recognized borders? Will you finally open a full-fledged land lease for us? Will you continue to watch anxiously as our cities turn into rubble?
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Russian armed forces occupied the southern city of Kherson at the beginning of March.
Russian invaders conduct reprisals against the city’s residents. In particular, on 21 March, they opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in Freedom Square, wounding an elderly person. As the Russian occupation administration is trying to quell civil resistance, it is attempting to create self-governing occupation authorities.
The humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating. The city is critically lacking food and medical supplies due to the siege. Newborn babies, who are lacking child nutrition and hygiene products, and serious patients make up the population at especially high risks.
About one hundred international students, mainly from African countries, are also currently present in Kherson.
Despite the efforts by the Government of Ukraine and international humanitarian organisations, the Russian Federation continues to refuse the creation of a humanitarian corridor for evacuation of civilians and delivery of food. The city is approaching humanitarian catastrophe with each passing day.
We urge the international community to take decisive action against Russia, including the introduction of new painful economic sanctions, to force it to lift the siege of Kherson and other cities of Ukraine and create the conditions for safe evacuation of Ukrainian and foreign nationals.
We also call on foreign governments whose citizens Russian armed forces are holding hostage in Kherson to increase political pressure on Moscow.
ECONOMY
National Bank of Ukraine
NBU Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko has called on the leadership of international banking groups to suspend all activities of their subsidiaries and branches in Russia and join the global push to thwart the aggressor economy’s capability to finance the war of aggression in Ukraine. After all, any further financial transactions with the institutions based in Russia and any taxes paid into its budget can and will abet in the commission of war crimes and acts of terrorism against the civilian population of Ukraine, the NBU Governor said in a statement.
The widening geography of hostilities and terrorist attacks against civilians indicates that the measures taken so far have not been effective. With this in mind, it is important that banking groups around the world bring more pressure to bear on the aggressor to undermine its position. The suspension of business in Russia by banking groups that are top players in the global financial services market will amplify the impact of the economic sanctions already imposed on Russia by the global community." Failure to halt operations in Russia may carry additional reputational risks for your organizations not only in our country, but in Europe as a whole. In its struggle against the occupier, Ukraine has actually galvanized support from the majority of European governments, the international business community, and the people living in these countries," said Kyrylo Shevchenko.
Ministry of Economy of Ukraine
The Government provides an opportunity to obtain a loan of up to UAH 60 million to any Ukrainian company at 0% interest rate during martial law under the "5-7-9%" program. Any business may benefit from 0% interest rate as long as the martial law is in force and during 1 month after it will be lifted. Afterwards, the interest rate will be 5%.
The Government has also expanded the list of instruments that will allow banks to provide loans under the "5-7-9%" program in case of lack of collateral. The Export Credit Agency will be able to insure the loans of exporting entrepreneurs, which will greatly simplify their access to cheap financing.
Restrictions on participation in the program have also been lifted. From now on any company, whose final beneficiaries with a share of over 50% are Ukrainians, can obtain such a loan. Enterprises, whose beneficiaries have Russian citizenship or belonged to terrorist organisations, will not be able to receive a loan.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Almost 240 companies left the Russian market.
There are more and more of them every day.
We call on all international companies to stop supporting the aggressor and leave the Russian market.
ENERGY
Ukrenergo
One of the effective ways to fight the enemy is to deprive it of the funds to continue it. Therefore, we call on all Western partners to stop cooperating with Russia in the fuel and energy sector. Do not buy Russian gas and oil, do not sell it any equipment for power companies and components relating thereto, do not do anything that will help the Russian invaders to obtain funds to continue the war!
This letter of appeal was signed by Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, Chairman of the Management Board of Ukrenergo, together with the heads of the largest Ukrainian power companies Naftogaz of Ukraine and DTEK.
GTS Operator of Ukraine
Operation of the Ukrainian GTS as of March 22
For the previous day, on March 21, GTSOU transported 93.5 million cubic meters of natural gas for Ukrainian infrastructure and consumers. The company promptly responds to the risks of ensuring a reliable gas supply and, if necessary, changes gas transportation routes in coordination with GDSOs (gas distribution system operators).
GTSOU keeps complete operational and technological control over the operations of the Ukrainian GTS. We are grateful to the military, the security and protection sector of Ukraine, and local administrations for helping our colleagues perform functions of natural gas supply to Ukrainians. The company continues rebuilding infrastructure damaged as a result of hostilities. For the previous day, GTSOU carried out repair works on the main gas pipeline Luhansk-Lysychansk-Rubizhne, restoration works on eliminating damages on CS Maryivka in the Mykolaiv region, and on other GTS objects.
The total number of disconnected gas distribution stations in Ukraine remains the same – 40 GDSs, which were stopped due to the damage to GDSOs networks and active hostilities.
Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine stands for increasing energy security of Ukraine
Gas TSO of Ukraine stands for increasing energy security of Ukraine and of the region by reducing gas supplies to Europe via the Nord Stream-1 gas pipeline and appropriate rerouting of gas transportation to ensure maximum utilization of the Ukrainian GTS.
Such a proposal has been made by Olga Bielkova, Director on Government and International Affairs of GTSOU at the meeting of the Energy Community Secretariat of Europe (SEEGAS).
“Ukrainian GTS is designed in such a way, that we do not have separate pipelines for transit and separate ones for domestic gas transportation. First and foremost it is the social protection of Ukrainians, which needs to be enhanced. Currently, transit is an additional factor of security for the Ukrainian gas transportation infrastructure. Proportionally, we will weaken the position of Russia on the European energy market,” – said Olga Bielkova in her speech.
Moreover, the representative of the GTSOU noted the importance of improving the energy security of Ukraine by increasing the firm capacities with Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Poland on a long-term basis. In addition, the security of the region will be facilitated by the opening of the Trans-Balkan corridor, for the full operation of which the Turkish and Bulgarian operators shall create firm capacities in the Turkey-Bulgaria direction, and our Moldovan partners shall remove regulatory barriers.
The Gas TSO of Ukraine has applied for the introduction of the norms of the EU third energy package on all borders between Ukraine and the EU.
The European GTS operators supported the position of Ukraine and agreed to contribute to strengthening the energy security of the region.
The GTS operator of Ukraine is upgrading main gas pipelines in the Ukrainian-Polish direction.
The GTS operator of Ukraine is carrying out scheduled maintenance of sections of the main gas pipelines Pukenichi - Komarno, Komarno-Drozdovichi. These gas pipelines are an important part of the gas transmission system, which provides gas imports from Poland to Ukraine.
The works are performed by the Operational and Repair Department of OGTSU, Naftogazmotazh and Ukrgazprombud branch of Ukrtransgaz.
The section of the Ukrainian GTS, where repair works are being carried out, is operated by Bibrske linear production management of main gas pipelines. There are currently no active hostilities in the area of this line production management.
As scheduled repairs are necessary for the reliable operation of the Ukrainian GTS, in particular - effective preparation for the next heating season, OGTSU resumes the repair campaign in the regions where it is currently possible.