Key developments on March 7:
- Ukrainian troops' logistics in Kursk Oblast destroyed, they face threat of encirclement, sources say
- Trump says he considers sanctioning Russia as a result of it's 'pounding' Ukraine
- Trump accuses Ukraine of being 'harder to cope with' than Russia
- French-made Mirage 2000 jets be part of Ukraine's protection in opposition to Russian strike for the primary time
- EU members pledge $16 billion in extra help for Ukraine, Costa says
Russian forces have destroyed Ukrainian troops' logistics in Russia's Kursk Oblast, and Ukrainian troopers face the danger of encirclement, a Ukrainian soldier and a medic deployed within the area instructed the Kyiv Impartial on situation of anonymity on March 7.
The affirmation got here after a number of media reported that Russian forces had made a breakthrough south of the Ukrainian-held city of Sudzha in Kursk Oblast. The Ukrainian battlefield monitoring group DeepState has confirmed a push deep into Ukrainian positions towards the Ukrainian state border in Sumy Oblast.
A Ukrainian soldier combating in Kursk Oblast described the state of affairs within the Russian area as "important," warning that Ukrainian troops within the area face the specter of encirclement. He added that Ukrainian troopers primarily based within the area want to withdraw.
In accordance with the supply, all bridges within the neighborhood of Sudzha have been destroyed, and Ukrainian troops are lower off from ammunition and gas provides.
The Ukrainian medic stationed in Kursk Oblast instructed the Kyiv Impartial that Russia's breakthrough occurred about three days in the past, and Russian troops management all of the roads.
In accordance with DeepState, "probably the most important state of affairs" is on the border of Russia's Kursk Oblast and Ukraine's Sumy Oblast. Russian troops are attempting to push on Ukrainian positions close to the villages of Zhuravka and Novenke in Sumy Oblast, DeepState reported.
Russia has additionally intensified its assaults close to the village of Kurilovka close to the border with Sumy Oblast, some 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Sudzha, DeepState stated in its newest replace on March 7.
The Kyiv Impartial couldn’t confirm these claims. Earlier within the day, the spokesperson of the Ukrainian group of forces in Kursk Oblast declined to touch upon the state of affairs within the Russian area.
Russian forces have not too long ago intensified efforts to interrupt via to Sumy Oblast and lower off logistical routes of the Ukrainian salient in bordering Kursk Oblast. Kyiv has sought to keep up its place within the Russian border area as leverage for attainable peace talks.
Moscow's troops have nearly reached the Ukrainian border south of Ukrainian positions in Sudzha, which means that no less than some areas have been lower off from the primary salient, the unbiased Russian outlet Agentstvo reported on March 7, citing an knowledgeable from the Battle Intelligence Workforce.
"Troublesome battles proceed within the border space of Sumy Oblast; Russian assault items are trying to interrupt via and transfer towards a freeway from Yunakivka (in Sumy Oblast) to Sudzha in Kursk Oblast," stated Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Heart for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's Nationwide Safety and Protection Council.
"(Ukraine's) Protection Forces are combating and dealing vital casualties to Russian troops," Kovalenko claimed, with out confirming a Russian breakthrough.
The distinguished Russian pro-war channel Two Majors additionally reported on the advance, claiming that Moscow's troops have penetrated as much as 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) deep into Ukrainian positions.
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek
Trump says he considers sanctioning Russia as a result of it's 'pounding' Ukraine
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on March 7 that he’s contemplating imposing sweeping banking sanctions and tariffs on Russia till there’s a ceasefire and peace settlement.
In accordance with Trump, his assertion is predicated on the truth that Russia "is completely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield" – a attainable reference to Russia's current advances in Kursk Oblast or Russia's large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukraine on March 7.
"Based mostly on the truth that Russia is completely 'pounding' Ukraine on the battlefield proper now, I’m strongly contemplating large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions, and tariffs on Russia till a ceasefire and ultimate settlement settlement on peace is reached," Trump wrote on the Fact Social media platform.
"To Russia and Ukraine, get to the desk proper now, earlier than it’s too late. Thanks!"
Shortly after his inauguration, Trump threatened to impose tariffs and sanctions on Russia to power their hand in negotiations, saying "we will do it the straightforward means or the laborious means." Within the following weeks, Trump as an alternative lashed out at Ukraine, claiming President Volodymyr Zelensky was "not prepared for peace" and halting army support to Ukraine and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
Trump accuses Ukraine of being 'harder to cope with' than Russia
U.S. President Donald Trump stated at a press briefing on March 7 that he finds it harder to cope with Kyiv than with Moscow however admitted that "Russia is bombing the hell out of Ukraine."
When requested throughout the press briefing why the U.S. wouldn't present extra air protection to Ukraine as an alternative of halting army support, Trump replied that he has to know "they wish to settle."
"If (the Ukrainians) don't wish to settle, we're out of there," he stated.
"I believe he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) is doing what anyone else would do. I believe he desires to get (the battle) ended, however he's hitting them more durable than ever, which is what anyone could be doing in his place," Trump added.
The U.S. president additionally stated he desires Russia's full-scale battle to finish earlier than making any safety ensures to Ukraine. Quite the opposite, Kyiv insists on safety ensures earlier than reaching a peace cope with Russia.
The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov
French-made Mirage 2000 jets be part of Ukraine's protection in opposition to Russian strike for the primary time
Ukraine's French-provided Mirage 2000 fighter jets took half in repelling a Russian air assault on Ukraine for the primary time on March 7, in keeping with Ukraine's Air Power.
Russia launched a large-scale aerial assault in a single day, firing 67 missiles of varied varieties and deploying 194 drones.
Ukraine's air defenses intercepted 34 missiles and 100 drones, with anti-aircraft missile items, digital warfare programs, and cell hearth teams contributing to the hassle.
Fighter jets, together with F-16s and French Mirage 2000s, have been additionally deployed.
Russia focused power and fuel infrastructure throughout the nation, Ukraine's Vitality Minister Herman Halushchenko stated.
Not less than two folks have been injured on account of the assaults after a Russian missile broken two residential buildings in Poltava Oblast, injuring one grownup and one little one. No data was instantly obtainable as to the standing of their accidents.
Russia initially launched a sequence of missiles round 4 a.m. native time, focusing on numerous areas within the nation's far west. A second sequence of missiles entered Ukrainian airspace round 6 a.m.
Explosions have been reported within the western metropolis of Ternopil round 5 a.m. native time, following the primary sequence of assaults, Suspilne reported. Later within the morning, explosions have been heard within the entrance line metropolis of Kharkiv round 6:30 a.m.
Ternopil Oblast Regional Governor Viacheslav Nehoda reported {that a} important infrastructure facility within the area had been struck with a Russian missile. Though no accidents have been reported, Nehoda added that fuel provides could also be interrupted on account of the assault.
Essential infrastructure amenities have been additionally focused in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, although no injury or casualties have been reported, in keeping with Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk.
Russia struck already the sixth facility of the DTEK power firm in Odesa Oblast prior to now two and a half weeks, the corporate stated. Essential infrastructure amenities have been additionally focused in Chernihiv Oblast, with no less than one in all them struggling injury, in keeping with Governor Viacheslav Chaus.
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EU members pledge $16 billion in extra help for Ukraine, Costa says
A number of EU members have pledged to offer as much as 15 billion euros ($16.3 billion) in extra support for Ukraine, European Council President Antonio Costa stated at a summit on March 6.
EU leaders met in Brussels to debate plans for reinforcing Europe's protection capabilities and help for Ukraine amid the seismic international coverage shifts within the U.S. Ukraine's President Volodmyr Zelensky additionally took half within the assembly.
The summit concluded with out extra EU support packages for Ukraine because the mentioned 20-billion-euro tranche ($22 billion) was dropped from the ultimate declaration. Kyiv wants extra help now than ever, because the Trump administration has frozen all army help flowing to the nation.
As any EU-wide help package deal is underneath risk of being blocked by Hungary's Moscow-friendly chief, Viktor Orban, high EU officers advised that additional support needs to be supplied via a "coalition of the keen."
"Instantly, member states can enhance their help because of the elevated fiscal area," Costa stated at a press convention in Brussels. In the course of the summit, EU leaders unanimously agreed on a brand new protection initiative that might mobilize as much as 800 billion euros ($867 billion) via loans and loosening fiscal guidelines for presidency spending.
"A number of member states have already introduced their pledges as much as 15 billion euros. As we speak, we now have additionally tasked the Council to work urgently on additional initiatives to handle Ukraine’s urgent army and protection wants," Costa stated, with out naming the nations.
"This can be a tipping level for Europe. And immediately, we now have proven that the European Union is rising to the problem," the European Council president stated.
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The Kyiv IndependentAlex Cadier