Theater-first intel feed with the current analysis and latest brief cards for the selected hotspot.
◈ Theater Assessment
Ukraine has escalated its deep-strike campaign against Russian strategic assets, destroying a Tu-95 strategic bomber at Engels air base via an 800-km drone strike — the most operationally significant single-platform kill in the current reporting window. This strike directly degrades Russia's capacity to generate missile strikes against Ukrainian cities and demonstrates Ukraine's sustained ability to hold high-value rear-area targets at risk. The multi-domain operational tempo — simultaneous strategic strikes, maritime interdiction, and front-line absorption — remains Ukraine's defining posture, with the Engels strike marking a notable escalation in target tier.
◈ Key Developments
Current brief cards for this theater.
In March, Ukraine's Armed Forces have destroyed a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter using an FPV drone, the first known case of an attack helicopter being taken down this way.
It operates through the SineLink module, and is built to hunt Russian Shahed strike drones
Ukraine's intelligence agency has published interactive 3D models, components, and electronic parts of the Russian Lancet and Scalpel drones, along with data on the companies involved in their production.
◈ Operational Trend
Ukraine is demonstrating a consistent doctrine of strategic cost imposition — striking bomber fleets, tanker shipping, and EW systems simultaneously — while absorbing sustained front-line pressure rather than trading offensive depth for defensive consolidation. The Engels Tu-95 strike is the clearest signal yet that Ukraine is expanding its high-value target list and accepting strategic escalation risk in exchange for direct attrition of Russia's long-range strike capacity.
Ukrainian air defences intercepted most of the 251 drones launched overnight, though several strikes and damage were reported.
This is the first of a two-part series looking at single Russian mass missile/drone assault on Ukraine, with a focus on the Kremlin’s airstrike package and Ukrainian defense tactics against it.
Ukraine also destroyed the Klin, a newly developed UAV equipped with cutting-edge Li-AFB battery.
Zelenskyy is calling for shadow fleet tankers to be stopped in European waters, not escorted through.
The contents of the Klin, a rare Russian strike drone, have been revealed by Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine's Minister of Defence and a radio technology expert. A Klin was recently shot down by Ukraine's defence forces. The drone features artificial intelligence and a new battery.
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces destroyed a Buk-M3 air defence system and a Buk-M2 transporter-loader vehicle in Russia's Bryansk Oblast on the night of 21-22 March.
Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 139 UAVs on the night of 21-22 March. Ukrainian air defence forces have shot down or jammed 127 drones.
Beriev A-50U radar planes are Russia's eyes in the sky. As Ukraine knocks out more of the A-50Us, Russian forces are slowly going blind.
Ukrainian operators of heavy multirotor drones undergo a specialised piloting course in addition to basic military training. Future drone crews are being taught night navigation and manoeuvring with payloads onboard.
Russian attacks have caused new power outages across multiple regions of Ukraine.
Russian officials reported interceptions across multiple regions as Kyiv continues cross-border strikes targeting military and energy infrastructure.
154 drones attacked Ukraine on the night of 20-21 March. Ukraine's air defence forces destroyed or jammed 148 of them. Damage reported in Zaporizhzhia.
Eleven countries have asked for help. Some have already received Ukrainian teams and technology.
Zelenskyy has said Kyiv wants money and tech in return for its help in the Middle East, adding that the U.S. was among the nations that sought Kyiv’s help.
The 18-ton vehicle, named the MK1, was developed in less than a year and is envisioned as a multirole platform incorporating lessons from the Ukraine war.
The helicopter crew attempted to escape. However, drones operated by USF pilots “eliminated” them.
Ukrainian advisers deployed to the Gulf were reportedly stunned by US reliance on costly missiles to intercept cheap drones, exposing a stark vulnerability in air defense tactics.