Kyiv Post Morning Memo – Everything You Need to Know on Thursday, March 23

Good morning from Kyiv where once again the capital has woken to an air raid alert.

More tragic news, as the death toll from the Russian drone attack on the town of Rzhyshchiv, not far from Kyiv has risen to nine.

What’s happening today?

 An EU leaders’ summit will meet in Brussels today to discuss EU support for Ukraine and how to boost economic competitiveness in the face of threats from U.S.and Chinese subsidies.

 While Ukraine will be high on the agenda, a burgeoning row between France and Germany fired by differences over nuclear energy and combustion engines threatens to dominate matters.

 A row erupted between two of the European Union's biggest economies after Berlin upset some of its partners, notably France, by blocking – at the last minute – a landmark deal to prohibit new sales of fossil fuel cars from 2035.

 Elsewhere, the U.S. has had some strong words for a Russian pilot, describing him as an idiot. Find out more, here (LINK TO EXPLAINER).

What was in President Zelensky’s latest message?

President Zelensky’s evening address on Wednesday was delivered close the front line in eastern Ukraine where he’d spent the day handing out awards to soldiers.

Referencing the recent deadly attacks in the Kyiv region and Zaporizhzhia, he said: “We will certainly respond to the occupier for every attack on our cities...

Other Topics of Interest

N. Korean Troops Massed in Russia to Enter Ukraine War ’Soon’: Pentagon Chief

Austin said he had "not seen significant reporting" of North Korean troops being "actively engaged in combat" to date.

“Today's Russian strikes at Zaporizhzhia, the night attack on the Kyiv region... all Russian strikes will receive a military, political, and legal response.”

On a more hopeful note, he added: “In all areas of the east of our country, where there is a Ukrainian flag, it is felt there is also hope.

“We will do everything so that the blue and yellow colors continue their liberation movement - returning normal life to our entire land, from Donetsk to the border.”

What’s the latest military situation?

 The British Ministry of Defense (MoD) update on March 23 focuses on fighting in the Svatove-Kremina sector of the front line in northern Luhansk Oblast.

The MoD notes: “Russia has partially regained control over the immediate approaches to Kremina town, which was under immediate Ukrainian threat earlier in the year.

“In places, Russia has made gains of up to several kilometers. Russian commanders are likely trying to expand a security zone west from the defence lines they have prepared along higher ground, and integrate the natural obstacle of the Oskil River.

“They likely seek to recapture Kupiansk, a logistics node. Operationally, Russia’s intent in the north-east likely remains defensive. Commanders probably fear this is one of the sectors where Ukraine could attempt major offensive operations.”

The Institute for the Study of War’s March 22 daily assessment covers a multitude of topics, most notably:

·      Russian forces may be deploying T-54/55 tanks from long-term storage to Ukraine to compensate for significant armored vehicle losses.

·      Russian authorities are cracking down against bars in urban areas, possibly to crack down against internal dissent among Russian social circles.

·      The tempo of Russian operations around Bakhmut appears to be slowing amid Western reporting that Russian forces may be attempting to launch offensives in other directions.

And that’s it for today’s Morning Memo.

Kyiv Post will bring you the latest news throughout the day and we’ll be back with another edition tomorrow.