The military situation on Ukraine's eastern front has "significantly deteriorated" for Kiev, the Ukrainian military command has admitted. The commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, noted an "intensification" of the offensive by Moscow's forces.
Sysrsky added, however, that the "most problematic" areas for Ukraine "have been reinforced", also with anti-aircraft defense means. The offensive was concentrates in the direction of Khasiv Iar, in the Bakhmut region, in Donetsk. The Russian presidential elections were held on March 18, with Vladimir Putin re-elected as the president of the country. The Ukrainian military said the situation on the eastern front "has significantly deteriorated in recent days" The Russian military said that the offensive was concentrated in the area around Khasov Iar and in the Donetsk region. It added that the thrust was aimed at the city of Donetsk and its surrounding areas, including the city's airport.