Fierce fighting near Bakhmut, death of territorial defense fighter on border with Belarus: highlights of the day

The situation at the front

The spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Serhiy Cherevatyi, said that the town of Bakhmut remains the epicenter of the Russian attack in Donetsk Oblast. Fierce fighting continues near the village of Yahidne (the Russian forcesbclaimed to have captured it). In this section of the frontline, 300 attacks and 60 engagements were registered over the last day.

In Kherson Oblast, Russians have pulled reserves to the border with Crimea and are setting up defensive positions there. A reserve of conscripts from Chelyabinsk Oblast has also been deployed there to set up additional defenses.

According to intelligence, the occupiers have amassed a certain number of attack aircraft near the border with Ukraine. They plan to deploy it on the most important axes where they will try to conduct an offensive.

Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar said that the situation at the front is difficult: the Russian army is increasing the intensity of assault operations, using tactics of exhaustion and total destruction, but suffers significant losses of 600-1,000 people every day.

Death of territorial defense fighter

On February 25, a 33-year-old Volyn territorial defense fighter, Serhiy Panasyuk, was killed on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border while performing a combat mission. The circumstances of his death are currently being investigated.

The press service of the Volyn National Police reported that they had opened a criminal case under the article "premeditated murder." "We know for sure that the shots were not fired from Belarus. The details will be clarified during the pre-trial investigation, which is ongoing," said Maryna Baldych, a press service representative.

Belarus strengthens border surveillance

Self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting with security forces, where he emphasized discipline and the performance of duties of security forces "especially at the border," addressing the heads of the Border Committee, police, KGB and military.

The Belarusian service of Radio Liberty noted that following the alleged explosion at the Machulishchi military airfield, Belarusian border guards are conducting increased surveillance at exits from the country, as several Belarusians who left for the EU on February 27 told the outlet.

Wizz Air seems to suspend flights to Moldova

Moldova's Civil Aviation Authority has announced that Wizz Air will suspend all its flights to and from Chisinau starting March 14. At the same time, this information is not available on the company's official website. At the request of one of the Twitter users to confirm or deny the statement, the official Wizz Air account responded: "Unfortunately, we have no information on this at this time."

Flash mob from Russia among Ukrainian teenagers

In Kharkiv, law enforcement officers detained teenagers who were preparing a mass brawl. A law enforcement source told hromadske that the incident could be related to the Ryodan PMC anime subculture, which has gained popularity in Russia. Over the past few days, groups of teenagers have been detained several times in Russia because of fights that law enforcement officials have linked to the Ryodan PMC.

Head of Ukrzaliznytsia resigns

Alexander Kamyshin, the chairman of the board of Ukrzaliznytsia, has announced that he is resigning. By a joint decision with the Deputy Prime Minister, he will head Ukrzaliznytsia's European integration office in Europe. Prior to Kamyshin's appointment as head of Ukrzaliznytsia in 2021, the company's management was constantly changing. It is unknown who will succeed him.

Other news

• Gleb Pavlovsky, an ideologue of "Putinism" and Viktor Yanukovych's political strategist, has died.
• 12 countries decided to boycott the World Boxing Championships because of the participation of Russia and Belarus.
• In Kryvyi Rih, the "Dvadtsyativski" drug cartel was exposed, whose market covered almost all regions of Ukraine.
• Georgia allowed Ukrainians to stay in the country for up to two years without visas.
• The EU extended sanctions against Belarus for another year.
• Taiwan plans to provide Ukraine with $59 million in humanitarian aid.