Russian volunteers start fighting in Russia, and the US and Denmark announce aid packages: highlights for March 12

Russian volunteers “went to the polls” in Russia

The Freedom of Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Siberian Battalion crossed the border into Russia on the morning of March 12 and began fighting.

The Russian volunteers announced that they were “going to the elections” scheduled in Russia to free Russians from “begging, poverty, fear and dictatorship”.

In the afternoon, the Freedom of Russia Legion announced that it had taken control of the village of Tiotkino, Kursk region, as part of its operation in the Russian Federation.

US and Denmark announce aid package

For the first time since December 2023, the White House has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $300 million. It will include artillery shells, ammunition for HIMARS, anti-aircraft missiles, and more.

Funds for this package will be taken from loans that have been repaid to the Pentagon for recent purchases. It is not yet clear whether the aid will include long-range ATACMS missiles, as previously reported by Politico.

In addition, Denmark announced its 16th military aid package. Its amount is about more than $336 million.

Negotiating framework for Ukraine's accession to the EU

The European Commission has submitted to the European Council proposals for a draft negotiation framework for Ukraine and Moldova and will provide an oral report on the progress of both countries on their path to European integration.

The negotiating framework sets out the principles of accession negotiations for each candidate country.

Now the European Council must start internal discussions on the documents. Once the negotiating framework is approved, the President of the EU Council will present the bloc's agreed common position at the first intergovernmental conference with each country. This will mark the official start of accession negotiations.

Strike on Kryvyi Rih

On the evening of March 12, the occupiers launched a missile attack on Kryvyi Rih. At least three hits were recorded in the city. One of them hit a nine-story building and the roof of a five-story building.

As of 22:00, three people were reported dead — two women and one man. About 40 other people were injured, including 10 children. There are 17 wounded adults and 9 children in the city's hospitals.

Disney explains why it did not include 20 Days in Mariupol in the shortened version of the Oscars

Disney has explained that it did not include the award ceremony for the Ukrainian documentary 20 Days in Mariupol in the shortened international TV version of the Oscars primarily due to time constraints.

According to the company's representatives, the choice of nominations for the shortened version was determined in advance during the planning process several weeks ago.

At the same time, the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting requested that the awards for Ukrainian journalists be added.

Other important news of the day

• Russia announced drone attacks in a number of regions. Oil depots were damaged in two regions.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signs a law on fair lobbying. This is one of the European integration requirements.
• Military intelligence evacuated 47 more Ukrainian citizens from the Gaza Strip.
• An IL-76 military plane with 15 people on board crashed in Russia.
• The SBU detained a soldier who tried to poison the command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Zaporizhzhya.