Today is the 21st day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian nation against the russian invasion.

About us: The “Active Community” Initiative was launched by activists of the “Republic” Institute after Euromaidan (2014), which focused on the activation and engagement of Ukrainians in the decision-making process. 2025 goal is to activate and engage at least 1% of citizens in the decision-making process and promote reforms in Ukraine on a systemic basis for the well-being of the Ukrainian communities. Today we operate in 30 communities in Ukraine.

 

Ukraine in brief:

Today is the 21st day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian nation against the russian invasion.

 Enemy’s aviation continues bombing military and civilian objects in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsa, Sumy, and Donetsk Oblasts, actively using airfields in Belarus and occupied Crimea.

There were no offensive actions in Volyn Oblast. UAV Orlan-10 was noticed conducting aerial surveillance.

The troops’ rotation is scheduled in Belarus army forces tasked to convoy the Belarus-Ukrainian part of the border.

The enemy tries to renew offensive actions in the Vyshgorod direction in Kyiv Oblast. Today, russian occupation troops tried to move towards Kyiv. There was no success, and they were forced to defend.

 In Chernihiv direction enemy was stopped.

At the same time, occupiers don’t give up the tries to occupy Chernihiv, but they don’t carry out active offense. They try to regroup and provide logistic support but unsuccessfully.

In the Brovary direction in Kyiv Oblast, small groups of vehicles were noticed to move within occupied positions in Bohdanivka and Velyka Dymerka.

In Kharkiv and Sumy Oblasts, occupiers try to fix their positions in occupied borders, regroup troops, and restock ammunition and gas for the vehicles. Sumy is continued to be blocked by the enemy as well as Lebedyn and Ohtyrka. Occupants continue unsuccessful tries to blockade Kharkiv.

In Luhansk Oblast in the Severodonetsk area, occupants did battle reconnaissance with no success and tried to fix their positions in the suburbs of Rubizhne. At the same time, available information source says that on March 15th enemy’s air force did an airstrike on their positions near Smolianynove. As a result of the attack in the Popasna area, the enemy had losses and was forced back to regroup.

In Kryvyii Rih's direction in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the enemy tries to renew the offense in Big Kostroma, Mala Kostroma, and Kryvyii Rih.

Northern Oblasts

Kyiv

Russians continue shell Kyiv. Today, the dwelling house was damaged in the Shevchenkivskii area (city’s downtown).

Kyiv Oblast

On the evening of March 15th, heavy fights have been in Irpin, Bucha, Stoyanka, Vorzel areas. Preliminary information says that the Ukrainian military was able to move the enemy back in the west direction. After the fight, in these areas was the unusual silence. From the eyewitness:

https://www.facebook.com/sergei.loiko/posts/10225140523772569 

Since March 1st logistic hubs in Kyiv Oblast have received more than 1500 tons of humanitarian aid from other Ukrainian oblasts and Europe. Today humanitarian corridors for civilian evacuation were closed.

On March 15th, occupants invaded Bucha City Council and kidnapped 6 workers in an unknown direction. Occupants threw away their passports and other documents. Today, hostages were released.

Zhytomyr

At dawn on March 16th, russian occupation troops launched another airstrike on the territory of Zhytomyr Oblast - fired on Berdychiv. One person was killed, and two were injured.

Sumy

In the Slobozhansky direction, russian occupation troops are trying to increase their presence by concentrating reserves near the state border and blocking access to Sumy from the south. Okhtyrka is bombed every day. The city has no central heating, problems with water and gas supply.

 

Chernihiv

The occupiers are trying to invade Chernihiv, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine are defending the city. Here are concentrated powerful weapons, including Stinger and NLAW. That night, defenders managed to shoot down a russian plane over Chernihiv.

Russian occupation troops fired heavy artillery (probably from hail) at people waiting in line for bread in one part of the city. At least 10 people were killed.

Eastern Oblasts

Kharkiv

The occupiers continue unsuccessful attempts to block Kharkiv and use violence against civilians. From the morning, the russians fired on various city areas for 4 hours. The occupiers stormed a market in Saltivka and killed a man delivering bread to Kharkiv residents.

On March 15th, in the Chuhuiv District, russian occupiers killed a 30-year-old man in order to seize his property. Columns were prepared in Izyum for the evacuation of people, but no agreement was reached on a green corridor.

Donetsk

In the occupied territories of Donetsk Oblast, the occupation administrations continue to forcibly "mobilize" Ukrainians. Most of the "mobilized" are sent to the hottest spots without training. The losses among the "mobilized" are 70-80%. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the occupation authorities are handing over the bodies of those killed in the Kopiyka store and not paying compensation. The bodies are also burned at the Donetsk Metallurgical Plant to hide the actual number of dead.

https://suspilne.media/218237-v-ordlo-okupanti-ne-viplacuut-kompensacii-za-zagiblih-mobilizovanih-rozvidka/ 

 

Kramatorsk

No military action has been recorded. An air alarm sounded several times. The military is preparing to meet the enemy. Territorial Defense Forces continue training and patrol the city.

The evacuation of the population continues. Additionally, the bus service is organized. The city relocates internally displaced persons (IDPs), receives and distributes humanitarian aid. Today, a large group of volunteers joined the unloading of a large consignment of humanitarian assistance. Citizens are grateful to international partners for providing the necessary goods. The situation remains very tense.

Pokrovsk

The settlements of Avdiivka, Marinka, Zalizne, Volodymyrivka, Pivnichne, Stavky, Verkhnotoretske of the Mariinsky City, Avdiivka City Military Civil Administration and Ocheretyn Village VCA were shelled. Russian occupation troops have been killed and wounded.

There is damage to residential buildings, the building of the Marinka Military Civil Administration, and the house of culture. The Ukrainian Armed Forces repulsed the enemy. Together with the police, the Territorial Defense Forces patrol the cities. Public utilities operate full-time and are ready to assist IDPs and persons in difficult life circumstances. Today 307 people, including 87 children, were evacuated from Avdiivka, Vuhledar, and Kurakhovo. Representatives of the communities of Pokrovsky district: Pokrovska, Myrnogradskaya, Selidovskaya, Kurakhivskaya, and Novogrodovskaya received food kits. A free evacuation train to the Dnipro departs from the railway station. Evacuation buses were sent to Western Ukraine: 5 buses with 200 inhabitants: large families and citizens of privileged categories. Problems with food and fuel in cities. Queues for ATMs for cash.

Volnovakha

Volnovakha, Olhyn, and Khlibodariv communities remain under Russian occupation. People are being actively evacuated from Vugledar by Territorial Defense Forces. The Armed Forces of Ukraine stimulated the offensive. People get in touch periodically, looking for loved ones, the situation is difficult. The occupiers brought in humanitarian aid, and many people remained missing.

Mariupol

The russian military fired on a convoy of civilians evacuating from Mariupol. This has already happened in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Five were injured, and one child was in critical condition. The fire started in the field along the route.

The occupiers dropped a powerful bomb on the Drama Theater. Thousands of citizens hid there from the shelling, including women with children. Due to the constant bombardment, it is impossible to dismantle the debris.

Bakhmut

The situation in the city is tense. City infrastructure and utilities operate on a full-time basis. 11 trolleybuses went on the city routes. Private trade facilities operate in a limited mode. The market is working. The voluntary blood donation point continues to operate. Police officers are conducting intensive patrols of the community streets, and the state emergency service is working in an intensified mode.

The Bakhmut City Council organized and deported 1,359 residents to the Kramatorsk and Slovyansk railway stations for further Ukrzaliznytsia evacuation trains to safer oblasts of the country. A checkpoint for evacuating from dangerous areas has been set up. There are Terretorrial Defense Forces Unit assistance points (https://www.facebook.com/rada.bakhmut/posts/693045715382288). Many IDPs from Popasna have arrived in the city. People are being helped.

Luhansk

As a result of the assault in the area of ​​Popasna, the enemy suffered losses and was forced to withdraw for regrouping.

 In the area of ​​Severodonetsk, occupiers surveyed by fight. They were unsuccessful in trying to gain a foothold on the eastern and western outskirts of the city of Rubizhne.

The occupiers in the temporarily occupied districts of Luhansk Oblast are terrorizing Bilokurakyne, Svatove, Stanytsia Luhanska, Shchastya, Markivka, Starobilsk, Novopskov, and Belovodsk. They are carrying out mass arrests of local activists. The so-called prosecutors of the People's Liberation Party fabricate case materials for posts on social networks, conversations on political topics, participation in political parties (“Opposition platform - For life” political party), etc. https://www.facebook.com/sergey.gaidai.loga/posts/137008398838552

The Russian military loots, jams mobile communications and imports Russian communications companies and rubles.

Southern Oblasts

Zaporizhzhia Oblast

The situation in the region is tense. Some of the residential areas are temporarily occupied by the enemy. Russian military continues abducting and looting, shelling the civil infrastructure and residential buildings, and impeding transport between settlements. Some communities are entirely or partially cut off electricity, water, and gas supply and have problems accessing food and medicines. Starting yesterday, Starlink Internet connectivity from Ilon Mask has become available in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Zaporizhzhia

For the first time since the break-out of the war, Zaporizhzhya was subjected to the bombing of its civilian facilities. A missile strike hit the vicinity of the central railroad station and the botanic garden resulting in damage to rail tracks and the catenary system. The buildings nearby had their windows shattered. The buildings and dormitories of two universities suffered damage, and one individual was injured. The strike led to one suburban trip canceled and the route of another being transferred to another railroad station.

Some 3,207 private vehicles from Mariupol made it to Zaporizhzhia by night. The second convoy comprising 1,565 vehicles reached the city during the day. The total number of new arrivals made 4,329, of them 1,033 children. Another convoy with Enerhodar residents approaches the Oblast center. There are humanitarian hubs and volunteer centers in the city providing a comfortable stay for IDPs and preparing humanitarian convoys.

Enerhodar (Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant)

The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is on its 12th day of occupation. Pictures of the ruined administrative building appeared on the Internet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wqq5Dem6u9OMFysxZX3bMSqCJ47IQDkP/view?usp=sharing .

Boroughs of Nikopol, a city on the opposite bank of Dnipro in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, were shelled from Enerhodar.

Polohy

The town is occupied by russian military. Today, the enemy has wounded locals transporting bread from Berdyansk to Polohy.

Berdyansk

The occupied Berdyansk has seen its next already traditional meeting for Ukraine today.

Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AG8IJP15ie03JcjPatxPZIbhpDW47yfB/view?usp=sharing .

Orikhiv

Humanitarian aid reaches the city nearly daily (or every other day) and is being distributed from here to other settlements: Preobrazhenka and Mala Tokmachka. These territories are not occupied; hence, it is possible to supply them with medicines, foodstuffs, and personal hygiene items. The aid is distributed via Regional State Administration staff, local self-government bodies, local MPs, non-commissioned officers, and targeted assistance to vulnerable group representatives.

The invaders control Myrne, Nesteryanka, and Kopani. Lots of buildings there are ruined. The aggressors block the free exit of residents to Orikhiv and prevent humanitarian aid from being delivered. 

Kherson Oblast

Skadovsk

The russian troops occupy the Kherson Oblast. The aggressors are becoming ballistic. They ride military equipment. The city mayor and the council secretary were captured by the invaders who demanded ‘submission’ from the community. In the noon, the community decided to stage a peaceful protest on the square fronting the city hall but were met with fire and tear gas. Hours later, the city mayor was set free. At about 3:00 pm, he pleaded with people to remain calm and informed them he would stay in office in his televised address. He further notified the invaders and promised soon to release his aid to the city council secretary.

The Ukrainian military keeps faithful to the strategy and holds the line. 

The Kherson Oblast and Skadovsk badly need a humanitarian corridor to supply medicines and foodstuffs. ATMs are out of operation, no radio broadcasts, and mobile and internet connectivity are patchy.

The locals unite and demonstrate dedication and patriotism. The young people stage protests and set up an additional checkpoint to assist the Territorial Defense Forces. Volunteer movement and mutual assistance gain traction in the communities.

Odesa Region

The Ukrainian military has shot down two Russian Su-30 aircrafts over the Black Sea.

Central Oblasts

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

In the evening of March 15th, russian occupation troops have shelled fired an object between the city of Nikopol and the village of Oleksiyivka. Firefighters have extinguished the fire. The police have detained 8 saboteurs during the day.

On average, about 7 000 people evacuate from Dnipro by rail. Dnipro helps evacuate residents of the affected towns and villages of Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts. Over 190 000 people have been evacuated through the city since the beginning of the war. Utility services providers operate as usual. There are 400 applications from IDPs to search for work in Dnipro.

Deputy City Head Mykhaylo Lysenko called on business in Dnipro to resume work if possible. According to him, the city is well protected from enemy attacks.

Kirovohrad Oblast

Kropyvnytskyi

The situation is under control. The air alarm was on for 3 hours in the city in the morning. The Armed Forces of Ukraine protect the region’s frontiers and guard military grounds. Humanitarian goods were sent to Konotop. During the day, more than 7.5 thousand IDPs were sheltered, including 2,200 children. Since the beginning of the war, the oblast has accepted more than 47 thousand IDPs. Humanitarian centers are in operation. Over a thousand lunches are cooked for IDPs and the military every day: about 200 liters of first courses, up to 120 kilograms of another food.

There is an opportunity for people to visit the gym and pool for free to manage anxiety. The Head of Kirovohrad Oblast Council Sergiy Shulga, is encouraging residents of Kirovohrad Oblast to boycott goods of Russian production. Today, two senior officers killed in battle with russian occupiers were posthumously decorated with the Order of Courage of the Third Degree.

Poltava Oblast

Air alarms were on around 3 a.m. During the day, the hotline received 251 calls and processed 239 requests from IDPs. 1 673 people were sheltered.

Vinnytsya Oblast

There were several explosions about 4 a.m. According to the National Emergency Service, there are no casualties. Military emphasize that any information, photos, or videos of the explosions published in social media or chats are helping the enemy. The city operates under conditions of martial law. Enterprises of the critical infrastructure are working. There is electricity, water, and heat supply. Public transportation is running according to the usual routes. Volunteers coordinate efforts with foreign friends to collect humanitarian help for IDPs and the military.

Western Oblasts

Lviv Oblast

The Head of the Lviv Oblast Military Administration has reported that as of March 15th, there was no structured work of European humanitarian organizations in the oblast. Currently, humanitarian efforts are handled by volunteers, entrepreneurs and Lviv Oblast Military Administration (OMA). There is a need for the organization of humanitarian convoys.

More than 400 specialists provide medical and psychological assistance at the main railway station in Lviv. To improve logistics for commercial and humanitarian goods in the Lviv Oblast, all checkpoints which interfere with the traffic flow and are not listed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine were removed. All officially agreed checkpoints that remain on the highways and in the cities are controlled by the joint forces of the Police, National Guards, and Territorial Defense Forces.

The Head of the OMA organized a meeting with members of the World Congress of Ukrainians, which unites more than 20 million of our compatriots in different parts of the planet. Thanks to the Charity Foundation’s "Wings of hope", 45 thermal imagers were purchased and sent to the frontier.

Lviv

The Free Sky art event took place today on Svobody Avenue. This event was held in support of the call of the Ukrainian people and President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, to the West and other countries to close the sky over our country and stop the war.

Drogobych

There were two air-raid warnings on March 15th. The City Council organizes evacuations to different countries. Citizens are asked not to burn grass, as it traumatizes people from the war zone. Today, Drohobych paid last respect to a soldier who died due to russian shelling of the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security (Yavoriv military training ground).

Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast

In general, the situation in the community is calm. Today, more than 13,000 IDPs are already registered in the community. Next Monday, the authorities plan to organize an itinerant social trade of essential goods. This trading method is to be implemented in all districts of the city. As the commencement of the agricultural season is approaching, people are reminded of the ban on burning dry grass. Every day more and more commercial organizations and companies resume their work. The mayor asks residents to temporarily move to a safer place away from the TV tower.

Rivne Oblast

Rivne

Air-raid alarms could be heard at night and during the day. The situation is relatively calm. The military is intensively patrolling the border with Belarus. Rescue operations on the territory of the TV tower near Rivne, where the enemy fired on March 14th, hava been completed. As a result of the missile strike, 21 people died, and 9 were injured.

Rivne paid last respect to five defenders. Volodymyr Stelmakh died while defending Kyiv from the russian occupation troops. Four other heroes (Yuriy Bilevych, Ihor Chekhovsʹkyy, Valeriy Voron, and Heorhiy Kozyukhno) died in a rocket attack on the TV tower.

Local farmers are preparing for a sowing campaign. The Rivne Oblast also continues to host IDPs. As of today, 17,000 citizens have stayed for a long time.

Doctors of the Rivne Oblast prepare first aid kits and send them to soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Territorial Defense Forces. People are united. They help volunteer headquarters (by giving money and not only). The Rivne Oblast helps cities in the siege and sends cargoes with humanitarian aid.

Khmelnytskyi Oblast

There were no hostilities in Oblast. For more than two weeks, the regional humanitarian hub has been actively cooperating with foreign philanthropists who take care of collecting and delivering aid to the citizens affected by russian aggression. Most cargoes have already been shipped from the UK, Germany, and Poland. In addition, a significant amount of humanitarian aid came from Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain.

Indifferent citizens and people from Ukraine in the EU unite, organize fundraising, collect essentials and products, and ensure their transportation to Ukraine. Thus, in Germany, there is a charitable initiative group, "Help Ukraine," thanks to which two trucks with a total weight of about 40 tons arrived in Khmelnytskyi Oblast on March 15th.

Since the beginning of the war, 95 trucks and 45 buses with humanitarian aid have arrived in the Khmelnytskyi Oblast. This aid is sorted daily and transported to places most needed.

The educational process continues. Currently, 6,090 displaced school-age children are registered in the Khmelnytskyi Oblast. 3,087 of them have expressed a desire to continue their education with Khmelnytskyi students. There are 259 patients from among the evacuees in Khmelnytskyi hospitals. They are provided with qualified medical care.

Khmelnytskyi

A social outlet for IDPs opened in Khmelnytskyi, offering clothes for children and adults, essential and personal hygiene items free of charge. A girl was born in the bomb shelter at the Khmelnytskyi Municipal Perinatal Centre.

Kamyanetsk-Podilskyi

The situation in the community is stable. Air raid alert went off last night. The Armed Forces of Ukraine serve as per the manning schedule. The Territorial Defense Forces patrol at checkpoints and near strategic facilities.

The city continues accepting IDPs, nearly 400 in the last night. The official data have more than 13 thousand registered and the same number of non-official arrivals. Some kindergartens opened laundries for the officially registered IDPs. Humanitarian cargoes continue arriving from abroad. There is strict control over the aid and its distribution; every aid is being distributed according to the needs of the military and the IDPs.

The State Food and Consumer Safety Services monitor prices in commercial outlets and markets. The Department for Social Protection of Residents has started issuing IDPs certificates. Public transport will start its routine operation tomorrow. The mayor calls businesses to go back to work. The locals prepare meals for the military and Territorial Defense Forces, weave camo netting and distribute humanitarian aid.

Chernivtsi

The situation in Bukovyna is calm. Police are intensively patrolling settlements. Territorial Defense Forces are prepared, organized, and structured. 75 pupils with special needs of the Kramatorsk orphanage "Antoshka" were evacuated to Chernivtsi Oblast. The Center for Aesthetic Education "Youth of Bukovina" has developed an art program, «Continuous Flight. We Are Together». The institution will hold a series of online classes for IDPs and young people. In Chernivtsi, members of folk amateur groups have introduced a new tradition - every Thursday and Sunday, they will sing the anthem and Strlitsy songs on various streets of the city.

Zakarpattia Oblast

Everything is calm in the oblast. Almost 80,000 people are settled in territorial communities and district centers of Zakarpattia Oblast. State Emergency Service of Ukraine helicopters is working. The news report that potholes are being repaired in Rakoshin. Locals volunteer and live everyday life.