Ukraine War: Putin Warns of Major Attack – Latest Updates

Update, 17:25 CET, March 24, 2026: Russia launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine throughout the day, an unusual tactic typically reserved for nighttime, according to a Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson. Ukrainian air defenses engaged targets near the capital, Kyiv, and in the Lviv region. In the western city of Lviv, a drone struck a residential building in the historic center, injuring two people, local authorities reported.

Ukraine-Krieg aktuell: At Least Four Dead in Russian Air Strikes

Update, 15:05 CET, March 24, 2026: At least four people have been killed and dozens injured, including children, in Russian air strikes across Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described a massive attack involving over 390 drones and 34 missiles of various types. Damage was reported in eleven regions, with high-rise buildings in Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, and Dnipro catching fire. “In total, there were over 390 attack drones and 34 missiles of various types – ballistic and cruise missiles – and gliding bombs,” Zelenskyy stated, emphasizing “that more protection against Russian attacks is needed” and calling on Europe to increase the production of air defense missiles.

Update, 12:56 CET, March 24, 2026: The German Air Force has reinforced NATO’s eastern defenses with fighter jets and approximately 150 personnel. The Eurofighter squadron stationed at the Malbork airbase in Poland has now completed its mission, according to the Polish Armed Forces command on X. “Their presence was an extremely important gesture of cooperation within the framework of collective defense,” the statement read. The deployment was a response to recent airspace violations by Russian fighter jets and the incursion of kamikaze drones into NATO territory.

Kremlin Obscures Economic Impact of Russia’s War

Update, 11:59 CET, March 24, 2026: Moscow is obscuring the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assesses that the Kremlin continues to downplay the economic effects of the conflict. Simultaneously, President Vladimir Putin is looking to rising energy prices as a solution to the crisis.

The officially reported unemployment rate of 2.2 percent, according to the ISW, largely reflects a severe labor shortage in Russia, which is driving up wage inflation in both civilian and military sectors. Putin reportedly pointed to “fluctuations” in global energy markets – an apparent reference to price increases resulting from the conflict in Iran.

Concerns in Moscow – FSB, Police and National Guard on High Alert

Update, 9:58 CET, March 24, 2026: Russia has placed the FSB, police, and National Guard in Moscow on high alert. The move is reportedly due to intelligence indicating planned Ukrainian attacks and sabotage against Russian security forces, according to the Russian news agency Ria Novosti. Government officials, members of the Defense Ministry, and police officers are allegedly being targeted.

Throughout the four-year-long war, both sides have repeatedly attacked targets far behind the front lines, employing both drones and sabotage units.

Kyiv Accuses Moscow of Coordinating Attacks via Belarus

Update, 8:20 CET, March 24, 2026: Kyiv is reporting Russian plans to launch attacks from Belarusian territory. This claim stems from the presence of four drone ground stations in Belarus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, citing military intelligence, accused Russia of planning to coordinate attacks on Ukraine from Belarusian soil.

Belarusian officials have not yet commented on the allegations. Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine would respond “noticeably.”

Intelligence Agencies Indicate Major Putin Offensive

Update, 6:59 CET, March 24, 2026: Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of an imminent large-scale Russian offensive, based on intelligence reports suggesting an impending major attack. The population has been urged to take air raid warnings seriously, and corresponding orders have been issued to Ukrainian air defenses. Russia has not yet commented.

Ukraine-Krieg aktuell: Kim Supports Putin “Unconditionally”

Update, 24 March, 5:33 CET: Ukrainian UN Ambassador Andriy Melnyk accused Russia of being Iran’s key accomplice in the war before the UN Security Council. “Russian drone production facilities should be considered legitimate targets for military strikes in the fight against the mullah regime,” Melnyk stated, according to Reuters. Moscow’s delivery of modernized Shahed drones to Iran is an unprecedented escalation, enabling Tehran to attack Gulf states and US forces in the region.

Update, 19:51 CET: An unidentified drone has entered the airspace of the EU and NATO member state Lithuania and crashed near Lake Lavysas in the Varena district – not far from the border with Russia’s ally Belarus. The Lithuanian Defense Ministry confirmed the crash and launched an investigation.

A surveillance video released by Lithuanian public broadcaster showed the moment of impact: the sound of a flying object is heard, followed by an explosion – burning debris falls from the night sky. Military spokespersons found a combustion engine and metal and plastic parts at the crash site. The origin of the drone remains unclear.

Ukraine-Krieg aktuell: Blow to Russia’s Economy – Oil Refinery Out of Operation After Drone Attack

Update, 17:43 CET, March 24, 2026: The Russian Saratov oil refinery is completely out of operation following a Ukrainian drone attack on Saturday, according to insider information. The crude oil distillation unit of the Rosneft corporation, with a daily capacity of 20,000 tons, is reportedly shut down.

The Ukrainian military stated that the refinery was deliberately targeted. Governor Roman Busargin spoke only of damage to civilian infrastructure, without providing details. Rosneft has not yet commented. Offers for oil products from Saratov are currently missing at the international commodity exchange in St. Petersburg – the refinery accounts for around 2.2 percent of Russia’s total oil processing capacity.

Ukraine-Krieg aktuell: Germany Finances 15,000 Interceptor Drones for Kyiv

Update, 16:53 CET, March 24, 2026: In the Ukraine-Krieg, Germany is financing the production of 15,000 Ukrainian interceptor drones of the Strila type for the Ukrainian National Guard. Here’s according to a statement from the German Embassy in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda.

The agreement includes not only the delivery of drones but as well the training of National Guard units, as well as logistics and the further development of unmanned systems. The Strila drone is designed to intercept fast and agile aerial targets – including Shahed-type attack drones. Production is being carried out by the German-Ukrainian joint project of Quantum Systems and the Ukrainian manufacturer WIY Drones.

Ukraine-Krieg aktuell: Kyiv Reports Drone Attack on Key Port

Update, 14:49 CET, March 24, 2026: Kyiv reports a drone attack on a key Russian oil export hub. The Ukrainian General Staff has confirmed the attack on the Primorsk oil terminal in Russia. Drones from the SBU Special Operations Center “Alpha” reportedly struck the terminal, causing severe destruction.

An SBU insider told Ukrainska Pravda that Primorsk is currently the most important Russian oil export port on the Baltic Sea. In 2025 alone, over 46.6 million tons of oil were handled there, also using a so-called shadow fleet to circumvent Western sanctions.

Ukraine-Krieg aktuell: Commander Reports Massive Losses for Putin’s Army

Update, 12:12 CET, March 24, 2026: Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has reported catastrophic losses for Russia’s army, following four consecutive days of intense fighting. More than 6,090 Russian soldiers were reportedly killed or wounded between March 17 and 20.

Syrskyi stated that Russian forces recently concentrated on Ukrainian defensive lines in Pokrovsk and Oleksandrivsk, launching 163 and 96 attacks respectively. Syrskyi spoke in a social media post of a Russian “meat offensive,” as reported by Ukrajinska Prawda.

Ukraine-Krieg aktuell: Russia’s War Economy Hit

Update, 10:53 CET, March 24, 2026: Russian Baltic ports have halted oil transshipment after drone attacks: A fuel tank in Primorsk caught fire. According to Reuters, the ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga have temporarily suspended the handling of oil and fuel.

A large portion of Russian energy exports runs through both ports. It is currently unclear whether damage occurred in Ust-Luga. Ukraine regularly attacks Russian energy infrastructure as part of its defense campaign.

Ukraine-Krieg aktuell: Attack on Important Russian Oil Port Primorsk

Update, 10:05 CET, March 24, 2026: The Kyiv Post reports new details about the drone attack on the port of Primorsk in Russia: It is considered one of the most important transshipment points for Russian oil and, according to Russian media, has a loading capacity of around one million barrels of oil per day.

The majority of Urals crude oil is shipped from Primorsk, also via a so-called shadow fleet to circumvent Western sanctions.

Ukraine-Krieg aktuell: Russia Wants to Further Expand “Strategic Partnership” with North Korea

Update, 23 March, 9:18 CET: Vladimir Putin has congratulated Kim Jong-un on his re-election as North Korean head of state and announced a deepening of cooperation. “We will, of course, continue our close cooperation to further develop the strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang,” Putin said in a statement published by the Kremlin.

North Korea is considered one of Russia’s closest allies in the war against Ukraine. Pyongyang recently sent thousands of soldiers to the Russian border region of Kursk. Kim pledged in early January to “unconditionally” support all political measures and decisions by Putin – Moscow, in return, is reportedly providing military technology, financial aid, and energy.

Ukraine-Krieg aktuell: Fuel Storage in Leningrad Region on Fire

First report: Kyiv – A fuel storage facility in a Russian Baltic port is currently on fire. In the region of Leningrad, at least 35 drones were shot down during recent attacks, according to Governor Alexander Drosdenko. From the million-city of St. Petersburg, which is geographically located in the Leningrad region, to the Ukrainian border (near Chernihiv/Sumy) it is approximately 800 to 900 kilometers.

The governor of the Russian Leningrad region shared via Telegram that a fuel storage facility in the Baltic port of Primorsk caught fire following a drone attack. According to Reuters, the fire department is working to extinguish the fire, and personnel have been evacuated. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that a total of 249 Ukrainian drones were shot down across the country.

Update, 24 March, 17:25 CET: According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine throughout the day, an unusual tactic typically reserved for nighttime. Ukrainian air defenses engaged targets near the capital, Kyiv, and in the Lviv region. In the western city of Lviv, a drone struck a residential building in the historic center, injuring two people, local authorities reported.