Victory Chronicles-DAY 1104

A Russian projectile strike hit a Ukrainian military training ground in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on March 1, killing dozens and wounding up to 100 soldiers, Ukraine’s Ground Forces said.

The exact number of soldiers has not been officially confirmed. The attack targeted a unit of the 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade at a training facility in the village of Cherkaska, about 100-130 kilometers from the front line, according to sources within the defense forces.

Ukraine’s ground forces confirmed the strike, saying, “unfortunately, there are fatalities and casualties. A thorough investigation is underway to establish all the circumstances.”

Volunteer Serhii Sternenko reported that Russian reconnaissance drones adjusted the strike. “The drone was not shot down because a full-fledged [air defense] system is still not in place,” he said, criticizing the region’s air defense capabilities.

Ground Forces Commander Major Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi said he is personally overseeing the investigation. “I will not allow attempts to obscure the truth under bureaucratic procedures,” he wrote on social media. “Those responsible will be held accountable.”

Zelenskyy: Russia launches over 1,050 drones, 1,300 bombs on Ukraine in a week. Russia has launched more than 1,050 attack drones, and nearly 1,300 glide bombs, and over 20 missiles at Ukraine in the past week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, condemning Moscow’s ongoing aerial assaults.

“Ukraine is fighting for the normal and safe life it deserves, for a just and reliable peace,” Zelensky said. “We want this war to end. But Russia does not, and continues its aerial terror.”

Ukraine’s second war-time president emphasized that those seeking negotiations do not “deliberately strike civilians with ballistic missiles.”

He called for greater global unity to stop Russia’s attacks, stressing the need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense, support the military, and establish effective security guarantees to prevent future aggression.

“Justice must prevail. We believe in the power of unity, and we will certainly restore lasting peace,” he said.

Russian strike hits residential building in Kharkiv, injuring eight civilians. A Russian airborne attack overnight on March 2 struck a five-story residential building in Kharkiv’s Kyivskyi district, causing partial destruction and a fire on the upper floors, local authorities said.

Emergency services extinguished the fire and rescued five people. Eight civilians, including a child, sustained injuries. First responders, search dogs, and psychologists assisted at the scene, while a support center was set up for the affected residents.

Drones hit major Russian oil refinery, triggering fire. Drones struck the Ufimsky oil refinery in Russia overnight on March 2-3, causing an explosion and fire at one of the country’s largest refining facilities, located more than 1,500 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, confirmed the strike, citing Russian reports. 

Russian Telegram channels reported an explosion at 2:38 a.m. local time, with the SHOT Telegram channel, linked to Russian security services, stating the fire spread across 100 square meters.

“Ufa is one of Russia’s largest oil refining centers,” Kovalenko said. “The refinery has strategic significance for the Russian army, supplying fuel to its forces.” The Ufimsky complex has a refining capacity of about 20 million tonnes of oil annually.

The head of Russia’s Bashkortostan region has not commented on the incident. Russian state media, citing emergency services, claimed the fire was caused by “technological processes.”

Key Takeaways:

• Recent Russian official statements in response to the proposed US-Ukraine mineral deal indicate that the Kremlin is trying to sabotage the deal through narratives targeting Ukrainian and American audiences. The Kremlin is claiming that this mineral deal does not benefit Ukraine while also claiming that Russia can make a better offer to the United States, indicating that Moscow sees the deal as harmful to its objectives.
• The Kremlin has a vested interest in preventing the United States and Ukraine from signing a mineral deal, as the deal will commit the United States to a long-term investment in Ukraine and Ukraine’s sovereignty.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is attempting to exploit discussions between the United States and the EU about the possible deployment of European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine as part of a future peace settlement in order to reinvigorate the Kremlin’s demands for regime change in Ukraine.
• European leaders demonstrated their commitment to supporting Ukraine at a defense summit in London on March 2.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Velyka Novosilka.

Ukrainian soldier Volodymyr Kharyto killed in combat in Russia’s Kursk region. Senior soldier Volodymyr Kharyto, call sign “Crazy,” was killed Aug. 21 while carrying out a combat mission near Sheptukhivka in Russia’s Kursk region. He was 38.

Kharyto was born in Zelenodolsk, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and trained as a welder before working as a locksmith at the Kryvyi Rih thermal power station. In 2014, he volunteered to fight in the war in eastern Ukraine, serving in the 90th Separate Airborne Battalion of the 81st Airborne Brigade. He took part in the battles for Donetsk airport.

While serving, he met his future wife. The couple had a daughter in 2021. In 2023, Kharyto insisted on a church wedding, which took place in Pokrovsk amid air raid sirens.

He later joined the 33rd Separate Engineering Battalion of Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces, where he commanded an engineering reconnaissance unit. He received numerous awards, including honors for defending Mariupol and bravery in combat.

“He dreamed of having a daughter. As a father and husband, he was attentive, gentle, and loving. He always surprised me with unexpected gifts,” his wife wrote. “I love him so much and miss him. He is my soul.”

Kharyto was laid to rest in his hometown. He is survived by his wife, Khrystyna, and daughters, Hanna and Yeva.

*Volodymyr’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

• UK intelligence: Russia’s economy to become increasingly dependent on defense industrial base
• Politico: EU to help Ukraine replace Musk’s Starlink
• French foreign minister: Macron proposes “partial truce” as step towards talks with Russia
• Ukraine’s intelligence: Russia plans large-scale drone attacks on Ukraine, deploying up to 500 UAVs at once
• Trump says US should worry less about Putin, as there are other problems
• Hegseth orders Pentagon to stop offensive cyberoperations against Russia
• Canada extends sanctions against Russia