Victory Chronicles-DAY 1112

A Ukrainian drone attack struck multiple strategic targets in Russia overnight March 11, hitting key facilities linked to Moscow’s war effort, the Ukrainian General Staff said.

According to the statement, Ukraine’s drone units, special operations forces, security services, and military intelligence coordinated the strikes. Confirmed hits include the Moscow oil refinery, which processes 11 million tons of yearly oil and supplies up to 50 percent of the capital’s diesel and gasoline needs. 

Explosions were also reported near the Stalnoy Kony (Steel Horse) dispatching station in Russia’s Oryol region, located approximately 112-124 miles from Ukraine’s state border. 

It’s a key linear dispatch production station for the Druzhba (Eds – meaning, friendship) oil pipeline, which supplies crude to the Ust-Luga port in Leningrad Oblast. The Druzhba pipeline has been affected by sanctions, war-related disruptions, and geopolitical tensions following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukraine’s military emphasizes that its operations with Russia target war-related infrastructure while adhering to international law and minimizing risks to civilians.

Nearly one-fourth of Ukraine’s territory remains mined. About 53,700 square miles , or 139,000 square kilometers that comprises one-fourth of Ukraine’s territory—remain potentially mined, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said March 11.

Ukraine is considered the most mined country in the world and most of the unexploded ordinances are on fertile soil that Ukraine harvests for agricultural purposes. 

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine’s agricultural sector contributed more than 10 percent to the country’s economic output and accounted for 41 percent of the country’s exports. 

Since the all-out war, this sector, endowed with rich, black soil, has seen disruptions, including Russian land occupation, supply-chain issues and export blockades. 

Ukraine is still one of the largest grain exporters in the world of barley, corn and wheat, and is the top exporter of sunflower oil. It also is a major exporter of poultry, soybeans and rapeseed.

Speaking at a government meeting, Shmyhal said 84 certified operators are involved in mine clearance efforts, using 225 special-purpose vehicles, some of which are domestically produced.

The government has reimbursed over 529 million hryvnias ($13.6 million ) to farmers who used private companies for land clearance. This year, the state budget allocated 3 billion hryvnias ($77.3 million ) for further mine removal efforts, with nearly 360 applications submitted.

About 50 countries, including the United States, Switzerland, EU nations, Japan, and Canada, assist Ukraine in mine clearance operations.

Russian drone attack ignites fires in Odesa. A Russian drone attack on the Black Sea port city of Odesa ignites large fires, damaging fuel storage tanks, a private residence, and a warehouse filled with children’s toys, local officials said on March 11.

Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, confirmed the attack, stating that Russian forces launched a large-scale assault using strike drones.

“The enemy has once again carried out a massive drone attack on Odesa. As a result, a private residential building, a warehouse containing children’s toys, and a fuel reservoir caught fire,” Kiper said in a statement.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) shared images and videos from the scene, showing firefighters battling the flames. More than 100 emergency responders, volunteers, National Guard troops, and local fire crews worked to contained the damage. There were no reported casualties or injuries, according to emergency officials.

Ukrainian troops thank US  people for their support. Ukrainian ground forces recorded a video message expressing gratitude to the U.S. people for military aid that enables Ukraine to resist Russian aggression and protect civilians.

“The soldiers of the Ground Forces thank the people of the United States for their help in defending our land and our freedom,” the Ground Forces Command press service said. The address, delivered in English, featured members from various Ukrainian army units.

Key Takeaways:

• Russia continues to publicly claim that it wants peace while offering no concessions of its own in sharp contrast with the concessions Ukraine has already offered.
• Russian officials continue to capitalize on the Trump administration’s statements and actions in an attempt to divide the United States and Europe.
• Russian forces are consolidating their gains in Kursk Oblast and likely preparing to attack Sudzha in the coming days.
• Ukraine continues to expand its domestic production of drones and air defense systems to support its war effort.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Toretsk and Pokrovsk, and Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Toretsk and Pokrovsk.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a list on March 10 of instructions for the Russian government and the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation aimed at increasing social benefits to Russian veterans, which will likely put further strain on the Russian budget and economy.

On Nov. 21, 2024, 45-year-old Senior Soldier Dmytro Tvardovskyi, known by the nickname Tverdyi, was killed near the village of Urozhayne in Donetsk region. During a combat mission, he came under enemy fire and sustained fatal injuries.

Tvardovskyi was born in Zhytomyr. At 16, he met his first and only love, Olena. The couple married and spent 25 years together. In 2000, they moved to Chernivtsi.

Tvardovskyi dreamed of realizing his professional potential and worked hard to establish his own business, Tvardovskyi Private Enterprise, which produced household cords. To improve his skills, he enrolled in the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chernivtsi National University. He successfully completed his bachelor’s and later master’s degrees, graduating with honors.

On Feb. 24, 2022, Tvardovskyi decided to defend his homeland and voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He later served in the Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky Separate Presidential Brigade. From August 2022, he was stationed in the Vuhledar area of Donetsk region as a mortar launcher. In the winter of 2024, he decided to become a sapper and successfully completed training in Spain.

During his service, he received the Badge of Honor and the War Veteran medal. “He was a man of celebration who loved life—a philosopher of life who could always find the right words for every person. Dmytro was not only a loving husband but also a devoted and reliable father, determined to provide his children with the best possible future,” said his wife, Olena.

Tvardovskyi was buried in the Alley of Glory at Hodyliv Cemetery. He is survived by his mother, Iryna; sister, Ruslana; wife, Olena; and sons, Anatolii and Denys.

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

• Rubio says Ukraine must cede territory in any peace deal
• EU prepares for sanctions disruption as Hungary vetoes measures
• French defense minister: We will refuse any form of demilitarization of Ukrainian army
• European Commission president says Putin cannot be trusted, only deterred
• EU grants temporary protection to 4.3 million  Ukrainians, mostly in Germany, Poland
• Iceland allocates over 2 million  euros to support Ukraine’s energy system