Victory Chronicles-DAY 1128

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Ukraine controls the situation in the Black Sea and has denied Russia any ability to seize control of maritime trade routes.

Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces “no longer control the corridor in the Black Sea,” In an interview with Eurovision News in Paris ahead of the so-called Coalition of the Willing summit that is taking place on March 27 to discuss further support for Ukraine.

The reality, he said, is that “we are fighting for it, because it’s a step toward ending the war. We control the situation in the Black Sea. Their [Russia’s] fleet is either at the bottom or in hiding – that’s what is happening today.” Zelensky said.Zelenskyy added that Russia appears willing to consider a ceasefire related to energy infrastructure and the Black Sea, but is still seeking control over Ukraine’s grain export routes.

“They want to jump into control of the grain corridor. It will not happen – we’re confident in that,” Zelenskyy said.

The specifics of both components of the potential truce on striking energy infrastructure targets and ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea is still unclear. Ukraine’s ports, especially Odesa’s facilities, are in constant danger of aerial attacks and Russia still blockades the Mykolayiv port.

Ukraine says strike on Russian airbase destroyed 96 cruise missiles. A Ukrainian strike on Russia’s Engels-2 military airbase on March 20 destroyed 96 air-launched cruise missiles, according to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

The projectiles were reportedly intended for three large-scale strikes during March and April. The attack also triggered secondary explosions and destroyed significant fuel reserves, further limiting Russia’s operational capabilities, the statement said.

Engels-2, located in Russia’s Saratov Oblast – some 500 kilometers east of Moscow – is a vital base for strategic bombers such as the Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 aircraft. The airfield stores guided bombs and cruise missiles used in attacks on Ukrainian civiilian and critical infrastructure.

The overnight operation was carried out jointly by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and Special Operations Forces.

Russian drone attack injures three civilians, damages homes and businesses in Dnipro

Three civilians were injured and dozens of residential buildings and vehicles were damaged following a Russian drone strike on the southeastern city of Dnipro, regional authorities said.

According to Serhii Lysak, head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, the attack damaged more than ten high-rise apartment buildings, several businesses, an educational institution, and a cultural facility. More than 60 passenger vehicles were damaged and several others, including two trucks, were destroyed.

Five Russian reconnaissance drones downed in Donetsk region. Ukrainian drone pilots from the Unmanned Systems Battalion have shot down five Russian Zala reconnaissance drones on the Novopavlivka front in eastern Ukraine, the military reported.

The Russian UAVs were detected at various times as they attempted to conduct aerial surveillance of Ukrainian positions. Operators from the drone battalion spotted and neutralized all five drones.

“These Russian UAVs will no longer fly over our skies or spy on our positions,” the brigade said in a statement. “The sky over Ukraine will remain clear.” The footage of the operation was published by the General Marko Bezruchko 110th Mechanized Brigade named after.

Key Takeaways:

• The details of the ceasefire agreements on energy strikes and maritime operations in the Black Sea that US, Ukrainian, and Russian officials reached on March 24 and 25 remain unclear.
• Russia and Ukraine exchanged accusations of strikes and ceasefire violations, although the ceasefire terms remain unclear.
• Russian officials explicitly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that the United States could be involved in operating the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
• The European Union (EU) will likely maintain sanctions on Russia despite Russian demands for Western sanctions relief as preconditions for a temporary ceasefire with Ukraine in the Black Sea.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast, near Toretsk, Velyka Novosilka, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Belgorod Oblast and near Toretsk.
• Russia continues to reorganize drone detachments into new units, likely as part of an ongoing effort to establish the Russian Unmanned Systems Force (USF).

Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Symonenko killed in action near New York, Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Symonenko, known by the call signs of “Dierzkyi” and “Sem,” was killed on July 14 near the settlement of New York in Donetsk Oblast during a Russian machine gun attack. He was 27 years old.

Symonenko was born in Lubny, Poltava Oblast. He studied at Vocational School No. 53 in the village of Voinykha, training as a restaurant service specialist. A martial arts enthusiast, he practiced free-style fighting, pankration, grappling, and mixed martial arts. He also enjoyed music, cars, and cooking.

Before joining the military, he worked in various roles, including as a security guard, delivery driver, pizza maker, and taxi driver. Eventually, he found his calling in military service.

At the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, Symonenko volunteered for a local territorial defense unit before officially joining Ukraine’s Armed Forces. He served as a machine gunner-reconnaissance operator with the 120th Reconnaissance Regiment.

Symonenko was awarded the commander’s badge “Ready to Resist” and the Order for Courage, 3rd Class, posthumously.

“My beloved was irreplaceable. A wonderful father who did everything for our son Dmytro. He was charming, charismatic, cheerful, strong, and smart,” said his wife, Luiza. “He became a group commander a month before he died, and he was proud of it. He loved dogs and always helped others. He loved me more than anything. As long as my heart beats, he will live—because he is my heart.” Symonenko was buried at the Heroes’ Alley of Novakivskyi Cemetery in Lubny. He is survived by his parents, brother, wife, and son.

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

• Ukraine may sign economic deal with US next week
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• Survey: Majority of Ukrainians oppose holding elections before the end of the war
• Bessent: Trump won’t hesitate to tighten sanctions on Russia if it gives him an advantage 
• Zelenskyy: No mechanism for monitoring strikes on energy infrastructure exists
• Trump’s Special Envoy Kellogg: Russians won’t leave occupied territories of Ukraine, but de jure they aren’t theirs