March 17, 2023

355 Ukrainian troops killed in 24-hour period

Russian Defense Ministry

The enemy suffered losses of over 40 Ukrainian servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, two vehicles, and one ammunition depot of the 113th Territorial Defence Brigade.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the ‘Tsentr’ Group of Forces, aviation, artillery inflicted fire damage on enemy manpower and hardware close to Terny and Yampolovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

More than 70 Ukrainian servicemen, one infantry fighting vehicle, one armoured fighting vehicle, three pick-up trucks, one motor vehicle, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralised in this area during the day.

In Donetsk direction, units of the ‘Yug’ Group of Forces and artillery have eliminated up to 135 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, four pick-up trucks, one motor vehicle, one Grad MLRS vehicle, one D-30 howitzer, one ammunition depot of the 53rd Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Semenovka, Petrovskoye, and Tonenkoye (Donetsk People’s Republic).

In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, artillery and aviation of the ‘Vostok’ Group of Forces engaged the AFU units close to Ugledar and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People’s Republic). 

The total losses of the enemy in these directions amounted to 65 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, three motor vehicles, and two D-20 howitzers.

In Kherson direction, the enemy suffered the losses of up to 25 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, ten motor vehicles, one Grad MLRS vehicle, and one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery unit.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 82 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, enemy manpower and hardware in 112 areas during the day.

One Ukrainian 36D6 low-flying air target detection radar has been detected and destroyed close to Mirnoye (Kharkov region).

In addition, one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-37 counterbattery radar station was destroyed near Redkodub (Donetsk People’s Republic).

Russian air defence forces have intercepted five HIMARS MLRS shells and one Tochka-U tactical missile during the day. Also during the day, fourteen Ukrainian drones have been destroyed near Korsunka, Golaya Pristan (Kherson region), Rubezhnoye (Lugansk People’s Republic), and Kotlyarovka and Olshana (Kharkov region).

In total, 402 airplanes and 221 helicopters, 3,448 unmanned aerial vehicles, 414 air defence missile systems, 8,326 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,064 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 4,377 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 8,985 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.