March 9, 2022

Peculiarities of Russia’s open armed aggression against Ukraine

Russian Defense Ministry

(as at 9 a.m. /Kyiv time/ March 9)

Russian command is preparing to boost offensive operation against Ukraine.
For this purpose, additional reinforcement units (including airborne troops)
approach to the border areas of Ukraine. Missile and air weapon systems are also
being supplied to the stocks near Ukrainian border.
In permanent stationing points of Russian military units and commissariats there
are urgent activities directed on forming and relocation of new reserves to the
operational designation areas near Ukrainian border.
Russian military command, considering absence of significant combat success
and mass losses of personnel, directed terroristic order to gun down “without mercy”
of persons who try to evacuate though created humanitarian corridors.
Operational environment
Enemy continues offensive operation against Ukraine on the designated
directions. Russian military command organized reconnaissance activities directed on
places of field logistics centers as well as places of Ukrainian troops training and
concentration locations. Following is being done by the enemy for emergency advance
of troops deep into Ukrainian territory and severe weakening of Ukrainian resistance
potential.
At the same time, enemy organized preparation for troops supply with
petroleum oil and lubricants during offensive operation in north-western areas of
Ukraine. Thus, the construction of field pipeline from Mozyr refinery (Belarus) to
Korosten (Ukraine) has begun.
Pollisskyi operational zone
One of the highest priority tasks for Eastern MD troops is attack on the Kyiv
direction to facilitate force grouping located near Hostomel. Considering results of
combat actions, enemy decided to regroup.
Chornobyl exclusion zone is used by enemy for new troop’s relocation to the
north-western part of Kyiv region. Rear area is deployed near Maryanivka for logistic
support of Russian troops.
Siverskiy operational zone
In terms of offensive action towards Kyiv, forward units from Central MD are
trying to reach northern and eastern outskirts of Brovary. This forces grouping was
enhanced by “Tochka-U” type tactical missile systems delivered from Russian
territory.
Subunits, shaped from Chechnya Republic residents, are playing the role of
barrage detachments.
There are verified evidences of Russian mobile crematoria functioning for their
military servicemen’ corps burning. In this way, Russian command prevents leak of
information about their losses.

2
Slobozhanskyi operational zone
Artillery units are being deployed at the outskirts of Kharkiv and Sumy in terms
of Western MD troops preparation for offense. Also enemy concentrates army aviation
for support of airborne actions.
Donetsk operational zone
There are positional clashes between Join Operation Forces and units form 1
st

and 2
nd ACs together with Russian units form 8

th CAA of Southern MD. “Styrol”
enterprise may be chosen by occupants to create provocation against Ukrainian
Armed Forces. Thus, Russians may try to explode depots with toxic reagents to
contaminate the environment.
Tavriyskyi operational zone
Units of 58th Combined Arms Army (CAA) and 20th Motorized Rifled Division
of 8
th CAA conduct offensive actions towards Mariupol. Units of 37th separate
railway brigade of Southern MD restore railway using special armored train in the
areas of Kherson – Oleshky.
Antonivskyi Bridge near Kherson is being secured by units of 50th separate
operative brigade of Russian National Guard Service troops (“Rosgvardiya”).
Southern Bug operational zone
Subunits of 49th CAA and 22nd AC of Southern MD are continuing advance on
the north of Mykolayiv for a purpose to cut off the city from the automobile routes
towards Kryvyi Rih and Kropivnitskyi. At the same time, tactical airborne landings
are planned to capture bridges through Southern Bug.
Kremlin’s tactic against Ukraine
Having failed to achieve success in the so-called “special operation” against
Ukraine and having lost the momentum of the attack, Kremlin is trying to create a
humanitarian crisis in key cities of our state. The goal is to facilitate refugees flows,
demoralize locals and Defense forces personnel, decrease the resistance to aggressor.
Moscow intentionally fails to adhere to agreements with Ukraine concerning
the evacuation of civilians through “green corridors”.
The RF insists on unacceptable routes for the evacuation of civilians, in
particular exclusively to Russian territory (including through Belarus).
Moscow plans to use these measures for propaganda and to create an image of
the country as a savior.
Russian armed forces terrorist and reconnaissance-subversive activities
Russia continues to use terrorist methods for targeted killing of peaceful
inhabitants and destroying of civilian infrastructure of Ukraine in order to intimidate
people and force them stop resisting. Residential buildings and medical care facilities
are being fully destroyed in result of intensive air strikes. Only in last 24 hours as a
result of air strikes on civil areas on Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zhytomyr and
Vinnitsya regions at least 30 people were killed, from which 5 children aged from 1
to 7 years.
The intentional opening fire by Russian land units on civilian vehicles deserves
special attention. In Bogdanivka (Kyiv region) Russian armored vehicle destroyed the

3

civil car, 2 people were killed. At least 4 people were injured in humanitarian
evacuation corridors in Kyiv and Donetsk regions. In Mykolaiv region a civilian car
marked with a red cross was shelling, 3 people were killed and 2 were injured.
Along with this, there is an intensification of Russian information operations.
In last 24 hours: SMS mailing to mayors for bloodless surrender of cities (Kharkiv
and Irpin, Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region); distribution of propaganda leaflets among the
local population about the need for Ukraine to join the Russian Federation
(Berdyansk, Zaporizhia region); V.Yanukovych appeal to the President of Ukraine
V.Zelensky with a call to resign; submission by the Russian media of the
consequences of Russian air strikes as a result of the actions of Ukrainian troops;
intimidation of employees of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and forcing them
under threat of using weapons to record a propaganda story for Russian media.

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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.