March 15, 2024

Russian Ministry of Defense: up to 6,745 Ukrainian troops killed or wounded from March 9-15; one MiG 29 and two MI-8 helicopters downed

Russian Defense Ministry

From 9 to 15 March 2024, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out 50 group strikes by high-precision weapons, multiple launch rocket systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles against the airfield infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, repair of weapons and military equipment, storage depots for UAVs and uncrewed surface vehicles, arsenals and POL bases.

All the assigned targets have been engaged.

Moreover, the strikes also hit deployment areas of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, nationalists, and foreign mercenaries.

▫️In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of six mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Berestovoye, Peschanoye (Kharkov region) and Serebryanka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

Twenty-two counter-attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 57th Motorised, 32nd and 47th Mechanised brigades were repelled close to Sinkovka, Pershotravnevoye (Kharkov region) and Terny (Donetsk People’s Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 305 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, 21 motor vehicles, one Czech-made Vampire MLRS, and 25 field artillery guns.

In addition, from 12 to 15 March 2024, as a result of preventive and coordinated actions of the Russian troops, all attempts by the AFU to break through Belgorod and Kursk regions were thwarted by actions of the Russian Armed Forces during the special military operation.

Air strikes and artillery fire neutralised over 550 Ukrainian troops, 16 tanks, 19 armoured fighting vehicles, including 11 U.S.-made Bradley, and 15 motor vehicles.

▫️ In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces liberated Nevelskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic) and seized more advantageous lines.

ٌRussian troops hit seven mechanised and five assault brigades of the AFU close to Kurakhovo, Spornoye, Razdolovka, Kleshcheyevka, Kurdyumovka, Krasnogorovka, and Georgiyevka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

In addition, four counter-attacks of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade and 81st Airmobile Brigade were repelled close to Belogorovka and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 1,930 Ukrainian troops, nine tanks, 12 armoured fighting vehicles, 41 motor vehicles, 18 field artillery guns, two Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile launchers, and eight field ammunition depots.

▫️In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces’ units continued to advance and occupy more advantageous positions.

In cooperation with aviation and artillery, the Russian Armed Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of 11 brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Ocheretino, Novzvelannoye, Novogrodovka, Rozovka, and Kalinovo (Donetsk People’s Republic).

Sixty-four counter-attacks launched by the AFU units have been repelled close to Berdychi, Semenovka, Pervomayskoye, Tonenkoye, and Orlovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

Over the past week, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost over 2,710 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, three U.S.-made Abrams tanks, 19 armoured fighting vehicles, 91 motor vehicles, and 18 field artillery guns.

▫️ In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces’ units improved the tactical situation along the front line and defeated the units of the 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade, the 72nd Mechanised Brigade, 127th, 128th Territorial Defence brigades of the AFU close to Vodyanoye, Ugledar, Rovnopol, Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People’s Republic), Chervonoye, and Malinovka (Zaporozhye region).

Seven enemy counter-attacks were repelled close to Staromayorskoye, Novodonetskoye, Shevchenko (Donetsk People’s Republic) and Vladimirovka (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 980 Ukrainian troops, seven armoured fighting vehicles, 31 motor vehicles, and 11 artillery guns.

▫️ In Kherson direction, the Russian troops took more advantageous positions, inflicted complex fire damage on the formations of the 141st Infantry, 65th, 117th mechanised, 82nd, 128th assault, 35th Marine brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Rabotino, Novosyolovka, Orekhov, Kamenskoye, Stepnoye, Pyatikhatki (Zaporozhye region), Berislav and Tyaginka (Kherson region).

The AFU losses were more than 270 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank, 23 motor vehicles, and 12 field artillery guns.

▫️ The Groups’ Missile Troops, Artillery, and unmanned aerial vehicles have shot down one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS launcher, two U.S.-made Patriot anti-aircraft missile launchers, and one S-300 anti-aircraft missile launcher with radar stations during the week.

Air defence system and aviation have eliminated over the past week: one MiG-29 fighter jet and two Mi-8 helicopters of the Ukrainian Air Force; one Tochka-U tactical missile; five French-made Hammer aerial bombs; 86 projectiles of the U.S.-made HIMARS, Czech-made Vampire, and Grad MLRS; and 915 unmanned aerial vehicles.

📊 In total, 577 airplanes and 269 helicopters, 15,573 unmanned aerial vehicles, 486 air defence missile systems, 15,496 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,238 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,406 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 19,764 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.