March 24, 2022

Peculiarities of Russia’s open armed aggression against Ukraine

Russian Defense Ministry

(as at 6 p.m. /Kyiv time/ March 24)

Enemy maintains preparation for resume of advance in order to
capture/surround main administrative centers of Ukraine and elimination of JOF
grouping.
Russian armed forces launch air and artillery strikes on military and civil
facilities in Kharkiv, Mariupol, and Izum and around Kyiv.
Aggressor maintains renewal of casualties and relocation of additional units
reserves from 29th and 36th CAAs of Eastern MD, 11th AC of Baltic Fleet of Western
MD for combat actions on Ukrainian territory.
Operational environment
Aggressor regroups its troops, provides logistic support to resume the offense
and seizure/surrounding of Kyiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Sumy, Izum and JOF grouping.
Russian units launch air and missile-artillery strikes in order to destroy civil
and critical infrastructure in Kyiv, Mariupol, and Kharkiv and in the area of JFO.
Russian aggressor prepares to the usage of high precision weapon systems
from the territory of belarus. Thus, missiles for “Iskander-M” OTMS were delivered
from russia to Homel region.
In order to boost the process of losses renewal in personnel of offensive
grouping, enemy engages militants of russian private military companies (PMC) and
military obliged persons from TOT of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Russian military command build up the amount of “Rosgvardiya” units to keep
occupied territories under control.
Volynskyi OZ
Belarusian armed forces are likely be involved in military operation against
Ukraine.
There is a raise in cases of UAVs’ flights from the territory of belarus.
Pollisskyi OZ
Enemy units from 5

th, 29th, 35th, 36th CAAs, Pacific Fleet of Eastern MD and
airborne troops provide regrouping and logistic support of troops to resume advance
towards Kyiv.
Enemy prepares to advance and cross water obstacles in the areas of Lutizh,
Petrivtsi and Vyshgorod HPP. For this purpose, there were air strikes on positions of
our forces along Dnipro River and in the areas of Kazarovichy and Lutizh.
Siverskyi OZ
Enemy units from 2

nd, 41st CAAs and 90th TDiv of Central MD continue
regrouping troops to resume the advance towards Kyiv from the north-eastern
direction.
Units from 90th TDiv and 2nd CAA (through Boryspil) are regrouping on
Brovary direction in the area of Gogoliv (Kyiv region).
The convoy with russian military vehicles, moving from russia, was observed
on Chernihiv direction near Gorodnya.

2

Slobozhanskiy OZ
Enemy units from 6

th and 20th CAA, 1st TA of Western MD, 7th of MB
Southern MD and Pacific Fleet are concentrating efforts on blockade and further
seizure of Kharkiv, Sumy, Okhtyrka and Izum.
Invaders don’t stop air-bomb and missile-artillery strikes, primarily on civil
and critical facilities.
On the Izum direction, units from 20th CAA, 1st TA of Western MD and 11th
AC of Baltic Fleet conduct combat actions in order to break though our defense in the
area of Kamyanka and advance towards Slovyansk.
Units of “Rosgvardiya” were redeployed from Belgorod region to the areas
around Izum to keep occupied territories under control.
Supply depot is forming near Chystovodivka (Kharkiv region) to provide units
of 20th CAA with ammunition.
Donetsk OZ
Units and formations of 1
st and 2
nd ACs along with 8

th and 58th CAAs of
Southern MD and 5th CAA of Eastern MD continue reinforcement of strike grouping
to resume advance on all directions for reaching administrative borders of Donetsk
and Luhansk regions and gaining full control over Mariupol.
Aggressor conducts combat actions on the eastern outskirts of Mariupol with a
purpose to reach the downtown. Invaders don’t stop air-bomb and missile-artillery
strikes on residential buildings and social facilities of the city.
Tavriyskyi OZ
There were no changes in composition and dislocation of enemy units (58th
CAA, Caspian Flotilla of Southern MD, Coastal troops of Baltic Fleet of Western
MD and 5th CAA of Eastern MD).
“Rosgvardiya” units continue filtration measures in the areas of Primorsk,
Darivka and Rozdolne (Kherson region) in order to keep occupied territories under
control.
Southern Bug OZ
Units and formations of 8

th and 49th CAAs 22nd AC of BSF of Southern MD
and airborne troops are renewing its combat capabilities, replenishing ammunition
and POL in order to resume advance towards Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhya and
seizure of Mykolaiv.
Russian military command has enhanced AD of land forces grouping (area of
Konstantynivka, Kherson region) and air support by relocation of army aviation to
captured civil airport in Skadovsk.
Azov-Black Sea OZ
Enemy takes urgent measures to provide AD of Berdyansk port by deployment
of “Buk” SAM systems.
There are large landing ship (LLS) “Saratov” and 2 tug boats destroyed as a
result of fire strike in port of Berdyansk.
Another 2 LLS “Tsezar Kunikov” and “Novocherkassk” were escorted to
Kerch strait, possibly for repair on Crimean shipyards.

3

There are no indicators of preparation of amphibious landing operation on the
Black sea shore of Ukraine.
Tactics of terror and unlawful activity of russia on the occupied territories
The enemy continues to use terrorist actions against civilian population:
targeted air/missile strikes on residential buildings (Kharkiv, Severodonetsk,
Lysychansk, Rubizhne, Kreminna, Novodruzhevsk, Voievodivka, Okhtyrka).
Targeted killing of journalists and destruction of civilian media facilities continues by
the occupiers (5 journalist were killed, 7 journalist were wounded, 1 journalist is
missing, 8 TV-towers were fired within a month).
To justify a “special operation” for russian citizens, enemy forcibly relocates
civilian population (including children) from the occupied territories (primarily form
Melitopol and Mariupol) to russia for the purpose of demonstration of “care for the
life and health of the civilian population of Ukraine”.
Abbreviations list
TOT – temporary occupied territories;
MD – military district;
OZ – operational zone;
AOR – are of responsibility;
JOF – Joint Operation Forces:
CAA – combined arms army
TA – tank army
AC – army corps
AAsltDiv – air assault division;
SepAAsltBde – separate air assault brigade;
SepCostDefBde – separate coastal defense brigade
MRBde – motorized rifle brigade;
MRRegt – motorized rifle regiment;
MB – military base;
BTGs – battalion tactical group;
TG – tactical group;
BSF – Black Sea Fleet;
CTG – company tactical group;
SOF – special operation forces;
MLRS – multiple launch rocket system;
SAM – surface to air missile
HPP – hydro power plant;
POL – petroleum, oil and lubricants;
LLS – large landing ship;
PMC – private military company.

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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.