UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 30 - 20 MARCH 2022

The Ukrainian General Staff reported for the first time that the Kremlin is preparing its population for a "long war" in Ukraine and is increasingly carrying out draconian mobilization measures. According to the General Staff, the Russian military commissariats of the Federal Districts of Kuban, Primorye, Yaroslavl, and Ural are conducting covert mobilization measures, but are encountering widespread resistance.

The Russian forces are digging into positions around Kyiv, and there are first reports of the laying of minefields by Russian forces in this war.

Russia's army continued its slow advance on Mariupol but could not achieve major territorial gains. Ukrainian forces launched further localized counterattacks around Mykolaiv, which was targeted with Kalibr cruise missiles from the sea.

The complete Russian Offensive Update 30 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR online