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These are the key developments on day 1,114 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Here is the situation on Friday, March 14:
Fighting
- Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that his forces have trapped the remaining Ukrainian soldiers in the western Kursk region, where Kyiv’s troops have held out for over seven months following a daring cross-border incursion.
- Putin stated during a news conference that the situation in Kursk is "completely under our control, and the group that invaded our territory is in isolation."
- Ukraine’s military leadership denied claims of encirclement but acknowledged that their troops in Kursk are adopting improved defensive positions.
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According to the Russian military, Ukraine now controls less than 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) in Kursk, down from 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) at the peak of the incursion.
- Maps from Deep State, a reliable Ukrainian source tracking the war’s front lines, show significant shrinking of Ukrainian-held territory in the past week, though minimal changes in the last 24 hours.
- Ukraine’s general staff reported repelling five Russian attacks in Kursk, with clashes continuing in four locations.
- A Russian war correspondent noted heavy Ukrainian artillery fire on Sudzha, a town recaptured by Russia on Wednesday.
- Fighting persists on Sudzha’s outskirts as some Ukrainian soldiers attempt to retreat into Ukraine’s Sumy region, according to The Associated Press (AP).
- Videos from Sudzha published by Russian media depict widespread devastation, including burned-out vehicles, roofless buildings, and piles of rubble.
- Ukrainian soldiers fear Russia’s air superiority could destroy vital logistics routes needed to sustain their remaining troops in Kursk, per AP reports.
- Retreating from Kursk requires Ukrainian soldiers to trek dozens of kilometers while evading Russian forces to return to Ukraine.
Ceasefire
- President Putin expressed support in principle for a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire but emphasized that the terms need further negotiation.
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“The idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it,” Putin said. “But there are issues we need to discuss, and I think we need to talk about it with our American colleagues and partners and perhaps have a call with President Trump.”
- Putin warned that the ceasefire must prevent Ukraine from using the pause to regroup.
- “How can we and how will we be guaranteed that nothing like this will happen? How will control [of the ceasefire] be organized? These are all serious questions,” he said.
- U.S. President Donald Trump noted “good signals” from Russia and expressed cautious optimism about Putin’s statement but said it was “not complete.”
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Putin’s response “manipulative,” accusing him of preparing to reject the ceasefire plan.
- Zelenskyy said in his evening address that Putin is afraid to openly tell Trump that he wants the war to continue.
“Right now, we have all heard from Russia Putin’s highly predictable and manipulative words in response to the idea of a ceasefire on the front lines—at this moment he is, in fact, preparing to reject it. Of course, Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants…” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Tweet)
- Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, stated that Ukraine would not accept a frozen conflict where fighting continues sporadically.
- U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy criticized Putin for imposing conditions on the ceasefire, calling a pause in fighting a “first step” toward a full resolution.
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U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to discuss the ceasefire plan, with Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noting that Witkoff would meet Putin when the president “gives the signal.”
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko warned that Europe and Ukraine would be “done for” if Russia and the U.S. agree to a ceasefire, adding that Moscow and Washington would hold Europe’s fate “in their hands.”
- Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said, “If Russia rejects this test and fails, it will be clear who wants war and who wants peace.”
- Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reiterated his commitment to facilitating dialogue and a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis during a call with Putin, according to Saudi state media.
Military
- The U.S. is set to resume shipments of upgraded long-range GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs) to Ukraine, designed to counter Russian electronic jamming, according to sources familiar with the weapon.
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The munitions arrive as Ukraine reportedly depletes its supply of similarly-ranged ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems).
- Sweden announced a new military aid package worth 3 billion Swedish krona ($294 million) to bolster Ukraine’s artillery capabilities, as reported by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency.
- Jack Teixeira, the Air National Guard member who leaked classified U.S. documents about the Ukraine war, described himself as a “proud patriot” during his court-martial hearing, claiming he was “exposing and correcting the lies perpetuated by the Biden administration.”
Politics and Diplomacy
- German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized Western unity at a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in eastern Canada, despite tensions with the U.S. over its Russia policy.
- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised President Trump during their Oval Office meeting, commending his efforts to increase defense spending among alliance members.
Sanctions
- The U.S. Treasury confirmed that a license allowing wind-down energy transactions with Russian financial institutions expired this week, enforcing sanctions imposed in the final days of President Biden’s term.
- The Biden administration had granted the license on January 10 to clear remaining transactions before banning energy financing deals with Russian banks, including Sberbank, VTB, and the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
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