Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says US has linked security guarantees to ceding of Donbas

In an interview with Reuters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the US is conditioning security guarantees for a peace deal on Ukraine ceding the Donbas region to Russia. Zelenskyy believes that the US, under pressure from Donald Trump and influenced by the conflict with Iran, is pressuring Ukraine to quickly end the war. He also accused Russia of blackmailing the US by offering to cease intelligence sharing with Iran if the US cuts off intelligence to Ukraine. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack damaged an industrial area near a major Russian oil refinery in the Leningrad region. Russian attacks killed two people in Kharkiv and the surrounding region, while a strike on the Danube port of Izamil damaged port facilities and energy infrastructure.

Amidst escalating aerial barrages between Moscow and Kyiv, Russia claims to have shot down nearly 400 Ukrainian drones. On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Russian military strikes hit two districts in Kharkiv, Ukraine, injuring at least nine people. According to Kharkiv's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, military drones fell in residential areas, causing damage to buildings and civilian infrastructure. The attacks are part of an ongoing exchange of drone strikes between the two nations, with both sides increasingly utilizing aerial weaponry. The provided images show the aftermath of these attacks, including damaged buildings and rescue efforts.

A major Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine killed four people and injured at least 35 on Tuesday. Ukraine's air force reported Russia launched nearly 400 long-range drones overnight, along with 23 cruise missiles and seven ballistic missiles, striking at least 10 locations across the country, including Kyiv, Dnipro, and Lviv. Daytime strikes injured 13 people in Dnipro and two in Lviv. The increased attacks come as Russia intensifies efforts to break through Ukrainian front-line defenses, signaling a potential spring offensive. The attacks occurred after US-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv failed to produce a ceasefire.

At least five people were killed in a large-scale Russian aerial bombardment across Ukraine on Tuesday, targeting multiple regions. The attacks, which officials described as among the worst in ten days, involved missiles and drones, with damage reported in eleven regions. Casualties were reported in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Poltava, including a woman killed by a drone hitting an electric train. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted a significant number of incoming missiles and drones. The strikes also impacted Moldova's power link with Europe. President Zelensky stated that the attacks highlight Ukraine's need for increased protection and continued support.

Russia launched a large-scale aerial attack on Ukraine, deploying 948 drones in a 24-hour period, marking a potential new offensive. The attacks, unusually occurring during the daytime, struck multiple regions, including Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, and Lviv, resulting in casualties and damage to infrastructure, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight bombardments across 11 regions also caused fatalities. President Zelenskyy appealed to allies for increased air defense support, citing concerns about a potential missile deficit due to the US focus on the conflict between Iran and Israel. He also noted the lack of progress on a security guarantees agreement with the US during recent talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has evidence Russia is providing intelligence support to Iran. According to Zelenskyy, this intelligence includes signals and electronic data gathered by Russia, along with information obtained through partnerships in the Middle East. Zelenskyy's statement, posted on X, cites a report by the Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Oleh Ivashchenko. Zelenskyy argues that Russia's assistance helps Iran strike more accurately and prolongs the war. He believes this alleged support warrants a response.