Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,115

On Saturday, March 15, this is the situation:

Fighting

Putin made the remarks on Russian television shortly after Donald Trump claimed that the Russian military was encircling “thousands” of Ukrainian troops in Kursk. He added that he had “strongly requested” Putin to spare their lives.
The Russians “fabricated” any reports that Ukraine’s forces were encircled by Moscow’s troops, according to the General Staff of Ukraine, who denied once more that this was to “inspire political manipulation and exert pressure on Ukraine and its partners.”
11 people, including two children, were hurt when a Russian missile struck a residential area in Kryvyi Rih, in the city of Kryvyi Rih, according to the regional governor. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown, Krivyi Rih, has been the target of numerous attacks throughout Russia’s three-year, comprehensive invasion of its neighbor.

One person was killed when Russian-guided bombs targeted a residential area in Kherson, in southern Ukraine, according to the regional governor, who spoke on Telegram.
Russian drones attacked the port of Chornomorsk in the Black Sea city of Odesa, cutting off all electricity supply to the region’s residents, according to the regional governor.
According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, Russian air defenses shot down four Ukrainian drones attacking the country’s capital. A drone reportedly threw a bomb at a residence a few kilometers from the Kremlin’s roof. According to emergency personnel, no injuries were reported from drone fragments in any other buildings, which were only marginally damaged.
A far-right activist was shot dead in Odesa on a street, and a suspect has been detained, Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. The suspect, a 46-year-old man, was described as a “deserter” from the Ukrainian army. We cannot rule out the possibility that this crime was committed by Russian secret services, according to the police.

Trump repeatedly claimed as a candidate for president that he would have the Russia-Ukraine war resolved within 24 hours, and even before he even took office, and that he was “being a little sarcastic.” Trump said in a clip made available ahead of a television interview scheduled for Sunday that “was a little bit sarcastic when I said that.”
Trump praised his relationship with Putin in a speech to the US Department of Justice, stating that the Russian leader “has respect for this country.” He also stated that ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Russia are ongoing. You don’t want to pick on someone who is much bigger than you, he once more said, “You don’t want to pick on someone who’s a lot larger than you.”

Putin, according to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, denied that he was serious about pursuing a ceasefire in Ukraine.
In a post on X, French President Emmanuel Macron also demanded that Moscow stop its “violent acts” in Ukraine.
Russia was advised by G7 foreign ministers that new sanctions would apply unless it agreed to a ceasefire “on equal terms.” These sanctions could include “caps on oil prices, as well as additional support for Ukraine, and other means,” according to the ministers.

On Saturday, Zelenskyy and about 25 European Union and other world leaders will be able to discuss European support for Ukraine during a video conference. According to diplomatic sources, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, wants to provide Ukraine with up to 40 billion euros ($43. 5 billion) in new military aid.
The “coalition of the willing,” which includes Europe, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, will be urged by the UK’s Starmer to pledge allegiance to Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire during the video conference.

According to a report from the North Korean state media, Russian deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko is traveling there.
Following Washington’s request to force US oil company Chevron to leave the Caribbean nation, Russia and Venezuela announced plans to increase energy cooperation.

Source: Aljazeera