Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,129

On Saturday, March 29, 2025, this is the situation:

Fighting

• In the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, a Russian drone attack on Friday left four people dead. A hotel and restaurant complex, which had ten homes and a high-rise apartment complex, was consumed by the regional governor, claiming 19 people were hurt and a significant fire broke out in it.
• Ukrainian military reported that its air force had struck a border post in Bryansk, Russia, destroying infrastructure it claimed was used for drone launches. According to a statement from the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ general staff, the attack was carried out in response to “dozens of daily strikes by attack drones.”
• According to Russian military bloggers, Ukrainian troops have launched an incursion into the Belgorod region of Russia. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, told reporters on Friday that his military had “certain steps” taken in Russia outside the Kursk region to relieve pressure on Ukrainian troops.
• Hoholivka, one of the few villages still held by Ukraine’s over 100 seized in August, was recaptured by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Friday. The Russian assaults in Kursk were stopped by the Ukraine’s General Staff over the course of the day, according to the report.
• The Ukrainian military reported that 89 of the 163 Russian drones launched overnight failed to reach their targets due to technical issues.
• 19 Ukrainian drones that attempted to attack a Saratov oil refinery were shot down by the Russian Defense Ministry, according to the report.

Ceasefire

• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk demanded a stop to the “horrific suffering” caused by Ukrainian civilian attacks and said a ceasefire in Ukraine “would be very welcome.” A proper end to the war was necessary, according to Turk, “but limited ceasefires that protect shipping lanes and infrastructure are a welcome step forward.”
• Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, made the suggestion in a televised address on Friday that Ukraine should temporarily be under external control to facilitate the holding of democratic elections. Putin made the claim that Ukraine could alter any negotiated peace at any time and that Zelenskyy lacked legitimacy as president of Ukraine.
• Zelenskyy responded to Putin’s comments at a press briefing on Friday, saying he was afraid of discussing issues with me personally and that he was afraid of discussing them with reporters.
• Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, immediately refrained from suggesting that Ukraine be put under a form of government, arguing that it was necessary to respect the country’s constitution.

Politics and diplomacy

• Following the conclusion of a summit attended by French President Emmanuel Macron that discussed plans to send troops to Ukraine, Putin made his remarks regarding Ukraine. Macron claimed that “several” other countries are willing to enlist in peacekeeping forces in addition to France and the UK.
• Zelenskyy confirmed to reporters that Ukraine had received the US’s draft of a new mineral deal on Friday, stating that it was “entirely different” from what had previously been proposed. The draft would need to be reviewed and discussed first, according to him and his vice president, who would not comment on it.
• Before the upcoming summit at the US’s Ramstein airbase in Germany, the Ukrainian president confirmed that the country was formally negotiating with the EU regarding sharing intelligence and military aid.