Missile attack on Kyiv and Iceland's military aid under Czech initiative - Monday brief

Russia's war against Ukraine: Latest news

• Russian drone attack on Ukraine: Air defense downs almost all UAVs
• Russian shelling of Odesa: Electric transport halted, kindergartens partially closed
• National Guard destroys over 270 pieces of Russian equipment in week
• Russian shelling of Mykolaiv region aftermath: 11 injured and extensive damage
• Ukrainian intelligence reveals details of strike on Russian ship Yamal
• Russia upgrades Zircon, making missile hypersonic and superior to Kinzhal

Russia hits Kyiv with two ballistic missiles launched from Crimea

Russian occupiers struck Kyiv with two ballistic missiles from the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea, according to the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykola Oleshchuk.

According to him, around 10:30 AM the enemy struck Kyiv with two ballistic missiles from the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea.

"The targets have been destroyed, the type is being determined," he added.

This was the third Russian attack on the capital in the last five days. More about the aftermath of the attack - in RBC-Ukraine's article.

Iceland to join Czechia's initiative to purchase ammo for Ukraine

Iceland has decided to support Czechia's initiative to purchase ammunition for the Ukrainian army. The country will allocate approximately 2 million euros for this purpose, according to the government of Iceland.

"Due to the shortage of ammunition, Czechia, in cooperation with Iceland's main partner countries, took the obligation to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine, which plays a key role in the country's defense," the statement said.

It is noted that at the moment, Iceland's project will spend about two million euros.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bjarni Benediktsson said that such assistance is in support of international law and also serves to protect their own security interests.

According to him, this decision will have to be approved by parliament. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also assured that the country intends to continue moving forward and supporting Ukraine in similar initiatives.

Kuleba and Borrell discuss EU's potential for supplying Patriot systems to Ukraine

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba today, March 25, discussed with the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, the possibilities of strengthening Ukraine's air defense systems.

The Minister informed Borrell about the strikes of Russian ballistic missiles on the Ukrainian capital and other cities.

He also stated that he appreciates Borrell's support and concern regarding the number of Russian missiles launched at Ukraine.

According to Kuleba, Ukraine is currently the only country in the world that practically faces ballistic missile attacks daily.

The Minister added that Patriots should be deployed here and now to save human lives, rather than remain in places where the missile threat is zero.

"We discussed what the EU can do to help Ukraine get more Patriots and other air defense systems ASAP," wrote the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

Years needed for energy recovery: Kharkiv reliant on other regions after Russia's attack on CHP plant

The Russian strike on Kharkiv on March 22 destroyed energy facilities. Other regions now provide the electricity supply to Kharkiv.

According to a representative from CHPP-5, the most extensive damage from the Russian assault on March 22 was inflicted on the energy infrastructure, resulting in Kharkiv's power supply being sustained by other regions.

"To fully assess the extent of the damage to the thermal power plant and the required restoration works, we'll have to wait until the debris is cleared and the site is surveyed. However, according to energy experts, it's already evident that this will be an extremely labor-intensive and costly process, comparable to new construction," she explained.

CHPP-5 director, Oleksandr Minkovych, mentioned that exclusive equipment for the power units, including turbines and generators, would need to be manufactured for the central plant's restoration.

"In the event of full funding for the work, assistance with equipment production and supply, the reconstruction process will take more than one year," he said.

Ukrainian Navy suggests possible striking of another Russian ship in Crimea

Another Russian ship, the Ivan Khurs, may have been damaged during the March 23 strike on Crimea. It may be the third on the list after the damaged Yamal and Azov, according to Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk.

"This information (about the damage to the Russian ships - ed.) will take some time to be fully verified. We also present it carefully. This morning I confirmed that both ships (Yamal and Azov - ed.) were damaged. Now the question of the damage to the Ivan Khurs is also being considered. This information is also being verified," he says.

According to him, there is a suspicion that this ship was also damaged.

"As of now, we can confirm that both large landing ships have been damaged, their nature is being established, and one of them immediately went for repairs," the speaker added.

Commenting on the importance of the defeat of the Russian ships, Pletenchuk notes that out of 13 Russian ships at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, three remained in service.