Strike on Sumy, US and Ukraine agreement on minerals - Monday brief
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
Russian troops attacked Sumy. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said that Ukraine and the US are close to signing an agreement on rare earths.
Read more about what happened on Monday, March 24.
Russia massively strikes Sumy city center: High-rise buildings and school hit, many wounded
On the afternoon of March 24, Russian troops launched a missile attack on the center of Sumy. As a result of the Russian attack, high-rise buildings and a school were damaged, and there were wounded, says Volodymyr Artiukh, head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration.
“Russia launched a missile attack on the city center. Several high-rise buildings and a school were damaged. The children were in a protective structure, they are being evacuated now, all are alive,” said Artiukh.
According to the Sumy City Council, by the evening the number of victims of the Russian missile strike on Sumy had increased to almost 90 civilians. Among the victims are 17 children.
Trump: US and Ukraine will sign rare earth agreement soon
US President Donald Trump expects the US-Ukraine agreement on rare earth metals to be signed soon.
Trump made a statement about the agreement with Ukraine during a meeting with his Cabinet.
The US president also added that Washington is discussing with Kyiv the possibility of American companies managing Ukrainian power plants.
US-Russia negotiations concluded: They lasted over 12 hours, according to media
The consultations between representatives of Russia and the United States regarding the end of the war in Ukraine have concluded. The meeting lasted more than 12 hours, according to the TASS Russian propaganda news agency.
It is expected that on Tuesday, March 25, the parties will issue a joint statement summarizing the negotiations.
Drone Coalition allocates €20 million for drones purchase for Ukraine
The Drone Coalition has allocated 20 million euros for the purchase of drones for Ukraine. Delivery of the equipment is expected soon, according to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
The Drone Coalition has allocated 20 million euros for the purchase of tactical reconnaissance UAVs (ISR) for the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The first deliveries are expected to take place over the next three months.
Russia starts exercises involving intercontinental ballistic missiles
Russia has started military exercises involving missiles with nuclear warheads. The exercises include the use of Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to RIA Novosti and the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced that the Strategic Missile Forces have begun exercises involving missiles with nuclear warheads. The drills include the use of Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
According to the ministry, ICBM regiments in the Sverdlovsk region and Altai Krai "will be deployed to field positions."
