The war between Russia and Ukraine continued this week with intense fighting along several sections of the frontline, persistent missile and drone attacks on infrastructure, and renewed diplomatic efforts among Western allies to secure long-term financial support for Kyiv. While neither side achieved a decisive breakthrough on the battlefield, Russian forces continued applying pressure along eastern Ukraine while Ukrainian troops sought to stabilize defensive lines and conduct long-range strikes against Russian military and logistical targets.
The most intense fighting remained concentrated in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region, where Russian forces continued efforts to push Ukrainian defenses westward following earlier territorial gains. Russian troops supported by artillery, drones and glide bombs launched repeated assaults against Ukrainian positions near several settlements, seeking gradual advances toward logistical routes that sustain Ukrainian forces deeper in the region.
Ukrainian military officials reported that their troops repelled numerous Russian assaults during the week, although heavy shelling and drone reconnaissance continued to place significant pressure on defensive positions. The battlefield dynamic remained largely characterized by attritional warfare, with Russian forces attempting to advance through sustained artillery barrages and infantry assaults while Ukrainian defenders relied on fortified positions and precision strikes to slow the offensive.
One of the most heavily contested areas remained the broader Avdiivka sector, where Russian troops have attempted to consolidate earlier gains and push further toward Ukrainian supply hubs. Ukrainian commanders reported repeated mechanized assaults and intense bombardments aimed at weakening defensive positions. Despite the pressure, Ukrainian forces said most attacks were contained and that Russian advances in the area remained limited.
Further north, fighting also continued along the Kupiansk direction in northeastern Ukraine. Russian forces have attempted to push Ukrainian troops away from defensive positions along the Oskil River, using artillery and reconnaissance drones to strike Ukrainian fortifications and supply routes. Ukrainian officials said their forces managed to stabilize the situation in the area, though the front remained tense and subject to constant shelling.
In southern Ukraine, the frontline in the Zaporizhzhia region remained largely static but volatile. Ukrainian forces conducted several localized counterattacks in an effort to improve tactical positions, including operations reported near the Hulyaipole direction. While these actions did not result in major territorial gains, they demonstrated that Ukrainian troops continue attempting to contest Russian defensive lines and regain advantageous positions along the southern front.
Russian forces in the region have relied heavily on fortified defensive belts, minefields and drone surveillance to prevent large Ukrainian advances. As a result, the southern front has largely remained a stalemate characterized by artillery exchanges and drone warfare rather than large maneuver operations.
Military analysts say Russia may also be preparing the battlefield for a potential larger offensive later in the year. Increased artillery bombardments and reconnaissance activity have been reported along several defensive lines in eastern Ukraine, suggesting that Moscow could be attempting to weaken Ukrainian fortifications ahead of possible spring or summer operations.
At the same time, Ukraine continued its campaign of long-range strikes against Russian military infrastructure. Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted several ammunition depots, command facilities and logistical hubs in occupied territories and in regions inside Russia itself. These strikes form part of Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian supply networks and reduce the logistical capacity supporting Moscow’s military operations.
Russia meanwhile continued launching large waves of missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted many incoming projectiles, but several strikes still caused damage to civilian buildings and energy facilities across multiple regions.
One of the most significant attacks of the week occurred in Kharkiv, where a Russian missile strike hit a residential building, killing at least ten people, including two children, and injuring many others. The strike formed part of a wider wave of missile and drone attacks targeting several regions of Ukraine, damaging energy infrastructure and forcing temporary power outages in some areas.
Energy infrastructure continued to be one of the primary targets of Russian attacks. Strikes damaged electrical substations and power facilities in multiple regions, requiring emergency repair work by Ukrainian energy crews. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that Moscow is attempting to weaken the country’s energy system and disrupt civilian life through sustained aerial bombardments.
Civilian casualties were reported in several regions following missile and drone attacks during the week. Ukrainian authorities said strikes damaged residential buildings, industrial sites and public infrastructure, leaving multiple people dead and dozens injured. Emergency crews were dispatched to extinguish fires and rescue residents from damaged buildings.
Ukraine also continued conducting strikes inside Russian territory, targeting energy and logistical facilities believed to support the war effort. Drone attacks reportedly struck oil depots and military infrastructure in several Russian regions bordering Ukraine. While Russian officials rarely disclose the full scale of damage, local reports indicated that some facilities experienced temporary disruptions following the attacks.
The war continues to impose heavy casualties on both sides as the conflict grinds through its third year. Ukrainian officials reported significant Russian losses during repeated assaults along the eastern front, while Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy casualties while defending their positions. Independent verification of battlefield casualty figures remains difficult, but Western intelligence assessments suggest that attrition remains high for both armies.
Alongside the fighting, Ukraine continued receiving military assistance from Western partners seeking to strengthen its defensive capabilities. Several countries announced new support packages including artillery ammunition, air defense equipment and training programs for Ukrainian soldiers.
Diplomatic activity surrounding the war also intensified this week, particularly within the European Union as governments debated long-term financial support for Kyiv.
Ukraine could continue receiving financial support from European Union countries even if Hungary and Slovakia block a planned €90 billion loan package, according to a report by Politico citing two EU diplomats on Wednesday.
EU leaders are expected to meet in Brussels next week in an attempt to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to approve the loan, which is designed to cover roughly two-thirds of Ukraine’s financial needs for continuing its defensive war against Russia through the end of 2027.
However, diplomats say that if both governments refuse to support the proposal, several EU countries, particularly from the Baltic and Nordic regions, are prepared to provide Ukraine with alternative bilateral financing. According to the report, these countries could mobilize up to €30 billion to ensure that Ukraine remains financially stable during the first half of 2026. Because the funds would be provided through bilateral loans rather than through EU-wide mechanisms, they would not require unanimous approval from all member states.
The Netherlands also reaffirmed its long-term support for Ukraine. Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen informed EU counterparts that the Netherlands has allocated €3.5 billion annually in bilateral assistance to Ukraine through 2029.
Ukraine remains heavily dependent on Western financial support to sustain both its economy and its military operations. Under current EU procedures, any member state can block the proposed €90 billion loan package despite having previously agreed to the concept in December, because one of the legislative steps required for its approval requires unanimous backing from all EU countries.
Ukraine’s immediate financial situation has been partially stabilized after the International Monetary Fund approved an $8.1 billion loan package at the end of February, including an immediate $1.5 billion disbursement. Officials familiar with the discussions say Ukraine currently has funding secured only until May, although international assistance could extend Kyiv’s financial stability further into the year.
Political tensions surrounding the loan proposal increased after a Russian drone strike damaged the Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian crude oil to several European countries. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accused Ukraine of delaying repairs to the pipeline and violating earlier commitments. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the accusations, stating that the pipeline could be operational again within a month or a month and a half.
European officials are also closely watching Hungary’s upcoming elections scheduled for April 12. Some EU diplomats believe that if opposition leader Péter Magyar wins the vote, Budapest could adopt a more supportive position toward financial assistance for Ukraine.
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, initially seen as another potential obstacle to the loan package, appeared to soften his stance following a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a nuclear energy summit in Paris. After the meeting, Fico said they discussed restoring Russian oil transit through Ukraine to Slovakia and expressed satisfaction that the European Commission shares his view on the issue.
As the war continues without a decisive breakthrough on the battlefield, both sides appear prepared for a prolonged conflict. Russia continues relying on artillery superiority, drone warfare and incremental advances along the front, while Ukraine seeks to offset Moscow’s advantages through defensive fortifications, long-range strikes and sustained international support.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
