Ukrainian defense forces destroy 1,160 Russian soldiers, 21 tanks and 14 UAVs

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on March 16.

Total combat losses of the Russian Federation from 02.24.22 to 03.16.24 are approximately:

• personnel - about 429,580 (+1160) people,
• tanks - 6,779 (+21) 
• armored combat vehicles - 12,973 (+24) 
• artillery systems - 10,606 (+26) 
• MLRS - 1,017 (+0) 
• air defense systems - 719 (+2) 
• aircraft - 347 (+0) 
• helicopters - 325 (+0) 
• UAVs of operational and tactical level - 8,268 (+14) 
• cruise missiles - 1,922 (+2) 
• ships/boats - 26 (+0) 
• submarines - 1 (+0) 
• motor vehicles and tankers - 14,024 (+31) 
• special equipment - 1,712 (+1).

Ukrainian army repelled Russian attacks in 7 directions, mostly in Avdiivka

Thus, the operational situation has not changed in the area of the northern Ukrainian border with Belarus.

In the northeastern border area, the Russian army maintains a military presence in the border areas, conducts active sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened areas.

In the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia operational-strategic group in the Kupyansk direction, the Ukrainian defense forces repelled three Russian attacks near the towns of Synkivka and Tabaivka in Kharkiv region, where the Russian troops were trying to improve their tactical position.

In the Lyman direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled 9 attacks near the settlements of Bilohorivka in Luhansk region and Terny and Rozdolivka in Donetsk region, where Russia's soldiers, with the support of aviation, tried to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops.

In the Bakhmut direction, Ukraine's Armed Forces repulsed three hostile attacks near Andriivka and Klishchiivka in Donetsk region.

In the area of responsibility of the Tavria operational-strategic group, in the Avdiivka direction, the Ukrainian forces rebuffed 26 Russia's attacks in the vicinity of Berdychi, Orlivka, Tonenke and Pervomayske.

In the Novopavlivka direction, Ukraine's defense forces are holding back the Russian troops in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka, where their enemy, with the support of aviation, tried to break through the defense of Ukrainian army 24 times.

In the Orikhiv direction, the occupation forces attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 7 times near Staromayorske in Donetsk region and Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia region.

In the area of responsibility of the Odesa operational-strategic group in the Kherson direction, Russia does not abandon its intention to drive Ukrainian units from their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Thus, over the past day, three unsuccessful assaults on the positions of Ukrainian troops were made.

Russian army launched 10 missile and 68 air strikes against Ukraine

Over the past day, 78 combat clashes took place on the frontline. In total, Russia launched 10 missile and 68 air strikes, fired 89 times from multiple launch rocket systems at Ukrainian troops' positions and populated areas. 

Over the last day, 6 localities in Sumy region, 4 in Kharkiv region, 2 in Luhansk region, 13 in Donetsk region and 1 in Zaporizhzhya region were hit by air strikes.

About 100 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions came under artillery fire.

Ukrainian defense forces hit 7 areas of Russian troops concentration

Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian aviation struck 7 areas where Russian personnel were concentrated.

Also, on the night of March 16, the Defense Forces destroyed 2 of 2 Shahed attack drones in the Kharkiv region.

• On the morning of Friday, March 15, Russian troops attacked Odesa with missiles: among the 20 dead were a medic and a rescuer who came to provide assistance after the first explosion, and dozens of people were injured, 40 are hospitalized.