Victorious news of 392nd day of war: Shoigu, Kadyrov may join Putin behind bars; Zelenskyy award defenders at frontline

Espreso has compiled a selection of news that brings Ukraine closer to victory.

The Ukrainian president went to the front and met with the heroes

Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Ukrainian military's frontline positions in the city of Bakhmut and awarded the defenders.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief listened to reports on the situation and the course of combat operations in the Bakhmut area, talked to the servicemen and presented state awards to Ukrainian defenders.

In particular, artilleryman Captain Ilia Verhun received the Order of the Golden Star from the president and was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. Since February 24, 2022, the warrior has been participating in the fight against Russia's armed aggression, directly leading anti-tank units during the liberation of Trostianets, and participating in deterring the enemy in the Izium direction. The units under his leadership and with Verhun's personal participation destroyed a large number of Russian vehicles.

As for the situation at the front near Bakhmut, the occupying forces failed to reach Khromove, and the Ukrainian Defense Forces pushed them back. As of March 22, the situation is difficult but under control. 

Petro Voloshchenko, a serviceman of Ukraine's Armed Forces, stated this on Espreso. “These suicidal attacks by the Russians through manpower do not stop. The enemy forces have concentrated their personnel in the north, northeast, and east, where the Bakhmutka River is. They are not able to close the so-called operational encirclement. They could not reach Khromove, as we repelled them from there. Even some guys went into their trenches,” he said.

Not only Putin is to be arrested

The Hague may soon issue arrest warrants for the leadership of the Russian Defense Ministry. Journalist Roman Tsymbaliuk said this on Espreso. The International Criminal Court in The Hague may open a case on the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine by the Russian army and issue arrest warrants for the Russian military leadership.

“The next arrest warrant will be issued for the leaders of the Russian Defense Ministry. I would not be surprised if Russian pilots are listed there by name. The article will be 'destruction of civilian infrastructure'. Shoigu, Gerasimov, Kadyrov and all these comrades will be under this warrant,” Tsymbaliuk noted. 

Earlier, on March 17, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin and Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova in the case of deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Anti-drones from Lithuania, artillery shells from Ukroboronprom

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said that his country is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine, which will include anti-drone weapons.

“In the coming months, Lithuania will send anti-drones, weapons, ammunition, provide military training, and continue to invite allies to step up their efforts as well,” Nausėda said. He added that support for Ukraine currently amounts to more than 1.2% of Lithuania's GDP.

In addition, Ukrainians rely not only on international assistance. The state-owned Ukroboronprom, in cooperation with NATO, has launched the production of 122mm artillery shells, and the first batch has already been shipped to the Ukrainian military. This is the third type of ammunition manufactured using Ukrainian technology and with Ukrainian specialists at foreign facilities.

Destroyed anti-aircraft missile system and Russian military

At the same time, Ukraine's main strength is not its equipment, but its heroic defenders. The marines killed several dozen Russian soldiers during the day. “Military units and subunits of the Marine Corps Command continued to perform tasks to repel the Russian Federation's full-scale armed aggression. During the day, on March 21, the marines killed 26 Russian soldiers,” the Marine Corps Command's official website says.

The Russian forces' losses were also caused by artillerymen who fired on the aggressor, killing seven enemy soldiers. The Russia's final losses are being clarified.

At the same time, according to the General Staff, during the day, the Ukrainian Defense Forces' aviation struck an enemy anti-aircraft missile system and 12 military positions. 

Crimes against Maidan activists are not forgotten

The former commander of the Berkut special forces police was served with a notice of suspicion of organizing a terrorist attack and intentional killings of protesters during the Revolution of Dignity.

“Under his leadership, a unit from the Lviv region, together with others, used physical force and special means, including stun grenades produced in the Russian Federation, pump-action rifles equipped with lead shot cartridges, against protesters on Instytutska Street in Kyiv and adjacent streets on February 18, 2014. As a result of these actions, 3 people were killed and about 200 sustained injuries, including gunshot wounds, of varying severity,” the State Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.

The man is suspected of abuse of office, committing a terrorist act, organizing the infliction of grievous bodily harm, as well as committing premeditated murders and completed attempts to murder two or more protesters. The issue of choosing a measure of restraint is currently being decided.