Victorious news of 398th day of war: three companies of attack drones are ready for combat, explosions near Melitopol, France doubles shells supplies

AFU repel 24 enemy attacks in the Donetsk region

Over the last day, the Defense Forces repelled 24 enemy attacks in the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka directions. According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff, the aviation launched 5 strikes on the invading Russian forces' military positions over the day. Missile and artillery units hit a control center, an area where enemy manpower, weapons and military equipment were concentrated, as well as a munitions depot.

At the same time, Operational Command South reports that the Ukrainian missile and artillery units continue to drive the enemy away from the water's edge. Here, the enemy lost three artillery systems, a reconnaissance UAV, and four vehicles, two of which were loaded with ammunition.

More explosions near occupied Melitopol

An explosion occurred in the temporarily occupied Fedorivka, Melitopol district, Zaporizhzhia region. This was reported by the mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov.

According to preliminary information, a substation was blown up. The local pro-Ukrainian Ria-Melitopol publication reports that as of 4 p.m. on March 28, there was no electricity in the village. Also at this time, Melitopol heard the sounds of explosions from the Molochnyi Estuary. 

France to double supplies of shells to Ukraine

“Paris will supply the ground equipment needed for Ukraine's counteroffensive: we are doubling the supply of 155-millimeter shells, from the end of March the number will reach 2,000 per month,” French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said.

These shells are used in French Caesar howitzers and German Pz 2000s.

Lecornu also said that France will soon provide Ukraine with a SAMP/T air defense system worth several hundred million euros. He noted that the Ukrainian military has already undergone training on it.

Ukraine has equipped three companies of attack drones

Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov announced that the first three companies of drones are fully equipped and ready to fight the enemy.

“Together with our partners, we fully equipped them. We handed over pickups, attack copters and Starlinks. All drones are made in Ukraine. The equipment for the strike companies of the Drone Army was purchased by private donors,” the minister wrote.

The UAVs will carry out reconnaissance and strike missions, aim artillery, and help Ukrainian soldiers be as effective as possible during urban battles. And pickup trucks are needed for raids by mobile groups behind the Russian enemy lines, delivery of cargo and evacuation of the wounded.

Mavka breaks box office records

Over the four weekends of the movie's release, the box office of the animated film “Mavka.The Forest Song” amounted to UAH 98,634,367, the State Film Agency reported.

In total, 779,798 tickets have already been sold during the entire run.

“We thank everyone who has already joined the screening and remind you that the film is still being shown. Come to the movies with the whole family and don't forget about the post-credits scene!” the Ukrainian State Film Agency added. 

Mavka has now become the highest-grossing Ukrainian film since independence.