With communication lines severed and bridges destroyed, 10,000 Ukrainian troops risk encirclement as Russia exploits US intelligence sharing suspension to isolate Kyiv’s forces
Summary of the Day – March 8, 2025
Russia has launched a multi-directional offensive to eliminate Ukraine’s remaining positions in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, cutting supply routes and destroying bridges to prevent Ukrainian withdrawals. Ukrainian forces now face potential encirclement as Russian troops, reportedly including North Korean battalions, storm the key town of Sudzha. Meanwhile, deadly Russian missile strikes hit civilian areas across Ukraine, including a devastating attack on Dobropillia that killed 11 people and injured 50. As European nations scramble to fill the intelligence gap left by Washington’s withdrawal, President Zelensky prepares a delegation for critical peace talks in Saudi Arabia while striking Russian oil infrastructure deep inside enemy territory.
Kursk Catastrophe: 10,000 Ukrainian Troops at Risk of Encirclement
Ukrainian forces are considering a withdrawal from Russia’s Kursk Oblast as approximately 10,000 troops face potential encirclement following a Russian breakthrough that has cut off vital supply lines. The Telegraph reported on March 8 that Russia’s intensified multi-directional assault has destroyed Ukrainian logistics routes, leaving defenders cut off from ammunition and fuel supplies.
“The situation in the Russian region is critical,” a Ukrainian soldier told the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity. “Ukrainian troops in the region face the threat of encirclement.”
Russian forces appear to be systematically destroying bridges in Kursk Oblast and along the international border to prevent Ukrainian forces from withdrawing. Russian milbloggers claimed that forces destroyed a bridge north of Sudzha along the H-07 Sumy City-Sudzha highway and another over the Psel River between Myropillia, Sumy Oblast, and Gornal, Kursk Oblast.
On March 8, Russian and North Korean troops launched a direct assault on the Ukrainian-held town of Sudzha, with multiple Russian sources claiming a large-scale offensive. According to the Ukrainian battlefield monitoring group DeepState, North Korean troops are rapidly advancing near Sudzha, “acting as the main offensive force and also bearing the heaviest casualties.”
“The most large-scale assault operations by the enemy have occurred in the direction from the settlement of Korenevo toward Sudzha, as well as in the areas of Novoivanovka, Mala Loknya, and south of the city of Sudzha,” the press service for Kursk military command told the Kyiv Independent, adding that two of the battalions attacking the front line are composed of North Korean soldiers.
In an unusual tactical development, Russian sources reported that their forces attempted to covertly attack behind Ukrainian positions in Sudzha via an underground gas pipeline, though the outcome of this operation remains unclear.
Russian Ministry of Defense’s Main Military-Political Directorate Deputy Head and Akhmat Spetsnaz Commander, Major General Apti Alaudinov, announced the intensified Russian effort on March 8, crediting Chechen Akhmat Spetsnaz, “Veterany” Assault Detachment, naval infantry brigades, and motorized rifle units with conducting the main assaults.
Geolocated footage indicates Russian forces have recently seized several villages including Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, Viktorovka, Nikolayevka, and Staraya Sorochina. Russia’s strategy appears aimed at exploiting the immediate impacts of suspended US intelligence sharing and military aid on Ukraine’s capabilities in the region.
A withdrawal ahead of peace talks would be a severe blow to Ukraine’s bargaining position. President Zelensky has previously stated that Ukraine’s occupation of Kursk is likely to play a crucial role in potential future negotiations.
Intelligence Blackout: US Suspension Generates Immediate Battlefield Effects
The extent of the US suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine remains unclear, but Western and Ukrainian officials indicate it is already generating battlefield effects. Five senior officials and military officers told Time magazine that the suspension has helped Russian forces advance and left Ukrainian forces unable to use “some of their best weapons systems.”
A source in the Ukrainian government stated that the suspension has impacted Ukrainian operations in Kursk Oblast the most and that Ukrainian forces have lost the ability to detect Russian aircraft approaching Ukraine—compromising authorities’ ability to warn civilians and military personnel about incoming strikes.
The Washington Post reported on March 7 that the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has “temporarily suspended Ukraine’s access” to commercial satellite imagery purchased by the United States. A Ukrainian servicemember told the Post that satellite service near Pokrovsk “simply disappeared.”
CNN reported that two US defense officials stated the United States is still sharing intelligence that can help Ukrainian forces “defend” themselves but has “scaled back” intelligence that Ukrainian forces could use for offensive targeting of Russian forces. However, a European official familiar with allied intelligence capabilities stated that European states may not be able to “bridge the gap.”
A Ukrainian official told CNN that Ukraine may exhaust its stockpile of Patriot air defense missiles, upon which it relies to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles, “in a matter of weeks,” and may run out of artillery shells by May or June 2025.
In what may be an early sign of these limitations, Ukrainian forces notably did not shoot down any Russian ballistic missiles during strikes on the night of March 7-8, even as they intercepted 79 drones and one cruise missile.
European Allies Rush to Fill Intelligence Void
European states are making urgent efforts to supplement intelligence sharing with Ukraine following the US suspension. French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Christophe Lemonde stated on March 8 that European states discussed how to compensate for the intelligence that the United States “may stop providing” during the March 6 EU summit.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed on March 6 that France would continue to provide intelligence to Ukraine. French outlet Intelligence Online reported that Safran.AI, a subsidiary of French defense corporation Safran, will provide Ukraine’s Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) with a data fusion platform to analyze French satellite imagery, based on an agreement signed in late February—before the US suspended intelligence sharing.
Despite these efforts, two Ukrainian officers told Time magazine that it will take time for European intelligence agencies to deploy necessary capabilities, and that Europe is unlikely to entirely make up for US intelligence capabilities “any time soon.”
A source familiar with discussions among NATO allies reported that NATO members are not prohibited from sharing some US intelligence with Ukraine, but such sharing could be very limited as allies are trying to avoid “jeopardizing” their relationships with the United States. Politico reported that one NATO official stated there is no pressure from the Trump administration to reduce or curtail allies’ intelligence sharing or weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
Deadly Russian Strikes Target Dobropillia and Other Civilian Areas
Russian forces conducted a series of deadly missile and drone strikes against Ukrainian cities on March 7-8, with one of the most devastating attacks hitting Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast. The strike killed at least 11 civilians and injured 50 others, according to Ukrainian officials.
“It was one of the most brutal strikes, a combined one. The strike was deliberately calculated to cause maximum damage,” President Zelensky said. “Russia proves with its cruelty that nothing has changed for them in Moscow. They are thinking not about how to end the war, but about how to destroy and capture more as long as the world allows them to keep waging this war.”
Donetsk Oblast declared a day of mourning in response to what Governor Vadym Filashkin called “one of the most brutal attacks in recent times.” At least eight five-story buildings, a shopping center, shopping pavilions, and 30 cars were damaged or destroyed, with some buildings burning down completely.
President Zelensky said Russian forces struck Dobropillia a second time after Ukrainian rescue workers arrived on the scene, calling it “a despicable and inhumane tactic of intimidation that the Russians often use.”
In another deadly attack, a Russian drone strike on a meat processing plant in Kharkiv Oblast killed three civilians and injured seven others, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. A fire broke out on the site after four Shahed drones struck the plant around 2 a.m.
Ukrainian officials also reported that a large fire erupted at a critical infrastructure facility in Zaporizhzhia Oblast following a Russian drone attack, limiting gas supplies in the region.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched two Iskander-M/Kn-23 ballistic missiles, one Iskander-K cruise missile, and 145 Shahed and decoy drones on the night of March 7-8. Ukrainian forces shot down the cruise missile and 79 drones, while 54 decoy drones were disabled, likely due to electronic warfare interference.
Ukraine Strikes Deep into Russia: Leningrad Oil Refinery Hit
In a demonstration of continued offensive capability despite intelligence limitations, Ukrainian forces struck deep into Russian territory, hitting the Kirishi Petroleum Organic Synthesis (KINEF) oil refinery in Leningrad Oblast—over 800 kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border.
Head of Ukraine’s Center for Combatting Disinformation Lieutenant Andriy Kovalenko confirmed the strike, noting that KINEF is the second largest refinery in Russia with a processing capacity of about 20.1 million tons of oil per year, specializing in gasoline, diesel fuel, and fuel oil production. Ukrainian intelligence sources told outlet Suspilne that Ukraine’s Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) conducted the drone strike, damaging at least one oil tank at the facility.
Leningrad Oblast Governor Aleksander Drozdenko claimed that Russian forces shot down two drones near KINEF, and that falling drone debris damaged one tank.
In a separate operation, the Ukrainian military intelligence reportedly sabotaged two diesel trains in Russia. According to a GUR source, a train transporting weapons and military equipment from Russia to occupied Ukraine was destroyed on the night of March 5-6 in Voronezh, while another was set on fire on February 19 in the Orekhovo-Zuyevsky district of Moscow’s region.
Diplomacy in the Desert: Ukraine Prepares for Saudi Arabia Talks
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 8 the composition of the Ukrainian delegation that will participate in crucial talks with the United States in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The team includes Presidential Administration Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Head of the President’s Office Colonel Pavlo Palisa.
Zelensky will personally travel to Saudi Arabia on March 10 to meet with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman before the Ukrainian delegation meets with the American team the following day. The US delegation will reportedly include President Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
“The agenda is clear – peace as soon as possible, security as reliable as possible. Ukraine is committed to the most constructive approach,” Zelensky said, adding that Ukraine has been seeking peace since the start of the war.
The scheduled talks come amid rising tensions between Ukraine and the United States, with Trump escalating pressure on Zelensky to expedite a peace process following their confrontational White House meeting on February 28.
In preparation for potential peace discussions, Andriy Yermak met with UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell in Kyiv to discuss first steps toward achieving a just and lasting peace, as well as conditions for a possible ceasefire. The discussion focused on initial steps proposed by Zelensky at the European Council in Brussels, including a “silence in the sky and at sea” – cessation of attacks on energy and civil infrastructure and naval military operations – and the release of prisoners.
European Nations Step Up Military Support as US Withdraws
As the United States pauses its military support to Ukraine, European nations are increasing their assistance. France announced it will provide Ukraine with 195 million euros ($211 million) in military aid using interest accrued from frozen Russian assets, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu told La Tribune on March 8.
“This will enable the delivery of 155-mm shells as well as AASM gliding bombs which arm the Ukrainian Mirage 2000s,” Lecornu said, adding that France is accelerating the transfer of older equipment to Ukraine, including tanks and armored vehicles.
Sweden pledged 22.5 million Swedish kronor ($2.2 million) to support Ukrainian women, the Swedish Embassy in Ukraine announced. According to the embassy, the funding aims to “empower women in Ukraine” and support their contributions to the country’s defense and recovery.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country would consider taking part in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine once peace is established. “Both of our nations are very clear about our support for Ukraine, and it of course is too early — you can’t have peacekeeping forces without having peace,” Albanese told a news conference, adding that Australia will send a senior representative to a chiefs of defense meeting in Paris to discuss future backing for Ukraine.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously announced that several European nations, including the UK and France, are developing a “coalition of the willing” that would include “planes in the air and boots on the ground” to negotiate and enforce a successful ceasefire in Ukraine.
Trump Administration Signals Possible Sanctions Relief for Russia
The US government is reportedly exploring ways to ease sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, according to Reuters. “The White House has asked the Treasury Department to explore options for easing energy sanctions ahead of expected talks between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war,” the report stated, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The move represents a reversal from the policy under former President Joe Biden, which attempted to deprive Russia of financial revenues enabling it to pursue its war goals in Ukraine.
Meeting with reporters on March 7, Trump said he “believes” Putin and thought it would be easier to work with Russia to achieve a ceasefire than with Ukraine. When asked by a reporter whether the block on US military shipments and intelligence sharing with Ukraine was enabling Russia to attack Ukrainians, Trump replied: “I think he’s doing what anybody else would do.”
The Trump administration’s stance remains contradictory, as Trump also threatened new sanctions and tariffs on Russia over its bombardments of Ukraine, stating: “To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late.”
Russian Military Advances in Multiple Directions
Beyond the critical situation in Kursk, Russian forces have made advances in multiple areas along the front line. Geolocated footage published on March 7 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced along Voronezska Street in western Toretsk, while Russian milbloggers claimed that elements of the Russian 29th Combined Arms Army seized Kostiantynopil west of Kurakhove.
At the same time, Ukrainian forces have achieved limited tactical successes in some areas. Geolocated footage published on March 8 shows that Ukrainian forces recently advanced on Druzhby Street in central Toretsk and on Budivelnykiv Street in southern Toretsk. Other footage from March 6 indicates Ukrainian advances along Horkoho Street in southwestern Lysivka southeast of Pokrovsk.
The battlefield situation remains highly fluid, with Russian forces continuing to attack along multiple axes, including near Kharkiv, Kupyansk, Lyman, Chasiv Yar, and in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. A Russian source claimed that Russian forces occupy at least 85 percent of Chasiv Yar, though independent monitoring has only confirmed Russian control of approximately 57 percent of the settlement.
US Pulls Back from European Military Exercises
In a sign of broader American disengagement from European security, the United States has notified its allies that it does not plan to participate in military exercises held in Europe beyond those already scheduled in 2025, Swedish media outlet Expressen reported on March 7.
Sources told Expressen that this will affect several exercises currently in the “drawing board” phase that will be held in Sweden. Since his inauguration in January, President Trump has signaled he wants to pivot American security priorities away from Europe and focus on China and the Indo-Pacific Region.
The move comes as Europe begins preparing for a security environment in which the United States cannot be relied upon. EU member states recently agreed to free up what could amount to an unprecedented 800 billion euros ($867 billion) for defense spending.
The Kremlin’s War Narrative: Blaming EU for Escalation
The Kremlin continues to promote the false narrative that European Union member states and Ukraine seek to protract and escalate the war, distracting from Russia’s own long-term preparations for potential conflict with the West.
Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded to the March 6 EU summit by characterizing European initiatives to increase military spending and financial aid to Ukraine as “deliberately fueling” escalation between the West and Russia. She described the EU as a “militarized union” that is “obsessed” with inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia and claimed that the EU is playing “dangerous geopolitical games” while “delaying” the possibility of negotiations.
These statements ignore Russia’s own efforts to strengthen its force grouping in Belarus, expand its military capabilities, and militarize its society in long-term preparation for a potential future confrontation with NATO. Russia is engaged in significant force restructuring and military industrial expansion, with former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announcing in March 2023 that Russia would create 14 new military divisions.
The Kremlin is likely advancing this narrative as part of efforts to exacerbate tensions between the United States and Europe and undermine the wider Western alliance supporting Ukraine.