As Moscow launches one of its largest missile barrages of 2025 and Trump pauses US aid, Ukrainian leader sees approval rating climb to 68% in demonstration of national solidarity
Summary of the Day – March 7, 2025
The Russian military has launched one of its largest combined missile and drone strikes of 2025, targeting energy and gas infrastructure across Ukraine while making tactical advances in Kursk Oblast that threaten to cut off Ukrainian forces. This intensification comes as President Zelensky’s popularity surges to 68% following his tense White House confrontation with Donald Trump, who has frozen US military aid and intelligence sharing. Meanwhile, EU members pledge $16 billion in additional support as European leaders seek to fill the void left by Washington’s retreat.
The “Rally Around the Flag” Effect: Zelensky’s Popularity Rebounds
In a striking demonstration of national unity during crisis, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s approval rating has climbed to 68%, according to a new survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. The sharp increase follows his tense confrontation with US President Donald Trump during their February 28 White House meeting and comes amid Washington’s subsequent freezing of military aid to Ukraine.
The polling reveals a dramatic reversal of Zelensky’s declining popularity, which had been steadily falling since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion until December 2024. KIIS Deputy Director Anton Hrushetsky described the phenomenon as a “rally around the flag” effect, noting that Ukrainians perceive the rhetoric of the Trump administration as an attack not just on Zelensky personally, but on the entire nation.
“Ukrainians genuinely want peace, but our results consistently show that the vast majority oppose peace at any cost,” Hrushetsky noted. “Ukrainians are flexible and willing to accept even painful compromises, but not one that amounts to capitulation. They remain determined to fight and will continue despite everything.”
The survey, conducted among 1,029 respondents between February 14 and March 4, captures public sentiment during a period of heightened tension between Kyiv and Washington—a relationship that has deteriorated further with Trump’s decision to halt intelligence sharing and weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
The Siege of Sudzha: Russian Forces Threaten Ukrainian Salient in Kursk
Ukrainian forces are facing a potential crisis in Russia’s Kursk Oblast as Moscow’s troops have reportedly destroyed logistics routes and advanced toward the Ukrainian border, threatening to cut off soldiers defending the salient that Ukraine has maintained since its August 2024 incursion.
“The situation in the Russian region is critical,” a Ukrainian soldier fighting in Kursk told the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity. “Ukrainian troops in the region face the threat of encirclement. All bridges in the vicinity of Sudzha have been destroyed, and Ukrainian troops are cut off from ammunition and fuel supplies.”
A Ukrainian medic stationed in the area confirmed that Russia’s breakthrough happened approximately three days ago, with Russian forces now controlling all roads in the vicinity. According to Ukrainian battlefield monitoring group DeepState, “the most critical situation” is developing on the border between Russia’s Kursk Oblast and Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast, where Russian troops are pushing toward the villages of Zhuravka and Novenke.
More alarmingly, Russian forces have advanced into northern Sumy Oblast for the first time since 2022, when Ukrainian forces successfully pushed Russian troops from significant swathes of Ukrainian territory. Geolocated footage published on March 7 shows Russian forces advancing northwest of Basivka, just across the international border in Sumy Oblast.
The Russian military command has likely ordered forces to cut the H-07 highway to complicate Ukrainian logistics in the Kursk salient, part of a longer-term effort to force Ukrainian forces to withdraw under threat of envelopment. Elements of the Russian 810th Naval Infantry Brigade and 83rd Airborne Brigade are reportedly conducting the attacks near the border area.
Kyiv has sought to maintain its positions in Kursk Oblast as leverage for possible peace negotiations, but the latest Russian advances threaten to eliminate this bargaining chip.
Siege from the Sky: Russia’s Massive Aerial Assault Tests Ukrainian Defenses
In what Ukrainian officials described as one of the largest aerial assaults of 2025, Russian forces launched 67 missiles of various types and deployed 194 drones against Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure overnight on March 6-7. The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting 34 missiles and 100 drones, while another 86 drones disappeared from radar before reaching their targets, likely as a result of electronic warfare interference.
The massive strike marks a continuation of Russia’s strategy to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses by increasing the number of Shahed and decoy drones in each attack package. Russian forces have steadily escalated this approach since Fall 2024, launching an average of 83.4 drones per strike package in January 2025, 139.3 in February, and 128.8 in the first week of March.
In a significant milestone, Ukraine’s French-provided Mirage 2000 fighter jets participated in repelling a Russian air attack for the first time, alongside F-16s and other air defense assets. The deployment of these Western-supplied aircraft highlights Ukraine’s growing integration of NATO-standard equipment even as US support wanes.
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed that Russia targeted energy and gas infrastructure across multiple regions. Critical facilities were struck in Odesa, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Ternopil oblasts, with Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK reporting damage to one of its facilities.
The aftermath of Russia’s overnight attack on Odesa Oblast on March 7, 2025. (Odesa Oblast Prosecutor’s Office / Telegram)
“Russia continues its energy terror,” Halushchenko wrote. “Once again, energy and gas infrastructure in multiple regions of Ukraine has come under massive missile and drone fire.”
The escalation of aerial attacks coincides with Trump’s decision to suspend intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a move that military experts warn could significantly hinder Kyiv’s ability to detect and intercept incoming strikes.
Trump’s Diplomatic Pressure Campaign: Military Aid Freeze and New Threats of Russian Sanctions
In a remarkable shift of rhetoric, US President Donald Trump declared on March 7 that he is “strongly considering large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions, and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and final settlement agreement on peace is reached.” His statement cited the fact that Russia “is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now” as justification for potentially punishing Moscow economically.
Yet at a press briefing later the same day, Trump made contradictory claims, stating that he finds Ukraine “more difficult to deal with” than Russia, while simultaneously acknowledging that “Russia is bombing the hell out of Ukraine.”
When asked why the US wouldn’t provide more air defense to Ukraine instead of halting military aid, Trump replied bluntly: “If [the Ukrainians] don’t want to settle, we’re out of there.”
The mixed messaging comes as Trump has frozen all military assistance to Ukraine and suspended intelligence sharing with Kyiv following his contentious February 28 meeting with President Zelensky. The abrupt pause leaves over $1 billion in weapons and ammunition undelivered to Ukraine and deprives Kyiv of critical early warnings against Russian strikes.
Several Republican lawmakers have broken ranks to express concern over the aid suspension. “I do not think we should be pausing our efforts. It’s the Ukrainians who are shedding blood,” said Senator Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator John Cornyn added that US intelligence “has been essential for [Ukrainians] to be able to stay in the fight.”
Ukrainian and US delegations are set to meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11 to discuss a framework for a potential peace agreement, with President Zelensky stating in his evening address that “work is underway with US officials to accelerate peace.”
The Kremlin’s Non-Negotiable Terms: Putin Rejects Compromise as Bloomberg Reports Truce Openness
As peace talks loom, Russian officials continue to explicitly reject making any concessions in future negotiations. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on March 6 that Russia does not intend to “give in to anyone” or make any compromises.
However, Bloomberg reported on March 7, citing people familiar with the matter in Moscow, that Russian officials had told US counterparts during the February 18 bilateral meeting in Riyadh that “Russia is willing to discuss a temporary truce in Ukraine provided there is progress toward a final peace settlement.”
The report suggests that Russia will insist on establishing clear parameters for an eventual peacekeeping mission as part of a final accord. Yet Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin stated in an interview that Russia’s territorial advances in Ukraine “should be recognized” as part of any peace deal and that Ukraine should be “a neutral, non-nuclear state,” underscoring Moscow’s ongoing demands for regime change and de-militarization.
President Zelensky has proposed a “truce in the sky” banning missiles, long-range drones, and bombs targeting civilian infrastructure, as well as a “truce at sea” as initial steps toward de-escalation. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed on March 7 that Kyiv has not received any official proposals for territorial concessions from the US or other partners.
Europe Steps Up: EU Members Pledge $16 Billion in New Support for Ukraine
As US support falters, several European Union members have pledged to provide up to 15 billion euros ($16.3 billion) in additional aid for Ukraine, European Council President Antonio Costa announced following a summit in Brussels on March 6.
“Several member states have already announced their pledges up to 15 billion euros. Today, we have also tasked the Council to work urgently on further initiatives to address Ukraine’s pressing military and defense needs,” Costa said, without naming the specific countries making commitments.
The summit concluded without an EU-wide aid package, as the discussed 20-billion-euro tranche ($22 billion) was dropped from the final declaration due to concerns it could be blocked by Hungary’s Moscow-friendly leader, Viktor Orban. Instead, top EU officials have suggested that further aid should be provided through a “coalition of the willing.”
“This is a tipping point for Europe. And today, we have shown that the European Union is rising to the challenge,” Costa declared.
In another significant development, Ukraine has received 752 million pounds ($970 million) as the first installment of the UK’s contribution to the G7 loan covered by frozen Russian assets, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on March 7. The UK has pledged a total of 2.26 billion pounds ($2.9 billion) in three equal installments as part of the G7’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration scheme, worth $50 billion in total.
Fortress Under Siege: Russia Intensifies Assault on Chasiv Yar
Russian forces have recently intensified offensive operations aimed at seizing Chasiv Yar and attacking Kostyantynivka – the southernmost settlement of Ukraine’s “fortress belt” in Donetsk Oblast. Geolocated footage published on March 6 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced along the railway line and Chekhova Street in southwestern Chasiv Yar during a reduced battalion-sized mechanized assault.
The Ukrainian brigade that repelled the assault stated that Russian forces attacked in a single column of 25 armored vehicles, with Ukrainian forces damaging and destroying 16 of them. The brigade reported that several Russian armored vehicles at the front of the column were damaged, causing a “jam” as Russian forces crossed the Siverskyi Donets Donbas canal and forcing a retreat under Ukrainian shelling and drone strikes.
Ukrainian Luhansk Group of Forces Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Dmytro Zaporozhets stated on March 7 that the Russian military command had ordered Russian forces in the area to seize Chasiv Yar by March 1, 2025, and assessed that Russian forces may undertake increasingly desperate attacks in the coming days and weeks.
The assault is part of an ongoing Russian effort to break out of Chasiv Yar, advance on the northeastern outskirts of Kostyantynivka, and pressure Ukraine’s “fortress belt” – a 50-kilometer-long line of four major cities that forms the backbone of Ukraine’s defenses in Donetsk Oblast.
Lithuania’s Warning: Russia Could Attack NATO Within Five Years
Lithuania’s intelligence services have issued a stark assessment that Russia may develop the capabilities to conduct a limited campaign against one or several NATO countries within three to five years. The Lithuanian State Security Service (VSD) and Second Department of Operational Services (AOTD) published a declassified National Threat Assessment on March 6, warning that Russia’s military development could embolden its leadership to use force if they calculate NATO is insufficiently prepared to respond decisively.
The assessment suggests Russian officials might attempt to localize an attack on a NATO member state to obtain a swift and decisive victory before the alliance can fully mobilize. The VSD and AOTD assessed that a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine is unlikely in the short term, as Russia’s primary objective to subjugate Ukraine remains unchanged.
Lithuania’s intelligence agencies further concluded that Russia has sufficient domestic political support to continue its war in Ukraine for “years” to come, an assessment that aligns with Western estimates regarding Russia’s long-term strategic goals.
The timeline for a potential Russian attack on NATO corresponds closely with ongoing Western sanctions limiting Russia’s defense industrial capabilities, suggesting that any relaxation of these measures could accelerate Russia’s military preparedness and embolden its leadership.
Italian Prime Minister Proposes NATO Protection for Ukraine Without Membership
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed granting Ukraine the same security guarantees as NATO member states, even without its official accession to the Alliance. She suggested extending NATO’s Article 5 – the principle of collective defense – to Ukraine, meaning that an attack on Ukraine would be considered an attack on the entire West.
“Extending to Ukraine the same protection that NATO countries have would certainly be much more effective, although it would be something different from NATO membership,” Meloni said. “I think this would be a stable, lasting, and effective security guarantee, much better than some of the proposals I have seen.”
Her proposal would allow NATO’s collective defense principle to be applied to Ukraine without formal accession, enabling allies to protect Ukraine even if it is not a member. However, experts believe her initiative is unlikely to gain support from the United States, particularly under the Trump administration.
The proposal comes amid European efforts to support Ukraine while Trump pushes for a swift end to the war. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated last month that Ukraine would not become a NATO member, aligning with Trump’s longstanding skepticism toward the alliance’s expansion.
Digital Darkness: US Reportedly Restricts Ukrainian Access to Satellite Imagery
In a potentially significant blow to Ukraine’s battlefield intelligence capabilities, US aerospace company Maxar Technologies has reportedly restricted Ukraine’s access to its satellite imagery, according to Ukrainian media outlet Militarnyi. Kyiv has relied heavily on high-resolution satellite images for defense and strategic planning, tracking Russian troop movements, assessing battlefield conditions, and monitoring damage to Russian infrastructure.
The alleged move follows the US decision to halt intelligence sharing with Ukraine, confirmed by CIA Director John Ratcliffe on March 5. According to Militarnyi, the restriction was imposed under an order from Trump’s administration, with the State Department allegedly prohibiting US companies from providing satellite data to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s cyber community Cyberboroshno also reported the restriction, claiming that free access to satellite reconnaissance had been cut off, though it noted that “private companies can buy already ordered images through the provider.”
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on March 6 that Kyiv is working on alternatives to counter the loss of US intelligence, including potential cooperation with European partners who might step in to fill the intelligence void created by Washington’s withdrawal.
European Commission Considers Single Market Access for Ukraine
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to grant Ukraine privileged access to the EU single market as part of a final peace deal, The Telegraph reported on March 7, citing an unnamed senior EU official. Such a move could provide a significant boost to Ukraine’s war-torn economy, with the country’s defense industry as a key element of the plan.
Tariff-free access for Ukrainian weapons would bring Kyiv much-needed funds while increasing the arsenals of EU countries, according to the report. According to the proposed plan, Brussels would selectively choose which sectors to open to Ukraine and which to keep closed.
Ukraine applied for EU membership at the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and has made rapid progress, achieving candidate status within months and formally launching negotiations in June 2024. Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said in 2023 that Kyiv was seeking to ensure full integration into the EU’s single market before joining the bloc.
Trump Administration Cuts Ukrainian Journalist at Voice of America
Ostap Yarysh, a Ukrainian correspondent at Voice of America (VoA), was dismissed on March 7, reportedly following an inspection by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an unofficial cost-cutting group that President Trump has granted broad authority to reduce government spending and dismiss employees.
DOGE’s head, US billionaire Elon Musk, has previously called for the shutdown of US-funded media outlets Radio Free Europe and Voice of America, describing them as “just radical left crazy people talking to themselves while torching $1B/year of US taxpayer money.”
Yarysh joined VOA’s Ukrainian service in 2019, covering Trump’s impeachment, the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 presidential election, and its aftermath. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he has reported extensively on US military aid to Ukraine.
The New York Times previously reported that the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees VoA, had launched an investigation into journalists who had spoken out against Trump’s policies. As part of the probe, senior VoA journalist Steve Herman was placed on extended leave for social media activity that allegedly “undermined VoA’s audiences’ perceptions of the objectivity and/or credibility of VoA and its news operations.”
Midnight Horror in Dobropillia: Russian Strikes Kill At Least 11
Russian forces launched multiple strikes on Dobropillia, a city in Donetsk Oblast, late on March 7, killing at least 11 people and injuring 30 others, according to Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin. Officials warned that more people could be trapped under the rubble, as at least eight apartment buildings were damaged in the attack.
Dobropillia is located 94 kilometers northwest of Russian-occupied Donetsk, the administrative center of the Oblast. First responders continue search and rescue operations at the site of the attack.
The deadly strike came shortly after the US halted intelligence sharing with Ukraine, raising concerns that Russian missile strikes could now hit Ukrainian cities without prior warning. The New York Times reported on March 6 that the freeze on intelligence sharing could severely impact Ukraine’s vital early warning system against incoming Russian drones and missiles.
Diplomatic Signals: US-Ukraine Talks in Saudi Arabia to “Accelerate Peace”
Work is underway with US officials to “accelerate peace,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an evening address on March 7, ahead of a planned meeting between Ukrainian and US delegations in Saudi Arabia.
“The agenda is clear – peace as soon as possible, security as reliable as possible. Ukraine is committed to the most constructive approach,” Zelensky said. “Next week there will be a lot of work here in Europe, with (the US) in Saudi Arabia – we are preparing a meeting to accelerate peace and strengthen the foundations of security.”
Zelensky added that Ukraine continues to work with allies who want to see peace in the embattled nation. “Today, throughout the day, the most intensive work to date has been ongoing with President Trump’s team at various levels – with many phone calls,” he said.
A minerals deal that was poised to be signed during Zelensky’s February 28 White House visit is likely among the topics both sides will discuss in Saudi Arabia. Bloomberg previously reported that the US is newly linking the deal’s signing to Ukraine committing itself to a quick truce.
Energy Security: Ukraine and Poland Sign Gas Supply Agreement
Ukraine’s largest state-owned energy company, Naftogaz, and Poland’s petroleum refineries company, Orlen, have signed a contract for the supply of approximately 100 million cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Naftogaz announced on March 7.
As Russia continues targeting Ukraine’s energy grid—specifically its gas infrastructure—domestic gas production has declined, forcing Ukraine to increase imports. The gas will come from an LNG shipment delivered to a terminal in Klaipeda, Lithuania, before being transported through Lithuania and Poland to Ukraine via the Drozdovychi interconnector.
“Partnering with Orlen strengthens energy security, diversifies supply routes, and accelerates Ukraine’s integration into the European gas market,” said Roman Chumak, acting CEO of Naftogaz.
Before the full-scale invasion, Ukraine produced 52 million cubic meters of gas per day but required 110-140 million cubic meters in winter, covering the shortfall from storage. Russian attacks have since reduced domestic output, increasing reliance on foreign purchases. Ukraine plans to import about 3.5 billion cubic meters of gas for the upcoming heating season due to ongoing Russian attacks.
The Growing European Defense Autonomy: Airbus Calls for Less US Dependence
Germany should reduce its dependence on US defense manufacturers amid shifting political signals from Washington, the CEO of Airbus Defense and Space, Michael Schollhorn, warned in an interview published on March 7. Schollhorn emphasized that Berlin should prioritize European defense companies, particularly as Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has announced plans to raise hundreds of billions of euros for defense and infrastructure.
“If we continue to buy off-the-shelf products from the United States with this higher defense spending, we are cementing our dependence on others,” Schollhorn said. He argued that Europe’s defense industries must collaborate more closely instead of competing individually.
The comments come amid growing scrutiny of Trump
‘s foreign policy, as the US president has echoed Kremlin narratives, sidelined Kyiv and Europe in direct talks with Moscow, and accused President Zelensky of prolonging Russia’s war.
On March 6, Trump also cast doubt on Washington’s commitment to defending its NATO partners, saying that the US will not protect those that fail to meet defense spending targets. During his meeting with Zelensky on February 28, Trump said that Europe should take responsibility for Ukraine’s security and refused to offer US guarantees.
Serbia’s Student Protesters: Democratic Movement Resists Russia-Friendly Government
In a development with potential implications for Ukraine, thousands of protesters in Serbia walked 300 kilometers on March 1 from Belgrade to the southern city of Nis to rally support for an anti-corruption protest against the ruling party of Russia-friendly President Aleksandar Vucic.
The Serbian protests began in November after a train station roof collapsed, killing 15 people. Students took to the streets using a bloody hand symbol to highlight how corruption costs lives. Vucic had blamed the upheaval on the West, claiming foreign forces were attempting to spark a “Ukrainian-style revolution in Serbia.”
The protestors, however, aren’t primarily motivated by geopolitical positions but by opposition to government corruption. Their demands focus on the rule of law, free press, fair elections, and an end to corruption.
Serbia maintains strong ties with Russia, and anti-Western sentiments have long united the two countries. The bond dates back to the 19th century and is bolstered by common religion and cultural ties. While many Serbs still express emotional connections to Russian culture, increasing numbers say they do not wish to live under a Putin-style political system.
The pro-democracy movement in Serbia represents one of many complex political currents in Eastern Europe as countries navigate between Russian influence and Western democratic models, a tension that shapes the broader geopolitical landscape in which Ukraine’s struggle continues to unfold.