**Ukrainian Forces Launch Strikes Against Russian Targets**
On March 5, Ukrainian forces carried out precision strikes against a Russian command post in the occupied town of Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast and a stronghold in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. The attacks targeted the 17th Tank Regiment of the 70th Motorized Rifle Division of the Russian Armed Forces stationed in the Russian-occupied part of Kherson Oblast, as well as a stronghold of the 2nd company of Russia’s 177th Separate Naval Infantry Regiment in Plekhovo in Kursk Oblast.
**Russia Pushed Back**
Russian forces were pushed back from the western part of Kherson Oblast during Ukraine’s surprise counteroffensive in the fall of 2022, but continue to hold territory east of the Dnipro River. The strikes are part of an ongoing campaign by Ukrainian forces to degrade the military potential of the Russian Armed Forces and liberate temporarily occupied territories.
**U.S. Intelligence Sharing Pause**
The attacks took place on the same day that the U.S. stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine, which could potentially undermine Kyiv‘s ability to carry out precision strikes. However, it is not clear whether the attacks occurred before or after the intelligence-sharing pause.
**Other Developments**
Russian forces launched missiles at various regions of Ukraine overnight on March 7, targeting energy and gas infrastructure across the country. Ukrainian forces suffered casualties in the past day, with over 1,150 people reported dead or injured.
The U.S. Defense Secretary hailed the United Kingdom for “stepping up” to support Ukraine, while Norway’s parliamentary leaders agreed to increase aid for Ukraine by $4.6 billion.
**International Reactions**
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggested that sending European peacekeepers to Ukraine might not be enough and could imply extending NATO coverage to Ukraine. The European Council President stated that the best security guarantee is the Ukrainians themselves.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a desire to bring an end to the war, while his envoy for Ukraine suggested that Kyiv had “brought it on themselves” by stopping military aid and intelligence sharing with the U.S.
**Peace Negotiations**
Ukraine and the U.S. delegations have resumed work and are scheduled to meet next week, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. Protesters demanded an “all-for-all” prisoner exchange before any peace deal with Russia is signed.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com