VOV.VN – The past 24 hours have witnessed significant developments in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, ranging from intense battlefield clashes to international diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis. Here are the main updates as of the morning of March 6, 2025.
Read more articles in the same category at: Latest News
Fierce Fighting in Donetsk and Kursk
On March 5, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its forces had gained control over additional outskirts in Donetsk province, including the strategic village of Klishchiivka near Bakhmut. Russian artillery units and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were said to have coordinated strikes on Ukrainian defensive positions, inflicting significant losses in manpower and equipment.
Ukraine’s General Staff, meanwhile, confirmed repelling at least 12 Russian assaults in the Donetsk region, noting that Russian forces are increasingly deploying small commando units to penetrate Ukrainian lines. In the Kursk region—a border area in southwestern Russia—Ukraine claimed to have destroyed a large Russian ammunition depot using Western-supplied long-range missiles, though Moscow has yet to officially comment on the report.
Russia Warns of Retaliation if West Crosses “Red Line”
On the diplomatic front, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at a forum in Moscow on March 5, warned that any NATO move to deploy troops directly to Ukraine would be considered “crossing a red line” and would trigger “severe consequences.” The statement comes amid discussions among some NATO members, including France and Poland, about providing direct military support to Ukraine beyond the current scope of weapons deliveries.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing a conference in Brussels via video link, urged the international community to “act decisively” to prevent Russia from escalating its military campaign. He emphasized Ukraine’s urgent need for advanced air defense systems to protect major cities from Russia’s intensified missile strikes in recent weeks.
Satellite Imagery Reveals Devastation in Kharkiv
New satellite images released by Maxar Technologies on March 5 exposed the extensive destruction in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine. Numerous residential areas and industrial facilities have been completely leveled following relentless shelling over the past week. Local authorities reported at least 15 civilian deaths and more than 40 injuries in the city within the last 48 hours.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its strikes in Kharkiv targeted “military objectives” and accused Ukraine of using civilians as “human shields.” Kyiv dismissed the allegations as “Moscow’s propaganda tactics.”
UN Calls for Protection of Nuclear Facilities
Amid growing concerns over nuclear safety, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on March 5 voiced alarm over reports of fighting near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant—Europe’s largest nuclear facility, currently under Russian control. Guterres urged both sides to adhere to international regulations and avoid military actions that could jeopardize the site’s safety, warning of a potential “unforeseeable catastrophe.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced plans to dispatch a team of experts to Zaporizhzhia next week to assess the situation, despite the volatile combat environment.
Largest Prisoner Swap in Six Months
In a rare positive development, Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange on the afternoon of March 5 near the Sumy border region. Each side released 120 prisoners, marking the largest swap since September 2024. The process was overseen by international humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross.
Images from the event showed emotional reunions as soldiers from both sides embraced their comrades, offering a glimmer of hope for incremental steps toward de-escalation.
Global Economic Fallout Intensifies
The protracted conflict continues to reverberate across the global economy. Gas prices in Europe surged by 8% on March 5 after Russia announced further cuts to supplies via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in retaliation for new EU sanctions. Meanwhile, wheat prices on international markets hit a three-month high, fueled by fears of disruptions to Ukraine’s grain exports—a critical lifeline for global food security.
