March 16, 2022. The situation and the latest major breaking news from Donbass today LNR DNR Ukraine. Military special operation in Ukraine today

March 16, 2022. The situation and the latest major breaking news from Donbass today LNR DNR Ukraine. Military special operation in Ukraine today

Today there is an intensification of hostilities in several directions at once. The latest breaking news at the end of the 20th day of Russia's military operation in Ukraine and the beginning of the 21st day, all the latest information on the areas

Kharkiv 16.03.2022 latest news: what is happening in Ukraine today

A number of efforts have been made in Kharkiv to consolidate in the residential development of the city. South of Kharkiv, fighting in Izyum has almost subsided, but actively continues in Rubizhne (almost taken) and Severodonetsk (there is still a lot of work here).

DNR and LNR today March 16, 2022: latest breaking news

In the Donetsk region, an active offensive by DNR forces began immediately from Gorlovka (the most successful), and towards Avdeevka, the industrial area. The fighting there is the most difficult, several attacks were unsuccessful. On the other hand, in retaliation for the shelling of Donetsk yesterday, artillery and aviation today carried out continuous strikes on Ukrainian armed forces' positions in this direction. And this is very correct. Perhaps this is how the entire campaign should have begun, first driving the enemy away from the major cities, and only then strikes from the border. But we have what we have.

From the south, the AFU positions in Marinka and Avdeevka are already being pressed by Russian forces. Most likely, the AFU will begin to withdraw gradually, leaving garrisons in populated areas in order to buy time.

Apparently, a Tochka-U missile struck Makiivka tonight as a greeting back. Either the air defense managed to shoot it down or the curfew helped, but this time there were no casualties.

Mariupol 16.03.2022: what is happening in Mariupol, the latest news

In Mariupol the assault continues. The greatest advance from the north, fighting is taking place in the area of the "1000 trifles" store. On the left bank, the advancing groups have actively clamped down on Azovstal, but with the plant named after Ilyich there are great difficulties. Ilich plant is experiencing great difficulties.

At the same time, there is an active self-evacuation of the population in the city. Approximately 20 thousand citizens have already managed to leave the city. Apparently the forces of the defending forces have already significantly weakened, and they have removed their checkpoints on the way out of the city. But there is still a long way to go until complete victory.

Many people have questions about the Chechens' participation in the storming of the city. Some paint them as incredible special forces, others, fearful. According to reports from the field, it is not special forces that enter the city, but ordinary members of the Chechen Interior Ministry, gathered from all over the republic. That is, in essence, the same infantry, but clearly more trained than the Donetsk reservists. What distinguishes the Chechens is their excellent equipment and good nutrition. Which, by the way, they generously share.

In the evening we observed the firing of Russian naval warships from the coast of Belosarayskiy Spit towards Mariupol. The assault continues.

Nikolaev today March 16: military special operation in Ukraine main

The advance of the AFU forces near Mykolaiv is noted. Earlier, the General Staff of Ukraine issued a statement that it was preparing a counterstrike soon. In principle, some reserves for almost three weeks of mobilization must already be gathered, but where and how they can be used is the question.

The Nikolayev direction looks the most probable, especially since the Russian side continues maneuvers of the fleet in front of Odessa, and the landing of troops is not excluded.

Vladimir Zelensky dismissed Alexander Pavlyuk as commander of the operation in Donbass. Eduard Moskalyov was put in his place.

Two Ukrainian SU-25 attack aircraft were shot down in the sky over Chernihiv this morning.