Ukrainian military intelligence reports some Syrian mercenaries sent to fight for Russia against Ukraine are eyeing desertion and illegal migration to EU countries rather than combat. empre.media

March 17, 2022 war update: Russian forces bombard residential districts, destroy schools and shelters, and deepen the humanitarian crisis as Ukraine fights on. Full details on empr.media.

Morning report for Ukraine regions on March 17, 2022: persistent artillery and air raids near Kyiv and Chernihiv, defensive positions holding under heavy Russian pressure in multiple oblasts.

On March 16, 2022, Russian forces struck civilians in Chernihiv and hit a Mariupol theatre sheltering civilians, while bombardments and evacuations continued across Ukraine. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

The International Court of Justice in The Hague ordered provisional measures against Russia based on Ukraine’s claims of Genocide Convention violations — suspending military actions and increasing legal pressure. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

In Mariupol, Russian troops bombed and later demolished the city’s drama theatre on March 16, 2022, killing hundreds of civilians who were sheltering inside despite visible “children” warnings. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Ukrainian authorities found weapons and grenade launchers left by Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups near Kyiv, highlighting ongoing threats and the need for vigilance in the capital region. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

On March 15, 2022 during Russia’s full‑scale invasion: heavy shelling hit Kyiv’s residential blocks, evacuation corridors operated, and world leaders visited Kyiv to solidify support. | empr.media

The first group of civilians evacuated from Mariupol’s besieged Azovstal steelworks arrived in Ukrainian‑controlled Zaporizhzhia after weeks underground, a rare humanitarian success amid relentless war. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

On March 14, 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine saw major frontline clashes, expanding sanctions, global diplomatic pressure, and dramatic shifts in military movements during the early weeks of war. | empr.media

The educational process has resumed in 14 regions of Ukraine, allowing students to return to classrooms and in‑person learning as schools reopen despite war‑era challenges. | empr.media

Russian forces are striking Ukraine’s agricultural machinery and farmland — a tactic that hampers planting and harvesting and poses a serious threat to Ukraine’s output and global food security. | empr.media