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Russia\u2019s army recorded almost no territorial gains on the frontline in Ukraine in March for the first time in two-and-a-half years<\/strong>, according to analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) conducted by Agence France-Presse. The Russian army has been slowing in its advances since late 2025 \u2013 because of Kyiv\u2019s localised breakthroughs in the south-east of the country. Across the entire frontline, the Russian army seized only 23 sq km (8.9 sq miles) in March, losing territory in some areas, according to the analysis. This figure excludes infiltration operations conducted by Russian forces beyond the frontline, as well as advances claimed by the Russian side but neither confirmed nor denied by the ISW.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The Russian army made 319 sq km of gains in January and 123 sq km in February, which was then the smallest advance since April 2024. Its advance in March was the smallest since September 2023. The ISW attributed the slowdown to Ukrainian counteroffensives, but also to \u201cRussia\u2019s ban on using Starlink terminals in Ukraine\u201d and \u201cthe Kremlin\u2019s efforts to restrict access to Telegram\u201d<\/strong>. The messaging app \u2013 very popular among Russians, including those fighting on the front \u2013 has been barely usable in recent months due to blocks imposed by the authorities<\/a>. As in February, Russia lost ground on the southern section of the frontline, between the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Russian strikes killed 14 people in Ukraine on Friday, officials said, as Moscow launched the latest in an increasing number of daytime barrages<\/strong>. Moscow has been firing aerial broadsides at Ukraine throughout its more than four-year invasion, mostly at night, but in recent weeks has stepped up daytime attacks. The Russian military used more than 500 drones and dozens of missiles in its salvo on Friday, according to the Ukrainian air force.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Russia\u2019s Baltic oil export hubs at Ust-Luga and Primorsk remain unable to handle shipments after a series of Ukrainian drone attacks, prompting the country\u2019s refineries to find alternative routes for export<\/strong>, industry sources said on Friday. The attacks have damaged port infrastructure and continued through the last two weeks of March, with at least five strikes on Ust-Luga in the space of 10 days. Sources said the export restrictions, along with disruptions at large refineries, could lead to a decrease in oil production in Russia.<\/strong> Traders said refineries had been unable to deliver diesel fuel to Primorsk for export since 22 March, leaving refineries in European Russia and Siberia without their most viable export route. Traders said refineries were having to consider more expensive rail transport routes to other export terminals.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Zelenskyy has called on lawmakers to pass key legislation next week to avert a funding crisis<\/strong>, help Ukraine fight the war against Russia, and enact key reforms required for EU accession. Due to lagging reforms and slow legislative progress in late 2025 and early this year, Ukraine missed deadlines to unlock billions from its key lenders, economists said. With the need for external financing standing at $52bn this year \u2013 equivalent to about a quarter of annual economic output \u2013 the budget situation is desperate. \u201cI have a list of key draft laws that are critical for securing funding,\u201d the Ukrainian president said in remarks released on Friday. They range from strengthening the court system to reforming energy sector procedures. \u201cI believe that members of parliament from all parties must understand the importance of these bills for Ukraine\u2019s budget,\u201d said Zelenskyy, who has a majority in parliament but its relations with his government have soured.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n