Russian forces launched a series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of March 8 to 9.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles from occupied Crimea and 197 Shahed-type, Gerbera-type, Italmas-type, and other drones — of which about 120 were Shaheds — from the directions of Bryansk, Kursk, and Oryol cities; Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai; Millerovo, Rostov Oblast; and occupied Hvardiiske, Crimea.[89] The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Ukrainian forces downed 161 drones, that the two ballistic missiles and 36 drones struck eight locations, and that drone debris fell at one location. Ukraine’s Southern Air Command reported that the two Iskander-M ballistic missiles struck Odesa Oblast.[90] Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces struck energy and civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv, Kherson, Poltava, Odesa, and Zaporizhia oblasts.[91]A Ukrainian official stated that Russia increased its use of ballistic missiles in strikes on Ukraine during the winter, likely to take advantage of Ukraine’s dwindling supply of Patriot interceptor missiles. Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Colonel Yuriy Ihnat stated on March 9 that Russian forces used a greater number of ballistic missiles during their large-scale strikes in Winter 2025-2026 and will likely continue to do so through 2026.[92] ISW recently observed Russia using a higher quantity of ballistic missiles than usual in its March 6 to 7 strike series, likely taking advantage of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the Unites States’ and Gulf states’ intense use of Patriot interceptors in the region.[93]
understandingwar.org/…
Nearly seven months ago, Ukrainian officials tried to sell the U.S. their battle-proven technology for downing Iranian-made attack drones. They even made a PowerPoint presentation — obtained exclusively by Axios — showing how it could protect American forces and their allies in a Middle East war.
- The Trump administration dismissed the Ukrainians, only to reverse course last week because of more-than-expected drone strikes from Iran.
Why it matters: Snubbing Ukraine's offer ranks as one of the biggest tactical miscalculations by the administration since the bombing of Iran began Feb. 28, two U.S. officials tell Axios.
- Iran's inexpensive Shahed drones have been linked to the deaths of seven U.S. service members, and have cost the U.S. and its friends in the region millions of dollars to intercept.
- "If there's a tactical error or a mistake we made leading up to this [war in Iran], this was it," a U.S. official acknowledged.
www.axios.com/...
Ukraine's air defense shot down 161 of 197 Russian strike drones overnight, as two Iskander-M missiles and 36 UAVs struck 8 locations. The attack is ongoing with several drones still airborne.
Ukrainian forces have been intensifying their long-range strike campaign against Russian military assets in occupied Crimea over the past month. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces struck a radar station of a Russian S-300 air defense system near occupied Spokynye (roughly 200 kilometers from the frontline) on the night of March 8 to 9.[28] The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) reported on March 9 that Ukrainian SSO drone strikes destroyed a Russian Oborona-14 radar, Nebo-U radar, and two radars in a radio transparent dome in occupied Yevpatoria (roughly 170 kilometers from the frontline).[29] Geolocated footage confirms the SSO strikes against Yevpatoria.[30] Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) Commander Major Robert “Magyar” Brovdi reported that Ukrainian forces struck a Russian drone depot in occupied Kherson Oblast on March 7.[31] Geolocated footage confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck a building in Novooleksiivka (roughly 175 kilometers from the frontline just north of the Crimean border).[32] Ukrainian forces have been increasingly striking Russian military infrastructure in occupied Crimea in the past weeks, with Ukrainian officials reporting strikes at least 14 times since February 11.[33] Ukrainian forces have largely targeted Russian air defense systems, radar systems, drone infrastructure, and ammunition facilities. Ukrainian strikes have likely degraded Russian air defense in the area, allowing subsequent strikes to reach their intended targets.
Ukrainian forces reportedly struck a chemical plant in Russia. Russian opposition source Astra reported on March 9 that Ukrainian forces struck the Acron chemical plant in Veliky Novgorod, Novgorod Oblast.[35] Astra geolocated photos from local residents showing a fire near the plant. Astra noted that the Acron plant makes fertilizers and industrial products, including ammonium nitrate. Novgorod Oblast Governor Aleksander Dronov claimed that Russian forces repelled eight drones on the night of March 8 to 9.[36]
understandingwar.org/...
- Ukrainian forces are successfully counterattacking not only in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipole directions but also in western Zaporizhia Oblast. These counterattacks are generating tactical, operational and strategic effects that may disrupt Russia’s Spring-Summer 2026 offensive campaign plan.
- The Russian command likely hoped that Russian advances in the Hulyaipole direction would complement Russian advances near Orikhiv, which would in turn enable Russian forces to advance toward Orikhiv from the east and west and later enable advances toward Zaporizhzhia City itself.
- Russian forces are thus facing a far more difficult battlefield situation in southern Ukraine in early March than they did at the start of 2026.
- The counterattacks in southern Ukraine are also having strategic effects in other parts of the theater.
- The cascading effects that the Ukrainian counterattacks in the Oleksandrivka, Hulyaipole, and Zaporizhia directions have generated in other sectors of the front show how constrained the Russian force structure in Ukraine really is.
- Ukrainian interceptor drones and personnel with experience downing Shahed drones are helping protect US military infrastructure in the Middle East.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to support the Iranian regime while predictably taking advantage of the conflict in the Middle East to engage in energy blackmail.
- Ukrainian forces have been intensifying their long-range strike campaign against Russian military assets in occupied Crimea over the past month.
- Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Kupyansk, in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area, near Hulyaipole, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
- Ukrainian forces reportedly struck a chemical plant in Russia. Russian forces launched two missiles and 197 drones against Kharkiv, Kherson, Poltava, Odesa, and Zaporizhia oblasts.
https://t.co/gd5Jd0A2Zd
**General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine**
*Operational information as of 22:00 on March 9, 2026, regarding the Russian invasion*
In total, 122 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of this day.
The enemy launched two missile strikes, used three missiles, carried out 61 air strikes, dropped 151 guided bombs, used 3,447 kamikaze drones, and carried out 2,849 shellings of populated areas and positions of our troops.
In the North Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, the enemy launched four air strikes today, dropped eight aerial bombs, and carried out 104 shelling attacks on the positions of our troops and populated areas, including four with multiple launch rocket systems.
- - In the South Slobozhanskyi direction, Russian occupiers twice attacked the positions of our defenders in the direction of the settlement of Lyman.
- - In the Kupianskyi direction, the enemy twice attacked in the direction of the settlement of Novoplatonivka. Fighting continues.
- - In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled five attacks by the occupiers in the direction of the settlements of Stavy, Lyman, Drobysheve, and in the Zarichne area.
- - In the Sloviansk direction, the enemy attempted to advance 11 times in the direction of Riznykivka and in the areas of the settlements of Zakytne, Platonivka, and Fedorivka. One combat engagement is still ongoing.
- - In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy attacked once in the area of Nykyforivka.
- - In the Kostyantynivka direction, the occupiers stormed the positions of our defenders 13 times today in the areas of the settlements of Kostyantynivka, Ivanopilya, Illinivka, Rusyn Yar, and Sofiivka.
- - The enemy carried out 21 attacks in the Pokrovsk direction. The occupiers attempted to advance in the areas of the settlements of Nikanorivka, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Molodetske, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, and in the direction of Novooleksandrivka. Two attacks are ongoing.
According to preliminary estimates, 41 occupiers were eliminated and 10 wounded in this direction today. One artillery system, six pieces of special equipment, one ammunition depot, and one motor vehicle were destroyed, and three tanks, three artillery systems, a multiple launch rocket system, five motor vehicles, and six enemy shelters were damaged. A total of 152 UAVs of various types were destroyed or suppressed.
- - In the Oleksandrivka direction, the enemy launched five attacks in the areas of the settlements of Ivanivka, Dobropillia, Ternove, Berezove, and Novi Zaporizhzhia. One combat engagement is ongoing. The enemy carried out air strikes on Kolomiitsi, Chornenkove, Pysantsi, Gavrylivka, and Orly.
- - In the Huliaipole direction, there were 28 attacks in the areas of Mirne, Luhivske, Huliaipole, and towards the settlements of Zaliznychne, Varvarivka, Staroukrainka, Zelenе, and Olenokostiantynivka. Defense forces are holding back the offensive, having already repelled 24 attacks. The enemy carried out air strikes on the areas of the settlements of Pryluky, Charivne, Huliaipilske, Lisne, Kopani, Dolynka, Hirke, and Charivne.
- - In the Orikhiv direction, there was one combat engagement in the direction of Primorske. Veselyanka and Primorske were subjected to air strikes.
- - In the Dnipro direction, the enemy did not conduct any offensive operations.
- - No significant changes in the situation have been recorded in other areas.
Let us defeat the enemy and bring our victory closer.
Glory to Ukraine!
understandingwar.org/...
understandingwar.org/...
Ukrainian forces are successfully counterattacking not only in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipole directions but also in western Zaporizhia Oblast. These counterattacks are generating tactical, operational and strategic effects that may disrupt Russia’s Spring-Summer 2026 offensive campaign plan. Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported on March 9 that the Russian Dnepr Grouping of Forces (GoF), which includes the 58th Combined Arms Army (CAA, Southern Military District [SMD]) and operates in western Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts, has “virtually halted” advances near Orikhiv and in the area just south of Zaporizhzhia City, west of Orikhiv.[1] Mashovets reported that Ukrainian counterattacks in the Richne-Prymorske direction (both south of Zaporizhzhia City) forced Russian small groups to retreat from northern and central Prymorske. Mashovets stated that Ukrainian forces pushed Russian forces out of Novoyakolivka and northern Lukyanivkse (both southeast of Zaporizhzhia City) and noted that Ukrainian forces pushed Russian forces south of Pavlivka (just south of Novoyakolivka). Mashovets reported that Russian forces are unsuccessfully attempting to advance near Orikhiv itself, attacking southeast of Orikhiv near Bilohirya and Mala Tokmachka, south of Orikhiv near Robotyne and Danylivka, and west and northwest of Orikhiv toward Mali Shcherbaky in the direction of Novopavlivka without success. Mashovets noted that the counterattacks are forcing elements of the 58th CAA and attached airborne (VDV) elements to repel Ukrainian counterattacks instead of furthering their advances.
ISW observed in February 2026 that Ukrainian forces began limited counterattacks in western Zaporizhia Oblast that have continued into early March, which may have mutually reinforced Ukrainian efforts to counterattack against the Russian 5th CAA (Eastern Military District [EMD]) in eastern Zaporizhia Oblast and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.[2] Mashovets reported on February 11 that Ukrainian forces began to counterattack near Lukyanivske after Russian forces had advanced 1.5 kilometers near Lukyanivkse and Prymorske.[3] Ukrainian forces began to counterattack in eastern Zaporizhia Oblast and southern Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and retake lost territory in late January — just before Ukrainian forces increased offensive activity in western Zaporizhia Oblast.[4] Ukrainian forces reportedly continued to pressure Russian forces in the area south of Zaporizhzhia City, and reports from Russian and Ukrainian sources indicated that Ukrainian forces increased ground and drone activity in the area in mid- to late- February.[5] Mashovets reported on March 9 that the Russian command has maintained the same number of troops and composition of forces in the area, even after the Ukrainian counterattacks.[6] Ukrainian forces‘ dual tactical efforts to halt and push back Russian gains are synergizing with each other and forcing Russian troops in Zaporizhia Oblast to contend with counterattacks in both the 58th CAA’s and the 5th CAA’s areas of responsibility (AoR) simultaneously.
understandingwar.org/...
