The 16th-century Bernardine monastery in Lviv in western Ukraine, set afire by Russian strikes, March 24, 2026

EA-War and Politics 24 Special: How Ukraine Defeated Putin’s “3-Day War”

Tuesday’s Coverage: Russia’s Strikes on Cities Murder 4+, Injure 24

UPDATE 1827 GMT:

The Ukrainian defense technology startup Sine Engineering is the first recipient of investment from the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund.

The Fund is part of the deal for US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, agreed last year.

Sine topped more than 200 applicants to secure the Fund’s inaugural investment. The size and details were not made public.

The Lviv-based firm produces satellite-independent navigation software, enabling drones to fly without relying on GPS. Its technology is being used by over 150 Ukrainian drone manufacturers, including for interceptors,

UPDATE 1813 GMT:

Ukraine’s Energy Ministry says US companies will help the recovery of the energy sector and prepare for the next heating season.

During a roundtable discussion in Houston, Texas, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal appealed to partners for foreign investment to cover $91 billion for reconstruction of the sector over the next sector.

Over the winter, Russia damaged nine gigawatts of generation capacity as it tried to break Ukraine’s resistance. Millions of Ukrainians were without heating and power.

“Together, we will build a new energy architecture in Ukraine that is resistant to challenges and threats,” Shmyhal said.

The Energy Ministry signed an agreement with Denver-based investment firm Aspect Holdings for hydrocarbons distribution and development of production.

Ukraine’s State-run Naftogaz signed several memoranda. One is with gas turbine maker Solar Turbines to repair equipment in Ukraine rather than sending it abroad and to train Ukrainian engineers.

UPDATE 0934 GMT:

North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un has pledged perpetual help for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Kim wrote Vladimir Putin, “Today the DPRK and Russia are closely cooperating to defend the sovereignty of the two countries. Pyongyang will always be with Moscow. This is our choice and unshakable will.”

North Korea sent around 12,000 troops to Russia in autumn 2024 as Moscow tried to repel Ukraine’s cross-border incursion into the Kursk region. Before and after that, Pyongyang has sent large amounts of artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rocket systems.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken of Russia’s “absolute depravity” after Moscow fired almost 1,000 missiles and drones on Tuesday.

The Russians fired almost 400 long-range drones and 23 cruise missiles overnight. Then they launched 556 drones in an unusual daytime assault, strikes cities such as Lviv, Ternopil, and Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine.

At least seven people were murdered. Among the damaged sites is Lviv’s Bernardine monastery, a 16th-century church in UNESCO-listed medieval center.

Zelensky said in his nightly address to the nation:

Iranian “shaheds” enhanced by Russia hit a church in Lviv – this is utterly perverse, and only the likes of Putin could take pleasure in it. In Ivano-Frankivsk, a maternity hospital was damaged.

The scale of today’s attack strongly indicates that Russia has no intention of really ending this war.

He noted the easing of American sanctions on Russia, with a waiver until April 11 for countries importing Russian oil at sea, amid the US-Israel War on Iran.

Pressure is clearly lacking right now. On the contrary, there are signals encouraging Russia to continue what they have been doing for years, only increasing their aggressiveness.
The fact that sanctions against Russia have been partially eased serves Russia’s interest to continue the war. The Russians will earn at least $2 billion from the easing of sanctions in these weeks alone.

This is dangerous for everyone.

Moldova’s State of Emergency

Neighboring Moldova declared a 60-day state of emergency with the Russian damage of a key power line which links the country to Europe. Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu appealed to residents to “avoid unnecessary consumption, especially during peak hours” and to “stay united”.

Moldova imports electricity from Romania via a power cable passing through southern Ukraine. Authorities said “demining operations” are needed before repairs, expected to last up to a week, can be carried out.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu posted: