Russia attacks Ukraine with 139 drones: hits and fall of debris recorded at 14 locations

"Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 139 UAVs in the night. Ukrainian air defense forces have shot down or jammed 127 drones. In particular, eight attack UAVs hit seven locations, and debris from downed drones fell at seven locations." Pravada

Anti-Israel group sets fire at Czech defense plant producing drones for Ukraine

"Czech firefighters said they responded to a blaze at a warehouse in the city of Pardubice,

about 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of Prague.
Local media later reported that a protest group opposing Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip claimed responsibility. The group said it had set fire to a “key production center” of Israeli weapons in Pardubice.”
Czech defense company LPP Holding, whose facility was damaged in the fire." msn

Moscow to relocate nearly 114,000 Russians to occupied territories

"Russian authorities aim to relocate nearly 114,000 citizens to occupied Ukrainian territories by 2045, pro-Kremlin publication Vedomosti reported on March 17, citing government plans for the development of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts." KI

IDF chief approves strikes on all fronts after Iranian missile attacks on cities of Dimona, Arad

"IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held an assessment with senior officers following the Iranian ballistic missile impacts in the southern cities of Dimona and Arad this evening, and approved upcoming strikes tonight “across all fronts.” TimesOfJerusalem

Cuban power grid collapses for second time in a week amid US oil blockade

"Cuba's national electric grid collapsed on Saturday for the second time in a week amid the U.S.-imposed oil blockade, officials announced, as the communist government struggles to keep the lights on for its 10 million people with decrepit infrastructure." msn

Iran fires two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia base

"The attempted strike on Diego Garcia would mark a major escalation, highlighting Tehran's

apparent ability to target the strategic U.S.-UK base deep in the Indian Ocean and potentially put parts of Europe within reach.
Iran has launched two missiles at the joint UK-U.S. base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, about 4,000 km away. Such a distance is well within the range separating Tehran from many European capitals. According to U.S. officials who talked to the Wall Street Journal, one ballistic missile reportedly failed because of a malfunction and did not reach the base, whilst the other was engaged by a U.S. destroyer utilizing an SM-3 interceptor." msn

Volcanic ash from Popocatépetl volcano observed at 21 000 feet, Mexico

"Volcanic ash from Popocatépetl volcano in Mexico was observed at 6 400 m (21 000 feet) above sea level at 02:56 UTC .

According to the VAAC advisory, ash emissions were observed in satellite imagery up to approximately 37 km (23 miles) east of the summit. The presence of volcanic ash was confirmed by VOLCAT alerts and GOES-19 satellite data. The observed ash cloud altitude was between the surface and FL210, which converts to 6 400 m (21 000 feet) above sea level. No Aviation Color Code was stated in this advisory. Numerical Weather Prediction model guidance forecasts general eastward movement of the ash cloud over the next 6 hours.
Popocatépetl is a stratovolcano located close to densely populated areas, including Mexico City, Puebla, and Cuernavaca. Known hazards include ashfall, pyroclastic flows, lava flows, and lahars. The volcano poses risks to nearby populations due to its frequent explosive activity and proximity to large urban centers within 70 km (43 miles)." W

Ukrainian activist, former political prisoner, says he was beaten at Kyiv recruitment center

"Volodymyr Balukh, a political activist and former political prisoner, was reportedly beaten at a military recruitment center in Kyiv.
Member of Parliament Volodymyr Ariev reported the incident on social media and was later cited by fellow lawmaker Sofia Fedyna. Both lawmakers said the beating may have been politically motivated, and Ariev criticized what he described as the recruitment center's "mobilization measures." msn

5.6 Earthquake - 68 km WNW of San Antonio De Los Cobres, Argentina

"Argentina

was shaken near San Antonio de los Cobres, Los Andes Department, Salta
Province, by an earthquake of magnitude 5.6 only 5 minutes ago, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported." VD

5.4 Earthquake - Philippine Sea, 107 km south of Koseda, Kagoshima-ken, Japan

"A strong magnitude 5.4 earthquake occurred in the Philippine Sea 89 km (55 mi) from Japan in the evening at 8.12 pm local time (GMT +9). The quake had a very shallow depth of 26 km (16 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

43 clashes on front line

"43 combat engagements have occurred between the Defense Forces of Ukraine and Russian troops.
According to the General Staff, shelling of border areas continues. In Sumy region, the settlements of Korenyok, Bachivsk, Ulanove, Rohizne, Ryzhivka, Budky, Znob-Trubchevska, Sosnivka, and Bezsalivka came under fire; in Chernihiv region, Yasna Poliana was struck by Russian forces.

In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Russian troops carried out 66 attacks on populated areas and positions of Ukrainian forces, eight of which involved multiple launch rocket systems. Six combat engagements were recorded.
In the Southern Slobozhanschyna sector, the enemy attacked three times near Starytsia and Synelnykove.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russian forces made four attempts to improve their positions toward Petropavlivka, Kurylivka, and Hlushkivka.
In the Sloviansk sector, Russian invaders attempted once to advance toward the positions of Ukrainian forces in the sector of Rai-Oleksandrivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, one engagement is ongoing near Chasiv Yar.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the invaders carried out eight attacks near Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiivka, Rusyn Yar, and toward Illinivka and Novopavlivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Russian forces made eight attempts to push Ukrainian troops from their positions near the settlements of Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Molodetske, and toward Kucheriv Yar and Bilytske; one attack is ongoing.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian troops launched two offensives near Zlahoda and Krasnohirsk, and carried out an airstrike on Pokrovske." Ukrin

6.7 Earthquake - Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

"A very strong magnitude 6.7 earthquake occurred in the North Atlantic Ocean near the coast of n/a in the morning at 9.16 am local time (GMT -3). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

Ukrainian forces crush Russian breakthrough attempt across seven directions

"Russian forces launched simultaneous attacks on seven axes in the Lyman direction,

according to Brigadier of the Third Army Corps, General Andriy Biletskyi.
The enemy deployed more than 500 infantry troops, 28 armored vehicles, and over 100 light transport units — including motorcycles, buggies, and ATVs. Forces from two armies — the 1st Tank Army and the 20th Combined Arms Army — were involved in the operation.
Russian troops attempted to break through simultaneously across all seven directions within the Third Corps’ area of responsibility. The military also released footage showing the attack being repelled." msn

Russian helicopter shot down by Ukrainian FPV drone in Donetsk Oblast

"Ukrainian drone operators destroyed a Russian Ka-52 "Alligator" attack helicopter using an

FPV (first-person view) drone in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces said.
The latest strike brings the total number of Russian helicopters shot down by Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion to 350, according to the General Staff.
The strike was carried out by operators from the "Predators of the Heights" battalion of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade. It marks the second reported helicopter destroyed by the brigade, according to Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces." KI

Officer reportedly leaks location of French aircraft carrier with Strava run

"A French officer has reportedly revealed the location of an aircraft carrier deployed towards the Middle East after publicly registering a run on sports app Strava.

French news outlet Le Monde first reported the officer, referred to as Arthur, logged a 35-minute run on the app while exercising on the deck of aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
He used a smartwatch to record his run and upload the activity to the app, the paper said, creating a map that showed his location.
The vessel is main part of a carrier strike group recently deployed to the eastern Mediterranean by the French, the ministry of armed forces said, as tensions in the region continue due to the Iran war.
In a statement to AFP news agency, the French armed forces said the reported incident did "not comply with the current instructions" and appropriate measures would be taken." msn