All articles tagged with #counteroffensive
Ukraine says its forces have liberated about 400 square kilometers and eight settlements on the southern front since late January, per Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. He noted gains in the Oleksandrivka direction, but warned the situation remains complicated as Russian forces continue artillery, drones, and infiltration attempts.
Ukraine says it has regained about 400 square kilometers of territory along the southern frontline since late January, including eight settlements in the Dnipropetrovsk region—a rare gain amid a two-year war. Oleksandr Syrskyi did not specify how much was previously Russian-held or in grey zones. Kyiv did not immediately clarify with its General Staff. The report comes as domestic and international actors, including Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, commented on Kyiv’s gains and broader negotiations.
President Zelensky told AFP that Ukrainian forces have liberated about 300 square kilometers from Russian occupation in a southern counteroffensive, signaling ongoing advances and asserting that Ukraine is not losing the war, while not specifying a time frame and amid broader talks on ceasefire and territorial issues.
Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s ex-army chief and now ambassador to Britain, says there is a deep rift with President Zelenskyy over how to defend the country, recounting a 2022 SBU raid he calls intimidation and criticizing the handling of the 2023 counteroffensive; though he avoids overt political campaigning, polls have him as Zelenskyy’s top challenger, with analysts noting his distance from daily decision‑making could affect national unity in wartime.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive is gaining momentum, reclaiming land in Zaporizhzhia and on other fronts (Kharkiv, Pokrovsk, Novopavlivka) with ISW noting advances roughly 80 km east of Zaporizhzhia city. Kyiv says momentum is aided by Russia’s disrupted access to Starlink, following actions to block Russian drone comms, and by Ukrainian cyber operations that disabled Russian Starlink terminals. Moscow reportedly struggles to secure launch positions for a planned summer 2026 offensive, as Kyiv presses forward across multiple fronts.
Ukrainian forces are reportedly inflicting heavy losses on Russian troops in a counteroffensive in eastern Donetsk, despite claims from Russia that they are gaining ground. President Zelenskiy highlighted successes in Dobropillia and ongoing defensive efforts elsewhere, while Russia claims to have recaptured territory and made advances. The situation remains tense with ongoing battles and casualties on both sides.
Ukrainian forces are conducting a counteroffensive in eastern Ukraine, inflicting heavy losses on Russian troops and disrupting their plans near Pokrovsk, with Ukraine claiming significant territorial gains and Russian forces capturing new villages, amid ongoing intense fighting in the Donetsk region.
The Institute for the Study of War reports ongoing military activities in Ukraine, including Russian claims of controlling Luhansk Oblast, Russian military modernization efforts with motorcycles, Ukrainian strikes on Russian rear facilities, and deteriorating Russia-Azerbaijan relations, amidst continued fighting and strategic shifts on the battlefield.
The West has finally allowed Ukraine to use Western weapons to strike inside Russia, significantly impacting the battlefield. Ukrainian forces have successfully targeted key Russian military sites, slowing Russian advances and preventing the occupation of Kharkiv. However, despite the new weapons, Ukraine still faces challenges, including Russia's air superiority and the need for more trained soldiers. The arrival of F-16 fighter jets and further Western aid are crucial for Ukraine's continued defense and potential counteroffensives.
Russian troops have recaptured the village of Urozhaine in the eastern Donetsk region, which Ukraine had taken back in its summer 2023 counteroffensive. The area has seen intense fighting, and Ukraine's military has not officially commented on the current situation. Russian forces have been making incremental gains along the frontlines, keeping pressure on Ukraine's eastern defenses.
Ukrainian forces have launched a significant counteroffensive in Vovchansk, Kharkiv, deploying around 38,000 troops against 14,000 Russian soldiers. Key developments include the restoration of a critical bridge near Staryi Saltiv and the deployment of a pontoon bridge to support logistics. Ukrainian troops are also concentrating in Billy Kolodiaz for further counterattacks. Despite Russian attempts to destroy bridges and hinder advances, Ukrainian forces are making substantial progress, regaining control of strategic areas and destabilizing Russian positions. The ongoing intense military activity in Vovchansk is crucial for Ukraine's momentum in the region.
Resistance forces in Myanmar captured the key trade town of Myawaddy on the Thai border, marking a significant gain since the 2021 military coup, but thousands of residents are fleeing as the regime's troops prepare for a counteroffensive. The town, held by rebels of the Karen ethnic group, is a vital hub for imports and exports, with $1 billion in trade last year. The fall of Myawaddy comes as resistance forces have seized numerous towns and military outposts in border regions and launched drones targeting the capital. Residents are seeking safety in Thailand amid fears of an impending military counteroffensive.
President Zelenskyy of Ukraine emphasized the need to prepare a strong reserve to disrupt the enemy's counteroffensive, stressing the importance of trained personnel with combat experience. He highlighted the necessity for longer rotations for professional brigades and the need for an equally powerful reserve. Zelenskyy also emphasized the importance of defensive military preconditions and retaliatory strikes on Russian military concentrations, and stated that Ukraine has shared specific information with its partners regarding the military situation. A draft law on mobilization may be submitted to the parliament on April 10.
Ukrainian President Zelensky suggested that Russia had obtained sensitive military planning information for Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive, which largely failed, and stated that Kyiv is preparing multiple versions of its battlefield strategy for 2024 to prevent a repeat. Russian forces are now advancing in eastern Ukraine after capturing the town of Avdiivka, with Zelensky confirming that Ukraine has a clear plan for this year despite concerns about information leaks.
A new book reveals that Ukraine's top general, Valery Zaluzhny, had pushed for a bold counteroffensive in 2022, aiming to hit Zaporizhzhia and sever the "land bridge" to isolate Russian forces in Crimea. However, the US disagreed and urged Ukraine to focus on a safer target, Kherson. The delayed counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia in 2023 faced extensive Russian defenses and ultimately failed. Critics argue that the US's conservative approach to providing military aid to Ukraine may have missed opportunities for success on the battlefield.