Ukrainian Forces Liberate 480 Square Kilometers in Southern Offensive, Commander Reports

Report on the Offensive Operation in the Olexandrivka Sector

According to Главком: Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, has detailed the outcomes of an offensive operation in the Olexandrivka sector. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces seized the least amount of territory in March 2026 since September 2023. This ongoing offensive, which began in late January, has enabled Ukrainian forces to regain control of 480 square kilometers of land. This advance represents a significant tactical gain in a region that has seen intense fighting since the early stages of the full-scale invasion.

Operation Details

The operation resulted in the liberation of the following settlements:

• 8 villages in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
• 4 villages in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Despite these Ukrainian successes, 64 enemy attacks were recorded in the Olexandrivka sector over the past week. Oleksandr Syrskyi noted the following areas of active Russian assault:

“In the Olexandrivka sector, the enemy is attacking in the areas of Ternove, Olexandrohrad, Ivanivka, Zelenyi Hai, Andriivka-Klevtsove, Sichneve, and towards Sosnivka, Verbove, and Zlahoda.” - Oleksandr Syrskyi

In preparation for further actions, Syrskyi also visited the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces in Donetsk Oblast. On-site, he issued orders for additional supplies of ammunition and materiel for units on the Pokrovsk axis. ISW data shows that Russian forces advanced by 319 square kilometers in January 2026 and 123 square kilometers in February. However, the March figures mark the lowest rate of Russian territorial gains since at least September 2023, when they captured 23 square kilometers.

Overall, the current results of the Olexandrivka sector operation indicate gradual progress by Ukrainian forces despite significant pressure from Russian troops. The shifting dynamics of combat suggest a potential change in strategy on both sides, as Russian forces demonstrate a decline in successful offensives for March. This trend may point to resource depletion and the necessity for adaptation to the evolving conditions of the war.

As Ukrainian forces continue to reclaim territory, it's noteworthy that the recent figures indicate a significant decline in Russian offensive capabilities. In March, Russian troops managed to seize only 23 square kilometers, marking the lowest rate of territorial gains in 18 months. This decline highlights the shifting dynamics on the battlefield, underscoring the importance of understanding the broader context of the ongoing conflict. For a deeper analysis of these changing trends, see more about the recent Russian offensive.