Defence Forces Restore Control Over Up to 435 sq km in the South
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported significant successes by Ukrainian defenders, who over the past month and a half have managed to return between 400 and 435 square kilometres of territory under Ukrainian control in the southern direction.
The head of state announced this during a joint briefing with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten, according to Ukrinform.
Zelenskyy stressed that these actions effectively disrupted Russia’s plans for a large-scale spring offensive. The operations combined defensive and offensive measures aimed at exhausting the enemy and improving the strategic position of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The success in the southern sector of the front resulted from a series of targeted operations that forced occupying troops to withdraw from previously held positions. The President described these actions as sufficiently successful and emphasised the importance of maintaining the initiative under constant pressure from the aggressor.
While Russia attempts to regroup its forces, Ukraine continues strengthening the front line and integrating Western assistance for the further de-occupation of its territories.
Earlier, Zelenskyy noted that this winter the Armed Forces of Ukraine held all key defensive positions.
Russian forces have also lost the ability to regain control of previously held lines both in Kupiansk itself and on the approaches to the city.
