The Ukrainian Armed Forces have denied reports that they lost the villages of Platonivka and Minkivka in the Donetsk region

The settlements of Platonivka and Minkivka, as well as the approaches to them, remain under the full control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. 

This was stated on March 23, 2026, by Major Hryhoriy Shapoval, spokesperson for the “East” military group, refuting claims by DeepState analysts regarding the alleged occupation of these territories by the Russian Federation’s army. According to him, the situation in the areas of Riznykivka, Zakitne, and Zaliznyanske remains difficult, but Ukrainian units continue to hold their designated lines.

Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces repelled seven assaults in the Sloviansk direction and three more in the Kramatorsk direction. The enemy is attempting to advance by deploying additional reserves but is suffering significant losses due to precise fire from Ukrainian artillery and drone units. Intelligence promptly detects the occupiers’ movements, allowing the Defense Forces to effectively coordinate their actions and destroy enemy equipment even as it approaches their positions.

In total, over the past 24 hours in the area of responsibility of the “East” group, more than 180 invaders were eliminated, nearly 140 were wounded, and over 2,000 pieces of Russian Federation weaponry and equipment were destroyed or damaged. These successes on the front lines coincide with the active deployment of new technologies, notably the German Strila interceptor drones, whose funding Berlin announced on March 23. While Ukraine battles the aggressor and the effects of the early spring flood, the Netherlands is preparing to become the first NATO country to fully integrate drones into all combat units. 

As a reminder, Russia launched an offensive against the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ fortified positions in Donetsk Oblast.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces also thwarted a Russian offensive planned for March.