Ukrainian forces have regained control of about 470 square kilometers of territory and neutralized more than 11,000 Russian invaders since the beginning of operations in the south, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi says.
As experts have noted, the battle for Zaporizhzhia could become the most decisive front in 2026. The goal of the Russians is to get close to the million-strong city and shell it with artillery so that civilians have no time to take shelter.
For now, Ukrainians are holding back Russian forces in Stepnohirsk, where their life expectancy is estimated at around 12 minutes.
Command at frontline: Syrskyi prepares more strikes
The Commander-in-Chief paid a working visit to the Southern operational zone and met with the command of the offensive grouping. Reports were heard from commanders of assault and air assault units, and further actions were coordinated.
"While Russian occupiers deliberately strike civilian infrastructure, Ukraine’s Defense Forces are systematically destroying the enemy on the battlefield," Oleksandr Syrskyi emphasizes.
Assault without chance: Hundreds of Russians killed
According to Robert “Madiar” Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Forces, Russian forces launched large-scale assaults on 17–18 March in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia directions.
In the first 36 hours alone, units of the Unmanned Systems Forces eliminated 292 Russian soldiers and wounded another 221. By midday on 18 March, losses increased by another 277 personnel — 141 killed and 136 wounded.
At the same time, expert Oleksandr Kovalenko believes that a recent 1000-drone attack was an attempt to divert attention from enormous losses and minimal territorial gains. More than 40 people have been injured in it, including five children.
According to the General Staff of Ukraine, Russia’s total losses have already exceeded 1.28 million personnel. Moscow continues offensive operations despite colossal losses and the absence of a strategic breakthrough.
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