Commander-in-Chief details Ukraine's territorial gains during March fighting
Photo: Oleksandr Syrskyi (facebook.com CinCAFofUkraine)
March 2026 became a month of intense combat for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and continued active defense. Ukrainian troops managed to achieve results in liberating part of the territories, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, states.
"The Russian aggressor is suffering significant losses but is not abandoning its plans to seize Ukraine," the commander-in-chief said.
Tasks of the AFU
He emphasized that the main tasks of the Defense Forces are to destroy the enemy, halt its advance, strike Russian rear positions, including deep inside their territory, and protect the skies over cities and towns.
Syrskyi noted that Ukrainian troops summarize the results of combat work every month, analyze outcomes, and improve combat tactics.
According to him, this allows for increasing efficiency and taking experience into account at all levels of command.
Russian offensive and liberation of territories
He also noted that with changing weather conditions, the enemy intensified offensive actions along almost the entire front line, stretching about 1,200 km.
The most intense fighting during the month took place in the Oleksandrivske, Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Lyman directions.
"We must seize the strategic initiative, we are conducting active defense," the commander-in-chief stressed.
According to him, in March, Ukrainian forces regained control of nearly 50 square kilometers of territory previously occupied by the enemy.
Syrskyi emphasized that Ukraine counters the enemy’s numerical advantage with the quality of combat operations, forcing the adversary to act on Ukrainian terms and delay the execution of its objectives.
Strikes on Russia
Separately, he reported continued strikes on facilities inside Russia that support the occupiers' military infrastructure.
In March, 76 targets were hit using Deep Strike capabilities, including 15 oil refining industry facilities.
The commander-in-chief also heard reports on mobilization and recruitment, logistics support, fortification of defensive lines, and maintaining the combat readiness of units.
Situation at the front
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia is trying to increase assault activity at the front but is only suffering even greater losses.
In March alone, Russian army losses exceeded 35,000 personnel, a significant portion of whom were eliminated thanks to the effective use of drones.
As of now, the Defense Forces maintain an advantage in the use of strike drones, with the current ratio at the front standing at 1.3 to 1 in favor of Ukraine.
