Ukraine regains almost all territory in Dnipropetrovsk region, General Staff says
Illustrative photo: The General Staff announced the liberation of almost the entire Dnipropetrovsk region (Getty Images)
Ukrainian forces are carrying out a planned offensive operation in the Oleksandrivka direction. As part of these actions, they have already managed to liberate almost the entire territory of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Major General Oleksandr Komarenko, head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff, said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
According to him, the offensive actions are being carried out by airborne assault and assault troops with support from mechanized brigades defending this direction.
"This is a planned offensive operation that went through all approval and coordination procedures," he said. When asked whether these actions can be called an offensive operation, Komarenko responded affirmatively.
"Yes, of course. I repeat, the forms of warfare are changing. There is a different composition of operations, battles, and combat actions," he added.
Interim results of the operation
According to the General Staff chief, Ukrainian forces have already liberated over 400 square kilometers of territory. In a slightly smaller area, rear positions have also been cleared of enemy groups that managed to infiltrate.
"Almost the entire territory of the Dnipropetrovsk region has been liberated. Only three small settlements remain to be finished, and two more to be cleared. Thanks to these active actions, in February, we have a positive trend — more territory was liberated than lost," Komarenko said.
Why Russian forces tried to break into the region
Komarenko also explained why Russian troops attempted to advance toward the Dnipropetrovsk region.
According to the Major General, the enemy sought to continue their offensive and establish a so-called buffer zone.
"Their leadership constantly claims they need the entire Donbas and a buffer zone. Their goal was to create a buffer zone in the Dnipropetrovsk region—that was their intent, their plan," he explained.
Situation in the Oleksandrivka direction
Russian war correspondents were the first to report on the Ukrainian counteroffensive at the junction of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, spreading panic messages on their channels. Later, the Southern Defense Forces clarified the real situation on the front.
It also became known that the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces are conducting an active operation in the Oleksandrivka direction. Its main goal is to disrupt Russia’s plans to advance in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Key successes of this operation were later revealed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
