Ukraine's top commander reports heavy Russian losses after failed 4-day offensive
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi (photo: facebook.com/CinCAFofUkraines)
Between March 17 and 20, Russia intensified its offensive on several fronts, with fierce fighting unfolding. Tens of thousands of soldiers were sent into "meat assaults," but the attempt failed with catastrophic losses, reports Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
As the commander-in-chief said, over four days this week, from March 17 to 20, 2026, the intensity of Russian offensive actions increased.
"The enemy tried to break through our troops' defensive lines simultaneously in several strategic directions. Fierce fighting unfolded along the entire line of contact. In total, over these four days, the enemy carried out 619 assault actions," Syrskyi noted.
According to him, the main strike was concentrated on the Pokrovsk and Oleksandrivka directions, where the highest number of attacks occurred. In particular, in the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions 163 times, and in the Oleksandrivka direction, 96 times.
The situation remained no less tense in the Kostiantynivka direction, where Russian forces carried out 84 assault actions, as well as in the Ocheretyne, Lyman, and Kupiansk directions, where, in total, more than 150 combat engagements took place.
"Despite enormous pressure and the involvement of significant reserves, the Russian command failed to accomplish its objectives. Thanks to the professional and coordinated actions of Ukrainian soldiers, the offensive actions of the enemy were stopped in several directions. In some areas of the front, high-intensity fighting continues, but the enemy is forced to regroup its forces," Syrskyi said.
Russian forces are trying to bring in new units and are preparing to continue attacks, relying on worsening weather conditions, which, in their view, should reduce the effectiveness of Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance and hinder the operation of drone systems and artillery.
According to the commander-in-chief, "Russian military command threw tens of thousands of soldiers into 'meat assaults,' but the cost of this offensive attempt turned out to be catastrophic for the aggressor."
"Over four days of intensive assault actions, the enemy lost more than 6,090 servicemen killed and wounded. Over the week, total enemy losses amounted to about 8,710 killed and seriously wounded," Syrskyi said.
Ukraine's Defense Forces also destroyed a significant amount of enemy military equipment and weapons.
"We were ready for the increase in the intensity of the Russian onslaught, so we made the necessary command decisions. The troops received reinforcements and were supplied with military equipment, weapons, and ammunition," the commander-in-chief said.
"At the same time, I want to emphasize that the successful repelling of massive enemy assaults became possible primarily due to the courage and resilience of every soldier who carries out combat tasks and holds the line under these extremely difficult conditions," he added.
According to him, four years ago, at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian defenders demonstrated their superiority on the battlefield.
In certain directions, Ukrainian forces seized the initiative and are conducting their own active operations, applying tactics of active defense.
"I thank the soldiers who withstood enemy pressure, held their positions, and continue to liberate Ukrainian land," Syrskyi emphasized.
Russian command plans to involve all mobilized personnel currently in Crimea in combat starting April 1. For this purpose, Russian forces are transferring marines and airborne troops to the front.
