Ukrainian marines strike back in the south, stopping Russian advance
Illustrative photo: The Ukrainian Armed Forces are conducting a counteroffensive in southern Ukraine (GettyImages)
Units of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces are conducting an active operation in the Oleksandrivka direction. The main objective is to disrupt Russia's plans to advance in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, according to the Air Assault Forces.
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Operation objectives
According to the military, key tasks include defeating enemy formations and pushing them beyond the administrative border of Dnipropetrovsk region.
Despite active assaults by Russian troops, the Air Assault units continue to repel attacks while simultaneously carrying out offensive operations.
Situation on the front
The Air Assault Forces note that the situation remains highly dynamic. The enemy is attempting to hold captured positions and is deploying significant human and technical resources.
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At the same time, Ukrainian forces continue to carry out their assigned tasks and are gradually liberating territory.
Operation results
Since the start of the operation, the Air Assault Forces, together with adjacent units, have regained control over more than 300 square kilometers. Eight settlements have also been cleared of enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups.
The military emphasizes that the active phase of the operation is ongoing, so it is too early to speak of final results.
Counteroffensive in the south
On February 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian defenders had liberated around 300 square kilometers of territory in the southern section of the front.
Meanwhile, Southern Defense Forces spokesman Vladyslav Voloshyn told RBC-Ukraine that as a result of counterattacks and assault operations in the Huliaipole and surrounding directions in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukrainian forces had restored control over more than 300 square kilometers of territory.
Earlier, on February 13, it was reported that Ukrainian troops were carrying out localized counterattacks at the junction of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. ISW analysts suggested that the Ukrainian military could be taking advantage of communication problems in Russian forces, including disruptions to Starlink and Telegram terminals.
In addition, on February 16, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi visited Ukrainian troops engaged in fighting in the Oleksandrivka direction and the Huliaipole area, where active combat operations are currently underway.
