Zelenskyy says Ukraine derailed Russia's plans in the south, reveals area retaken
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian Defense Forces have regained control of up to 435 square kilometers of territory in the south, disrupting Russia's plans in that direction, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint briefing in Kyiv with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
"In the south of our country, over the past month and a half, our Armed Forces have carried out a number of important actions related to defense and, in some areas, to offensive operations. These actions were aimed solely at disrupting Russia's plans. We believe we have been quite successful—we have restored control over about 400–435 square kilometers," President Zelenskyy noted.
He recalled that this direction remains difficult, but that things are now more positive than in late 2025. The president stressed that the actions of Ukrainian troops have derailed Russia's plans in this area.
Ukraine's leader also added that the Kremlin's plans for a spring offensive have not changed. Russian forces still aim to seize eastern Ukraine, particularly the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
"The main goals are the east of our country—the capture of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In principle, their plans have not changed. The timeline is being delayed because they are unable to achieve this with the means and forces they currently have, and because of the actions of our Armed Forces," President Zelenskyy concluded.
Ukrainian battlefield gains
On March 7, during a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian troops achieved tangible results over the winter and held all key defense directions.
Recently, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said that in February, Ukrainian forces regained more territory than Russian troops captured.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also reported recently that during the last two weeks of February, Ukrainian forces recaptured more territory than they lost for the first time since the summer offensive.
