Russian forces have increased the intensity of offensive operations on multiple front-line directions — from March 17 to 20, the Russian army conducted 619 assaults.
This was reported by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi.
“Over four days this week, from March 17 to 20, 2026, the intensity of enemy offensive actions increased. The enemy attempted to breach our troops’ defensive lines on several strategic directions simultaneously. Fierce fighting unfolded along the entire contact line. In total, over these four days, the enemy carried out 619 assault operations,” Syrskyi stated.
According to him, the main strike by the invaders was concentrated on the Pokrovske and Oleksandrivske directions, where the highest number of attacks occurred. Specifically, on the Pokrovske direction, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions 163 times, and on the Oleksandrivske direction — 96 times.
The situation remained equally tense on the Kostiantynivske direction, where Russian troops conducted 84 assaults, as well as on the Ocheretyne, Lyman, and Kupiansk directions, which saw a total of more than 150 combat engagements.
“Despite immense pressure and the deployment of significant reserves, the Russian command was unable to accomplish its objectives. Thanks to the professional and coordinated actions of Ukrainian soldiers, enemy offensive operations were stopped on several directions. On some sections of the front, high-intensity fighting continues, but the enemy is forced to regroup its forces,” Syrskyi emphasized.
The invaders are attempting to bring in new units and are preparing to continue attacks, relying on worsening weather conditions, which they believe will reduce the effectiveness of Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance, as well as impede the operation of drones and artillery.
“The Russian command threw tens of thousands of soldiers into ‘meat-grinder assaults,’ yet the cost of this offensive attempt proved catastrophic for the aggressor. Over four days of intense assault operations, the enemy lost more than 6,090 personnel killed or wounded. Over the course of the week, total enemy losses amounted to about 8,710 killed and seriously wounded,” Syrskyi noted.
The Defense Forces also destroyed a significant amount of Russian military equipment and weapons.
“We were prepared for an increase in the intensity of the Russian onslaught, so we made the necessary command decisions. Troops received reinforcements and were supplied with military equipment, weapons, and ammunition. At the same time, I want to emphasize that the successful repulsion of the enemy’s massive assaults was made possible primarily due to the courage and resilience of every soldier who carries out combat missions and holds the line under these extremely difficult conditions,” Syrskyi stressed.
According to him, just as four years ago at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian defenders proved their superiority on the battlefield. On certain directions, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have seized the initiative and are conducting their own active operations, applying a strategy of active defense.
