Ukrainian defense forces continue to liberate territories in the south of the country, demonstrating confident progress towards Huliaipole and Oleksandrivka. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note that since the beginning of 2026, Ukrainian military forces have reclaimed 244 square kilometers in these directions, while the Russian Federation’s troops have only managed to capture 115 square kilometers during the same period.
This is reported by Finway
Successes of Ukrainian Forces in the South
According to ISW, Ukrainian units have achieved significant results south of the Vovcha River — particularly to the southwest, south, and southeast of Oleksandrivka, as well as west of the Haichur River, which is north of Huliaipole. Analysts emphasize that their mapping methodology may not reflect all the gains of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as recent geolocated videos and reports indicate a much broader advance of Ukrainian troops in this region.
ISW refers to information from military expert Kostiantyn Mashovets, stating that Ukrainian forces have established positions in Ternove, pushed some Russian units out of Berezove, and advanced to the central part of Novomykolaivka. Additionally, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are holding positions in Tsvitkove, Krynychne, and Staroukrainka, which are west of Huliaipole, although these settlements were previously under threat of attack from Russian troops.
Impact of Gains on the Frontline Situation
ISW analysts also note that Ukrainian army units have recently advanced northeast of Andriivka, as confirmed by geolocated footage published on March 5. At the same time, disruptions in Russian military communications likely aided Ukrainian defense forces in conducting effective counterattacks in the Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole directions.
“Recent Ukrainian gains may force the command of the Russian Eastern Group of Forces to choose between prioritizing offensive efforts west of Huliaipole or protecting Russian ground lines of communication towards Huliaipole from Ukrainian counterattacks from the north,” the report’s authors suggest.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, over the past three months, the fighters of the “Timur Special Unit” of the GUR of Ukraine have been conducting a comprehensive defensive operation in the Zaporizhzhia direction to disrupt the enemy’s offensive plans and prevent its advance towards Zaporizhzhia. Thanks to the coordinated actions of the units, it has been possible to stabilize the defense at strategically important lines and secure the city.
ISW emphasizes that in the second half of February 2026, Ukrainian troops were able to liberate more territory than they lost for the first time since the summer of 2023. Ukrainian President Zelensky recently stated in an interview that since the beginning of the year, Ukrainian military forces have regained control of 460 square kilometers, emphasizing that Ukraine is not losing the war and seeks peace through dialogue.
These results were likely made possible by successful advances in the Oleksandrivka direction. According to the DeepState project as of March 2, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have pushed back Russian troops near Zlahoda, Novohryhorivka, Novomykolaivka, Stepne, and Ternove at the border of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.