The Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully prevented the implementation of a large-scale offensive by the Russian Federation, which the Russian military command had planned for March. Despite the fact that Russian troops continue to carry out assault actions in various areas of the front, the overall level of intensity of hostilities and the volume of attacks have turned out to be significantly lower than expected in the Kremlin.
This is reported by Finway
The Importance of the Resilience of Ukrainian Defense for Diplomacy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized in his evening address on March 16 that the Ukrainian military disrupted the plans of the Russian command to conduct a large-scale offensive operation in March. According to the head of state, although Russian units continue their offensive actions, their activity does not correspond to the previously announced plans of the aggressor state’s leadership.
Zelensky highlighted that the resilience and effective defense of Ukrainian positions are significant not only for the situation at the front but also for further strengthening Ukraine’s diplomatic positions on the international stage. This, he said, contributes to increasing support from allies and partners.
“This is important, as our strength on the front is the strength of all Ukrainian positions, our communication with the world, diplomacy, and the ability of the international community to stand with Ukraine despite any challenges. I am grateful to every unit that holds the defense in the Donetsk direction, as well as to all those who defend Ukraine in the Kharkiv region and along the border of Sumy. The Zaporizhzhia direction remains important: the Russians are trying to reinforce their forces there, but our military is destroying them,” the president emphasized.
Actions of the Ukrainian Military and Operational Situation
The head of state noted the contribution of all components of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, including airborne assault troops, infantry, drone units, artillery, intelligence, and special operations forces. Zelensky specifically thanked the units holding the defense in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia directions, as well as along the border of Sumy region.
The president also reported that he had a conversation with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, during which the current situation at the front was discussed. According to Zelensky, there is much for Ukrainian soldiers to be proud of regarding their courage and professionalism.
Earlier, in a comment to international media, Zelensky noted that thanks to successful counteroffensive operations, Ukrainian forces managed to liberate over 434 square kilometers of territory and disrupt a large-scale offensive by Russian troops in southern Ukraine, inflicting significant losses on them.