Ukraine regained control of nearly 50 sq km (19 sq miles) of its territory from Russian forces in March, its army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Wednesday, adding that the gains build on progress made since the start of the year.
Syrskyi said Russian forces had stepped up offensive operations with the arrival of more favorable weather conditions, carrying out attacks along almost the entire 1,200-km front line.
He identified the area around the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk, which Russia has been trying to capture since mid-2024, as one of the most intense zones of fighting during March.
The Oleksandrivka, Kostiantynivka and Lyman directions in eastern and southeastern Ukraine were also among the “hottest” areas during the month, he added.
Ukrainian counterattacks in the southeast have helped disrupt Russian efforts around Pokrovsk and the broader spring offensive, military analysts have said.
Syrskyi said last week that Ukraine has regained control of 480 sq km of territory since late January. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy earlier this month said the frontline situation was the most favourable for Ukraine since mid-2024.
He also said Ukrainian forces have maintained a high tempo of strikes on military, defence-industrial and other facilities inside Russia in an effort to weaken Moscow’s offensive capabilities.
According to Syrskyi, Ukraine struck 76 such targets in March, including 15 facilities in the oil refining sector.
Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian ports, refineries and fertiliser plants as part of efforts to reduce Moscow’s commodity export revenues, which have been affected by global price increases linked to the Iran war.
