On March 5, Ukrainian forces reported 117 combat engagements since the start of the day, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The report indicated that the adversary conducted 51 aerial strikes, dropped 142 guided bombs, deployed 4,653 kamikaze drones, and executed 2,543 shelling attacks on populated areas and military positions by 10 PM.
More than half of the combat incidents were concentrated in three regions: Kostiantynivka and Pokrovsk in Donetsk, and Huliaipole in Zaporizhia.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy launched 18 assaults on Ukrainian defenders near the settlements of Pleshchiivka, Ivanopillia, Rusyn Yar, Sofiivka, and towards Illinivka and Stepanivka.
Meanwhile, the Pokrovsk direction experienced 21 attacks, with attempts to advance in the areas of Rodynske, Kotlyne, Novomykolaivka, Udačne, Filia, as well as towards Bilytske, Novooleksandrivka, and Novopavlivka.
In the Huliaipole sector, 22 clashes occurred around Huliaipole, Zelenyi, Myrnyi, and towards Zaliznychnyi, Varvarivka, and Staroukraїnka. Three engagements are ongoing, with the enemy conducting airstrikes in the vicinity of Vozdvizhivka, Kopani, Barvinivka, Verkhnya Tersa, and Varvarivka.
Fighting also continued in the Kupiansk, Lyman, Sloviansk, Oleksandrivka, Orikhiv, and Dnipro directions.
According to the American Institute for the Study of War, as of March 3, Ukrainian forces reclaimed more territory than they lost in the last two weeks of February 2026, marking a significant shift since the summer counteroffensive of 2023.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in an interview with the Italian publication Corriere Della Sera on March 3 that Ukrainian troops have recaptured 460 square kilometers of territory since the beginning of the year. He emphasized that Ukraine is not losing the war and is seeking dialogue aimed at peace.
Zelenskyy’s remarks likely pertain to advancements in the Oleksandrivka direction.
On March 2, the General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces liberated nine settlements in the Oleksandrivka direction, noting that military units and subdivisions of the Air Assault Forces continue their active offensive operations.
Intense combat continues in Ukraine, with significant engagements reported across multiple fronts. Ukrainian forces have reportedly reclaimed territory, indicating a shift in the conflict's dynamics.