Ukrainian military sources reported 122 combat engagements as of 9 March, with significant Russian offensives occurring in the Huliaipole and Pokrovsk directions. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine detailed that the enemy launched 21 attacks in the Pokrovsk region, targeting areas including Nikanorivka, Rodynske, and Pokrovsk.
In the Huliaipole direction, 28 attacks were recorded, particularly around Myrne and Huliaipole, as well as nearby settlements. Ukrainian defense forces successfully repelled 24 of these assaults. Additionally, Russian airstrikes were reported in several locations, including Pryliuky and Charyvne.
According to the General Staff, Russian attacks were also noted in the South Slobozhansky, Kupiansk, Lyman, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Kostiantynivka, Oleksandrivka, and Orikhiv directions. The ongoing military actions reflect a sustained effort by both sides to secure strategic advantages.
Earlier in the day, General Oleksandr Syrskyi indicated that Ukrainian forces are striving to regain operational initiative and compel the enemy to operate under Ukrainian conditions. He assessed that Ukrainian troops have regained more territory over the past month than has been captured by Russian forces, marking a significant shift since the Kursk operation in 2024.
Syrskyi noted that the counteroffensive in the Oleksandrivka direction has led to the recovery of approximately 285.6 square kilometers over the past month, contributing to a total of over 400 square kilometers regained since the operation commenced.
Active defense continues on multiple fronts, with reports of Ukrainian forces making advances in certain areas. Despite being outnumbered nearly three to one, the Ukrainian military’s proactive measures have forced Russian forces to adjust their operational timelines and redirect troops from other fronts.
On 8 March, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces had reclaimed approximately 435 square kilometers of territory in the south. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicated that during the last two weeks of February 2026, Ukrainian forces liberated more territory than they lost for the first time since the summer counteroffensive of 2023.
Intense combat continues in Eastern Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces reporting significant territorial gains. Military officials highlight a shift in operational dynamics, as Ukrainian troops regain control over areas previously held by Russian forces.