According to the Ukrainian General Staff, fierce combat has erupted in eastern Ukraine, with 129 clashes recorded since the start of the day. The heaviest assaults by Russian forces were reported in the Kostiantynivka direction.
In a detailed briefing, the General Staff noted that Russian troops launched 26 attacks near the settlements of Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiivka, Ivanopillia, Illinivka, Mykolaivka, Novopavlivka, and Sofiivka. Additionally, 21 attacks occurred in the Pokrovsk direction, targeting areas around Toretske, Zatyshok, Nova Shakhovka, Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novopidhorodne, Muravka, and Hryshyne.
The fighting also extended to the Huliaipole direction, where 17 assaults were reported, and 11 in the Sloviansk direction. Clashes continued across the Northern Slobozhansky, Kursk, Southern Slobozhansky, Kupiansk, Lyman, Oleksandrivka, and Orikhiv directions, according to the General Staff.
On March 11, the DeepState project indicated that Russian forces had advanced near the village of Stupochky, located east of Kostiantynivka. This village lies on a crucial route leading from Bakhmut to the southern part of Kostiantynivka. Reports suggest that a small section of southern Kostiantynivka is now in a ‘gray zone,’ with Ukrainian defenders regularly observing Russian soldiers attempting to establish a foothold.
The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) recently stated that Ukrainian counterattacks in Zaporizhzhia could disrupt Russian plans for a spring and summer offensive. On March 9, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, emphasized that Ukrainian forces are striving to regain operational initiative and force the enemy to adapt to their strategies. He noted that in the Oleksandrivka direction, a counteroffensive operation has restored control over 285.6 square kilometers in just one month. Overall, more than 400 square kilometers have been reclaimed since the operation began.
Dmytro ‘Perun’ Filatov, commander of the First Separate Assault Battalion, stated in an interview that Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region is ‘almost occupied,’ but this is part of a broader strategic plan.
The Ukrainian General Staff has reported intense fighting in eastern Ukraine, with numerous Russian attacks concentrated in Kostiantynivka. Ukrainian forces are actively countering these assaults while attempting to regain territory in the region.