On March 23, the Ukrainian General Staff reported a total of 168 combat engagements along the front lines, marking a significant day of military activity.
The report detailed a single missile strike by Russian forces, which involved four missiles, alongside 75 airstrikes that deployed 255 guided bombs. Additionally, 9,027 kamikaze drones were utilized, and there were 3,727 shelling incidents targeting both populated areas and military positions, including 86 attacks using multiple rocket launch systems.
Ukrainian defense forces responded effectively, striking six locations where enemy troops were concentrated, as well as a command post for unmanned aerial vehicles.
In the northeastern regions, particularly Sumy, fighting has intensified. The report noted 13 clashes in the North Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, with 85 shelling incidents, three of which involved rocket systems.
Three areas remained particularly active: the Kostiantynivka and Pokrovsk directions in Donetsk, and the Huliaipole direction in Zaporizhzhia. In Kostiantynivka, Russian forces launched 17 attacks near several towns, including Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiyivka, and Illyinivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled 34 assault attempts in regions such as Toretske, Rodynske, and Myrnohrad, preventing further Russian advances toward the Dnipropetrovsk region.
The fighting also extended to the South Slobozhansky, Kupiansk, Lyman, Sloviansk, Oleksandrivka, and Dnipro directions.
Last week, in an interview with Radio Liberty, Ruslan Habinet, commander of the 5th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, confirmed that Ukrainian forces maintain control over certain areas of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad. He emphasized that this presence is crucial in hindering Russian military movements, particularly toward the highway leading to Pavlohrad.
On March 19, General Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Russia plans to recruit an additional 409,000 troops by 2026, indicating a rise in enemy activity as weather conditions improve.
In a previous statement on March 16, Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov claimed successes for Russian forces in the Kostiantynivka and Lyman directions, asserting that they control significant portions of these areas. However, Ukrainian military sources disputed this, asserting that no Russian troops are present in Lyman.
The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War commented on Gerasimov’s claims, suggesting that he continues to exaggerate Russian battlefield achievements to create a false narrative of impending collapse along the front lines across Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military reported 168 clashes on March 23, with significant Russian attacks and effective Ukrainian responses. The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for continued engagements.