On March 7, the Ukrainian General Staff reported a significant escalation in combat activity along the eastern front, with 42 clashes occurring since the start of the day. The military noted that Russian forces conducted 68 shelling attacks on populated areas and military positions, including two using multiple rocket launchers and three airstrikes involving eight guided aerial bombs.
In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, the situation remains tense, with ongoing assaults targeting the settlements of Hrafske, Vilcha, and Zybyn. One of these attacks is still in progress, according to military officials.
In the Sloviansk direction, Russian troops have attempted to advance towards Ukrainian positions near Rai-Oleksandrivka, Platonivka, and Kalenyky three times, with one of these engagements also ongoing.
Furthermore, in the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces have made 13 attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions around the settlements of Novyi Donbas, Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, and Novopidhorodne. Two of these clashes are still unresolved.
On March 4, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Ukrainian forces have regained more territory than they lost for the first time since the summer counteroffensive of 2023, during the last two weeks of February.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in an interview with the Italian publication Corriere Della Sera on March 3 that Ukrainian troops have reclaimed 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 achieving peace.
Zelenskyy’s remarks likely refer to advancements in the Oleksandrivka direction. According to the DeepState project on March 2, Ukrainian Defense Forces pushed back Russian troops near Zlahoda, Novohryhorivka, Novomykolaivka, Stepne, and Ternove, located at the intersection of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
The Ukrainian military reported 42 clashes on the eastern front on March 7, highlighting ongoing assaults and territorial gains. President Zelenskyy noted significant recoveries in territory, emphasizing Ukraine's resilience in the conflict.