On March 7, Ukrainian military officials reported a significant escalation in combat activities, with 113 clashes occurring since the start of the day. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine provided an operational update detailing the intensity of engagements across various fronts.
In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, Russian forces conducted 115 shelling attacks on Ukrainian positions and civilian areas, including three incidents involving multiple rocket launchers. Additionally, three airstrikes were executed using eight guided aerial bombs, according to the report. In the Southern Slobozhansky direction, four assaults targeted Ukrainian units near the settlements of Hrafske, Vilcha, Zybynne, and Pishchane, with two ongoing offensive actions noted.
The Ukrainian command indicated that in the Kupiansk direction, Russian forces launched four attacks in the areas of Pishchane, Kurylivka, Kivsharivka, and Novoosynove, with one attack still underway.
In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian troops repelled four assaults in the regions of Serednie, Novyi Myr, and Drobysheve, with one offensive action continuing. The Sloviansk direction saw 12 attempts by Russian forces to advance towards Platonivka, Rai-Oleksandrivka, Kalenyky, Dronivka, Zakittne, Riznykivka, and Pazeno, with three ongoing efforts to improve their tactical position.
Furthermore, in the Kostyantynivka direction, Russian forces conducted 15 assaults on Ukrainian positions near Kostyantynivka, Pleshchiyivka, Shcherbynivka, Illinivka, Rusynyi Yar, Sofiyivka, and Novopavlivka, with one offensive action still in progress.
In the Pokrovsk direction, 19 attacks were reported as Russian forces sought to advance in the vicinity of Novyi Donbas, Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, Novopidhorodne, Nikanorivka, Shevchenko, Pokrovsk, and Hryshyne. Preliminary estimates indicated that 39 Russian soldiers were killed and 23 wounded in this area, along with the destruction of two vehicles, damage to nine shelters, five units of military equipment, and three artillery systems. Additionally, 141 drones of various types were reportedly destroyed or suppressed.
Vladimir Polovyi, head of communications for the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces, stated on March 5 that Ukrainian troops remain stationed in the northern regions of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, which are considered among the hottest spots along the frontline.
Previously, the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted a lack of evidence regarding Ukrainian military activity in Pokrovsk since late January, suggesting that the city may have been fully captured by Russian forces. However, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has not confirmed the capture of Pokrovsk by Russian troops or the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the city.
Ukrainian military reports indicate a marked increase in combat activities across various fronts in eastern Ukraine, with multiple assaults and counterattacks reported. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing engagements in key locations such as Pokrovsk and Kupiansk.