On February 22, Ukrainian military forces engaged in 112 combat encounters with Russian troops, according to an operational report from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In the northern regions of Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk, there was one confrontation with the enemy, during which Russian forces conducted 68 attacks on populated areas and Ukrainian positions. This included six assaults using multiple launch rocket systems. In the southern Slobozhanshchyna region, there was one attack near Dvorichanske, with ongoing fighting reported.
Additionally, the General Staff noted that Ukrainian forces successfully repelled six attacks in the Lyman direction, particularly around Drobysheve and towards Novosergiyivka, Oleksandrivka, and Stavky.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, Russian forces launched 13 assaults against Ukrainian defenders near Pleshchiyivka, Sofiyivka, and towards Illinivka, Kostiantynivka, and Stepaniivka. One confrontation in this area is still ongoing.
According to the General Staff, in the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces conducted 22 attacks since the beginning of the day. They attempted to advance in the areas of the settlements of Rodynske, Pokrovsk, Udačne, and towards Bilitske, Hryshyne, and Novopidhirne. Preliminary reports indicate that Ukrainian forces eliminated 22 Russian soldiers and injured 19, while also destroying 77 drones, one artillery system, an electronic warfare station, two vehicles, and four units of special equipment. Additionally, one artillery system, one electronic warfare station, seven vehicles, and 12 enemy personnel shelters were damaged.
On February 19, the DeepState project reported that the Russian army had made advances near Nykyforivka, east of Sloviansk, near Nelipivka, southeast of Kostiantynivka, as well as near Zatyshok and Novo Shakhove on the Dobropillia salient. These areas are among the most active along the front line, with daily reports of multiple assaults by Russian forces.
According to Radio Free Europe’s Donbas Realities project, the Russian army may be preparing for a significant offensive this spring or summer, likely targeting the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration and/or the Orikhiv-Zaporizhzhia region. Analyst Kostiantyn Mashovets from the Information Resistance group noted that this could be the last major push for Russia on the front, given their dwindling resources and escalating economic issues within the country.
As winter comes to a close, Ukrainian forces have managed to adjust Russia’s plans by initiating counter-offensive operations at the intersection of Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, pushing back aggressors from Pokrovsk and further east from Orikhiv. Reports from pro-Russian Telegram channels indicate that the Ukrainian offensive in this area is ongoing.
The latest reports indicate a significant escalation in combat between Ukrainian and Russian forces, particularly in the eastern regions of Ukraine. As both sides engage in multiple confrontations, analysts suggest that Russia may be preparing for a major offensive in the coming months, while Ukrainian forces continue to adapt their strategies.