Ukrainian military operations in southern Ukraine have reportedly led to significant territorial recoveries, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The latest assessment from ISW indicates that since January 1, 2026, Ukrainian troops have reclaimed approximately 244 square kilometers around the areas of Hulyaipole and Oleksandrivka, while Russian forces have gained only 115 square kilometers during the same timeframe.
ISW analysts caution that their mapping methodology may underestimate the extent of Ukrainian advances. Recent geolocated reports and videos suggest that Ukrainian units have made notable progress south of the Vovcha River, particularly in the southwestern, southern, and southeastern regions near Oleksandrivka, as well as west of the Haichur River north of Hulyaipole.
Additionally, Ukrainian military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets reported that Ukrainian forces have likely secured positions in Ternove, southeast of Oleksandrivka, and have partially pushed Russian troops out of Berizove, located southwest of Ternove. There has also been movement towards central Novomykolaivka, south of Berizove.
Mashovets further noted that Ukrainian troops are holding positions in Tsvitkove, northwest of Hulyaipole, as well as in Krynychne and Staroukrainka, areas previously assessed by ISW as under Russian control. Geolocated footage from March 5 indicates that Ukrainian forces have made recent advances northeast of Andriivka, located southwest of Oleksandrivka.
ISW also pointed to disruptions in Russian military communications that may have facilitated Ukrainian counterattacks in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipole sectors. The report suggests that recent Ukrainian successes could force the command of Russian Eastern Group forces to choose between prioritizing offensive efforts west of Hulyaipole or safeguarding their ground lines of communication from Ukrainian counterattacks originating from the north.
On March 7, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate announced that, in conjunction with Defense Forces, they halted a Russian offensive in the Zaporizhzhia region. Over the past three months, the “Timur Special Unit” has been conducting a comprehensive defensive operation aimed at disrupting enemy plans and preventing advances toward the regional center.
The intelligence agency reported that the actions of the special forces have stabilized defenses at advantageous positions for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and secured Zaporizhzhia.
On March 4, ISW noted that in the last two weeks of February 2026, Ukrainian forces reclaimed more territory than they lost for the first time since the summer counteroffensive of 2023.
In an interview with the Italian publication Corriere Della Sera on March 3, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukrainian troops have regained 460 square kilometers of territory since the start of the year. He emphasized that Ukraine is not losing the war and is open to dialogue, seeking peace.
Zelensky’s remarks likely refer to advancements in the Oleksandrivka direction. According to the DeepState project as of March 2, Ukrainian Defense Forces have pushed back Russian troops near Zlahoda, Novohryhorivka, Novomykolaivka, Stepne, and Ternove, along the border of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Recent assessments indicate that Ukrainian forces have made significant territorial gains in southern Ukraine, reclaiming 244 square kilometers since January. This progress has been attributed to successful military operations and counterattacks against Russian positions.