On March 15, Ukrainian military forces reported a significant escalation in combat activities, with 154 clashes occurring since the start of the day. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine detailed that the enemy launched 74 airstrikes and deployed 212 guided bombs, alongside the use of 3,917 kamikaze drones and 2,572 artillery strikes against populated areas and military positions.
The report highlighted that the fiercest fighting took place in the Sloviansk direction, where the enemy attempted to advance 13 times near the settlements of Yampil, Zakittne, Platonivka, and towards Ozerny, Riznykivka, and Rai-Oleksandrivka. Ongoing clashes were noted in these areas.
Approximately half of the reported engagements occurred in three key areas: Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka in Donetsk, and Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia. In the Kostiantynivka direction, the enemy conducted 21 assaults targeting Ukrainian defenses near Kostiantynivka, Illinivka, Novopavlivka, and the surrounding settlements of Pleshchiyivka, Berestok, and Rusyn Yar, with one clash still in progress.
In the Pokrovsk direction, 35 attacks were recorded as the enemy sought to advance towards the settlements of Vilne, Novooleksandrivka, Shevchenko, Toretske, Bilitske, and others. Five assault actions are currently ongoing in this area.
Meanwhile, the Huliaipole direction saw 20 enemy attacks, particularly around Huliaipole and towards Zaliznychnyi, Varvarivka, Sviatopetrivka, Olenokostiantynivka, and Charivne. Airstrikes were reported in the regions of Charivne, Huliaipole, Kopani, Myrne, Vozdvizhivka, Verkhnya Tersa, Novoselivka, and Barvinivka, with three clashes continuing.
A notable number of combat encounters were also recorded in the Sloviansk and Oleksandrivka directions, along with fighting in the Northern Slobozhansky, Kursk, Southern Slobozhansky, Kupiansk, Lyman, Kramatorsk, and Orikhiv directions.
On March 14, during a visit to the front line, General Oleksandr Syrskiy noted that Ukrainian defense forces are gradually advancing in southern Ukraine. He emphasized that the armed forces aim to seize operational initiative and compel the enemy to operate under Ukrainian terms. In the Oleksandrivka direction, a counteroffensive operation is underway, during which airborne troops have regained control over 285.6 square kilometers in the past month. Overall, Syrskiy reported that more than 400 square kilometers have been reclaimed since the operation began.
In related developments, Commander Dmytro “Perun” Filatov of the 1st Separate Assault Battalion stated in an interview that Huliaipole is “almost occupied,” but this is part of a broader strategy. Ukrainian forces are regaining control over territories at the intersection of Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, referred to as the Oleksandrivka direction in General Staff reports.
The timeline and specifics of Ukraine’s counteroffensive actions in this region remain largely undisclosed, with military operations conducted under a veil of information silence. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview with the Italian publication Corriere Della Sera on March 3, stated that Ukrainian forces have reclaimed 460 square kilometers of territory since the beginning of the year. He reiterated that Ukraine is not losing the war and is seeking dialogue, aiming for peace.
Ukrainian military forces reported intense combat on March 15, with numerous clashes and airstrikes as they continue operations in eastern Ukraine. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to regain territory and shift the operational initiative.