Commander of the First Separate Assault Battalion, Dmitro “Perun” Filatov, stated that the town of Hulyaipole in the Zaporizhia region is “almost occupied.” He emphasized that this situation is part of a broader strategic plan, suggesting that the rationale behind the current developments will become clear in due time.
Filatov, whose battalion is actively engaged in counteroffensive operations along the southern front, noted that these efforts have been ongoing since late January. He described the situation in the region as “very dynamic,” drawing parallels to the more stabilized conditions seen in the Dobropillia direction, where previous Russian plans were effectively disrupted.
According to Filatov, Russian forces are eyeing the Zaporizhia direction as a critical area for their next offensive moves. He explained that the goal for Russian troops is to reach positions that would allow them to launch artillery strikes on Zaporizhia city, a significant industrial hub. Such actions could have serious implications for both the local economy and the overall resilience of Ukrainian armed forces.
When asked about the strength of Russian troops in the area, Filatov acknowledged that they possess sufficient resources to execute their current objectives. However, he expressed confidence in the experience of Ukrainian military leadership, which has been instrumental in maintaining territorial integrity and minimizing casualties, thereby thwarting Russian strategic ambitions.
Ukrainian defense forces are reportedly regaining control over territories at the intersection of Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhia regions, referred to as the Oleksandrivka direction in reports from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The timeline and specifics of Ukraine’s counteroffensive actions in this area remain largely undisclosed, with military operations occurring under a veil of information silence. It wasn’t until mid-February that reports began to surface from military bloggers and analysts, including Konstantin Mashovets from the “Information Resistance” group and the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
On February 17, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi announced successful counterattacks and assault operations around Hulyaipole. In a recent interview published on March 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that since the beginning of 2026, Ukraine has reclaimed approximately 460 square kilometers of territory, likely referring to the contested areas among the three regions. During a press conference on March 8, he clarified that control had been restored over about 400 to 435 square kilometers in southern Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces are actively engaged in counteroffensive operations in the Zaporizhia region, with significant developments reported in Hulyaipole. Commander Dmitro Filatov highlighted the dynamic nature of the situation, as Ukrainian troops work to regain territory and disrupt Russian strategic plans.