Ukraine's military command announced that its forces have liberated 26 settlements in a sustained offensive near Oleksandrivka in the southeastern part of the country, an operation that stretched over six months. The recaptured villages and towns are spread across three oblasts: 12 in Dnipropetrovsk, 10 in Donetsk, and four in Zaporizhzhia.
Kyiv officials describe the counteroffensive as a deliberate effort to blunt Russia's spring-summer push and to push Russian troops out of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a region Moscow had sought to turn into a buffer zone. According to Ukraine's Airborne Assault Forces Command, the total liberated area exceeds 745 square kilometres, though the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which tracks the conflict using open-source intelligence, gives a more conservative figure of roughly 626.69 square kilometres across the Oleksandrivka direction and the northern edge of the adjoining Hulyaipole sector. The ISW cautions that its methodology "likely underestimates Ukrainian advances."
A test of endurance and coordination
Analysts at the Washington-based think tank framed the operation as evidence that Ukraine can still mount coordinated, mechanised counterattacks after more than four years of largely static, attritional fighting. The gains, they argue, stem from a combination of factors: the maturation of Ukrainian operational planning, a sustained campaign to suppress and destroy Russian air-defence systems, an intensifying mid-range strike campaign against Russian logistics, Ukraine's edge in tactical drone warfare, and the abrupt cutoff of Starlink connectivity for Russian units operating inside Ukraine on 1 February.
The fighting near Oleksandrivka has also had knock-on effects elsewhere on the front line. The ISW notes that Moscow now faces a dilemma: either shore up its defences in the southeast or divert troops and equipment to offensives further along the front. This choice is made sharper by Russia's declining recruitment rate, which limits its ability to reinforce multiple sectors simultaneously.
The operation's success is notable given the broader context of the war, which has seen front lines move little since 2022. Ukraine's ability to launch a multi-brigade, mechanised assault—even on a limited scale—signals that its forces retain offensive capabilities despite prolonged attrition. The recapture of territory in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast is particularly significant, as it removes the immediate threat to a region that had been under pressure from Russian forces attempting to create a buffer zone along the border.
While the ISW's figures are more conservative than Kyiv's, the think tank's assessment underscores the operation's strategic importance. The liberation of these settlements not only reclaims ground but also disrupts Russian supply lines and command structures in the area. The knock-on effects are already being felt, with Russian forces forced to redeploy units from other sectors to stabilise the line.
Ukraine's military leadership has been careful not to overstate the gains, acknowledging that the operation is part of a broader campaign rather than a decisive breakthrough. The focus remains on grinding down Russian capabilities while preserving Ukrainian manpower and equipment. The use of drones, both for reconnaissance and strike missions, has been a key differentiator, allowing Ukrainian forces to target Russian artillery and logistics with precision.
The Starlink cutoff, which affected Russian units operating inside Ukraine, is believed to have disrupted their command-and-control capabilities, giving Ukrainian forces a temporary advantage in the Oleksandrivka sector. This development, combined with Ukraine's growing proficiency in electronic warfare, has contributed to the operation's success.
As the war enters its fifth year, the recapture of these settlements offers a rare piece of good news for Kyiv. It demonstrates that, despite the challenges of prolonged conflict, Ukraine can still execute complex offensive operations. The question now is whether this momentum can be sustained and expanded, or whether Russia will adapt and counter.
The broader European security implications are clear: a Ukrainian victory in the southeast would not only bolster Kyiv's negotiating position but also reassure European allies that their support is yielding tangible results. The operation also highlights the importance of continued Western military aid, particularly in the realms of air defence, long-range strikes, and secure communications.
For now, the focus remains on the ground. The liberation of 26 settlements is a testament to the resilience and skill of Ukrainian forces, but the war is far from over. The coming months will test whether Ukraine can build on these gains or whether Russia will find ways to regain the initiative.
