Zelenskyy says increased Russian attacks lead only to higher losses

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday said Russia is attempting to intensify offensive operations along the front line, but is suffering growing losses without disrupting Ukrainian advances.

Citing a report from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Zelenskyy described the situation as tense, with Russian forces increasing attack activity.

“Russia is trying to step up its offensive actions, but this only leads to greater losses and does not hinder our operations,” he said.

Zelenskyy added that Russian forces have failed to achieve their objectives in border areas of the Sumy Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast and Donetsk Oblast, forcing them to delay timelines.

He also highlighted continued Ukrainian operations on the southern front, thanking military personnel for carrying out key tasks.

According to Ukraine’s General Staff, Ukrainian forces are conducting an offensive in the Oleksandrivka sector, where more than 400 square kilometres have been recaptured in a short period. Troops are advancing simultaneously in the Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole sectors.

Ukrainian forces have also regained control over nearly all of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast region, according to official information.

The Ukrainian Air Assault Forces reported that nine settlements were liberated and three more cleared of Russian troops during counteroffensive operations in the Oleksandrivka sector.

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War say Ukraine’s advances on the southern front could disrupt Russia’s planned spring–summer 2026 offensive.